Spain is one of the top countries in the world for attracting foreigners. It is also one of the favoured destinations for seekers of a new lifestyle looking to relocate permanently.
The country has seen a significant increase in the number of foreigners coming to live in Spain since the beginning of the 21st century. Expats of various nationalities account for 12.8% of the entire Spanish population. As such Spain is now the 4th most popular country in Europe for immigration. Of course, it is due to its wonderful, year-round weather, exceptional quality of life and its natives. The Spanish have such a “joie de vivre’ it’s infectious.
Spain is a very diverse country, offering a panorama of different lifestyles to cater to. From urban living in Barcelona and Madrid to the glitz and glamour of Marbella to the traditional charm of the countryside, Spain has it all. So where do most EU members relocate to in Spain?
The top EU nationalities that relocate to Spain permanently are Europe’s northerners, not surprising. They include the British, Germans, Dutch, French and Scandinavians who have chosen the country to escape the gloomier weather of their home countries and embrace a more outdoor-focused lifestyle. Not to say that Europeans are the only immigrants in Spain, in fact, there are 4,419.000 registered foreigners living in the country, of which only 1,925.400 are from EU countries.
The Valencia community is one of the most popular regions for migrants. Of the 643,000 foreigners, 340,000 are from the EU. Cataluña is home to 885,000 foreigners, which equates to 11.9% of its total population. Of these, only 255,000 are from the EU. Murcia has the highest percentage of migrants in mainland Spain, with 13.8% of the region’s population born outside the country. However, only 3.6% are from the EU. The remaining 10.2% coming from non-EU nations, with the highest concentration from Morocco. Murcia is known as Spain’s green gardens, where fruits and vegetable grow. Many of the foreigners who have relocated to this region have come to work the land.
The highest concentration of EU expats are located in Spain’s Mediterranean coastline with 1,394.602 choosing the coastal regions of Cataluña, Valencia, Murcia, Andalucía and the Balearic Islands. 72.43% of EU migrants have chosen to live in these coastal areas.
Property prices are not one of the factors that appear to influence where EU expats choose to live in Spain. The cheapest places to buy property tend to be inland. Yet the majority of EU migrants choose the coast. The seaside lifestyle is obviously a huge attraction.
So what attracts EU members to Spain? The data shows EU members rate the weather as one of their main reasons for changing countries. Only 113,000 (5.87%) have chosen the Northern coast of Spain to relocate and that is purely based on the fact that the weather is not as warm and reliable as it is further south. it’s as simple as that.
