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15 Pros And Cons Of Living In Madrid (By an Expat)
Have you considered moving to Spain and wondered about the pros and cons of living in Madrid?
You came to the right place!
The sunny capital of Spain attracts thousands of expats each year, especially since Spain introduced digital nomad visas.
Having lived in over 18 countries in the past 10 years, I know moving abroad has many challenges. Navigating complicated visa systems and language barriers are also part of expat life in Madrid.
So, is living in Madrid, Spain as good as it seems?
Let’s jump right into the advantages and disadvantages of living in Madrid to help you decide if moving to Madrid is the right move for you!
15 Pros And Cons Of Living In Madrid
1. Pro: Vibrant City With Great Weather
The main reason people decide to move to Madrid is to enjoy the great weather and laid-back southern way of living.
When it comes to the vibrant city atmosphere, Madrid is one of the best places to live in Europe.
Madrid is a pedestrian-friendly city, with many green parks and cafe terraces that are full of people. People in Madrid are warm and welcoming and value spending time with friends.
Madrid is a beautiful city with many sights to explore, such as the Royal Palace of Madrid, El Retiro Park, and Plaza Mayor. And let’s not forget the Real Madrid football games. Football culture is a big part of living in Madrid as well.
A large expat community in Madrid makes it easier for new expats to connect with other people living abroad.
2. Con: Hot Summers Far From The Beach
Madrid’s climate is pleasant in winter. There is nothing quite as satisfying as enjoying the sun in January when most of Europe is covered in snow.
However, Madrid summers are not quite as enjoyable. Temperatures start rising to 30 °C (80 °F) in June and stay high well into September.
The worst part about Madrid in summer is its location. Madrid is located in the heart of Spain. The closest beach is in Valencia, about a 2h train ride one way. Therefore, going to the beach is not an after-work activity, as if you were living in Barcelona.
During the heat, Madrileños spend time in nature. Retiro Park is a popular summer hang-out spot.
3. Pro: One Of The Most Affordable European Capitals
When deciding on moving abroad, the cost of living is an important aspect to consider. Luckily, Madrid is one of the most affordable European capitals!
Unlike London or Paris, the cost of living in Madrid, Spain is significantly lower. You’ll get more bang for your buck in terms of accommodation costs, food, and entertainment cost.
The quality of life index ranks Spain as one of the 20 best countries in the world! At the same time, it has the second lowest cost of living among the top 20 countries.
4. Con: Rising Cost Of Living In Madrid
Although Madrid is one of the most affordable European capitals, the cost of living is starting to rise in Madrid. It is becoming harder to find cheap accommodation, and many expats resort to moving in with roommates.
The Spanish are not happy with the cost of living increase, and some blame the expat community for rising accommodation prices.
Madrid is the most expensive city in Spain, to begin with, so the increase in the cost of living is more prominent than in the rest of the country.
5. Pro: Plenty Of English Language Assistant Jobs
If you are a native English speaker, you’ll have no trouble finding a job as a language assistant.
The job has a relatively low entry barrier, but candidates must be native English speakers, have experience with children, hold a university degree, and have a clean criminal record.
Most English-speaking expats living in Madrid start by working as English language assistants in school.
You only work 18 to 26 hours a week, so you get plenty of free time to explore Madrid and other Spanish cities.
Since Madrid is the capital city with many international companies, other work opportunities are available as well. However, you might need to learn Spanish to get a well-paid job.
6. Con: Low Salaries For English Language Assistant Jobs
While an English language assistant job is easy to get, unfortunately, they are not well paid.
You’re only paid for the time you actually work. Meaning you do not get paid for any holidays or when students don’t have school.
As an English language assistant, you’ll have to live on a tight budget to cover the months you’re not getting paid or supplement your salary with additional sources of income.
The most common side job to pick up is English tutoring. You can even do it online!
7. Pro: Day Trips From Madrid
Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain and Europe, making it a perfect base for those who want to travel while living abroad. Taking day trips around the country is one of the best things to do while living in Madrid.
A reliable railway system connects Madrid to many Spanish cities, and it is a cheap and quick way to get around.
