Living in
Northern Spain
Why Northern Spain? A New Life on the Atlantic Coast
There is a stretch of coastline along the north of Spain that most people fly over on their way to somewhere else. That is their loss — and your opportunity. Asturias, Cantabria, and Galicia make up a region unlike anywhere else in Europe: dramatic, green, unhurried, and deeply, genuinely alive.
This is not the Spain of package holidays and sangria. It is the Spain of ancient fishing ports, mountain villages, artisan cider poured from height, and a coastline that crashes and dazzles in equal measure.
It is a place where people still know their neighbours, where restaurants are full on a Tuesday, and where the quality of life quietly exceeds almost everything you have left behind.
For those relocating from the UK, USA, Canada, or elsewhere in northern Europe, this region offers something rare: a genuinely different pace of life, at a genuinely different cost, without sacrificing the infrastructure and safety that matter when you are putting down real roots.
Asturias: The Crown Jewel of Green Spain
Asturias is where the Picos de Europa mountains meet the Cantabrian Sea, and the effect is nothing short of extraordinary. Known as the Costa Verde — the Green Coast — this is a landscape of emerald valleys, rugged cliffs, and medieval villages that feel as though time has treated them kindly rather than simply forgotten them.
Gijón, the region’s largest city, is the natural anchor for those looking to relocate. It is a maritime city with real energy — a working port, a university, a thriving food scene, and the long arc of San Lorenzo beach running through its heart.
Unlike many Spanish cities, Gijón does not hibernate outside of summer. The sidrerías are full year-round, the market is busy on a Saturday morning, and the seafront is walked regardless of the weather.
It is a city that feels lived-in, which is precisely what you want when you are planning to live in it.
Asturias: The Crown Jewel of Green Spain
Beyond Gijón, the Asturian countryside opens up into something even more compelling. Stone farmhouses, coastal villages with barely a tourist in sight, and a regional food culture that is among the most distinctive in Spain — built around fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, cider, and the hearty fabada asturiana that has fed generations through Atlantic winters.
The cost of living is meaningfully lower than in Madrid, Barcelona, or any equivalent city in the UK or North America, yet the infrastructure — roads, healthcare, broadband, public services — is modern and reliable.
For families, the draw is space, safety, and a childhood that plays out largely outdoors. For retirees, it is the quality of life, the warmth of community, and access to excellent public healthcare.
For remote workers, it is the very real possibility of a morning at the laptop followed by an afternoon in the mountains or on a surfboard — not as an occasional treat, but as a Tuesday.
Cantabria: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
East of Asturias, Cantabria occupies a narrow but spectacular strip of northern Spain, sandwiched between the Cantabrian Sea and the peaks of the Cordillera Cantábrica.
It is a region that rewards those who look beyond the obvious — less internationally known than its neighbours, which means property prices remain accessible and the pace of life even more so.
Santander, the regional capital, combines a handsome bay setting with genuine urban amenities — an international ferry port with direct crossings to the UK, an airport with routes to major European cities, and a city centre that balances history with a modern, outward-looking energy.
The surrounding coastline — the so-called Costa Esmeralda — offers some of the finest beaches in Spain, largely undiscovered by the international market.
For those who want easy access to Bilbao and the Basque Country while still enjoying the green, unhurried character of Atlantic Spain, Cantabria sits in an ideal position. It is also within striking distance of the Picos de Europa from the southern side — a different perspective, and an equally dramatic one.
Galicia: Wild, Ancient, and Quietly Extraordinary
At the far northwest corner of Spain, Galicia occupies a world of its own. Celtic in heritage, Atlantic in character, and almost otherworldly in its landscape — granite coastlines carved into deep sea inlets called rías, forests of ancient oak, and a light that shifts constantly between sea mist and sharp Atlantic clarity.
It is, by any measure, one of the most beautiful and underrated corners of Europe.
Santiago de Compostela, one of the great pilgrimage cities of the world, anchors the region with its magnificent cathedral, its lively university scene, and a food culture that rivals anything in Spain.
Vigo and A Coruña offer the services and connectivity of proper cities without the scale or cost of Madrid or Barcelona. And the rural Galician coast — particularly the Rías Baixas to the south — is becoming a genuine destination for remote workers and relocating families seeking something truly different.
Galicia is also the spiritual home of Spanish seafood. The octopus, the percebes, the Albariño wine, the empanada — food here is not just sustenance but identity, and sharing it with locals is one of the fastest routes into Galician life.
Three regions, one coastline, one unhurried way of life. Whether you are drawn to the cider houses of Gijón, a clifftop village in Cantabria, or the wild granite inlets of Galicia, Atlantic Spain has the space and the character to absorb you — and, in time, to feel entirely like home.
When you are ready to look at the practicalities — visas and residency, healthcare, buying or renting, and the detail of daily life — everything you need is in the pages that follow. But this is where it starts. If you have read this far, we suspect you already know this is the right place.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are you a real estate agent?
