Living in Spain — City guides

A list of Spanish cities with practical data for anyone planning a move: real housing costs (shared room and own flat), monthly transport pass, available immigration offices, and local labour market specialities. Madrid and Barcelona absorb the bulk of immigrants; Valencia, Seville and Bilbao are growing fast. The choice matters because the wait for an immigration appointment varies from weeks to months depending on the office.

Housing figures come from the State Reference System for Rental Prices of the Spanish Ministry of Housing, using 2024 tax-year data: these are rents already declared to the tax office, not listing prices, so looking for a flat today you will normally pay more. Each city sheet states the year of the data.

Each city sheet also includes local economy notes, regional aid for new residents, and direct links to the electronic portal of the corresponding immigration office.