Discover stunning Alhambra in Granada, stroll the cobblestone streets of Sevilla, or explore the less visited north coast of Spain. All those destinations are just a couple of hours away by train!
Budget airlines connect Madrid to many European destinations. You can spend a weekend in the Canary Islands or the Cyclades, with flights as cheap as $16 USD.
Madrid airport has direct flights to many places in North America, so traveling home from Madrid is easier than from many other places abroad.
✈️ Looking for affordable flight deals from Madrid? I highly recommend SkyScanner!
8. Con: Language And Culture Barriers
English is not as widely spoken as you might have expected, especially among older generations.
Sure, you can get by with English in Madrid, and people working with tourists speak English very well.
However, the situation is different if you want to live in Spain. Places like banks and social security facilities are notorious for not speaking English.
A culture shock you might have when moving to Madrid is how slow everything is.
If you’re used to getting things done quickly, you might find living in Madrid frustrating. Expats often complain that the Spanish have no concept of urgency, which leads to frustration.
🗣️Want to learn Spanish to ease communication in Madrid? I recommend this website!
9. Pro: Delicious Food
Food in Madrid, Spain, is delicious! The food in Madrid is so good that it has become known as the gastronomy capital of Europe.
Some of the foods you have to try in Madrid are:
- Patatas Bravas
- Tortilla de patatas
- Churros
- Fried calamari
- Iberian ham
Healthy food is cheap and accessible, with many fruits and vegetables grown locally.
If you’re working as a digital nomad, there are plenty of quirky cafes with accessible Wi-Fi to work from.
Also, you can drink tap water in Madrid. Great for saving money and the environment when you don’t have to buy bottled water.
🍛 Get a taste of Madrid’s famous delicacies by going on this Madrid Local Food Tour!
10. Con: Late Dinners
If you’re used to going out for dinner at 7 pm, you may struggle in Spain. In fact, most restaurant kitchens don’t even open before 8 pm.
The Spanish have dinners late. Their dinner time sweet spot between 9 and 10 pm.
Tapas commonly replace large meals when having a dinner out. The idea is that you order lots of small dishes that are then shared among everybody at the table.
Sometimes, you get these small portions of food with your drink for free!
11. Pro: Lively Nightlife
Those who still enjoy nights out will love Madrid. The city has incredible nightlife, with plenty of bars and clubs to choose from.
Nights out in Madrid start pretty late, as the Spanish are just having dinner at 10 pm! Clubs get busy around 2 am and stay open until morning hours.
Even if dancing until dawn is not your idea of fun, you can grab a drink in one of many rooftop bars as you admire the sun setting over the city.
🪩Madrid is known for its awesome nightlife. I recommend going on this Pub Crawl Madrid Tour to experience it yourself!
12. Con: Air Quality
Madrid is the biggest city in Spain with a lot of road traffic. Nearly 2/3 of air pollution comes from motor vehicles, so it is safe to say excess traffic leads to decreased air quality in Madrid.
Of course, it is not nearly as bad as living in Vietnam, and you won’t see people wearing masks on the street to protect themselves from pollution.
However, those sensitive to air pollution might have respiratory issues.
13. Pro: Efficient Public Transport
To battle air pollution, Madrid invested a lot in developing its public transportation to limit the number of cars in the city center.
Today, Madrid has one of the most efficient public transport systems. You can reach virtually every part of the city by metro or bus.
Public transport in Madrid is affordable, and you can get a monthly pass if you use it regularly to save money. If you’re younger than 26, it will cost you just around $11 USD a month!
14. Con: Slow Bureaucracy
One of the challenges you’ll face as an expat living in Madrid is the Spanish bureaucracy.
Nobody likes paperwork, and there’s quite a lot of it in Spain. As an expat in Madrid, you have to get your NIE – Foreigner Identity Number and figure out health insurance and taxes.
It can get quite frustrating when you find yourself in an endless loop of needing a Spanish phone number to open a bank account but needing a Spanish bank account to get a phone number.
