Your home in Spain - the cost of living in your Spanish property
The cost of living in Spain is lower than in the UK but the country is no longer as delightfully cheap as it was in the 1970s and 1980s. Price differentials started to erode about 15 years ago and inflation is still chipping away at the advantage. However, living in Spanish property is still cheaper - typically by 20-30% -- provided you keep an eye on the costs of heating and cooling your home in Spain.
A typical monthly grocery bill for two people living in Spain is about €300-350. Familiar brand names are available in many supermarkets but by adapting your shopping list to Spanish brands and not using ready meals you can make big savings.
Cost of living in Spain - food and drink
Grocery costs vary quite considerably across the country. A litre of water in Madrid is fast approaching €1 but would cost only 40 cents in a small non-touristy town. The following examples of costs are more typical of a larger town on the Mediterranean coast.
- 12 eggs €1.50
- 250g jar instant coffee €5.00
- 400g Box of breakfast cereal €2.60
- Pack of butter €1.10
- 1lb pork chops €2.50
- 1litre of mineral water €0.45
- 1lb potatoes €0.35
- 1litre milk €0.70
- Large loaf €1.80
- 33cl beer €0.80
- 2lb fresh chicken €3-4
Cost of living in Spain - going out
Two of the great attractions of Spain are its food and its nightlife. So, having moved into your new Spanish property, you are sure to want to get acquainted with the local cuisine and culture. Going out is cheap by UK standards, which is probably why everyone seems to spend so few evenings in their home in Spain!
- Three course evening meal, €15-20
- Good bottle of local wine, €3
- Good bottle of French/Australian wine, €5
- Theatre ticket, €6
- Return bus fare in town, €1.10
- Taxi, local town trip, €6
Other everyday expenses for people living in Spanish property
Most other costs in Spain compare favourably with the UK. Again, they will vary depending on where you have bought your home in Spain, and services will always be more expensive in larger urban areas than in villages or small towns.
- English language local or regional newspaper, €1
- 200 ml shampoo, €3
- Deodorant, €2
- Haircut (man), €10
- Haircut (woman), €30
Annual household costs for Spanish property
From autumn 2006, solar panels have to be installed in all new Spanish property developments and this will impact annual running costs. However, cooling and heating will probably remain the highest bills for a home in Spain.
While the standing charge for electricity is little more than €10 a month, usage is charged at nearly €10 Euros/Kwh (it is €8-14/Kwh in the UK). If you have air-conditioning, your consumption will be high in the summer and your bills will reflect this. Gas is not available in all areas. Some average household costs (which make no allowance for potential savings due to solar panel installation) are below:
- Electricity, monthly €35 (add 30% in summer months for air-conditioning)
- Gas, monthly €40 (add €35 per winter month if your boiler uses gas)
- Water, monthly €13 Euros (but up to €65 if you have a pool or garden)
- Telephone, package deals for expats typically monthly €30
- Internet, monthly €35 for ADSL or 2cents/min on dial-up
- Cable or satellite TV, monthly €30-60 depending on package
Cost of living in Spain -- driving costs
In terms of fuel, driving to and from your home in Spain is at least 25% cheaper than the cost of motoring in the UK. Insurance costs, however, are either similar (if you have a Spanish car) or considerably higher (if you have a UK car).
- 1 litre of unleaded petrol, €0.99
- 1 litre of diesel €0.90
- Road tax (depends on size of vehicle and location), usually half the UK price
- Mechanic, one hour €25-40
Cost of living in Spanish property - the future
The lower cost of living in Spain has long been one of the country´s great attractions but prices are rising and the differential is shrinking. While this means Viva Espana cannot be enjoyed cut-price anymore, the other advantages of making your home in Spain - the sun, sangria and siesta lifestyle - are not likely to disappear any time soon!