No. We are not real estate agents and we don’t represent sellers or landlords.
We work exclusively for you, the client, as an independent relocation consultant and buyer’s agent. This means our advice is unbiased and focused entirely on your relocation and long-term needs.
What exactly does a relocation and buyer’s agent do?
We act as your local advocate and guide throughout your move to Northern Spain. Support can include:
- Area and lifestyle guidance
- Property searches (rental or purchase)
- Viewing coordination and negotiation
- Legal and administrative guidance
- Introductions to trusted professionals such as lawyers and tax advisors
- On-the-ground support during arrival and settling in
You choose the level of support from strategic guidance to full end-to-end
Are you compensated by the selling agent?
NO. We work exclusively for you
How do your fees work?
All services are offered on a transparent, client-paid fee basis.
Depending on the service, this may be a fixed fee, project-based fee. All fees are agreed in advance, with no hidden commissions.
Legal & Administrative
What is a NIE and when do I need it?
A NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your foreigner identification number in Spain.
You will need it for most administrative and financial matters, including renting or buying property, opening a bank account, setting up utilities, and paying taxes.
What’s the difference between a T.I.E and EU residency?
EU citizens register as residents and receive a green EU residency certificate.
Non-EU citizens receive a TIE card, which is a physical residency card linked to their visa or residence permit.
Both confirm legal residency but follow different application processes.
Do I need to register as a resident (empadronamiento)?
Yes. Empadronamiento is registration with your local town hall.
It is required for healthcare access, school enrolment, residency applications, and many administrative procedures even if you are not yet a tax resident.
What are my tax obligations in Spain?
Tax obligations depend on factors such as how long you spend in Spain and where your main economic interests are based.
Many people become tax residents without realising it, so early advice from a qualified tax professional is strongly recommended.
Finding Accommodation
Pet-friendly rentals – what should I know?
Pet-friendly rentals do exist, but availability can be limited. Flexibility, clear communication, and realistic expectations are essential.
What documents do landlords typically require?
This varies, but commonly includes:
Passport or ID
NIE (sometimes)
Proof of income or savings
Employment contract or pension details
Spanish bank account (often required)
How does the rental process work in Spain?
The process is less standardised than in some countries but generally follows these steps:
Property viewing
Offer and negotiation
Contract review
Payment of deposit (usually 1–2 months) and first month’s rent
Inventory check and key handover
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Tax
Health & Insurance
What are my health insurance options in Spain?
Options may include public healthcare, private health insurance, or a combination of both. Many newcomers use private insurance initially, especially during the residency process.
Is private health insurance required for residency?
In many cases, yes particularly for non-EU residents and for some EU residency applications.
How does the public healthcare system work?
Spain’s public healthcare system is excellent once you are registered. Access is usually based on residency, employment, or social security contributions and is provided through your local health centre.
Tax
Practical Moving Logistics
What should I pack versus buy in Spain?
Spain is well-supplied, and many people overestimate what they need to ship. Furniture, appliances, and household items are often easier and more cost-effective to buy locally. Sentimental or specialist items are usually what’s worth bringing.
Can I ship belongings to Spain?
Yes, but costs, paperwork, and customs requirements vary depending on your country of origin, residency status, and shipment value.
Professional advice is recommended to avoid delays or unexpected charges.
How do I transport my pet to Spain?
Pet travel requires a microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and an approved carrier.
There is no quarantine for compliant pets entering from most countries, but airline rules and routes must be carefully checked.
Tax
Staying Connected
How do I get internet service, especially for remote work?
High-speed fibre internet is widely available in cities and towns and increasingly in rural areas. Availability and speeds should always be checked by exact address, not just by area.
Should I get a Spanish phone number?
Yes. A Spanish phone number is strongly recommended and is often required to open a Spanish bank account, set up utilities, sign contracts, and receive verification codes. Many clients use a dual SIM or eSIM to keep their existing number alongside a Spanish one.
How do I maintain access to my US or home-country bank accounts?
Most people keep their existing accounts and open a Spanish account for local expenses. Some banks also offer multi-currency accounts, allowing you to hold balances in both euros and US dollars. Whether this is useful depends on your personal circumstances and banking fees.
Financial Matters
Can I open a Spanish bank account before arriving?
Sometimes, but requirements vary by bank and nationality. In many cases, it is simpler to open an account once you are physically in Spain.
How do currency transfers work?
Specialist currency transfer services often offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional banks, particularly for larger or regular transfers.
Where can I find English-speaking tax advisors?
We can introduce you to English-speaking tax advisors experienced in working with international clients, so you can get clear and reliable guidance from the outset.
What are the Spanish Tax year dates?
The Spanish tax year for individuals and corporations is the calendar year, running from 1 January to 31 December. Income tax returns (Declaración de la Renta) for the preceding year are typically filed between early April and 30 June