15. Pro: Safe City To Live In
Madrid is one of the safest cities to live in. Violent crimes are rare, guns are outlawed, and you can feel safe walking at home at night.
However, you should still be aware of your surroundings, as pickpocketing is common in tourist cities like Madrid.
FAQs About Living in Madrid, Spain
Is Madrid a good place to live?
Yes, Madrid is a good place to live due to its relaxed lifestyle, plenty of activities, and friendly locals. Madrid constantly ranks in the top 20 cities for quality of life. Madrid has a large expat community, great for making connections when living abroad.
Is living in Madrid expensive?
Living in Madrid is not expensive. Madrid is one of the cheapest European capitals. However, it is not cheap either, and you will need at least $1100 USD a month to live in Madrid.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Madrid?
To live comfortably in Madrid, you’d need at least $1100 – $1500 USD per month. This amount will cover your basic expenses as a solo female moving abroad.
Is it cheaper to live in Spain or the US?
It is cheaper to live in Spain than in most of the US. The cost of living in Spain is lower than the cost of living in the USA and living in Canada, but so are the salaries.
Do they speak English in Madrid?
Most young people and people in the tourist industry in Madrid speak English. However, the percentage of English speakers among older generations decreases rapidly.Â
Spanish National TV subs everything to Spanish. So even though most people learned English in school and understand written English, they are not used to hearing spoken English.
Final Thoughts: Pros And Cons Of Living In Madrid
There you have it, the pros and cons of living in Madrid to help you decide on your next moving abroad adventure.
The laid-back Madrid lifestyle is ideal for those who enjoy slow living, spending time in the sun, and late nights with friends.
You might find it challenging to navigate the Spanish bureaucracy and language barrier, but there is nothing a little bit of patience can’t solve.
If you’re convinced that Madrid is the perfect place for you to move to, what is the next step on your moving abroad checklist?
Read More About Living in Europe:
- 14 Pros and Cons of Living in France
- What It’s Like Living in Ireland: An Expat’s Perspective
- 36 Pros and Cons of Living in Germany as a Foreigner
- 44 Pros and Cons of Living in Italy as an Expat
- 33 Pros and Cons of Living in Berlin as an Expat
- 29 Best Places to Live in Europe for Expats
- 35 Pros and Cons of Living in the Czech Republic for Expats
- 29 Pros and Cons of Living in Amsterdam
- 37 Pros and Cons of Living in Turkey as a Foreign Woman
- 21 Pros and Cons of Living in Austria
- 27 Pros and Cons of Living in Sweden in
- 19 Pros and Cons of Living in Switzerland
- 23 Pros and Cons of Living in Denmark
- 15 Living in Serbia Pros and Cons
- 15 Pros and Cons of Living in Madrid
- 33 Living in Portugal Pros and Cons
- Best Things To Do In Sicily: The Ultimate Tour Guide
Read More About Living Abroad:
- How Living Abroad Changes You: 15 Ways You’ll Grow
- Inspirational Living Abroad Quotes for Expats [Best Moving Abroad Quotes]
- Moving and Living Abroad Guide
- Pros and Cons of Living Abroad: Why You Should Move to Another Country
- Best Suitcases for Moving Abroad
- Challenges of Moving to a New Country to Overcome
- I Regret Moving to Another Country for Love
- Quiz: What Country Should I Move To?
- Best Laptops for Digital Nomads Remote Work
- 50+ Countries with Digital Nomad Visas
- 40+ Countries with Working Holiday Visas
Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy expat travel insurance?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!
🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?
It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!
📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?
It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.
Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!
💼 How do I get a job as an expat?
You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.
If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!
💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?
Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.
I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. (Read more)
👯♀️ How do you make friends abroad?
Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.
🙀 I don’t speak the language. Can I still live abroad?
Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.
💻 Do I need a VPN?
Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.
🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?
This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here.
🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?
Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?
To find cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. (Read more)
🏨 What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?
To find cheap hotels, I recommend Booking.com. (Read more)
Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!
🚗 What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?
To find cheap rental cars, I recommend Discover Cars.
🚗 What’s the best site to find tours?
To find epic tours, I recommend Viator.
