Cost of living in Spain

Budgeting in Spain

Madrid and Barcelona usually carry the highest rents, while Valencia, Seville, Granada, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela, Murcia and other university cities can differ considerably. The funds the consulate asks for, calculated from Spain's IPREM income indicator, are a legal minimum rather than a realistic budget. Build the budget in EUR and include deposits, utilities, public transport, food and private health insurance without co-payments where the visa requires it.

What to include in your budget

• Rent, and the deposit (fianza) for a private rental.
• Utilities and internet, which shared flats often split separately from the rent.
• Food, a phone plan and public transport, where many cities offer reduced youth passes.
• Private health insurance without co-payments for as long as the visa requires it.
• TIE, legalisation and sworn-translation fees, and travel home.

Budget in local currency

Build your working budget in EUR and include deposits, utilities, local transport, food, phone service and insurance.

Use current local evidence

Ask the institution for current housing guidance and compare recurring prices close to the intended start date; general cost estimates age quickly.