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  • Connect with fellow expats in Santander

  • Join exciting events and groups for expats

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  • Exchange tips about expat life in Spain

  • Jacques Paillard

    At the InterNations Events, I didn't only enjoy dancing the night away at some great venues, but I also got to know some great friends.

Living in Santander

Bienvenidos a Santander! Not the European bank, but the beautiful seaside city which inspired its name. Santander is frequently referred to as "The Bride of the Sea" due to its close ties with the fishing industry. It has been a busy city since 1755 and expats in Santander can witness its long history through its stunning architecture and local sights. Visit the Gothic-style Catedral de la Asuncíon, the eclectic Palacio de la Magdalena; and the Biblioteca de Manéndez Pelayo, a library that once belonged to local intellectual giant Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo. And then there are the beaches. Although situated in the north of Spain, Santander is south facing and enjoys a temperate and occasionally humid climate. As such, expats living in Santander are spoilt for choice with some the best beaches in Spain, and the city attracts a steady stream of tourists around the year.

Join Our Exciting Events in Santander

Attend our monthly events and activities for Santander expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.

Mar 28, 2024, 1:00 PM
8 attendees
🦆 Join us for an exclusive dining experience and taste the famous Beijing Duck. ❓ Did you know? The duck you're about to enjoy undergoes a meticulous 24-hour process, involving 18 intricate steps. Fr
Mar 28, 2024, 8:00 PM
5 attendees
We warmly invite you to a Karaoke night that's happening Thursday night. Whether you're a shower-time diva, a car-ride crooner, or just enjoy listening to others belt out tunes—brilliantly or badly—it
Mar 29, 2024, 7:00 PM
7 attendees
As most of us are foreigners and not accustomed to late Spanish dinners (or chose to eat early as it's healthier), I am starting to organise early dinners and lunches in places that are open and non-t
Mar 30, 2024, 9:00 AM
8 attendees
Join us for a spring hike in the Sierra de Aracena near the village of Fuenteheridos. We will depart from Plaza de Armas via public bus service and return within the specified hours. Please ensure you

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Connect with Like-Minded Expatriates in Santander

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Moving to Santander

Expatriates have been coming to Spain for centuries, and British expats are particularly common in and around Santander. Santander Airport is located just outside of the city, and serves flights from all over Europe and further afield. The city itself has excellent transport links – the port is still thriving, and ferries, cruise ships, fishing vessels and recreational boats are constantly in and out of the Bay of Santander. There is a direct bus service and two main roads connecting Santander with Bilbao, so expats moving to Santander will have no problem travelling around. If you have any questions on expatriate life in Spain, just visit the InterNations discussion groups and forums and speak to other expats who can share their experiences and give you advice.

Working in Santander

Santander is a busy and well-established industrial center, with all the amenities you would expect. Expats working in Santander will need to get used to the Spanish lifestyle – although most businesses and schools now operate regular hours, some still close for a few hours during the day, particularly in the hot summer. Work is then resumed in the afternoon (at around 3pm). As a result of this tradition, Spaniards tend to eat dinner quite late at night, at 9pm or 10pm, with socializing continuing well into the wee hours of the morning. Santander is a typical Spanish city in this regard, with an emphasis on good food (particularly seafood), and relaxed socializing. Form more of an insight into Spanish working hours and traditions, have a browse through the InterNations content section, including the Expat Magazine, for more information on expatriate life or simply get in touch with other expats living in Santander or other parts of Spain through InterNations.

  • Jacques Paillard

    At the InterNations Events, I didn't only enjoy dancing the night away at some great venues, but I also got to know some great friends.

  • Katharina Berbner

    Thanks to InterNations, I found a good language school for expats to take intensive classes in Spanish and socialize a bit more.

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