Two of the most popular destinations for expats, and a genuinely hard choice. Here is how United Kingdom and Spain compare across the nine factors that shape life abroad, with an honest read on which suits which kind of mover.
United Kingdom vs Spain at a glance
| Factor | United Kingdom | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | High | Moderate ▲ |
| Property | Very expensive | Moderate ▲ |
| Healthcare | Strong | Strong |
| Safety | Safe | Safe ▲ |
| Tax | Worldwide; 4-yr tax break for new arrivals | Worldwide income; wealth tax applies |
| Visa | Skilled Worker; no retiree route | Non-lucrative visa (~€2,400/mo) |
| Climate | Cool (~11°C) | Warm (~18°C) (warmer) |
| English | Native / official ▲ | Moderate |
| Expat community | Established | Established |
▲ marks the stronger of the two on that factor. Where neither is marked, they are closely matched.
How far your money goes in United Kingdom · and in Spain
Which should you choose?
Choose United Kingdom if you want: more English spoken.
Choose Spain if you want: more affordable property, a lower cost of living and greater everyday safety.
Climate is a matter of taste rather than a score, so weigh that yourself: United Kingdom is Cool (~11°C), Spain is Warm (~18°C).
Tax and visas compared
| Factor | United Kingdom | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Tax | Worldwide; 4-yr tax break for new arrivals | Worldwide income; wealth tax applies |
| Visa / residency | Skilled Worker; no retiree route | Non-lucrative visa (~€2,400/mo) |
General information to compare destinations, not personal tax or immigration advice. Rules change, so check the current position before you commit.
Go deeper: United Kingdom guide · United Kingdom insurance quotes | Spain guide · Spain insurance quotes
How these scores are calculated
Each destination is scored from 0 to 100 on nine factors, then compared. “Stronger” marks the higher score on that factor. The healthcare score reflects the public system; private care, which many expats use, can differ, and first-hand expat ratings are coming from our own survey. Cost and property are world-comparable price levels.
Data sources: Expat Focus built dataset · Expat Focus climate reference · Expat Focus reference · World Bank ICP / PPP price level · World Bank ICP 2021 housing Price Level Index · World Bank health expenditure per capita + physicians per 1,000 · World Bank intentional homicide rate · World Bank international migrant stock. See our data and licences page.