Much like the rest of the European Union, living in Spain legally if you are not a European citizen is not easy. Unless you apply for a student visa or are hired by a company in Spain, the only way to legally reside in Spain is with the help of a Spanish relative or if you have an independent income. Common visas for foreigners are those for employees, independent business owners, students, and retirees. But since there is rarely scrutiny of expatriates from North America when crossing the border, many stay on illegally to enjoy life in Spain as long as possible. Spain has a rich and varied cultural heritage, a mild climate, and a vibrant and laid-back way of life, making it a desirable destination for expatriates from Europe and North and Latin America.
Featured Articles on Living, Working, Studying, Traveling, and Volunteering in Spain
Expatica's The Expat Guide Spainprovides news, information, online resources to move and live in the country. This site also offers a platform to find a job and to get in contact with other expats.
InterNations — Your Expat Community in Spain provides essential information with an option for paid registration with for the expat community. Membership allows you access to even more shared opportunities about living in the country.
Justlanded: Spain provides resources and background on moving, living, and working in the country.
Numbeo: Spain is a fine crowdsourced site that provides much aggregate and itemized information about the cost of living in the country, the main cities, and bigger towns which should help prepare you for the transition.
Lonely Planet: Spain travel guide makes it easy for travelers to deal with the daily challenges independent travelers face: how to get around, where to stay, where to eat, and much more.
Rough Guides: Travel Guide to Spain describes various attractions and destinations, while also providing practical travel tips about transportation, safety, and other travel essentials.