8 Best Places to Live in Spain as a British Expat

Getting away from the dreary British weather to seek a brighter future on Spanish shores sounds like a dream for many of us, and realising it is easier than you might believe. At Clifton Private Finance, we work with specialist financiers to get you the property-secured funding you need to buy a house in Spain - but where should you choose?

Spain has some fantastic locations that are perfectly suited to British expats, with a wide spread of lifestyle choices and local amenities. Whether you’re looking for the right school for your children, or the quietest life in retirement, we have some expertise to share.

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Why Spain is a Popular Location for British Expats

Spain is one of the first choices for European relocation for many British homeowners looking to relocate abroad and the reasons for that are clear: sunshine that’s actually reliable, a cost of living that is much more comfortable than UK prices, and a lifestyle that’s not too much of a culture shock.

British people have been moving to Spain for decades, which means there’s a thriving and developed expat community in many cities. English is spoken almost everywhere, so there’s very little difficulty communicating, and international schools exist in almost every major urban area, perfect for bringing up British children.

Spain also has excellent healthcare, efficient public transport, and its own rich history that draws art and architecture lovers from around the world. Travel to and from the country is easy too, with quick and inexpensive flights that will bring you back to the UK for any family or work commitments.

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The 8 Best Cities to Live in Spain

1. Barcelona

Barcelona is a unique place to live. The bilingual capital of Catalonia, Barcelona offers an incredible aesthetic, steeped in the modernisme of architects such as Antoni Gaudí, as well as being a thriving art city with galleries and street art to explore.

Plus, with the Mediterranean only minutes away, Barcelona provides an unparalleled experience of living both in a thriving metropolitan area and being right by the beach - perfect for its incredible weather.

These features have long drawn expats from around the world, including the UK. Barcelona is welcoming, with international communities and infrastructure built around a social, energetic lifestyle.

Public transport is good, making day-to-day working convenient and the city is sized perfectly for those seeking a manageable urban lifestyle without wanting to feel lost in a vast metropolis. With investment from the city’s tech industry, Barcelona is excellent for modern creatives or those with online-based workplaces.

For property investors, Barcelona provides a solid market, though newer laws and policy changes are in place to cut down on the number of holiday lets - a good environment for long-term residential purposes, less for landlords seeking a high yield and quick returns.

Barcelona attracts city lovers who prize good healthcare and excellent public services, a vibrant lifestyle, and social energy.

2. Madrid

The capital and financial centre of Spain, Madrid offers British expats a first-class business and working environment. Property value is strong and stable, with rental investment the best anywhere in Spain, especially in the central neighbourhoods.

Despite its nature as a busy capital, Madrid is green and spacious, with the stunning central attraction of Retiro Park, and the vast openness of Casa de Campo, which boasts a lake, a swimming pool, and Madrid’s main zoo within its boundaries.

While Madrid doesn’t quite have the expat history of Barcelona, it has grown over recent decades to boast a significant multicultural community, with excellent, dedicated international schools and a significant percentage of English speakers.

For culture lovers, Madrid houses Spain’s major museums and a range of theatres and music venues. It is clean and easy to get around, with a cheap and reliable metro.

The range of work and educational opportunities makes Madrid ideal for families and professionals in all industries seeking a big-city lifestyle without London-style expenses.

3. Valencia

With a slower atmosphere than either Madrid or Barcelona, Valencia offers a Mediterranean coastal location without the intensity of Barcelona. Clean and bright, Valencia offers a mix of expat inclusiveness with both historic and modern architecture that results in an eclectic and exciting environment for professionals and retirees alike.

Spain’s third largest city, Valencia is home to the City of Arts and Sciences, a unique collection of impressive buildings that contrast with ancient structures - such as the Valencia Cathedral - to present a city of incredible variety.

For those moving to live from the UK, Valencia offers a much cheaper entry point to Spain than the previous entries on this list, with good long-term investment potential. While the short-term holiday-let market is weaker and constricted by regulation, the longer-term rental landscape offers steady returns.

People moving abroad in search of a hotter climate will find much to love in Valencia, though the hot humidity of the summer may be a little much for some. Valencia offers a more moderate pace for expats, while still scoring highly for education and healthcare.

4. Alicante

Situated in the Costa Blanca region of Spain, Alicante is a name well known for many due to its higher profile for British tourists. With over 300 days of sunshine every year, Alicante is an ideal location for those looking to escape the grey British weather and replace it with warm winters, hot summers, and almost a complete absence of rain.

The imposing Santa Bárbara Castle overlooks the bay, the Old Town provides both history and a vibrant nightlife, and the sun-drenched Blue Flag beaches provide swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

As one of Spain’s regular tourist destinations, Alicante has a high volume of English speakers and a thriving expat community. The region has a significant British population, making communication and navigating paperwork far easier than cities such as Madrid.

Property is significantly cheaper than the major cities, and eating out is casual and affordable. For expats looking to improve their lifestyle through value-for-money, Alicante delivers.

Investors will find affordable entry prices for property, and less regulatory pressures than Barcelona or Valencia, though capital appreciation is unlikely to offer significant returns - better for those looking to enjoy living in the area than those seeking high rental yields.

