Retiring in Spain · 17 towns across 5 autonomous communities

Spain

Retiring to Spain from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. Spain has a retirement residence route: Visado de residencia no lucrativa (non-lucrative residence visa). It requires USD $2,681 a month in income (Visado de residencia no lucrativa). Its public healthcare costs USD $175 a month at age 65+. We cover 17 towns across 5 autonomous communities.

EUR €2,400.00 a month · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30 EUR €157 a month · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30

Sources: Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), consular services in the United States: visado de residencia no lucrativa, 2026-09-26 · Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), consular services in the United States: visado de residencia no lucrativa, 2023-01-01 · Real Decreto 576/2013, convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria (BOE-A-2013-8190), art. 6.1, 2026-09-26

The country figures on this page were checked at their official sources between Sep 26, 2026 and Sep 29, 2026; each one shows its own source and date.

Research in progress. The official data sources for Spain have not yet been through our quality assessment, so this page is incomplete. What is published here is sourced and dated; what is missing is missing rather than estimated.

At a glance

Retirement residence route Visado de residencia no lucrativa (non-lucrative residence visa) Country figure Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), consular services in the United States: visado de residencia no lucrativa · 2026-09-26

Income it requires USD $2,681 / month Country figure Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), consular services in the United States: visado de residencia no lucrativa · 2023-01-01

Public healthcare USD $175 / month · age 65+ Country figure Real Decreto 576/2013, convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria (BOE-A-2013-8190), art. 6.1 · 2026-09-26

Price level, World = 100 117.3 Country figure World Bank, International Comparison Program 2021 (CC BY 4.0) · 2021-01-01

Residency and healthcare · measured for Spain

Retirement residence routecountry level

Visado de residencia no lucrativa (non-lucrative residence visa) Country figure Private health insurance with no co-payments, waiting periods or limits is required; travel insurance is not accepted. Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), consular services in the United States: visado de residencia no lucrativa · checked Sep 26, 2026

Income or savings requiredcountry level · the rule, converted at the unit in force

Visado de residencia no lucrativa

Income: USD $2,681 / month
Plus, per dependant: USD $670 / month

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), consular services in the United States: visado de residencia no lucrativa · converted at the European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates rate

Public healthcarecountry level · can a foreign resident retiree join?

Sistema Nacional de Salud — convenio especial Country figure Open to a non-working resident after one year of continuous effective residence (art. 3.a). Real Decreto 576/2013, convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria (BOE-A-2013-8190), art. 6.1 · checked Sep 26, 2026

Public healthcare — costcountry level · stated age band and period

USD $175 / month Country figure EUR €157 / month · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30Monthly fee to join Spain's public health system through the convenio especial at 65 or over, after a year of residence.

How this is measured

Spain's convenio especial (RD 576/2013 art. 6.1), monthly fee at age 65 or over; available after one year of continuous effective residence (art. 3.a). Autonomous communities may add services and raise the fee for them.

One year of continuous effective residence first, so year one is private insurance only. Real Decreto 576/2013, convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria (BOE-A-2013-8190), art. 6.1 · checked Sep 26, 2026

Currencycountry level · and how its rate is set

Euro Country figure One of the 21 EU countries using the euro. European Union: Countries using the euro · checked Sep 28, 2026

Senior discountscountry level · a national statutory scheme

Rail only: Renfe Tarjeta Dorada, age 60 and over Country figure A product of Renfe, the state rail operator, not a statutory scheme: Renfe's page sets age 60 as its only condition. Regional and municipal transport concessions are set locally, not nationally. Renfe, Descuentos mayores de 60 (Tarjeta Dorada) · checked Sep 29, 2026

Prices against the world averagecountry level · World = 100 · 2021

Food 115.5
Housing, water, electricity and gas 148.5
Health 122.8
Transport 131.4
Restaurants and hotels 111.1
Communication 145.5
Clothing and footwear 117.4
Overall average 117.3

100 is the world average for that kind of spending, so 120 means prices about 20 % above it and 80 about 20 % below. National prices for Spain at 2021 prices and 2021 exchange rates, so they move with the currency; not a figure for this town. Health and the overall average include services the government provides, so they are not out-of-pocket prices. World Bank, International Comparison Program 2021 (CC BY 4.0) · 2021 prices · checked Sep 26, 2026

Cite this

Source: ExpatAlmanac, "Prices against the world average in Spain", https://expatalmanac.com/spain, figures as of 2021; original data: World Bank, International Comparison Program 2021 (CC BY 4.0).

