Spain is a country where you cannot get bored. The area’s undeniably rich history means that a whiff of the past can be felt at every turn. The cultural heritage of present-day Spain includes the Christian, Judaic and Arab legacies. The Roman conquest of the peninsula (3rd – 1st century BC) left a lasting mark on the local culture. Spain is therefore a real treat for culture lovers. Here you will find as many as 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the 3rd largest in Europe)! Spain will offer you the opportunity to explore its history from prehistoric cave art and Roman remains to modernist architectural wonders. Among the World Heritage sites of great popularity are the enormous palace complex of the Muslim Nasrid dynasty – the Alhambra in Granada, the residence of the rulers (first Arab, then Christian) of the Alcazar in Seville, the Sagrada Família church in Barcelona or the Altamira Cave with its prehistoric paintings. For lovers of greenery, on the other hand, there are national parks, including the Palm Grove in Elche in the Costa Blanca region.

Spain is a lifestyle! The weather or the beauty and diversity of nature, these are the qualities of Spain that you will see with the naked eye. Equally important, however, is what Spaniards carry in their hearts and what they show in the way they live. Admittedly, the daily siesta is more myth than reality, but the fact is that the average Spaniard approaches life in a “slow” spirit. So when in this country, we slow down, focus on the present moment, enjoy life and, above all, celebrate. Spaniards attach great importance to cultivating relationships, with communal feasting at the forefront. They have a reputation for being open, laughing and easy-going people. It is this openness, with communal meals and hours of conversation, that is part of the Spanish culture that will give you, as a Spanish property owner, the chance to not only feel like you are among your own, but to fall in love and adopt some of these customs. To this approach we say “¡Hola!” which means “hello” in Spanish.

In addition to the above-discussed benefits of living in Spain, the affordable cost of living is also mentioned, as is the favourable law for foreigners, which makes it possible, for example, to obtain a loan to purchase a property in Spain. In terms of cost of living, foreigners living here emphasise that, contrary to appearances, this is a country that differs from the standard perception of the euro area. Indeed, the presence of the European currency does not always translate into high prices in shops; in many regions, they are similar to those in Poland. Among Spanish cities, Malaga on the Costa del Sol received high marks from foreigners. In 2021, it was named the 2nd best city for expats to live in by InterNations, behind only Kuala Lumpur. Its place on the podium was secured by its climate and leisure activities. The estimated monthly cost of living for one person (excluding rent), according to the portal (livingcost.org), is € 534. It is worth mentioning that Madrid also made it into the top ten.

The moderate cost of living, as well as the high standard of living, also makes Spain high on the list of countries to live… in retirement. It owes this, among other things, to its high standard of healthcare. According to the World Health Organisation, Spain’s healthcare system is one of the best in the entire world. Add to this the lower price of medicines and free health services for retirees (in most cases). If you are considering a property investment in Spain specifically for your own retirement, then in our opinion all the arguments speak in favour of yes.