Why immigrants are Leaving Spain?!

Why immigrants are Leaving Spain?!

Thinking of moving to Spain? It’s not for everyone! You might wanna read this article before you make your decision because I’m bringing you the hard facts and reality of relocating to the sunny, Southern European nation that reflects why immigrants are Leaving Spain!

Many ex-pats and would-be expats perceive Spain as a sunny paradise with simple living. It can be pretty enticing to think about this country as a potential home. If you come from a country where everything is pricey and you spend little to no time with your family owing to work commitments, the Mediterranean and laid-back lifestyle, world-class Spanish food, and even the traditional siesta look like a dream to you.

you can also read this to know more about why immigrants are Leaving Spain.

Changes of Spain

But take it from me, today's Spain is far from this dream! It’ll surprise you to know that it’s undergone major changes. This is not the country you can choose for a laid-back lifestyle.

Surprise, surprise: living in Spain is a lot different than vacationing there!

It’s a huge reason why a large number of expats end up moving back and immigrants are leaving Spain. Let me explain. Not doing enough research before relocating to Spain is one of the major errors people make.

Spain circumstances

1. Finding a job in Spain can be challenging

The first reason that explains why immigrants are leaving Spain is about unemployment. Spain is more than just a place for beaches, sun, and tapas. When moving, there are many more things to think about! For instance:

• To get a work visa if you’re not an EU citizen, you must find a job before moving there.
• The high unemployment rate in Spain—over 12.6% in 2023—will make it more challenging for you to find employment there and limit your possibilities for professional advancement.

Working remotely is probably what you're doing if you're in Spain on a non-lucrative or digital nomad visa; in that case, jobs shouldn't be a cause of worry for you. Otherwise, finding a job in Spain can be challenging since you either have to apply for a position that is listed as being in high demand by the government or the business has to demonstrate that you are better qualified than the locals.

Then, the employer is responsible for submitting the work visa application once you have a job. And yes, EU nationals can move to Spain with ease and then find a job there. But keep in mind tha:

Spain has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the EU.

Finding work there can take months! So, if you’re going without a handsome amount of savings.. good luck!

2. Spain's work culture

The other downside with Spain that addresses the issue why immigrants are leaving Sian is about work culture. Spain's work culture isn't the healthiest. People who work in Spain typically put in more than 40 hours a week and don’t always get to take two days off. It’s common for people to put in a lot of effort and spend more time working than socializing with friends or family.

If you intend to work in Spain, learn more about the workplace you'll be entering to avoid unpleasant surprises. In fact, some expats even claim that working in Spain is not a good idea. And you might notice something odd: there are noticeably few qualified professionals there. You'll be left wondering where they went. Well, there’s a word for it: brain drain.

You can also watch this video regarding why immigrants are leaving Spain. This is a real experience:

They left the nation in pursuit of better opportunities! Spain's professional landscape is now lacking as a result, and even if you have a lot to offer the Spanish labor market, you'll probably work too much and get paid too little.

3. Taxes

Taxes are the other aspect about why immigrants are leaving Spain. Spain is evidence that putting in long hours does not guarantee success, and taxes are one of the causes of this. Highly skilled professionals are in short supply while low-paying occupations are widespread. The most ambitious people often relocate to other countries because they provide better pay or tax policies.

Now, even though Spain has a low total cost of living, some things are more expensive than they are elsewhere.

4. Costs of Living

High expenditures are another explanation why immigrants are leaving Spain. Electricity and gas prices are fairly high, and Americans and Britons both pay more for imports now that Brexit has occurred. Oh, and that sunny weather starts to lose its charm.

You will pay a high price if you depend on air conditioning to keep cool during the summer! That's generally because of the high cost of power as well as the fact that many apartments and homes aren't constructed to hold both heat and air. Before you can count on effective insulation, effective cooling, and effective heating, you'll need to pay a sizable amount for a freshly refurbished apartment.

I know what you’re thinking, living it up in a gorgeous rural region of Spain, surrounded by beautiful scenery and rolling hills. But once more, reality sets in: there is a shortage of infrastructure.

5. Shortage of infrastructure

Another reason regarding why immigrants are leaving spain; Infrastructures are another reason why immigrants are leaving Spain. You have to deal with broken roads, poor internet, and an overall feeling of isolation. Now think about the influence of major cities like Barcelona and Madrid. These cities have cutting-edge conveniences, active markets, and a varied cultural scene. But living expenses are also pretty high.