How you may quote us: terms of use.

Depends on your passport and pensiontax treaty · visitor days · your government's travel advice

From United States

Visiting

90 days in any 180 · no visa.

Counts across the whole Schengen area. ETIAS (EUR €20, valid 3 years) is scheduled for the last quarter of 2026. European Commission (DG HOME): Main differences between the EES and ETIAS, 28 Apr 2026 · checked Sep 28, 2026

Who may tax your pension here

Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (US–ES 1990, art. 20.1(a)) US–Spain income tax convention (1990), IRS · checked Sep 26, 2026
State pension: Both may tax, with relief (US–ES 1990, art. 20.1(b)) 'May be taxed' in the US — not exclusive, so Spain may also tax, with relief under art. 24. The 2013 Protocol leaves this clause unchanged. US–Spain income tax convention (1990), IRS · checked Sep 26, 2026
Government-service pension: Taxed only by the paying country (US–ES 1990, art. 21.2) US–Spain income tax convention (1990), IRS · checked Sep 26, 2026

The US "saving clause" lets the United States tax its own citizens as if the treaty did not exist, apart from listed exceptions (US–MX and US–ES: art. 1 para. 3; US–PT: Protocol para. 1(b)). For a US citizen, a "taxed only where you live" row describes what the destination may do — it is not a US exemption. The treaty's allocation only — not the tax you would pay, which each country's own rates decide.

Healthcare from home

Your home cover does not pay for care here (Medicare)

CMS: "In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S." The exceptions are narrow (a nearer foreign hospital in a US emergency, Alaska–Canada transit, living in the US nearer a foreign hospital). Most Medigap plans (C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M and N) cover foreign-travel emergency care: 80% of billed charges after a USD $250 yearly deductible, if the care begins in the first 60 days of a trip, to a USD $50,000 lifetime limit. CMS, Medicare Coverage Outside the United States (Product No. 11037, April 2026) · checked Sep 29, 2026

Travel advice

U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) — advice for Spain

Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Oct 2, 2026.

From Canada

Visiting

90 days in any 180 · no visa.

Who may tax your pension here

Private or workplace pension: Both may tax, with relief (CA–ES 1976, art. XVIII.1–2) Canada may also tax, at no more than 15 %. Canada–Spain tax convention (1976), Treaty Law Database · checked Sep 26, 2026
State pension: Both may tax, with relief (CA–ES 1976, art. XVIII.2, XVIII.4(a)) Canada may also tax, at no more than 15 %. A social-security pension is exempt in Spain only "so long as [it is] not subject to tax" in Canada; CRA's Non-resident Tax Calculator withholds 15 % on CPP and OAS paid to a resident of Spain, so Spain may tax it too. Canada–Spain tax convention (1976), Treaty Law Database · checked Oct 2, 2026
Government-service pension: Both may tax, with relief (CA–ES 1976, art. XVIII.1–2) Canada may also tax, at no more than 15 %. Art. XIX (Government Service) covers remuneration "other than a pension", so a government pension falls under art. XVIII. Canada–Spain tax convention (1976), Treaty Law Database · checked Oct 2, 2026

The treaty's allocation only — not the tax you would pay, which each country's own rates decide.

Healthcare from home

Your home cover does not pay for care here (Provincial or territorial health plan)

Government of Canada: "Your provincial or territorial health plan may cover none, or only a small part, of the costs of your medical care abroad … It will never pay your bills up front." For living abroad it adds that travel insurance "is not intended to be used when you are living outside Canada for an extended period, or permanently". Each province or territory sets its own rule. Government of Canada, Trip interruption and travel health insurance (travel.gc.ca, modified 2026-09-02) · checked Oct 2, 2026

Travel advice

Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) — advice for Spain

Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Sep 28, 2026.

From United Kingdom

Visiting

90 days in any 180 · no visa.

Who may tax your pension here

Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (UK–ES 2013, art. 17) UK–Spain double taxation convention (2013, in force), GOV.UK · checked Sep 26, 2026
State pension: Taxed only where you live (UK–ES 2013, art. 17) 'Pensions and other similar remuneration' — not limited to employment. UK–Spain double taxation convention (2013, in force), GOV.UK · checked Sep 26, 2026
Government-service pension: Taxed only by the paying country (UK–ES 2013, art. 18.2) Unless the recipient is both resident in and a national of Spain. UK–Spain double taxation convention (2013, in force), GOV.UK · checked Sep 26, 2026

The treaty's allocation only — not the tax you would pay, which each country's own rates decide.

