Hi everyone!
I’ve been seriously considering moving to Spain next year and I’m trying to understand the real monthly costs,  not just rent, but also utilities, health insurance, local taxes, and daily expenses. Tunnel Rush
What surprised you the most about the cost of living? Any hidden expenses I should prepare for?

Tell me about your insights and personal experiences. Thank a lots!

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I certainly wouldn't move to Spain if you intend renting long-term , especially if you are thinking about moving to the Costas for instance in my location a very small 2 bed apartment in a not so desirable area will cost you a minimum of €850 pm, 3 years ago the same apartment was €450 pm ,when you compare like for like in the supermarkets you will find that the Spanish supermarkets are either the same or more expensive that the UK, i have own a villa for 22 years infact I am on my 3rd property, although the ibi that is the same as council tax is around 50% cheaper by the time you factor in the rubbish 🗑 tax that you pay separately for you are basically back up to what you would be paying in Council Tax in the UK, water , Electricity ,and gas meter rental is basically the same as the UK ,the gas ,electricity and water that you consume is around 10% cheaper, petrol is the same price or more expensive than the UK diesel ⛽️ is around 15% cheaper in Spain ... cigarette and none branded alcohol 🍸 is cheaper, eating out in Spain tends to be cheaper depending what restaurant you go to , new cars are basically the same price second hand cars are extremely expensive and tend to have very high mileage/ kilometres on the clock.. to give you a idea a £500 UK banger would cost you £2,500 in Spain 🇪🇸. 

Not exactly hidden expenses as you'd pay them anywhere. If you are buying a property to live permanently, there wlll be 10% transfer tax on the price. You will also be liable for Spanish income tax on all world wide income and mine is about 3% more than I'd pay in UK for the same income.

Council tax, well someone must either have a cheap one in UK or an expensive one here. My IBI for a 3 bed semi detached has just gone to 258 euro a year plus the 120 euro waste collection tax so 378 euro a year (rather less  than 50% that the £2,137 a year my 3 bed house in UK has just gone up to). Average water rates in UK are now between 40 and 74 pounds a month whereas mine here is 55 euro per quarter. Average gas/electric bill in UK is now about £145 a month in UK, here my bill is always less than 60 euro a month although more expensive at 90 euro a month in Summers like we've just had with the aircon. My daughter, who has just visited, says she pays almost £400 a month in domestic fuel, water and council tax per month. Mine here is around £85 a month. (council tax and waste collection at €31.50 a month, water at just over €18 a month and €60 a month electric - we don't have gas).

The big thing would be if you lived on a community and your community fees will depend on the facilities offered such as swimming pools, gardens, lights, lifts and so on. This can vary greatly from about 200 euro a year (one community near us is just 180 euro a year but only has one pool) and another with lifts, tennis courts and so on are over 1000 euro a year. Mine, where we have electric gates, extensive gardens, 3 main pools and 3 children pools costs us 180 a quarter so 720 a year which pushes the prices up. My €85 a month goes up to €140 a month with community charges but we get quite a lot for our money. That 140 a month is less than the council charge in UK which would be over 210 quid a month with 10 payments a year.

Shopping depends on where you shop and what you buy. Many things are cheaper but others more expensive. Ours comes to a little less than it would in UK but not much. Alcohol much cheaper as there is no duty but only the equivalent of VAT. Petrol prices are cheaper (just filled mine up at 1.35 litre which was £1.15 but, due to the pound collapsing once again, would now be near £1.20 a litre. Yes, the big stations like BP, Repsol and so on are a lot more expensive but there are plenty of cheaper ones around. 

If renting, the owner of the house would be responsible for the council tax (IBI) which will be reflected in the rental. Rents have gone up like they have everywhere but depends where you buy. 

Welcome! Here’s the no-surprises version of Spain’s monthly costs—beyond the rent.

Typical monthly ranges (for a 1–2 bed, normal usage)

• Electricity: €50–€120 (winter/AC use can push €150+). Tip: check the contracted power (potencia)—too high = overpaying.

• Water: €15–€35 (often bi-monthly; average it out).

• Gas (if any): €20–€60 (heating/cooking; coastal flats may be electric-only).

• Internet (fiber): €30–€50.

• Mobile: €10–€25 per line (SIM-only).

• Building/community fee (comunidad): €30–€120 (usually the owner pays; ask if it’s passed to you).

• Garbage/local fees (basura): €3–€10/month equivalent (charged yearly/bi-annually; check if tenant pays).

• Public transport pass: €20–€60 (city/zone dependent).

• Groceries: €180–€300 per adult (cook at home = big savings).

• Eating out: “Menú del día” €12–€15; dinner out €15–€30 pp (wine/beer is reasonable).

• Gym: €25–€50.

• Streaming/TV: €6–€20.

Health cover (common expat routes)

• Employed/resident in the public system: payroll contributions cover you.

• Private insurance: ~€40–€120+/adult (age/coverage matter; 65+ can be higher).

• Convenio especial (public buy-in): a fixed monthly fee by age band (varies by region).

One-off / irregular costs people forget

• Agent fee & deposits: commonly 1 month agency + 1 month deposit (sometimes 2).

• Utilities set-up & meter changes: €20–€100 total.

• Seasonal spikes: winter heating or summer AC can add €30–€80 to a month.

• Appliances & small furnishings: even “furnished” places need bits (linen, kitchenware).

• Annual taxes/fees on a car: road tax (IVTM) €30–€200, ITV inspections, parking zones.

• Translations, notary, ID/NIE card fees: small each, but they add up.

• HVAC/boiler maintenance: €60–€150 if it’s your responsibility (varies by lease).

• Community rules: some HOAs ban short-lets or gas bottles—affects your plans.

