Living in Madrid: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Madrid.
Living and bustling metropolis, Madrid, the Spanish capital city, is the dream destination of thousands of expatriates worldwide. Being the country's economic, cultural and political hub, it provides many opportunities to expatriates.
With its modern infrastructure along historical sites and neighborhoods, Madrid offers an incomparable quality of life to expatriates. It is also world famous for its football clubs.
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Generalities
Get an overview of living in Madrid with general information to discover the destination.
Discovering Madrid
Madrid offers expats a great mix of cosmopolitan city and classic European charm. Daily life in ...
Local culture in Madrid
Madrid is the capital of Spain, a lively and welcoming city in the middle of the country with ...
Developing a social circle in Madrid
Having a support system of friends, acquaintances and colleagues is important for navigating ...
Work
Dive into the Madrid labour market, legal framework and tips on how to find a job in Madrid.
Finding a job in Madrid
Madrid, the exciting capital of Spain, is a fantastic destination for foreigners looking for job ...
The Madrid labor market
As the capital of Spain, cosmopolitan Madrid is more than a tourist destination. It is one of the ...
Jobs in Madrid
Discover professional opportunities in Madrid and boost your career.
Accommodation
Explore real estate or temporary rentals in Madrid. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.
Accommodation in Madrid
Madrid, the bustling capital of Spain, is a popular destination for thousands of expatriates each ...
Buying property in Madrid
Madrid, Spain's vibrant and bustling capital, has become a popular destination for expats ...
Find your ideal home in Madrid
Explore real estate listings in Madrid to buy or rent your next home.
Study
Universities, training courses, student visas, registration procedures: all you need to know about being an international student in Madrid.
Transport
From public transports to renting or buying a car, explore the best options to getting around in Madrid.
Getting around Madrid
Madrid, the bustling capital of Spain, is one of the largest cities in the European Union, covering over 600 square kilometers. For expats settling ...
Leisure
Sports, leisure, culture and other activities expats can enjoy in their spare time in Madrid.
Leisure activities in Madrid
As the country's dynamic capital, there is always something going on in Madrid. Boasting some ...
Things to do alone or with people in Madrid
When it comes to finding ways of enjoying your free time, Madrid doesn't disappoint. The ...
Indoor and outdoor sports activities in Madrid
Football may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Madrid. While locals are ...
Articles from the magazine
Finding happiness in 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.
Barcelona: A major hub for startups in Europe
We had the opportunity to speak with Xavier Mayo Torres, Head of Foreign Economic Promotion, who gives us the keys to understanding the success of a city whose appeal continues to grow.
How does the new real estate law in Spain affect foreign tenants and owners?
Published in the Official Gazette on June 2, Spain's new real estate law has been in force since June 30. The law was urgently introduced to regulate Spain's strained real estate market and facilitate access to housing, especially in "stressed areas". The new law tightly regulates rents and puts tenants and landlords on an equal footing. So what do you need to keep in mind when buying property in Spain?
From Argentina to Barcelona: A freelancer's adventure
Born in Argentina, Vanessa has always been passionate about her Italian roots. This led her to Rome in 2015, the same year when she met the love of her life. In 2021, she decided to follow him to Barcelona, where they now enjoy a fulfilling expat life. Being a freelance translator, Vanessa shares her story of why she chose to move to Europe and all that comes with it.
Sara in Altea: "Altea is breathtakingly gorgeous"
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.
Lottie in Granada: "It is the most beautiful city, full of wonderful architecture"
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.
Allison in Valencia: "Spanish people are very welcoming"
Originally from Denver, Colorado, Allison lives in Valencia, Spain, after 2 years in Almeria, working as an English teacher.
Ina Schumann: the testimony of a serial-expat
"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.
