Spanish Residency Tops the Charts for Expats in 2023

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“Spanish Residency is increasingly popular because it offers a winning combination of tradition and innovation. Breathe in the past by strolling through the cobbled streets of Seville and sampling traditional tapas. Embrace the future at Valencia’s Technological Park, a Silicon Valley in miniature, devoted to transforming cutting-edge ideas into everyday reality.”

That’s the reaction of our COO David Regueiro to the recently-released Expat City Ranking 2023 by InterNations. There are four Spanish metropolises in the top 10 cities for expats. Málaga, Alicante, and Valencia take the top three spots, with capital Madrid coming in sixth.

Magical Málaga

According to InterNations, “Málaga is the best-rated city worldwide for Local Friendliness (1st): 89% say that the locals are particularly friendly towards foreign residents (vs. 65% globally).”

Other number-one rankings it claims are for its subtropical climate and Mediterranean weather. Also, “Málaga pulls ahead in the Work & Leisure Subcategory (1st), claiming the top spot for work-life balance.”

In the Spanish market, we work closely with Orience. We sought the response to the survey of Krista Victorio, Orience Managing Partner & Client Services. How surprised is she to see Málaga at number one?

“I’m not at all shocked,” she reveals. “Málaga has become fashionable in recent years, particularly for its appealing climate and welcoming affordability. While it is not the best place to find work, the golden, digital nomad, and non-lucrative visa options make it an attractive long-term base for those that wish to stay beyond a holiday.”

We are Málaga cheerleaders too. It’s one of our 11 Best Bases for Spanish Golden Visa Holders in 2024. Like InterNations, we rate the Andalusian port as a great gateway to the natural environment of its surrounding olive groves.

Astounding Alicante

Alicante didn’t quite make our top 11. But it came in second in the InterNations ranking. They reveal that “Alicante excels in the Ease of Settling in Index (2nd), claiming the top spot in the Culture & Welcome Subcategory (1st).”

Although suffering, like Málaga, from low ratings in the work categories, Alicante makes up for it in other areas. This includes acclaim for its affordable housing. InterNations concludes: “Overall, 92% of expats are happy with their life in Alicante, compared to 72% globally.”

We turned again to Orience, this time seeking the authority of Oriol Molas, the company’s Founder and Managing Director. What is the feeling on the ground in mainland Spain? How underrated is Alicante?

“Alicante is a favoured destination,”  insists Oriol. “It’s not under the radar as people flock there to sun themselves in a resort that has 300 days of good weather a year. Alicante is superbly connected by air, road, and rail and a well-established international community offers a support network for newcomers to integrate and make new friends.”

Victorious Valencia

Valencia features in our roundup of the best bases for Spanish Residency. Like David Regueiro, we celebrate its go-ahead tech culture. Another draw is its climate which is great for exercising and resembles the world’s biggest outdoor gym.

InterNations is in agreement. They reveal that “its Leisure Options (3rd) are a major highlight: the city places 1st for its opportunities for recreational sports.”  Valencia also scores highly for “the general cost of living (3rd).”

Orience has its main office in Barcelona, Catalonia which lies north of Valencia, the autonomous community. So we asked their Digital Communications Specialist Ingrid Garcia why she thought Valencia was the highest of Spain’s largest cities to rank in the InterNations rating.

She points out that “Valencia is easier to navigate, and the unhurried pace of life might be more comfortable for those seeking a balance between urban amenities and a more relaxed environment.”

Ingrid continues: “Expats love the outdoors culture.” “There are beautiful beaches where you can join the locals playing volleyball.  The dried-up riverbed of the Turia has been converted into gardens and what’s known as Valencia’s “green lung”.”

Majestic Madrid

Trailing Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi but ahead of Mexico City, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Muscat comes Madrid. As you’d expect of the Spanish capital, “Digital Life (10th) in Madrid is a particular highlight.”

The InterNations findings show that “Expats find it easy to pay without cash (6th), get high-speed internet access at home (6th), and have unrestricted access to online services (7th).”

Madrid “rises to the top of the ranking for its Leisure Options (1st): its culture and nightlife (1st) can’t be beat. The culinary variety and dining options (4th), paired with the many opportunities for recreational sports (7th), further enrich expats’ free time.

Orience also has an office in the Spanish capital. Almuez Mansour, their Business Development Manager, has resided there as an expat since 1998. With a quarter of a century of life experience, we asked him what made Madrid such an easy city for foreigners to relocate to.

“Walk around Madrid and you’ll appreciate its heritage,” insists Mansour. “There’s amazing architecture, both traditional and modern. You can enjoy the city’s museums and art galleries at your leisure.”

Mansour also highlights how important Madrid is, for linguistic and work reasons. “Expats enjoy the opportunity to learn the world’s second business language and the third most spoken generally globally. There are many coworking places, bars, and coffee shops with excellent wifi connections.”

How to Claim Spanish Residency

Does the thought of a new life in Spain have you dreaming of moving your feet to the beat of flamenco? Would you like to feel like you’re on holiday all year round on Málaga’s beaches? Don’t delay and contact RIF Trust, Spanish Golden Visa specialists, today.