Looking for French Expats in Spain?

Is Spain a good move for French expats? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what French expats in Spain wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• The weather and lifestyle are the big draw. Sunshine and an easy pace come up most, and 89% of expats in Spain rate the climate and weather positively, against 58% globally.

• Healthcare is excellent and affordable. 80% rate healthcare affordability positively (vs. 61% globally) and 83% the quality of medical care.

• Culture, food, and the outdoors abound. Spain scores 87% for culinary variety, 83% for culture and nightlife, and 89% for recreational sports.

• It's welcoming and easy to pick up. 77% rate locals as friendly, and Spanish is among the easier languages to learn (54% say so, vs. 39% globally).

• Bureaucracy is the biggest gripe. Just 26% of expats in Spain find it easy to deal with local authorities, against 38% globally.

• Jobs and salaries disappoint. Only 27% rate the local job market positively and 37% say the move improved their career prospects.

• Housing is tight in the popular spots. Just 29% rate housing affordability positively as demand pushes prices up.

• Some habits take adjusting. The French mention slow service, late hours, and occasionally superficial small talk.

For the French, Spain is close to ideal: sunshine, food, healthcare, and an easy, welcoming pace, without the language being too steep. The trade-offs are bureaucracy and a weak job market, so it suits remote workers and retirees best.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our French members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in Spain is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow French is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Spanish way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other French in Spain, residing in Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of French in Madrid or French in Barcelona.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for French food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Spanish InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from France in Spain.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our Spain Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get foie gras in Barcelona.
• Search the InterNations Places database for Spain to get information on institutions from your home country, including the French embassy.

From the amazing beaches of the Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz to the thriving capital, the vibrant Catalonian coastal city of Barcelona, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly French expats in Spain.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in Spain. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Spanish paella, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Madrid’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the medieval Arab neighbourhoods and palaces of Granada as well as other beautiful landmarks in Spain.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from France and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Bonjour from our French living in Spain!