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SPAIN - Why You Should NOT Move here in 2026 😱🇪🇸

Hi Homes

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DO NOT MOVE TO SPAIN Without Watching This First! 🇪🇸 Moving to Spain sounds like paradise — sunshine, beaches, lifestyle — but living in Spain is very different from what most expats expect.

Before moving to Spain, you need to understand the reality of Spanish culture, bureaucracy, work-life balance, and the slow “mañana” pace that shocks so many foreigners.

✅ The biggest culture shocks in Spain
✅ Why Spain drives some people crazy
✅ The truth about Spanish paperwork & NIE
✅ Work culture vs income expectations
✅ Who Spain is actually perfect for

Funny video about bureaucracy in Spain - Funny video (5 min.) about Spanish Red Tap...

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20 Comments

@cosimodemedici3880 7 months ago

Moved from Germany to Spain and I can promise you spains Administration is way more efficient and digitized

@mr.relampagonegro2107 7 months ago (edited)

I will always be grateful to Spain for the opportunity to create a life I could have only dreamed of. I have been living here for more than 3 decades havng spent 32 years of my life in the states when I decided it was time to make a major life change. In the beginning I hung out with Americans from the U.S. (Yes I distinguish because there are 3 types of Americans) and British expats until I realized that I was tired of living on the periphery and opted for full integration. What I found once I became fluent in the language and adopted many Spanish customs I was happier. What I have seen is many people come here and refuse to adapt to the Spanish ways of life (yes there is more than one) and they are miserable. I actually have two personalities and some days this can be a bit exhausting going from Matthew to Mateo but I love it. I see far more positive lifestyle attributes than negative ones regarding my life in Spain. For 23 years I lead tour groups around Europe and I can say with all the certainty in the world that I made the right choice. No country is perfect and you are fooling yourself if you think other wise.

@goood1614 7 months ago

We are moving to spain everything you said is positive

@martini3524 7 months ago

My Uncle and his wife spent many years in Spain. They got to like the people and the people made friends with them. Their main connection was going to Mass in the local Spanish Catholic Church.

@MrSillyFun 7 months ago

I lived in Malaga and thought it was the loudest place in the world... then I moved to Brazil!!!

@lousey1969 7 months ago

This is exactly why we bought place in Spain (Manilva) and since taking early retirement last year at 55 we now spend so much time there that any stress that was in my system has definitely gone. Amazing country and life style.....once you get used to the paperwork and contractors time keeping 🤣😂

@j.n.sloane 5 months ago (edited)

One thing I noticed is that there are many very professional, "go-getter", type people in Spain, however, their free time is sacred. DO NOT send emails or WhatsApp messages after hours or CLOSE to time of closing. Wait until normal hours. The Spanish do not appreciate, (nor should they), being asked to blur the lines between business and family time. They will pick family every time. Deep respect. Saludos desde Asturias.

@FirstAtKasabrin 7 months ago

Many years ago when I first visited Barcelona and was riding up the coast towards Girona I caught up to a Spanish cyclist who looked like he was also on his way to Girona. I said Hola and come on let's go or "Vamos" and the only word he replied was "Tranquilo".. I was like what the heck? Now I fully understand!

@greenrots 7 months ago

Your English accent is remarkable for a native Spaniard. I always thought you were American!

@junuc10 7 months ago (edited)

I am a descendant of Gallegos who just moved to Spain (getting back to my roots). Two important things that one must assimilate to succeed in Spain…..Language and culture.

@CharlotteBerglund888 5 months ago

I came from Sweden and I got a hell of a chock moving to Spain🤣🤣🤣. After a couple of years I was in love with the country, the people, the traditions. And mostly because of the slow life living in the moment, lived there for nine years, I am back in Sweden but not for good, I will be back in Spain, its for sure my home. ✨❤️🕊️

@lmagdangal4842 5 months ago

I love it here thank you for sharing your insight

@iancampbell8977 7 months ago

I’m in training for my move to Spain… moved from London it’s getting done tomorrow to Dorset “ yeah I get to you in the next 2 or 3 weeks, but don’t stress, if I’m not there, just remind me “ culture … I’m cool with it now…

@Javservice 7 months ago

Funny thing is that I moved from Miami and today Miami is colder than Malaga😂😂😂😂.. the Coast is not that bad.. it has some cold days but over all it’s nice and not too cold.. Now if you move to Madrid.. or north the situation changes..

@JB-ne5bv 7 months ago

As as Spaniard, you have to make a difference between north of Spain and the big cities, and the south where the pace of live is slower, specially workwise

@RichD2024 6 months ago (edited)

About the beurocracy he talked about (paperwork, etc.) do not underestimate how bad it is. It's atrocious! I'm going through it now. I made an appointment for something I needed, arrived early, there were a ton of people in front of me and I really has to pee. I decided to use the restroom and when I was in there they called my number. I missed it by like 10 seconds and they told me I needed to make another appointment. You are asked for specific paperwork, you bring it and they tell you that you need something else and need to wait months for another appointment. By the time you get the other appointment they tell you the paperwork is expired - they told me my freaking birth certificate was expired because it has to be legalized within 3 months. How does a birth certificate expire?!? It's a nightmare.

@Thisisme.Sabrina 7 months ago

Your videos are super helpful! Love watching them 😊

@kontxibg1279 4 days ago

Usted tiene toda la razón, señor. En cada item que describe.

@oscars99 7 months ago

Muy buen video. Bien explicatedo. Gracias

@iNMOspectorSpain 7 months ago

After 21 years in Spain (Galicia), I can definitely sign off on many comments, especially the spontaneity and "inexact" form of life, be it punctuality, numbers/ prices or activities - private or in business. The outside life is also my experience. What absolutely amazes me - being German and having lived a good part of my life in the US – is the disconnection of private and work life. People who I have know for years do not know what I do for a living and vice versa. It´s just not a topic. And I admit, that´s stil a bit hard for me, since I love what I spend most of my day doing. And yes, real estate and buildings often fits right into this somewhat tranquilo-mañana-mas-o-menos mindset :) It´s not negative, but you should be aware and understand that that´s the way it is :)