Spain’s islands attract expats with year-round sun, Mediterranean charm, affordable living, and welcoming communities. Discover visas, costs, and lifestyle options.
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Key takeaways:
Spain’s islands have been a center of attention for expats looking for a better lifestyle for the longest time. The climate there is mild and pleasant, the Mediterranean and Atlantic way of life relaxing, and the sights absolutely gorgeous – a perfect place, whether you are a retiree or a digital nomad. When you move there, you don’t have to worry about feeling lonely, either, as the expat community is huge and welcoming.
International schools, high-quality healthcare, and good connections with Europe make the integration process even easier. Yet, you have to understand that each island has its own advantages. So, today, let’s unpack which one suits you best, depending on your goals, budget, and family needs.
Before you move to Fuerteventura, Mallorca, or any other island, it is crucial to understand every aspect, including:
EU and EEA citizens have more freedom when moving abroad, including to the Spanish islands. Moreover, immigrants from those regions can make a living in Spain as an expat very easily, as they are free to work without a visa. Non-EU nationals and Britons post-Brexit, however, are required to acquire a visa first, whether it’s a Startup Visa, Golden Visa, or Digital Nomad Visa.
If you are choosing between the mainland of Spain and the islands based on the budget, you should know that the cost of living on the islands can be higher. For example, expats applying for residency in Tenerife will feel the difference in produce pricing due to transportation costs, as well as property prices, because of the popularity and tourism.
The infrastructure in these regions is very developed, especially on larger islands like Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Mallorca. You will find numerous hospitals and international schools there, offering a high level of healthcare and education.
The Spanish islands are extremely popular with foreigners thanks to the pleasant weather all year round, so tourism is prevalent there. Other sectors like IT are also growing, with countless professionals working remotely from sunny beaches. The internet here is fast in all urban areas, so you won’t have trouble working from home as a digital nomad.
The Atlantic way of living is attractive and affordable for most expats. If you want to work remotely with a Spanish nomad visa while effortlessly enjoying year-round sunshine, the Canary Islands are for you.
Tenerife is the largest of all the Canary Islands, so its expat community is also the strongest. There are several reasons for this, including outstanding healthcare, many international schools, and a variety of accessible social services. If you want to emigrate to Tenerife, you can be sure that you won’t feel lonely, regardless of your age or occupation.
The south of the island, across Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and Playa de las Américas, is full of sunshine and exceptional cheerfulness. There, you’ll find lively communities and a rather loud lifestyle. Expats also consider the north, with Puerto de la Cruz and La Laguna being more relaxed and closer to the original Spanish lifestyle.
Moving to Tenerife from the UK in this region won’t be hard, either, as it has many links to the UK and Europe. But it has its share of potential challenges. For example, the south of the island is extremely popular with tourists, which can drive the property pricing and demand extremely high. Additionally, any expats who don’t know the language or the local bureaucracy will have a hard time applying for residency and will require professional assistance, which you can receive from MigRun services.
Expats living in Fuerteventura enjoy living next to stunning beaches, while not splurging on housing. Renting and buying real estate here is completely accessible to retirees, families, and remote workers. But you shouldn’t expect a lot of socializing and partying there: the island is calm and serene, with sleepy villages scattered across beautiful open landscapes.
What you can expect there, however, is a vast watersports scene that includes:
The expat community is international and friendly in cities like Corralejo. So, if you are moving to Fuerteventura after Brexit, you will definitely find other like-minded Britons in the region. Be mindful of the challenges, too, as the climate is often affected by the local strong winds. Some might find that unpleasant. Moreover, it’s more suitable for digital nomads with remote jobs or retirees with passive income, as the job market is currently limited.
Gran Canaria is quite different from other islands, as it has more professional opportunities and potential growth. It has many active cities, like Las Palmas, a hub for business, education, and culture. At the same time, you can still enjoy sunny beaches in the south. The north of the island is more traditional, though.
Moving to Gran Canaria after Brexit will be easy, as the expat community is multicultural and friendly. Yet, if you are seeking an entrepreneurship visa Spain to relocate, note the difference in regional weather. The South is hot and dry, while the North is wet and cold – two huge contrasts. Some areas are very popular with tourists, so cities like Las Palmas will require a bigger budget.
In case you are looking for a more eco-friendly way of living, the Lanzarote community will happily support your ideas. It’s often praised for its eco-friendly ethos, as well as lower crime rates and quiet residents. Lanzarote relocation is perfect for family-oriented expats.
Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca, or Puerto del Carmen are popular for relocation, whether you are a retiree or bringing your family there, since services and communities are already established.
Similar to other islands, Lanzarote is more dependent on tourism, and that’s where most jobs come from. Also, there are a lot fewer cultural and entertainment options for people who enjoy activities.
The Balearic Islands are more seasonal, but still popular among expats. They are also closer to mainland Spain, so the lifestyle is more traditional and Mediterranean, close to Catalonia.
The Mallorca infrastructure is developed and ready for incoming expats, with hospitals and schools of high quality. Moving to Mallorca after Brexit will be relatively easy, as there are many connecting flights to most of Europe. The island offers different types of towns, from smaller Pollensa with quiet communities to bigger Palma with an active lifestyle and services.
While you can enjoy both beaches and mountains on Mallorca, the real estate prices are steadily rising there. Tourists come and go when the season is warmer, bringing heavy traffic to cultural hubs.
Ibiza is known for its active nightlife worldwide. Immigration to Ibiza is not just partying, though. The island’s creative community is immense, with artists, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads loving their free lifestyle. It’s common for people who seek a study visa Spain to settle there, as the international hub provides many connections even if you don’t know Spanish.
If you don’t want to participate, however, you can still live in the interior or the northern villages, which are a lot quieter. Families and retirees stay there, as they still have high-quality education and healthcare.
Unfortunately, Ibiza has its downsides. Since it’s popular with tourists, the property and rental costs are higher than average. Furthermore, employment outside of the tourist season is not dependable.
Not all expats want to socialize and visit events all the time, though. Some enjoy a tranquil living year-round, with tourist visits limited to a minimum. That is exactly what Menorca offers. Peace, nature, and slow living are the three basics of this island. It’s full of smaller coastal villages with bigger hubs like Mahón and Ciutadella existing in line with Spanish traditions. Menorca also has clean, tourist-free beaches.
Since it’s so exclusive, the international flight connections there are limited. Unfortunately, the job opportunities are also lacking, especially for expats.
So, let's sum it up:
Every archipelago encompasses a variety of pros, such as cultural centers, quiet towns, and villages near the sea. While the Canary Islands boast year-round warmth and affordability, the Balearics have strong European connections and Spanish charm. So, you have to choose depending on the climate, budget, and lifestyle.
UK citizens have to be aware of the non-EU residency rules, since EU regulations are no longer applicable after Brexit. If your goal is to move there and stay for longer than the standard tourism period, you need a dedicated visa. Expats moving to Lanzarote after Brexit or planning similar relocation courses have to consider:
Choosing the right type is vital. A Digital Nomad Visa is more applicable for remote employees, while an NLV visa Spain is perfect for retirees or those with a sustainable passive income. A Golden Visa, however, can only be acquired with big investments.
Spanish islands are getting increasingly more popular for expat relocation for many reasons. They are all diverse and offer different climates and lifestyles. For example, you can get incredible sun on the Canary Islands, or pursue chilly weather on the Balearics.
Before deciding, you should consider your requirements, goals, and budget. For example, if you are moving to Tenerife after Brexit, you should know that you need a visa.
Regardless of your choice, the Spanish islands will provide you with an impeccable lifestyle, good education, and high-quality healthcare.
