Cost of Living in Spain

It's hard to give anything more than a very rough guide, but since this is one of the big questions when somebody is deciding whether to move to Spain, here are our sample costs from our experience here:

• Electricity bills:
  • for five people, our bills are approx 120euros per month unless we have guests
  • standing charge included in this is approx 20 euros
• Gas bills:
  • for at least five people with a gas hob and 2 boilers only 36 euros every 6months!
  • Gas bottles are 12 euros each
• Radio Telephone & fast internet bills with private company: are
• 48 euros per month plus the calls you make.
• 8 cents per minute to the UK cheaper than the leading company Telefonica although more expensive to initially have installed was 580 when we arrived now around 300
• Food and Cleaning materials for five people approximately: 
  • 600 euros per month.
• A glass of beer or wine at a local bar:
  • is 1.50 euro.
• Tapas:
  • are between one and two euros each.
• Loaf of bread:
  • is between 90cents and 1.50euros depending on type
• Packet of bacon:
  • is 1.99 euros
• Bottle of Spanish lager:
  • is 59 cents
• Litre Bottle of Smirnoff Vodka:
  • is 11 euros, cheaper brands from arounf 5 to 7 euros
  • Cheap Brands of Vodka 4 euros
• Decent Bottle of wine:
  • 2-3 euros. although less if you buy from the local bodegas
• You can fill an average car full of petrol or Diesel for approximately 2/3 of the price in the UK although prices as of May have now gone up to almost 1.30 euros per litre so not as big a saving there anymore.
• To Join a gym/Teakwondo for a month is 30 euros
  • 50 euros for 3 of us at the local gym with use of pool
• Meal of the day in a restaurant:
  • 7-12 euros
• Suma: council tax between 200 to 400 per year

Rental for say an apartment on a long term rental in this are can be between 100 to 150 euros per week but this depends on how close to the coast you want to be - the closer the more expensive.

This is just a small sample of prices the list is obviously endless

Finding out what you can afford is one of the first very important steps to buying a property in Spain.
If you require a mortgage you will normally be able to borrow a percentage of between 60 and 80 per cent of the professional-valuation price. Banks are now getting strict as the rate goes up and the risk is bigger due to the market and ecconomy so are double checking figures etc, but try this company for examples of mortgage calculations and also for a quote to give you some idea of the costs involved, You need to add between 10 and 12% to a property price when a mortgage is involved.

In addition, If considering taking up residence in Spain there are many matters about which you must give the most serious consideration to. 

You will be moving into what is a very different culture than that which you have been accustomed to in the United Kingdom or for that matter any other country you may originate from.

Spain is still extremely bureaucratic in its approach to daily life and has not yet fully taken democracy on board. Not at least as you will know it in the U.K. or other more advanced countries

So in relation to important information if you are considering re-locating to Spain you should also

read this

 

What Happens if I Die in Spain?

Its a strange point that; many people when moving abroad will consider the importance of health and car insurance but avoid the emotional and financial consequences of death. Especially when considering the difficulties that most people have on the trivial points of a foreign country. Investing in a funeral plan is one of the options and may well seem a very daunting task when you are busy looking forward to your life long dream. However, planning ahead for the inevitable must surely be worth doing, if only for peace of mind it offers not only yourself, but your family and friends.

Most people will share different concerns regarding this delicate subject.

The main ones being;

COST
As you are aware the cost of most things are now raising, in 1978 the average cost of an average funeral was 166 pounds, 2002 this has risen to 2230 pounds, in 2010 it will be at least 4780 pounds and astonishing in 2020 this will cost an astounding average of 11,281 pounds. Funeral costs are now raising at around 10% per year.

DISTRESS
Here in Spain the funeral is completed within 24 hours, which is a very big change from our home country. Would there be sufficient time for my family and friends to pay their respects?

CONTROL
The funeral bill is often paid in advance or on the same day of the funeral. I have heard that bank accounts are frozen at this time and that I have no control over the individual funeral director selected and his demand for immediate payment, as is the custom, upon my death. Also even if I have insurance at this time the certification will only be presented after the funeral, where will the payment come from?

LANGUAGE DIFFICULTIES.
If you can not speak the language you are potentially vulnerable. Will I get the service that I and my family wish for and at the right price?

Taking out a Funeral Plan may give you peace of mind and help you out at a difficult time but please do email me for further unbiased information about this sensitive subject.