spain

The Sagrada Familia - Barcelona

The British armada: a million of us now call Spain home

Why Spain?

Spain absorbs far more immigrants than any other European country – over four million in the past decade alone. Most are economic migrants – from Africa, South America and Eastern Europe but the figure includes about 350,000 permanent residents from Britain – many of them retirees. An additional, and estimated three-quarters of a million Britons own property in Spain and spend a significant part of the year there.

The figure may be much higher. There is no requirement for expatriate Britons to register with the British embassy whose staff say the real figure may be as much as three times higher than official estimates. The Costa del Sol alone has a shifting British population of up to 300,000 and this doesn’t include tourists.

The provinces of Alicante, Málaga and Murcia account for well over half of all British residents. What has traditionally drawn them to Spain – along with hundreds of thousands of other northern Europeans – has been the attraction of warm, sunny weather, an abundance of kindred spirits, cheap property and low cost of living, an outdoor way of life, cheap flights and welcoming locals.

Most of these reasons still apply. Others don’t. Property prices are no longer cheap and many Spaniards resent the fact that the invasion of foreign property buyers has pushed prices beyond the means of their young people.

History and culture

However, the appeal remains. Spain is a spectacular and richly varied country soaked in history and culture. The north is covered in rolling green hills while the south boasts exotic northern African landscapes and architecture. Its miles of sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes are world famous as are its bullfights, flamenco dancers and delicious food and wine.

The country was originally divided into separate regions, which include Andalucía, Aragon, Asturias, Basque Country, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla León, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra and Valencia. These autonomous regions remain diverse in their language, culture, cuisine and art.

The Spanish lifestyle is as varied and rich as the landscapes of the country. For those who enjoy a livelier pace of life, living in larger towns or cities may be preferable, while those who want a quieter time may head for peaceful areas on the coast or inland.

read more - order your copy today