When you picture your big move to Spain, what do you see?
Is it you, sipping a perfectly foamy café con leche on a sun-drenched terrace, casually chatting with locals in flawless Spanish (that you somehow learned overnight)?
Or maybe it’s walking through whitewashed streets in Estepona, a chic straw bag on your arm, the sea glittering in the background.
Now, here’s the thing. Spain can look like that.
But it can also look like you, sweating in the queue at the town hall, clutching six different copies of your birth certificate while an official tells you you’re missing the blue stamp.
Or finding out that the local supermarket shuts at 2 p.m. on Sundays and all you’ve got in the fridge is half a lemon and a questionable yogurt.
Dream vs. reality. It’s a thing. And if you want your big move to feel like the first version (and not a permanent holiday gone wrong), you need to prepare.
So let’s talk about how to make sure reality actually lives up to your dream when you move to Spain.
1. Know Your “Why” (And Make It More Than Sunshine)
If your entire relocation plan is based on “escaping British drizzle,” then bad news: eventually, it rains in Spain too. (Yes, sometimes on the plain, sometimes on the coast — and it can be torrential).
Your dream will last longer if it’s built on something deeper.
- Maybe it’s creating a slower lifestyle.
- Maybe it’s financial freedom compared to the UK.
- Maybe it’s building a career that lets you thrive instead of just survive.
Write that down. Stick it somewhere visible. Because when the paperwork, the waiting, or the language hiccups feel overwhelming, that “why” will keep you grounded.
2. Budget Like A Pro (Cost Of Living In Spain Tips)
I get it — the cost of living in Spain can look dreamy compared to London or Manchester. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking everything is cheap.
Here’s reality:
- Rent in hotspots like Marbella or Barcelona can rival the UK.
- Imported products (hello, Marmite addicts) will cost you an arm, leg, and possibly a kidney.
- Admin costs for visas, translations, and NIE numbers sneak up faster than you can say burocracia.
Dream: Rosé-fuelled lunches that barely dent your bank account.
Reality: You forgot you still need private health insurance and an accountant.
The tip? Build a real budget. Add a 20% buffer. If you come under, great. If not, you won’t be panicking.
3. Learn Spanish (At Least a Bit)
Yes, you can “get by” in english, in tourist areas. But here’s the kicker: your life isn’t going to be a two-week holiday.
- You’ll need Spanish at the bank.
- You’ll need Spanish at the town hall.
- You’ll need Spanish to ask why your Wi-Fi has been out for three days and why nobody seems in a hurry to fix it.
Dream: Effortlessly blending in with locals.
Reality: Accidentally asking for “pregnant bread” instead of “fresh bread.”
The truth? Even a little Spanish goes a long way. It shows respect, makes life easier, and saves you from awkward charades at the pharmacy.
4. Get Comfortable With “Spanish Time”
If you’re used to Amazon Prime and next-day everything, Spain will feel… different.
- Shops close for siesta.
- Appointments run late.
- Bureaucracy moves at a pace that would make a snail look ambitious.
Dream: Finally slowing down and enjoying life.
Reality: Banging your head against the wall because your residency card has been “processing” for six weeks.
The hack? Decide now that you’ll adapt. Build flexibility into your mindset, because fighting Spanish time will only stress you out.
5. Don’t Rely On The ‘Holiday Version’ Of A Move To Spain
Visiting Spain on holiday and living in Spain are two completely different experiences.
On holiday:
- Endless paella.
- Beaches every day.
- Zero responsibilities.
Living in Spain:
- Utility bills in Spanish.
- Figuring out why the bin collection rules are more complicated than Brexit negotiations.
- Actual, normal life — just with more sun.
But here’s the beauty: if you prepare for real life, you’ll still get the magic. You’ll just avoid the “oh no, this isn’t what I expected” crash.
6. Create Community Early
One of the quickest ways for the dream to fizzle is loneliness. Moving abroad can be isolating, especially if you don’t know anyone yet.
Dream: Instant circle of fabulous friends who love Rioja as much as you.
Reality: Evenings scrolling Instagram wishing you had someone to share tapas with.
Solution? Start building your community before you even move.
- Join Facebook expat groups.
- Connect on LinkedIn with people working in Spain.
- Find hobby or language exchange groups in your future city.
Your people are out there — but you’ll have to be proactive.
7. Give Yourself Permission to Struggle (At First)
Here’s the truth bomb: there will be wobbles. There will be days where you think, “What have I done?”
And that’s okay.
Dream: Every day is magical and perfect.
Reality: Some days are magical. Some days are confusing. Some days involve crying over paperwork.
The trick is not letting those moments convince you the dream isn’t worth it. Think of them as the price of admission to your new life — because once you settle, the balance tilts firmly in favour of the dream.
Final Pep Talk
The dream of moving to Spain doesn’t have to stay a dream. But making it a reality means being honest about what the real-life version will look like.
Will you still drink sangria on a sunlit terrace? Absolutely.
Will you occasionally argue with a printer while trying to fill out Spanish tax forms? Also yes.
But here’s the thing: reality can be even better than the dream. Because once you embrace the language, the quirks, the slower pace, and the community, you’ll realise you haven’t just escaped something in the UK.
You’ve built something entirely new.
And that, my friend, is the kind of dream worth living.