Spain keeps pulling in people looking to move or retire, and it’s not hard to see why. The country has more Blue Flag beaches than anywhere else in Europe, plus cities that regularly top travel lists. Then there’s the price tag. Living costs run cheaper than in the U.S. or France, with a single person in Spain spending around $731 on rent and essentials compared to €1,166 in the U.S. and €1,200 in France.
Expats themselves back this up. InterNations, a network with six million expat members worldwide, runs an annual Expat Insider Survey. Spain landed ninth globally in 2025 and climbed to sixth in 2026.
The real standout is quality of life. Spain took the top spot in that category, and this marks five years running at number one. People living there point to the leisure options, culture scene, nightlife, and food as reasons they’re happy with the move.
Weather gets a mention too, unsurprisingly. Between the sunshine, the beaches, and the lower cost of everyday living, it’s clear why Spain keeps showing up near the top of these rankings year after year.
My Take…
Spain, again, topping the “where do I move” charts. Shocking absolutely no one who’s seen a Blue Flag beach or a tapas menu. Cheaper than the US, cheaper than France, basically Costco prices with Ibiza views. Weather helps too. Obviously.
Click on the link below for the full article:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2026/08/12/how-to-move-or-retire-to-spain/
