THE 10 BEST REASONS FOR RETIREMENT IN SPAIN: MEDITERRANEAN TRAVEL
THE 10 BEST REASONS FOR RETIREMENT IN SPAIN: MEDITERRANEAN TRAVEL

INTRODUCTION: THE 10 BEST REASONS FOR RETIREMENT IN SPAIN
THE 10 BEST REASONS FOR RETIREMENT IN SPAIN: Over 30 years ago, I visited Spain for the first time and I fell in love with the country immediately. It was my second trip to the Mediterranean Sea, my first time being in Greece a year earlier, but it was Spain that won me over. The endless coastlines, the arid climate, and the relaxed easy-going culture. All of it spoke to me directly. I was hooked. I returned many times over the following years, bringing my sons with me and sharing this experience with them.

Eventually, about 10 years ago, I was able to buy my own place in Spain to call my own. Since then I have gone back to visit as often as I can and at one point, I even took a 1 year sabbatical from work to experience Spain through one full calendar year and experience all 4 seasons. And now, as I approach retirement, I’ll finally be moving to Spain permanently.
So far, I’ve only had the opportunity to travel and experience a small part of the country, including the region of Murcia, the northernmost coast of Catalonia, and Mallorca. Once I retire, my goal is to venture further and experience more of the country and in more detail, from the south of the country, through its interior, to its northern coast, and through the Pyrenees. But that’s only the beginning since I also plan to explore the entire Mediterranean region, one country at a time, with Spain being my home base. I may be retiring but I plan on having a very busy retirement.
(For helpful tips and ideas check out our related posts: Mediterranean Lifestyle and Travel and Guide to the Mediterranean Coast of Spain.)

WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST REASONS FOR RETIREMENT IN SPAIN

If you are also nearing retirement and are also thinking about finding a place in the sun, then this article is for you. Based on my experience over the last 10 years, I’ve put together a list of the top 10 reasons I chose to retire in Spain. To be fair and realistic, I’m also including some of the challenges and pitfalls of this choice. One last caveat: having chosen Spain does not mean that I don’t think that the other Mediterranean countries are not worthy of consideration. Ultimately, if you are considering retiring somewhere on the Mediterranean, the destination that you choose should be the place that speaks to you personally, the way Spain did to me.
HERE ARE THE 10 BEST REASONS FOR RETIREMENT IN SPAIN
Climate
- Let’s talk about this one right off the hop. If you weren’t interested in somewhere warm to retire, you would have been reading an article about retiring in Northern Canada or in Antarctica. But here you are reading about Spain. The Mediterranean climate provides warm summers and mild winters across Spain and the whole of the Mediterranean region. This allows for a very comfortable lifestyle all year round and enables you to spend more time outdoors. Whether it’s sitting outside on your balcony or terrace, or just enjoying a coffee or snack at an outdoor cafe or restaurant at your local village market. Keep in mind however that the regulating effect of the Mediterranean mainly applies to coastal areas. Temperatures in inland areas can reach 40C or more during the summer and can get extremely cold in the winter.

Active lifestyle:
- This goes hand in hand with the climate. It’s simply more pleasant and easier to stay active when the weather is nice. Walks are more enjoyable, you can cycle year-round, and for jogging the weather is perfect. If you live near the coast, you can enjoy spending time on the beach for most of the year, and you can participate in various water sports, such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding.

Quality of Life/Relaxing Lifestyle:
- Working in concert with the climate is the relaxed Spanish culture. There is a certain “live and let live” attitude here that is quite refreshing. My neighbors are polite and cordial, however they are not intrusive. You can do your own thing and no one will bother you.

Cost of Living:
- In comparison to Northern Europe, the cost of living is definitely lower in Spain. Your dollar simply goes much further here than in other countries. And if you are like me, you’ve probably seen the real value of your retirement income decrease over the last decade. For most of us, the pension benefits have not kept up with inflation leaving us with few alternatives. Spain has not been hit as hard as other areas economically and so offers an alternative location where your dollar can go further.
Real Estate:
- This is linked closely with the cost of living in Spain. Real estate is relatively affordable compared to other European countries which makes it quite appealing. Keep in mind however that prices tend to be higher in coastal areas (which tend to be in higher demand) in comparison to lower costs inland. I’ll be putting out a separate post specifically about what are the top areas in Spain for real estate.

Health Care:
- Spain has one of the top healthcare systems in the world (in some rankings, being regularly in the top 5) and as you get older, this, of course, will become more and more important. If you are considering moving from somewhere else in the EU for retirement in Spain, transitioning to the Spanish healthcare system will be a nonissue. If you are coming from outside the EU, you will likely need to consider private medical insurance for the first few years in Spain before you can apply to become a citizen and participate in the national healthcare system. Each case will be different so please contact the local Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your home country to find out what regulations apply to you.
Transportation and Infrastructure:
- Not a sexy topic but when considering where you want to retire you want to be aware of the status of the public transportation system, roads, and services in your chosen area. The government of Spain has invested billions over the last decade in infrastructure and high-speed trains so this should be a nonissue. Just keep in mind that smaller communities inland may not have great access, if any, to public transport, and a car may be required.

Mediterranean Travel
- One of the big advantages of living in Spain, is that you can easily travel throughout the rest of the Mediterranean and visit each country as much as you want, whenever you want. There are budget airlines servicing most areas along the Mediterranean so you can easily travel from one end of the sea to the other.
Natural Beauty:
- Spain is a beautiful country, with endless coastlines, rugged hilly terrain, spectacular mountains, idyllic countryside, and inviting islands. In fact, there is a little bit of everything for nature lovers and travelers alike. I’m more of a coastline person but the interior of the country is also very nice. I’ve taken a few train trips through the country and found this a great way to see the different areas and appreciate the landscape. I haven’t seen everything yet, but I’m working on it.
Spanish Cuisine: Retirement in Spain
- I love Spanish food and the Spaniard’s use of full-flavoured seasonings, the large variety, and the way it is integrated into Spanish culture. From Tapas to Paella, fresh seafood to local delicacies, and Spanish wine in all its varieties, foodies are well served here. For those interested in the “Mediterranean Diet”, it doesn’t get much more Mediterranean than here. What I also thoroughly enjoy is the ability to enjoy your meals outdoors at restaurants and cafes. What a lifestyle!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

So there you have it. These are the 10 Best Reasons for Retirement in Spain. Will these all apply to you and your situation? Likely not. It will probably be different for each person. There are some things that I’ve left off the list such as employment and school, that probably won’t apply to you if you are looking at retiring. This list then is not exhaustive but should serve as a reference or a guide for things to look for when considering your ideal retirement destination, specific to your own personal situation and your own wants and needs.
Hopefully, this list will help point you in the direction that best suits you, and who knows, maybe we’ll end up being neighbors (see my post about other top retirement places in Europe) And in my opinion, wherever on the Mediterranean you end up retiring, whether it’s Spain or somewhere else, you’ve made the right choice. Dream Big!
Dreaming of Spain?
How about experiencing the Spain first hand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Spanish vacation right now!
Reg Auge
Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.