Madrid at a Glance
Expat Info Madrid
The Parque del Retiro is a popular place for madrileños to relax.
Where to Live
Madrid is the third largest urban agglomeration in Europe and has a lot of different neighborhoods to offer. Downtown Madrid is made up of 18 barrios or districts, which all cater to different tastes. Most housing in Madrid comes in the form of apartments, and it can be rather pricey. However, as compared to other European capitals, it is relatively affordable, and there is something to be found matching everyone’s budget.
Communities which lure in expats are those where international schools abound, as many expatriates moving to Madrid arrive with their families. These neighborhoods can be found in the western and northern parts of Madrid, as well as north of the city limits. The further away you move from the Madrid city center, the higher the rents, but on the plus side you are far from the hustle and bustle as well.
La Moraleja, a neighborhood on the northern outskirts of the city, is a favorite among European expats, due to the number of well-known international schools located here. A suburb to the west of the center of Madrid, which comes highly recommended by expats and boasts a number of upscale international schools, is Somosaguas. Although buses and trains run almost hourly to the various suburbs, it is useful to have a car to do your shopping and be independent of set schedules.
Healthcare and Medical Services
Spain has a non-contributory healthcare system, which is paid for by taxation. Every legal resident living in Spain has the right to healthcare, and you will automatically receive public health insurance if you work. Madrid’s hospitals come very highly recommended. There are numerous hospitals and private clinics throughout the city. Dentists in Madrid are also very competent, although their services are not covered by state health insurance.
Due to the fact that healthcare in Spain is provided by the state and is thus practically free, many hospitals are overcrowded, resulting in long waiting periods. Most expats therefore choose to invest in private healthcare, which delivers the same medical care with less sitting around in overcrowded waiting rooms – but at a higher cost. There are a number of private healthcare companies in Madrid; one of the most popular amongst Spanish residents is Sanitas (link in Spanish only).
Leisure
Madrid is a cosmopolitan city, offering you anything from fine arts over sports to amusement parks and zoos. Museums such as the famous Prado or the Reina Sofía can quench any art aficionado’s thirst, while the beautiful mountains around Madrid can satisfy the hunger of an active athlete. Located just outside of Madrid, a paradise for hikers, bikers and climbers opens its arms to any nature lover.
Take a look at the websites of the mountaineering (montañismo) and biking (ciclismo) federations (both only in Spanish) for more information concerning these sports. Expat families with kids will be happy to know that Madrid houses a zoo with an aquarium and dolphin pool directly in Casa de Campo, a distance of 2 kilometers from the city center.
Join the leading
Expat Community in Madrid
- Have access to high-quality expat guides and information
- Get to know like-minded expatriates in Madrid
- Meet fellow expats at InterNations events and activities in your area
Membership at InterNations is invitation-only. You need to request an invitation to become a member.
