Living in Spain - Study in Spain

Living in Spain

Spain isn't just a place to get a degree — it's a place to live, in the fullest sense of the word. The country's famous lifestyle — late dinners, tapas with friends, siestas, fiestas, and long summer evenings — becomes the backdrop to your student years. But beyond the postcard images, Spain is a practical, affordable, and well-connected country with excellent infrastructure, reliable healthcare, and a genuinely welcoming culture.

This guide covers everything you need to know about daily life as a student in Spain, from choosing your city to navigating healthcare and building a social life.

Student Cities: A Detailed Comparison

Madrid

Best for: Business, finance, law, political science, networking, nightlife

Madrid is Spain's capital, largest city, and economic hub. It's the best place in Spain for career networking, especially in finance, consulting, law, and government. The city has world-class museums (Prado, Reina Sofia, Thyssen), a legendary nightlife scene, and the best transport system in the country. The downside: it's one of the more expensive Spanish cities, and summers are extremely hot.

Barcelona

Best for: Design, tech, international business, architecture, Mediterranean lifestyle

Barcelona combines urban energy with beach access, a world-famous food scene, and a thriving tech/startup ecosystem. It's home to some of Spain's best universities (UPF, UPC) and top business schools (ESADE, IESE). The city's architecture — from Gothic Quarter to Gaudi — is extraordinary. Housing is expensive and competitive, especially near the beach and city center.

Note: Catalonia has its own language (Catalan), which is used alongside Spanish. Most university courses are in Spanish or English, but some may be in Catalan. Daily life is easily navigated in Spanish.

Valencia

Best for: Engineering, architecture, sciences, affordable coastal living, best value

Valencia is increasingly recognized as Spain's best-value student city. It offers beach access, excellent weather, a vibrant cultural scene (Las Fallas festival, City of Arts and Sciences), and living costs 30–40% lower than Madrid or Barcelona. The Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) is one of Spain's best engineering schools. The city is compact and very bikeable.

Seville

Best for: Humanities, traditional Spanish culture, architecture, affordable living

Seville is the cultural heart of Andalusia and one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Flamenco, Semana Santa, the Feria de Abril, tapas culture — Seville embodies everything people imagine about Spain. It's very affordable, incredibly atmospheric, and has a strong student community. The trade-off: summer heat is extreme (regularly 40°C+ in July–August), and the job market is weaker than in Madrid or Barcelona.

Granada

Best for: Affordable student life, humanities, Spanish language immersion, Erasmus

Granada is Spain's ultimate student town. With 60,000+ students in a city of 230,000, the university dominates every aspect of life. It's the most affordable major student city in Spain, the top destination for Erasmus students, and home to the Alhambra — one of the world's most visited monuments. Bars serve free tapas with every drink, making socializing incredibly cheap. You can ski in the Sierra Nevada in the morning and visit the beach in the afternoon.

Bilbao

Best for: Engineering, emerging tech scene, Basque culture, design

Bilbao has transformed from an industrial city into a design and culture hub, anchored by the Guggenheim Museum. The Basque Country has its own distinct culture, cuisine (widely considered Spain's best), and language. Bilbao offers a more intimate experience than Madrid or Barcelona, with strong engineering programs and an emerging tech scene. The climate is wetter and cooler than southern Spain — more like the UK.

City Comparison at a Glance

Housing

Types of Student Housing

Shared Apartment (Piso Compartido) — The most popular option

• Cost: EUR 250–600/month depending on city
• Usually 2–5 housemates sharing a flat
• You get your own bedroom; kitchen and bathroom are shared
• Bills (utilities, internet) are typically split equally among housemates
• Best platforms: Idealista.com, Fotocasa.es, Milanuncios.com, Spotahome.com

University Residence (Colegio Mayor / Residencia Universitaria)

• Cost: EUR 500–900/month
• Meals often included (half-board or full-board)
• Social environment with organized activities
• Usually close to campus
• Best for first-year students who want a built-in community

Private Student Housing (Purpose-built)

• Cost: EUR 600–1,000/month
• Modern facilities, often with gym, study rooms, social spaces
• Providers: Resa, Micampus, Livensa Living
• Higher cost but hassle-free (bills included, maintenance handled)

Homestay (Familia de Acogida)

• Cost: EUR 400–700/month
• Live with a Spanish family; meals included
• Excellent for language immersion
• Less independence but strong cultural experience

Housing Tips

• Never pay a deposit before seeing the property — Scams targeting international students are common, especially online
• Typical deposit: 1–2 months' rent (fianza), returned when you leave if no damage
• Standard contracts: 1 year for rental, though student-specific contracts (9–10 months) exist
• Check your rights: Spain has strong tenant protection laws. Familiarize yourself with your rights at the local oficina de consumo (consumer office)
• Start searching 1–2 months before arrival — Good rooms go fast, especially in September

Transport

Within Cities

Spain's public transport is reliable, affordable, and well-developed:

Between Cities

Spain has excellent intercity connections:

• AVE (High-speed train): Madrid–Barcelona in 2.5 hours, Madrid–Seville in 2.5 hours, Madrid–Valencia in 1.5 hours. Book early on renfe.com for fares from EUR 20.
• Avlo and Ouigo: Budget high-speed trains with fares from EUR 7–15. Same routes, less legroom, great value.
• ALSA buses: Comprehensive long-distance bus network. Often cheaper than trains for secondary routes.
• Blablacar: Ridesharing is hugely popular in Spain. Typical cost: EUR 10–25 for intercity trips.
• Budget airlines: Vueling, Ryanair, and Iberia Express connect Spanish cities from EUR 15–40 one way.