6. Shortage of energy

Another reason why immigrants are leaving Spain; The energy industry, which has its own set of shortcomings, is another significant factor, and they’ll become a part of your nightmarish reality in places like Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Canary Islands. Then, Spain's price tags will be a huge eye-opener, and change your assumptions of what daily living costs can be, whether you’re looking at necessities or luxuries.

Combine that with exorbitant taxes, you already have the perfect excuse to not move!

7. Socio-political issues

Another reason why immigrants are leaving Spain; Coming to socio-political issues, things don’t look too good either. The well-intentioned goals of Agenda 2030 mask a deadly reality: increased government control over all facets of peoples' lives, including their access to food.

• For instance, Spanish farmers have been stifled by taxes and restrictions, making it difficult for them to profit from their crucial job for society.
• Many water dams have been dismantled in recent years, and there seems to be unrest among the people due to their government policies.

Now, Spain is often cited as having some of the best cuisine in the world, but due to artificially induced food shortages, who knows if this soon change!

Between 19% and 47% of all income in Spain is taxed, and if you live in a region like Catalunya, you may additionally be required to pay municipal taxes.

Be aware that your taxes are not quite as simple if you work remotely or independently in Spain. A significant monthly autonomous fee must be paid, IVA must be collected from clients, and quarterly tax filings are required too.

You might remember that the country suffered greatly for many years from the worldwide recession of 2008. And long after other countries had bounced back to a booming job market and economy, Spain was unable to recover. But a decade later, Spain was finally gaining ground. Then the pandemic struck, and they were once more severely affected.

8. Language Barrier

Another reason why immigrants are leaving Spain; Then comes the language barrier. Although many Spaniards understand English, especially in the more well-known tourist cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, and Seville, there is still a huge language barrier once you move there and live there, and there will always be more of it in smaller towns.

Remember, it takes a lot of work and practice to become fluent, so make sure you know enough to start interacting with the community and streamline your interactions with utility providers and others. Because otherwise, you’re in for a lot of trouble! So yes, plan to learn Spanish if you intend to live in Spain.

9. Competitive rental and housing markets

Another downside explains why immigrants are leaving Spain; Speaking of living in Spain, the competitive rental and housing markets in Spain might make it difficult to find a place to call home. High rental prices are the norm in Barcelona, Madrid, and Malaga, which are the top destinations for tourists and expats.

The problem also persists in other major cities since there is a greater demand than supply for cheap and high-quality accommodation. The fact that so many expats are moving to Spain and how heavily Spain depends on tourism to maintain its economy are two factors contributing to the property and rental market's troubles.

10. Gentrification

Another downside explains why immigrants are leaving Spain; Throughout the country, you’ll also notice that gentrification has become more prevalent. Retirees and relatively rich foreigners can purchase apartments for more money than a native would be able to. Housing issues can have a significant impact on the whole cost of living in Spain, especially when you factor in the issue with Airbnb.

11. Slow bureaucracy

Another downside explains why immigrants are leaving Spain; Oh and while we’re at it, another major issue is Spanish bureaucracy. It seems that no matter how well you plan for an appointment, something will still go wrong. Here, dealing with paperwork and administrative processes takes time and is frequently extremely frustrating.

So, if you’re used to smooth, quick and easy processes - forget it! What else makes Spain difficult for foreigners to live in? Hmm, let’s see.. buying a house is complicated for foreigners since working with local lawyers and the Spanish government is difficult.

In truth, one of the main issues that most foreigners have with the Spanish government is its bureaucracy.

It's now time to dispel a long-standing myth about Spain: the famed siesta.

12. The myth of siesta

The notion that the entire nation would take an afternoon nap, leaving the streets empty and the shops shuttered, is merely an idea. Even though there is a siesta culture in some places, it’s not as widespread as you might imagine. You can expect that laid-back attitude in some of the government offices though! Living in one of Spain's largest cities is probably not the place for you if you value peace and quiet.

In addition to late-night drunks, children and teenagers are frequently seen on the streets, partly as a result of the low job rate. So, as it comes to a close with the reasons why immigrants are leaving Spain, you understand why living in Spain is a mosaic of surprises that go beyond its initial charm.

Underneath the sunny paradise veneer is a complicated terrain of mismanagement, inefficiency, zero work-life balance plus poor quality of life. The charm of the unique local culture and beautiful scenery is irresistible, but so are the difficulties of adjusting to high taxes and overcoming infrastructural constraints, right? Make your decision wisely!