How Much Money Do You Really Need to Move to Spain?
Relocating to Spain is a dream for many, but it comes with its financial considerations. In an insightful video, James Blick, the founder of the Spain Revealed YouTube channel, breaks down the essential costs associated with moving to Spain. This article condenses his findings into two main categories: hard costs of moving and ongoing cost of living.
Understanding the Hard Costs of Moving
Before embarking on any relocation, it’s critical to understand the fixed expenses associated with the move. These costs include visa fees, travel expenses, health insurance, and accommodation during the transition. For illustrative purposes, James creates a hypothetical couple, Brian and Jean, aged 55, planning to move from Miami to Malaga.
For Americans, obtaining a visa is a necessary step, particularly if they are not EU citizens. The most common visa options are the non-lucrative visa and the digital nomad visa. The non-lucrative visa, often sought by retirees or individuals with independent income, requires applicants to show they can support themselves financially in Spain without working.
To apply for this visa, Brian and Jean need to demonstrate a minimum passive income of €3,000 per month or savings of $36,000. Alongside these financial requirements, there are additional costs, such as:
Visa application fee: Approximately €360 for the couple
Official document costs (like FBI background checks): Estimated €120
Translation fees for necessary documents: Estimated €300
Health insurance for the visa application: Approximately €3,000 for a year
The total for the visa expenses alone would amount to around €4,680, excluding the required financial proof of income or savings.
Travel and Shipping Costs
The next major expense is travel. Flights from Miami to Malaga cost around €600 per person, totaling €1,200 for both. If they plan to bring possessions, shipping costs can vary significantly. James provides a realistic figure of €2,000 for shipping or excess luggage, potentially including options like sending bags via courier services.
After landing in Spain, finding temporary housing is essential. For their "landing pad," three weeks of Airbnb accommodation sums up to about €1,750. Once settled, they’ll need to secure a permanent rental; for their chosen two-bedroom apartment in Malaga, the monthly rent is €1,550, plus a security deposit that totals about €4,600.
In total, the hard costs for moving can quickly escalate, with James estimating that their total would exceed €13,300 when accounting for all fixed costs.
Once settled, the ongoing living costs should also be taken into account. These can vary based on lifestyle and location. For Brian and Jean, the average cost of living in the Andalusia region is approximately €14,450 per year for a couple, excluding housing.
To calculate a more comprehensive budget, add their monthly rent of €1,550 (or €18,600 annually) to the annual cost of living, resulting in a baseline figure of approximately €33,050 per year.
Adjusting for Lifestyle
James emphasizes that these figures are just a baseline, and depending on personal lifestyle and travel plans, the costs may rise significantly. Should Brian and Jean wish to travel back to Miami or take trips throughout Europe, their annual spend may well double.
Potential taxes, especially as they become residents
Conclusion
Moving to Spain can be a rewarding experience, but understanding the financial implications is paramount. James Blick’s detailed breakdown serves as a helpful tool for prospective movers, particularly those considering the minimum financial requirements.
By presenting hard costs and outlining possible ongoing expenses, he provides a realistic framework for budgeting and planning your new life in Spain. Whether it’s for a year or a lifetime, relocating demands careful financial consideration, and starting with a solid plan can make the transition smoother.
For anyone ready to take that leap, James also offers further resources, including an extended free module from his First Steps to Spain course, which delves deeper into financial preparation for this exciting move.
Part 1/7:
How Much Money Do You Really Need to Move to Spain?
Relocating to Spain is a dream for many, but it comes with its financial considerations. In an insightful video, James Blick, the founder of the Spain Revealed YouTube channel, breaks down the essential costs associated with moving to Spain. This article condenses his findings into two main categories: hard costs of moving and ongoing cost of living.
Understanding the Hard Costs of Moving
Before embarking on any relocation, it’s critical to understand the fixed expenses associated with the move. These costs include visa fees, travel expenses, health insurance, and accommodation during the transition. For illustrative purposes, James creates a hypothetical couple, Brian and Jean, aged 55, planning to move from Miami to Malaga.
Part 2/7:
Visa Application Fees
For Americans, obtaining a visa is a necessary step, particularly if they are not EU citizens. The most common visa options are the non-lucrative visa and the digital nomad visa. The non-lucrative visa, often sought by retirees or individuals with independent income, requires applicants to show they can support themselves financially in Spain without working.
To apply for this visa, Brian and Jean need to demonstrate a minimum passive income of €3,000 per month or savings of $36,000. Alongside these financial requirements, there are additional costs, such as:
Visa application fee: Approximately €360 for the couple
Official document costs (like FBI background checks): Estimated €120
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Translation fees for necessary documents: Estimated €300
Health insurance for the visa application: Approximately €3,000 for a year
The total for the visa expenses alone would amount to around €4,680, excluding the required financial proof of income or savings.
Travel and Shipping Costs
The next major expense is travel. Flights from Miami to Malaga cost around €600 per person, totaling €1,200 for both. If they plan to bring possessions, shipping costs can vary significantly. James provides a realistic figure of €2,000 for shipping or excess luggage, potentially including options like sending bags via courier services.
Part 4/7:
After landing in Spain, finding temporary housing is essential. For their "landing pad," three weeks of Airbnb accommodation sums up to about €1,750. Once settled, they’ll need to secure a permanent rental; for their chosen two-bedroom apartment in Malaga, the monthly rent is €1,550, plus a security deposit that totals about €4,600.
In total, the hard costs for moving can quickly escalate, with James estimating that their total would exceed €13,300 when accounting for all fixed costs.
Budgeting for Cost of Living in Spain
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Once settled, the ongoing living costs should also be taken into account. These can vary based on lifestyle and location. For Brian and Jean, the average cost of living in the Andalusia region is approximately €14,450 per year for a couple, excluding housing.
To calculate a more comprehensive budget, add their monthly rent of €1,550 (or €18,600 annually) to the annual cost of living, resulting in a baseline figure of approximately €33,050 per year.
Adjusting for Lifestyle
James emphasizes that these figures are just a baseline, and depending on personal lifestyle and travel plans, the costs may rise significantly. Should Brian and Jean wish to travel back to Miami or take trips throughout Europe, their annual spend may well double.
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They might also want to account for factors like:
Health care costs (adding an additional €3,000)
Potential taxes, especially as they become residents
Conclusion
Moving to Spain can be a rewarding experience, but understanding the financial implications is paramount. James Blick’s detailed breakdown serves as a helpful tool for prospective movers, particularly those considering the minimum financial requirements.
By presenting hard costs and outlining possible ongoing expenses, he provides a realistic framework for budgeting and planning your new life in Spain. Whether it’s for a year or a lifetime, relocating demands careful financial consideration, and starting with a solid plan can make the transition smoother.
Part 7/7:
For anyone ready to take that leap, James also offers further resources, including an extended free module from his First Steps to Spain course, which delves deeper into financial preparation for this exciting move.