Sample monthly snapshots (rent not included)

• Big city (Madrid/Barcelona), single: €400–€650 all-in (utilities, internet/mobile, transport, food at home, some eating out, gym).

• Mid-size coastal city (Valencia/Málaga), couple: €700–€1,000 for two (shared utilities/food help).

• Smaller town: €300–€500 single, if you keep eating out low and walk/bike.

Local taxes—do renters pay any?

• IBI (property tax): owner pays.

• Basura (garbage) / water fees: depends on the town and lease—sometimes billed to the tenant. Always ask who pays what.

What surprised most newcomers

• Electricity pricing & potencia: the standing charge can be chunky if potencia is set too high.

• Bi-monthly billing: water/gas arrive every two months, so “quiet” months can trick you.

• Agency fees upfront: normal here; budget for it.

• Community rules trump habits: drying clothes on balconies, pets, or quiet hours are enforced.

• Cash vs card: most places take cards now, but small markets still prefer cash.

How to avoid “gotchas” (copy-paste checklist)

1. Ask for the last 12 months of utility bills (electricity/water/gas).

2. Confirm who pays comunidad & basura in writing.

3. Check potencia on the electric bill; lower it if the breaker never trips.

4. Photograph meter readings at move-in.

5. Get the exact deposit & agency fee before you commit.

6. Price your health cover by age and region—don’t guess.

7. If you’ll drive, total up IVTM + insurance + ITV + parking.

8. Keep a €300–€500 buffer for the first two months (setup hiccups happen).

If you share your target city (or two), household size, and whether you’ll work from home (heating/AC hours matter), I’ll ballpark a tailored monthly budget that actually matches how you live.

My personal costs, small villa, 1960s build, partially refurbished with modern bathroom and kitchen, all new electrics done by a qualified electrician, new windows, moderate thermal insulation under the roof but nothing on the walls. We are two people. We cook with gas and also use gas for hot water. Heating is both portable gas and portable electric heaters, depending on the room. We're not on the gas main but get the orange Repsol flasks delivered (order them online). We don't have a car (we're in El Campello where public transport is pretty good)

We have a garden of about 600 sqm with irrigation, which adds to water consumption.

Electric is about 8 Euros per month when we're away rising to the mid 20s  when we're around.

Water is about 80 Euros for every three months. Sometimes as much as 120. Sometimes as little as 40.

Gas is about 16 euros a flask and we get through about one every month in the winter and one every three or four months the rest of the year. We have several spare flasks just in case (well worth the extra cost). Gas installations have to be inspected every few years and Repsol usally contact us to remind us when we are due. So far we have always passed without any quibbles.

We use the pre-payed tickets for the tram. which comes down to about 80 cents a trip.

IBI tax is about 340 for a year, plus about 110 for the basura.

If coming from UK then have found whatever my annual expenses and indulgences, in £,  were there so they are here in €.

High UK council tax is offset by higher utilities and vehical and house insurance in Spain . Petrol/ diesel is also more expensive.

Plus if not familiar with actual living in Spain or fluent in the language the the use of a gestor or translator can be upwards of €25 or more per hour. Soon adds up when one is queuing for an appointment at Ayuntamiento, bank, hospital or utility offices.

 Spanish attitude is " tranquillo"and worse if they actually know the person they are dealing with when it can become a social event and catching up on all the local gossip is prioritised.

If one is a person whose attitude and culture is expecting  things done " yesterday" , then trust me living in  Spain will cause untold stress on the heart and pocket. If you are as  laid back as the indigenous folk, life is almost perfect

Floella, where do you live? Higher utilities? My daughter spends £60 a month on water in UK and here it's around €55 a quarter or just over 18 euro a month. My car insurance here is the same in euro as it is in pounds in UK. House insurance a little higher but only by about 30 euro a year. My electricity for a 3 bed semi has gone up to around €65 a month now from €55 recently. My daughter's  duel fuel is almost £160 a month.

Diesel fuel at our local garage is €1.28 today compared to average £1.44 in UK and petrol here was €1.31 compared to £1.35 in UK.  

In total, my daughter pays almost £400 a month on domestic fuel, water and council tax and mine is around €85 for the same. 

Expeniture for 2 people who conserve water and don't waste electricity . Rarely imbibe in alcohol and gave up smoking 11 years ago.

Lorca. 3 bed detached , singly storey of 155 sq. 10x5 pool on plot of 8,300 sq.metres.

Urban location. Totally electric

Annual IBI €405 . 

UK rates 2003 £3200. 4 bed detached on 600 square m . Town location

Bi monthly bill for mains water including basura and alcantarillado ( but not connected) c €1200 pa. 

Monthly Electricity bill. Have power of 13.85 because integral 2 air/ heating units c €2300 pa.

Recall gas/ electricity quarterly UK  bills being c £120 in 2003

ATM Petrol €1.45 per litre. House insurance €722 pa. ( changing because Axa are ripping us off) fully comp Car insurance Linea Direct €374

From my recollection house and car ins in 2003 were both c £ 350

Road tax €139. UK 2003, similar I think 

2003 monthly food bill in UK at Waitrose / M &S  with 2 big dogs  £350 pm. 2025 in Spain at Mercadona/ Carrefour with 1 ultra fussy cat,  €350.  Both Excluding Alcohol, soft drinks or cigarettes.

Irrigation. Garden use only approx €450 pa. Annual Car service and IVA c €225 pa.

Peluqueria €14 wash and set € 24 with hair cut. £ 50 minimum in UK 

Dining out once or twice weekly . Not menu del dia  200/250  cada mes. That wouldn't suffice for one restaurant meal for 2 in UK

So for us it works out about equal .Our main gain is reduction of rates.

But how long is a piece string. We are all different.