Healthcare from home

Your home country can pay for state healthcare here (S1 form)

gov.uk: "You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if you're a resident in Spain and receive a UK State Pension or an exportable benefit." Request the S1 by phone from Overseas Healthcare Services, then register it at your local INSS office or online. gov.uk does not say whether a registered S1 satisfies the retirement visa's insurance requirement; the Spanish consulate asks for private cover with no co-payments. gov.uk, Healthcare in Spain (last updated 27 July 2022) · checked Sep 29, 2026

Travel advice

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — advice for Spain

Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Sep 28, 2026.

From Ireland

Visiting

No visitor limit — you move as an EU national.

An EU national may live in any EU country with comprehensive health insurance and sufficient income (a pension counts); no residence document can be required in the first 3 months, and registration may be required after. The non-EU retirement visa and its income floor do not apply. Your Europe (EU): Pensioners — residence rights (last checked 01/07/2026) · checked Sep 28, 2026

Who may tax your pension here

Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (IE–ES 1994, art. 18.1) Pensions 'in consideration of past employment'. Ireland–Spain DTA (1994), Revenue · checked Sep 28, 2026
State pension: Taxed only where you live (IE–ES 1994, art. 18.1 or art. 22.1) Both routes give the same answer: the pensions article covers pensions 'in consideration of past employment', and if a state pension falls outside it, the Other Income article (art. 22.1) also makes it taxable only in the state of residence. Ireland–Spain DTA (1994), Revenue · checked Sep 28, 2026
Government-service pension: Taxed only by the paying country (IE–ES 1994, art. 19.2) Unless the recipient is both resident in and a national of Spain. Ireland–Spain DTA (1994), Revenue · checked Sep 28, 2026

The treaty's allocation only — not the tax you would pay, which each country's own rates decide.

Healthcare from home

Your home country can pay for state healthcare here (S1 form)

Under the EU rule, a pensioner with no pension from the country they live in "should request an S1 form (former E106 form) from your health insurance institution in the country that pays your pension. When you arrive in your new country, register your S1 form with the relevant health insurance institution." For an Irish pension, the HSE issues the S1. Your Europe (EU), Health insurance cover in your host country (last checked 19/08/2026) · checked Sep 29, 2026

Travel advice

Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) — advice for Spain

Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Sep 28, 2026.

From Australia

Visiting

90 days in any 180 · no visa.

Counts across the whole Schengen area. ETIAS (EUR €20, valid 3 years) is scheduled for the last quarter of 2026. Bilateral agreements between some Schengen states and this country may allow longer stays — not verified here. Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annexes I and II (visa-required and visa-exempt nationalities), as published by the European Commission · checked Sep 28, 2026

Who may tax your pension here

Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (AU–ES 1992, art. 18.1) All pensions and annuities paid to a resident. Convenio España–Australia (Canberra, 24 Mar 1992), BOE-A-1992-28742 · checked Sep 28, 2026
State pension: Taxed only where you live (AU–ES 1992, art. 18.1) Art. 18.1 is not limited to employment pensions. Convenio España–Australia (Canberra, 24 Mar 1992), BOE-A-1992-28742 · checked Sep 28, 2026
Government-service pension: Taxed only by the paying country (AU–ES 1992, art. 19.2) Unless the recipient is both resident in and a citizen or national of Spain. Convenio España–Australia (Canberra, 24 Mar 1992), BOE-A-1992-28742 · checked Sep 28, 2026

The treaty's allocation only — not the tax you would pay, which each country's own rates decide.

Healthcare from home

No healthcare agreement between the two countries (Reciprocal Health Care Agreements)

Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with eleven countries — Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom — and they cover visits, not living there. Services Australia, About reciprocal health care agreements (last updated 15 September 2026) · checked Oct 2, 2026

Travel advice

Australian Government (Smartraveller) — advice for Spain

Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Oct 2, 2026.

From New Zealand

Visiting

90 days in any 180 · no visa.

Who may tax your pension here

Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (NZ–ES 2005, art. 17) Convenio España–Nueva Zelanda (Wellington, 28 Jul 2005), BOE-A-2006-17741 · checked Sep 28, 2026
State pension: Taxed only where you live (NZ–ES 2005, art. 17) Art. 17 covers pensions and similar remuneration generally. Convenio España–Nueva Zelanda (Wellington, 28 Jul 2005), BOE-A-2006-17741 · checked Sep 28, 2026
Government-service pension: Taxed only where you live (NZ–ES 2005, art. 17) Art. 17 includes government-service pensions. Convenio España–Nueva Zelanda (Wellington, 28 Jul 2005), BOE-A-2006-17741 · checked Sep 28, 2026

The treaty's allocation only — not the tax you would pay, which each country's own rates decide.