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5. Málaga

The birthplace of Picasso, Málaga has been transformed in the last few decades, with multiple museums and a restored historic centre, resulting in a coastal city that offers cultural depth. The airport offers a quick route back to the UK, while train links to Madrid mean you can reach the capital in around two and a half hours.

Like many other Spanish locations, this city in the famed Costa del Sol has a strong expat presence, with English regularly spoken. Nonetheless, Málaga maintains its Spanish character, avoiding a resort-like feel.

For those looking to move for culture as well as the sunny climate and beaches, Málaga is perhaps more attractive than Alicante - offering a relaxed expat lifestyle without losing its own history.

Property has become more expensive over the past ten years as the city’s appeal grows, but there is still plenty of time for investors to see a return from its increasing popularity.

6. Marbella

Marbella offers something for every British expat. The lifestyle is often described as ‘captivating’ or ‘entrancing’, with high-quality restaurants, that reliable Spanish sunshine, and some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol.

Well-respected international schools and a famed marina that’s a perfect place to moor your yacht add to the enticements for British expats.

Set close to a beautiful national park and a range of exceptional natural landscapes, Marbella offers an outdoor-focused life, perfect for those who enjoy long walks, rounds of golf, or simply relaxing on the beach.

Property prices are slightly higher than some other regions, as Marbella is one of the more affluent locations in the country. There’s considerable demand for homes in sought-after areas, with thriving rentals in the luxury sector, making Marbella a stable market for investment.

7. Palma de Mallorca

Palma is something fantastically different - a historic city with a strong international population situated on the east coast of the island of Mallorca. It boasts a revitalising lifestyle, with the cold weight of UK living dismissed as soon as you land at the local airport.

Property in Palma is both a pro and a con - an expensive investment that will doubtless see strong returns over the years. For those able to purchase in this competitive environment, Palma offers long-term stability in a stylish Mediterranean base.

The island location also has its ups and downs. For some, it offers a wide range of experiences that enhance every day, while others feel it is isolating and seek out the ferries and flights to expand their horizons.

High-value roles are limited, with most jobs centred around the hospitality and tourism sectors, and day-to-day expenses can be high. For remote workers and retirees, however, Palma offers consistent sunshine and a truly beautiful setting backdropped by the incredible Serra de Tramuntana mountains.

8. Granada

In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada is one of the few inland choices for British expats - but the draw here is strong. From the incredible architecture and history of the Alhambra, to the opportunity to go skiing less than an hour away, Granada offers a different aspect of Spain for those looking to make the move abroad - and the beaches of the Costa Tropical can be reached quickly, too, leaving that option open.

Granada is one of the only places to live in the world where you can ski for the morning and drive for a relaxing swim in the sea the same afternoon.

A university city, Granada has a different feel to many of the other options for expats, with a significant portion of the population made up of students, academics and young professionals. This has advantages to prospective landlords, with greater medium-term rental demand, as well as low entry prices for buyers - though it should be noted that the market value of properties is relatively stable, with fewer opportunities for large returns on resale.

Granada offers a more affordable expat lifestyle, excellent for families, younger professionals, or retirees who prefer mountains and cultural history to the lure of the beach.

How to Buy Property in Spain with a UK Bridging Loan

Buying in Spain can feel risky, confusing and - with high interest in top-quality properties - competitive. Navigating a move to Spain by applying for a Spanish mortgage is slow and often means missing out on the property you have your sights set on.

Thankfully, bridging finance offers a rapid solution that allows you to leverage your existing UK home to fit the jigsaw pieces together.

Whether your plans are to sell up in the UK and make a full move abroad, or simply to make sure you don’t miss out on exciting opportunities you discover, bridging finance provides a powerful funding structure to support your goals.

Relying on Spanish mortgage finance with its lengthy assessment process can mean you lose the deal. Because bridging finance is designed to be rapid, it puts you in the position of an effective cash buyer in Spain. You can move to exchange without delay, seizing bargains and avoiding disappointment.

Once you have your new mortgage in place, or have sold your UK home for the best price, you simply repay the bridging loan. With no early repayment charges and interest calculated only on the time you use the loan, bridging finance is flexible and perfectly designed to facilitate expat property purchases.

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Get the Best Bridging Loan Deal with Clifton Private Finance

Clifton Private Finance have the experience you need to navigate the complex and time-sensitive waters of a move to Spain. We will work on your behalf to help:

• Maximise your buying power: Bridging finance will leverage your existing UK home, unlocking the equity to enable you to move fast and buy your dream Spanish property.
• Secure a Spanish mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP): This key documentation provides you with the confidence you need to move forward and is the first step in securing a full mortgage.
• Obtain the best available rates: Whether you're seeking a bridging loan or a mortgage for a property in Spain, our fully independent experts can help you find the best deal on the market.
• Smooth documentation: We’re here to help you get everything in order, optimising your application with expertise that overcomes every challenge.

Contact our bridging team at Clifton Private Finance today. Our experts will structure the finance safely, exploring your options through our lending partners to find the most suitable and low-cost funding available.

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