Living in Spain vs. Canada – what are the benefits?

Are you thinking of moving to Spain from Canada? Interested in knowing about the differences between the two countries and what to expect from life in Spain? At TEFL Iberia, we’ve helped many people make the move from North America to Spain. Here’s everything we know about life in Spain vs Canada, from cost of living and healthcare to culture and careers.

Cost of living

Spain is significantly more affordable than Canada. If you’re living on a modest income, this is a big factor when determining whether to live in Spain or Canada.

Canada’s cost of living is, on average, 21.2% higher than in Spain. The average monthly costs for a single person living in Canada are €895 (C$1,432.3), not including rent.

Let’s break down the numbers and compare the average cost of living in Spain and Canada’s biggest cities.

Source: http://www.numbeo.com/

Lifestyle and Culture

Spain has the classic "Mediterranean lifestyle" vibe. This means living life at a slower pace, with a focus on social interaction. People gather on terraces all year round, while street festivals celebrate local traditions and bring communities together.  

There’s also a big focus on achieving work-life balance and a love of communal food experiences. 

While it’s not as pronounced as in the U.S., Canada definitely has more of a work-oriented culture than Spain. This appeals to certain people, but if you value a culture that is centred around savouring time with friends and living in the moment, chances are you’ll love Spain. And with so many incredible things to do in Spain, you can experience the best of the country without spending a lot of money.

Weather

Canada’s cold winters and shorter, hot summers offer a great contrast for those who value the full spectrum of weather throughout the year. Spain, especially along the Mediterranean coast, offers sunny weather all year round. In fact, Spain is one of Europe’s sunniest countries, with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year.

Winters are mild and summers are hot and humid. It helps if you’re living in a coastal city like Barcelona – a trip to the beach becomes absolutely essential in Spain during the summer!

Public transport

Spain offers far superior public transport to Canada. Big cities feature extensive metro and bus networks, as well as excellent rail networks. Spain’s big cities are renowned for their excellent public transportation, including metros, buses, trams and trains. Travelling around the likes of Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville are also very cycle-friendly, with bicycle-sharing systems like Barcelona’s Bicing and Madrid’s BiciMAD, as well as lots of cycle paths.

In contrast, people in Canada rely on cars to get around, while intercity transport is far more expensive than in Spain.  

Careers

The area where Canada is superior to Spain is earning potential. Canada typically offers higher salaries than Spain, especially in big cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Spain's job market can be more challenging. 

However, industries like TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) offer internationals an excellent pathway to living and working in Spain. While getting a standard visa in Spain is increasingly difficult for non-EU citizens, studying to become a TEFL teacher makes you eligible for a student visa. What’s more, with the country placing increasing importance on English-language skills, TEFL teaching jobs in Spain are increasingly in demand.  

Healthcare

Both Spain and Canada have publicly funded healthcare. While Canada’s is very good, Spain’s is exceptional, ranking higher than Canada in healthcare quality metrics.

Numbeo’s healthcare index ranks Spain’s healthcare system at 10th in the world with a healthcare index score of 77.2. Canada is ranked at 34th with a healthcare index score of 68.6

Housing

Renting in Canada is, on average, 35.8% higher than in Spain. And while Spain’s big cities are seeing increasing demand for affordable housing, there are still opportunities for finding good apartments in Spain. Check out our guide on student apartments in Barcelona to find out more. 

The price per m2 to buy an apartment in the city centre is €4,234 (C$6783.70). To buy an apartment in Canada outside the city centre is €3,401 (C$5,450.61) per m2, on average.

In Spain, the average price is €3,716 (inside city centre) and €2,330 (outside city centre) per m2.

Location

Canada offers amazing natural beauty with diverse landscapes that take your breath away. However, when it comes to exploring nearby cultures, with only the U.S. nearby, it can’t compare to Spain’s location in southern Europe.

If you’re a Canadian thinking of moving to Spain, one of the most unexpected benefits is the chance to discover other cultures beyond Spain’s borders. You have around 20 countries within a three-hour flight of Spain, covering the majority of Southern and Western Europe, as well as North Africa. These destinations include Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, the U.K., Ireland, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. 

Living in Spain vs Canada: The verdict

Ultimately, Spain is best for a better quality of life, healthcare, culture and lower cost of living, while Canada offers better income and potentially long-term career growth.

Are you looking to move to Spain from Canada and you’re not sure where to start? Every year at TEFL Iberia, we help people from all over the world, including Canada, start a new life in Spain. As one of Spain’s leading TEFL providers, we have vast experience dealing with everything from visas to accommodation. What’s more, our globally recognised, fully-accredited course qualifies you to teach English anywhere in the world.  

Intrigued? Get in touch!