Healthcare from home

No healthcare agreement between the two countries (Reciprocal health agreements)

New Zealand has reciprocal health agreements with "Australia and the United Kingdom" only, and they cover visits, not moving there. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Reciprocal health agreements (24 July 2026) · checked Sep 29, 2026

Travel advice

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (SafeTravel) — advice for Spain

Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Sep 28, 2026.

From South Africa

Visiting

90 days in any 180 · visa required.

A Schengen short-stay visa is required (Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annex I). Counts across the whole Schengen area. European Commission (DG HOME): Main differences between the EES and ETIAS, 28 Apr 2026 · checked Sep 28, 2026

Who may tax your pension here

Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (ZA–ES 2006, art. 17) Pensions 'in consideration of past employment'. South Africa–Spain DTA, SARS (GG 30837) · checked Sep 28, 2026
State pension: Taxed only where you live (ZA–ES 2006, art. 17 or art. 20.1) Both routes give the same answer: the pensions article covers pensions 'in consideration of past employment', and if a state pension falls outside it, the Other Income article (art. 20.1) also makes it taxable only in the state of residence. South Africa's state old-age benefit is the means-tested Older Person's Grant, and one of its conditions is 'You live in South Africa' (Western Cape Government, read 2026-09-29), so a retiree living abroad would not normally receive it. South Africa–Spain DTA, SARS (GG 30837) · checked Sep 28, 2026
Government-service pension: Taxed only by the paying country (ZA–ES 2006, art. 18.2) Unless the recipient is both resident in and a national of Spain. South Africa–Spain DTA, SARS (GG 30837) · checked Sep 28, 2026

The treaty's allocation only — not the tax you would pay, which each country's own rates decide.

Healthcare from home

Not yet verified.

Travel advice

Not yet linked.

Cite this

Source: ExpatAlmanac, "Residency and healthcare in Spain", https://expatalmanac.com/spain, figures as of 2026; original data: Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), consular services in the United States: visado de residencia no lucrativa; Real Decreto 576/2013, convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria (BOE-A-2013-8190), art. 6.1; European Union: Countries using the euro; Renfe, Descuentos mayores de 60 (Tarjeta Dorada).

How you may quote us: terms of use.

Towns we cover in Spain, by autonomous community

Each town in Spain listed here shows its monthly subtotal for a couple, in US dollars — Rent, electricity and groceries · official sources.

Filter, sort and compare every town in Spain →

Andalucía · 9 towns

Benalmádena USD $768–$1,101 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Chiclana de la Frontera USD $649–$833 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Estepona USD $705–$1,026 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Fuengirola USD $774–$1,068 / month · as of 2026-09-29
La Línea de la Concepción USD $724–$954 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Marbella USD $787–$1,214 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Mijas USD $711–$1,001 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Torremolinos USD $782–$1,200 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Vélez-Málaga USD $610–$840 / month · as of 2026-09-29

Canarias · 3 towns

Arona USD $808–$1,168 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Granadilla de Abona USD $734–$1,028 / month · as of 2026-09-29
San Bartolomé de Tirajana USD $780–$1,090 / month · as of 2026-09-29

Comunitat Valenciana · 3 towns

Benidorm USD $770–$1,054 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Orihuela USD $503–$677 / month · as of 2026-09-29
Torrevieja USD $648–$925 / month · as of 2026-09-29

Illes Balears · 1 town

Calvià USD $984–$1,534 / month · as of 2026-09-29

Región de Murcia · 1 town

Cartagena USD $539–$735 / month · as of 2026-09-29

Other autonomous communities — no town covered yet: Aragón · Cantabria · Castilla y León · Castilla-La Mancha · Cataluña · Ceuta · Comunidad de Madrid · Comunidad Foral de Navarra · Extremadura · Galicia · La Rioja · Melilla · País Vasco · Principado de Asturias

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Example — towns we hold cost data for USD · monthly

Morelia Mexico

Michoacán

USD $453–$1,021 rent, power & groceries

Orihuela Spain

Comunitat Valenciana

USD $503–$677 rent, power & groceries

Pedrógão Grande Portugal

Centro

USD $602 rent, power & groceries

Rent, electricity and groceries · official sources · as of 2026-09-29. Each town's page shows these lines with their own sources.