The number of Americans living in Spain between 2019 and 2021 increased by 13%, according to a Spanish government report. Buying or living in a home abroad requires a certain level of wealth, considering the cost not only of real estate, but also of foreign travel.
More and more Americans are coming to Spain for longer periods, whether as so-called digital nomads working abroad or looking to enjoy a new life in retirement.
The number of Americans living in Spain increased by 13% between 2019 and 2021, and home sales to Americans increased by 88% from the first half of 2019 to the first half of 2022, according to the General Notary Council of Spain.
Among expat groups buying a place in this sun-bathed country, Americans pay the second highest amount, after Danes, up to 2,837 euros, ($3,119) per square meter. It’s worth mentioning that prices of apartments and houses are steadily rising and yet interest in moving permanently to sunny Spain is also on the rise.
The increase in interest in moving to Spain in the US is brilliantly evident if we track the popularity of typing the phrase “moving to spain” into the google search engine. The popularity of the phrase “moving to spain” in google search has more than tripled since 2018.
Residents of Florida Region most interested in moving to Spain, the next most interested states are Washington and Colorado.
Why Americans are choosing Spain?
There are many reasons why Spain is proving to be the most popular destination in Europe.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Spain (excluding rent) is almost 34% lower than in the US.
Health care
Spain’s health care system is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the best in the world. The country has one of the highest life expectancies in the world.
Security
Americans feel much safer on the old continent than at home, especially during night hours.
Climate
The charm of Spain and especially the Costa del Sol region lies in its idyllic Mediterranean climate. The region, characterized by an abundance of sunny days throughout the year (more than 320!), is a clear contrast to some parts of the United States, especially areas prone to harsh winters and extreme weather.
Gastronomy
The world-renowned fine dining, seafood, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables and food quality is unparalleled.
Lifestyle
People in Spain are not in a hurry, they celebrate every moment and enjoy life. This is so different from the stressful and too fast lifestyle in the US. In Spain, people work to live, not live to work. They value friendships and there is a real joy of life.
Proximity to the United States
Málaga Airport offers direct flights to many major cities in the United States. This makes it easy for US citizens to travel back and forth to visit family and friends. It also makes it easier for U.S. citizens to retire to the Costa del Sol and still be able to visit their country on a regular basis.
Taxes
Tax issues are another factor by which some people may be attracted to Spain because of potentially more favorable tax conditions.
We’ve written about the Andalusian government encouraging real estate investors and abolishing the wealth tax:
Education
A very high level of education and a large number of great private schools, which we wrote about in the article “Education in Marbella – a guide to the best international private schools”
and everything else…
Spain has a rich and ancient history, romantic castles, amazing cities, magnificent beaches, mountains and nature and more fiestas than you could ever dream of…. Spain really does have it all!
