The Expat Insider survey, conducted by InterNations, is one of the largest in the world, evaluating the quality of life, job opportunities, etc., for expatriates around the globe.
The survey conducted in 2023 and 2024 has recently been released, with more than 12,000 expatriates of various nationalities sharing their opinions on daily life abroad, including what they consider the most positive and negative aspects based on their personal experiences.
Spain in the Global Ranking: At the forefront of attracting international talent:
After analyzing the survey, Spain remains one of the main destinations for expatriates in 2023 and 2024. It is in the 4th position globally, highlighting several key points of the survey, reflecting its attractiveness as a place to live and work. Notably, as in previous editions, foreign residents in Spain stress the following positive points:
- Quality of Life: Spain ranks number 1 in the Quality of Life Index for the third consecutive year, surpassing other notable countries like Austria, Mexico, or the United Arab Emirates, mainly due to its cultural and leisure activities, quality of healthcare, and, of course, its climate: “There’s a lot to enjoy and see: a lot of parks, roads for bicycles, and it’s easy to play sports. I also like the museums and festivals here.” – Russian Expat says. However, other countries, like Panama, which ranks first in the global ranking for 2024, surpass Spain in terms of public safety or public transportation.
- Ease of Settling In: Spain also scores well in this area. Expatriates find Spaniards to be friendly and welcoming, highlighting the ease of meeting new people, the culture, and the initial reception, which facilitates integration into the local community. Additionally, many surveyed foreigners mention the ease of learning the language and adapting to Spanish culture, although Costa Rica stands out as the top-rated country in this regard, above options like Spain, Mexico, the Philippines, or Indonesia, which are also highly valued.
- Working Abroad: In this case, Spain shows contradictory opinions. While many expatriates are satisfied with the work-life balance, some mention challenges related to career opportunities and salaries, finding them quite limited compared to other options such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, or the United States, which offer more career opportunities.
- Personal Finances: This index reveals that although the cost of living in Spain is relatively affordable, some expatriates find that their income is not always sufficient to cover all daily expenses, unlike other countries like Vietnam, Colombia, or Indonesia, which top this ranking: “The people are very friendly, and the cost of living is very low.” – US American Expat in Vietnam states.
- Essentials for Expatriates: Evaluating issues like bureaucracy, language barriers, or housing prices, Spain does not particularly stand out, although the quality of digital services and the ease of finding housing are positively valued compared to other countries, something that may change in the next survey given the current situation.
Spanish Cities: The Top for Expatriates Worldwide:
After analyzing the results according to the above criteria, Spain ranks fourth globally among the favorite countries for expatriates to move to, only surpassed by Panama, Mexico, and Indonesia.
Moreover, Spain places four cities in the top 10 favorite cities to move to, with three in the top positions:
- Valencia: Ranks 1st in the global ranking of favorite cities for expatriates in 2024. Valencia is especially valued for its quality of life, cost, and ease of settling in. Expatriates appreciate the affordability of public transportation and cultural and sports leisure opportunities. However, it is again rated low in terms of career opportunities and salaries, although it has improved significantly compared to previous years when it ranked at the bottom in this regard.
- Málaga: Ranking 2nd, Málaga is known for having some of the happiest and most content expatriates in the world. The city stands out for its ease of settling in, having a support network from the start of their new life in Spain, diverse cultural options, and quality of life. However, it faces challenges in terms of job opportunities.
- Alicante: Ranks 3rd and is appreciated for its affordability and accessibility. The quality of life and ease of finding housing are strong points of Alicante.
- Madrid: Ranks 7th, offering a vibrant cultural and nightlife, high quality of life, and many facilities for moving and starting a new life in Spain, according to the surveyed expatriates.
- Barcelona: Ranks 21st in the global ranking. Although it is valued for its cultural and gastronomic offerings, it faces challenges in terms of air quality, urban environment, safety, and job challenges.
Comparison with the Worst-Rated Countries:
In the Expat Insider Survey 2024, the worst-rated countries include Kuwait, Turkey, Finland, Germany, Canada, Norway, and Italy.
- Kuwait: Ranks last in the Quality of Life Index and the overall ranking. Expatriates in Kuwait face significant challenges in terms of quality of life, ease of settling in, and job opportunities.
- Turkey: Ranks among the lowest in the Working Abroad Index, with expatriates reporting difficulties in terms of career opportunities and working conditions.
- Finland: Has fallen significantly in the ranking, especially in the Personal Finances/Savings Index, where expatriates find that their income is not sufficient to cover expenses.
- Germany: Ranks 50th out of 53 countries in the overall ranking for 2024, its worst result since the survey began in 2014. Although Germany offers job security and a good quality of life (ranked 27th), it faces major challenges in terms of ease of settling in (ranked 51st). Additionally, expatriates find it difficult to make local friends, adapt to the culture, and deal with local bureaucracy (ranked 53rd).
Conclusion:
In summary, the Expat Insider Survey 2023 and 2024 shows that Spain remains an attractive destination for expatriates, thanks to its high quality of life, ease of moving and starting a new life in Spain, and the cultural and leisure offerings it provides, with three Spanish cities topping the list: Valencia, Málaga, and Alicante, and Madrid in the 7th position of the global ranking.
Although there are some challenges in terms of job opportunities and savings, most expatriates find that the benefits of living in Spain far outweigh these inconveniences. Compared to other countries, Spain remains competitive, although there are areas where other destinations like Panama, Mexico, or Indonesia stand out even more, which is why these countries are in the top 3 of the global ranking, ahead of Spain, which ranks 4th.
By Agustín Sáez