Expat interviews from Spain

Born in Rome, Valeria is an Italian teacher who has been looking for professional experience abroad. Her passion about the Spanish language and culture lead her to Madrid where she set up her own language school with students from all around the world. Valeria talks about her exciting expat experience to Expat.com and everything that makes her feel at home.

When Cat from Chicago, US graduated from high school, she went to Seville, Spain for her studies abroad. Oh! And for the tapas, the siestas, and the flamenco dresses. What was supposed to be a year abroad and an immersion in the Spanish language, has turned into a ten-year fulfilling expat experience. Ever since Cat decided to settle in Spain, she met her husband, bought a house, has worked in two different cities, and has become a mother. Today, Cat feels that Spain is her final destination, but who knows what the future beholds?

Originally from the Philippines, Gracela and her husband decided it wasn't the place for them due to the high level of air pollution, so they decided to discover the eco-friendly policies in the Spanish province of Granada. Currently in the process of learning Spanish and getting into the Spanish lifestyle, Gracela tells Expat.com a bit about living in Granada.

Having visited the country before they met each other, American couple and business-owners Amalia and Eric decided to move to Spain together, thanks to a shared love of the culture, the cuisine and an ancestral connection to the country. They speak to Expat.com about their love of all things Spanish and how they've come to adapt to life in the idyllic town of Dénia.

John left his native England three years ago to set his luggages in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, with his wife. In this testimony, he tells us what is like being an expat in Canary Islands.

Since she was 13 and her first trip in Europe, Heather knew that she will live on the old continent. She's now living in Galicia, Spain, with her boyfriend, teaching english and living. She gives us her US expat feelings about this delicious country.

"Slow-travel" lover since more than 10 years and expat since 2000, Ina lived in seven different countries! Now, she set her luggages in Barcelona with her boyfriend, learning spanish and writing for her blog. She gives us her feelings about how a serial-expat way of life looks like, between France, UK, Ireland, Spain and Australia.

Barrie comes from Southwest England. Novelist and writer, he moved to Spain 13 years ago. He now lives in the Canary Islands where he writes newspaper columns and blogs.

Semi-retired British expat, Mike settled in the island of Menorca with his partner. Enjoying the tranquility and friendliness of the region, he shares with us his concerns following the vote on Brexit and his willingness to stay here.

British expat, David moved to Spain with his partner Diane to retire and enjoy a warm relaxed climate in Cordoba. Following the referendum on Brexit, he shares with us his concerns and his daily expat life.

Lottie was born in London. She moved to Granada with her husband three years ago following their stay in Indonesia. She particularly enjoys painting, drawing and printmaking.

Chris comes from the UK. He moved to Spain in 2004 with his partner and their cat. They have now settled in Alicante. Chris teaches English. He also enjoys going out for a movie, to the restaurant, sports, etc.

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Allison lives in Valencia, Spain, after 2 years in Almeria, working as an English teacher.

In 2009, Sara and her Spanish husband decided to make a life change and moved from New York City to Spain. They own a bar in Altea, Alicante, where they have been able to meet some amazing people, including film directors and artists.

Are we witnessing the last days of the Spanish Golden Visa? While Portugal and Ireland have announced the end of their Golden Visa programs intended for wealthy foreign investors, Spain's political left wing is proposing a law to abolish access to citizenship through real estate investment. How is this going to affect immigration in Spain?

As Spain prepares to launch its new Digital Nomad Visa, what should you know about moving there in 2023? The country also has a new Startup Act to encourage entrepreneurship, even from expats, and it boasts of the lowest inflation in the EU and multiple new social welfare policies at the moment. Retirees have historically been a big expat demographic in Spain, but there are now increasingly more young expats in their 20s and 30s.

Barcelona International Welcome Desk website has had almost 3,000 visits per month since it was launched in November 2021.