Healthcare

Spain's public healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud) is ranked 7th in the world by the WHO.

For EU/EEA Students

• Use your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) for public healthcare access
• Covers GP visits, hospital treatment, emergency care, and prescriptions
• Dental and optical care are not covered

For Non-EU Students

• Private health insurance is required for your visa application
• After registering as a resident (empadronamiento + TIE), you may be eligible for the public healthcare system depending on your region
• Private insurance costs EUR 30–60/month for comprehensive student coverage

You can compare health insurance options for Spain to find the right policy for your needs and visa requirements.

Pharmacies (Farmacias)

• Pharmacies are everywhere in Spain (look for the green cross sign)
• Pharmacists can advise on minor health issues and sell many medications without a prescription
• A 24-hour pharmacy (farmacia de guardia) operates on rotation in every area
• Common medications are affordable: paracetamol EUR 2, ibuprofen EUR 3, antibiotics EUR 5–15

Mental Health

• University counseling services (servicio de atencion psicologica) are available at most campuses, usually free
• Public mental health services through the national health system
• Private psychologists/psychiatrists: EUR 50–80 per session

Food and Eating

Spanish food culture is a central part of daily life:

The Spanish Eating Schedule

Budget Eating

• Menu del dia: EUR 8–12 for a three-course lunch with drink at most restaurants (weekdays). This is the student staple.
• Tapas: EUR 2–4 per tapa in most cities. In Granada, they're free with drinks.
• Supermarkets: Mercadona, Lidl, and Aldi offer the best prices. Weekly groceries: EUR 30–50.
• University canteens: EUR 4–7 for a full meal.
• Cooking at home: EUR 3–5 per meal if you cook from scratch.

Culture and Social Life

Making Friends

• University associations (asociaciones estudiantiles): Every university has dozens of clubs covering sports, culture, politics, volunteering, and hobbies
• Erasmus Student Network (ESN): Organizes events, trips, and parties for international students
• Language exchanges (intercambio de idiomas): Meet at bars or cafes to practice languages — hugely popular in every Spanish city
• Sports: University sports teams, municipal gyms (EUR 20–40/month), running groups, hiking clubs
• Social media groups: WhatsApp and Instagram groups for your university's international students

The Spanish Social Schedule

Spaniards socialize later than most other Europeans:

• Pre-drinks (botellón): Often at someone's flat or in a park, starting around 10–11pm
• Going out: Bars from 11pm–1am, then clubs from 1am–5/6am
• Weekend schedule: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights are all common going-out nights for students
• Café culture: Daytime socializing revolves around coffee, terrazas (outdoor terraces), and paseos (walks)

Festivals and Events

Spain has more public holidays than almost any European country, plus countless local festivals:

Safety

Spain is one of the safest countries in Europe for students:

• Violent crime is very rare
• Pickpocketing is the main risk, concentrated in tourist areas of Madrid (Gran Via, Puerta del Sol), Barcelona (Las Ramblas, metro), and other major cities
• Women's safety — Spain is generally very safe for women, including at night. Use the same common-sense precautions you would in any European city.
• LGBTQ+ safety — Spain was one of the first countries to legalize same-sex marriage (2005) and is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in the world. Madrid's Chueca neighborhood is one of Europe's most vibrant LGBTQ+ districts.

Safety tips:

• Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets in crowded areas
• Don't leave bags unattended on cafe terraces
• Be cautious of people distracting you while someone else picks your pocket (common on Barcelona's metro)
• Emergency number: 112 (free, multilingual)

Practical Daily Life

SIM Cards and Phone Plans

• Prepaid SIM: EUR 10–15 for a starter pack with data (Vodafone, Orange, Movistar)
• Monthly plan: EUR 10–25 for unlimited calls + 10–50GB data
• Best budget options: Pepephone, Simyo, Lowi, O2 (all budget carriers with good coverage)
• Free WiFi: Available in most cafes, all university buildings, and many public spaces

Laundry

• Most apartments don't have dryers — Spaniards hang clothes to dry (and the sun helps)
• Laundromats (lavanderias) are available in all cities: EUR 4–6 per wash
• Many shared apartments have a washing machine

Weather Preparation

• Summer (June–September): Sunscreen, light clothing, hat, reusable water bottle. Air conditioning is not universal — some older apartments lack it.
• Winter (December–February): A medium-weight coat is sufficient for most of Spain. In Madrid, temperatures can drop to 0–5°C in January. Apartments often have heating but insulation can be poor.

Useful Apps

• Citymapper — Best public transport app (Madrid, Barcelona)
• Idealista — Housing search
• Wallapop — Buy/sell second-hand items (Spain's equivalent of Craigslist)
• Glovo / Just Eat — Food delivery
• Cabify / Uber — Ride-hailing
• Blablacar — Ridesharing between cities
• Renfe / Omio — Train and bus bookings
• Google Translate — Useful for Spanish bureaucracy documents

Next Steps

• Review costs and funding — Build a detailed budget for your city of choice
• Check visa requirements — NIE, TIE, and empadronamiento explained
• Explore work options — Part-time jobs, internships, and post-graduation careers
• Discover why Spain — Still deciding? Read about Spain's key advantages