The benefits of living in Spain vs. Ireland

Thinking of moving to Spain from Ireland? You’re not alone!

Lots of Irish citizens are taking advantage of the EU freedom of movement, something the Brits don’t have access to. Still, there’s a lot to consider before making the move. From financial considerations to cultural differences and how to meet people and make friends, the idea of living in Spain poses many questions.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of living in Spain vs Ireland, to give you a better idea of what life in Spain might look like.

Affordable cost of living 

One of the biggest reasons to move from Ireland to Spain is affordability. The cost of living in Spain is considerably lower than Ireland

According to the cost of living data tracker Numbeo, the cost of living in Ireland is, on average, 36.5% higher than in Spain. Rent is significantly more expensive in Ireland than it is in Spain – on average, 84.0% higher.

Here’s a comparison of some typical living costs:

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

Beautiful weather

There’s no denying it. One of the major reasons to move to Spain is the glorious weather! There’ many a good day for drying in Spain, with an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine every year – that’s about three times more than the average in Ireland.

You’ll hit the beach in the summer, hike the hills in the mild winter, and enjoy gorgeous sunshine in the spring and autumn. 

Amazing food

Spain’s food is joyfully delicious! There are incredible old-fashioned tavernas and tapas bars all over the country – you could practically do a food tour in any town or city in Spain and you’ll have a foodie experience you’ll never forget. Plus, in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, you’ll find an array of international options.

For high-end dining, look to Spain’s 285 Michelin Star restaurants. If you’re a foodie, you’ll be in paradise in Spain!

And if you like to cook, you’ll fall in love with the country’s fresh produce. Spanish society doesn’t revolve around supermarkets like it does in other countries. Yes, there are plenty of them, yet there are also lots of historic markets. Plus, in major cities, you’ll find fruit and vegetable grocery stores selling fresh, cheap produce on every other street corner. That’s because Spain is the largest supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables in Europe.

High quality of life

Spanish life is about enjoying the moment and savouring simple pleasures. Whether it’s enjoying a lazy lunch on a sunny terrace, sipping a coffee while reading a book in a peaceful square, or watching the sun go down over the city with friends, you’ll find that everything happens at a relaxed pace. Of course, this ‘take it easy’ approach can sometimes be frustrating. 

Things like finding accommodation, setting up a Spanish bank account, and securing your identity card (NIE) can be tricky due to Spanish bureaucracy and slow admin. But as experts in all things Spain, we can help! 

Low crime rate

As anyone living in a big Spanish city like Barcelona will tell you, there’s quite a lot of petty crime in city centers. However, Spain is generally safe compared to other countries. 

According to the World Population Review, Spain has a crime index of 36.6, ranking it 45th in the list of safest countries in the world. For context, Ireland’s crime index is 47.6, putting it 80th on the list. 

Healthcare

In general, Spain’s healthcare system is more affordable, accessible, and efficient than Ireland’s. Spain provides free public care for all residents, in contrast to Ireland’s mix of public-private healthcare that relies heavily on a means-tested system.

While GP visits are free in Spain, those without a means-tested medical card have to pay between €40 to €70 in Ireland. 

As well as being more affordable, Spain’s healthcare is also of a better quality than Ireland’s. A healthcare comparison between the two shows that Spain has very high quality medical professions and medical equipment, including some of the top specialists in the world. Spain’s healthcare index is 76.83 compared to Ireland’s 51.23.

Want to know more about moving to Spain. Get in touch with our team at TEFL Iberia today!