Moving from the US to Spain (My Story + What I Learned)
Moving to another country might sound glamorous in theory, but there’s a lot of complicated planning and emotions behind the scenes. With that being said, it’s also incredibly exciting and rewarding. I grew up in Minnesota in the US, moved to Arizona for a few years in my early 20’s, and then decided I was ready to try moving again - across the ocean. I want to share my story about moving abroad with you all so you can learn from my experience and so I can share what I’d do differently if I were starting all over again.
Why I Moved Abroad (And Why It Was Spain)
I’m a dual citizen (Hungarian passport), so I don’t need a visa to live in the EU (shout out to my Papa).
But if you’re moving to Spain and need a visa - most of my friends are on the Digital Nomad Visa.
I already spoke Spanish after studying it for years in school.
I studied abroad in Granada, Spain, in 2015 and had always dreamed of returning to Spain one day.
When choosing a city, I wanted somewhere by the sea with a big airport for easy travel. That ruled out Madrid (landlocked), and I felt Valencia and Málaga were a bit too small for this chapter of my life. So, Barcelona it was, and I moved here without ever visiting it first. Bold? Yes. But I figured it’s a large city, so people must like living there.
The Step-by-Step of How I Actually Moved
I didn’t just wake up and move. It took a lot of planning and researching.
1. Arizona to Spain via Minnesota
Before Spain, I lived in Arizona for 3.5 years. Rent there was skyrocketing, and I didn’t feel tied to the state anymore.
I moved back to Minnesota temporarily, researched for months, called international employment and tax lawyers, and tried to find a way to keep my U.S. job while working abroad.
2. Corporate Roadblocks & Taking a Leap
So disappointingly… my company wouldn’t support me moving abroad long-term. They let me go to Spain for three months as a temporary work abroad “vacation” from late May to early August 2023. But I had no intention of coming back.
During those three months, I applied to over 200 jobs in the EU and US, hoping to find something remote and legal. I left my apartment and belongings in Barcelona and returned to the U.S. in August… only to quietly book my return ticket and extend my lease in Barcelona.
I got my corporate job to agree to let me work from Spain for 3 more months, as long as I didn’t work in Spain more than 183 days in a calendar year. Otherwise, I would become a tax resident and they would owe Spanish taxes. They agreed on the condition that my last day would be in December and I would need to find another job by then.
It wasn’t until December - literally a week before my lease ended - that I landed a new remote job and got accepted on a lease for a new apartment which officially finalized my move to Barcelona. It took almost 6 months of living in Spain to figure out a more “permanent” living and working situation.
The Reality of Job Hunting Abroad
The job market was and is brutal. Here’s what I learned:
Spanish salaries are low compared to US salaries. Not shocking, as the US has higher salaries than most other countries, but I was not willing to take that large of a pay cut. So I quickly stopped targeting Spanish companies.
US companies with international remote policies were ideal but hard to find, almost impossible, actually. Most don’t want the legal responsibility of employing someone abroad. And once they find out you’re located in a country like Spain with lower salaries, they immediately suggest lowering your salary to the job market you’re located in (womp womp).
One possible option: Find a company willing to work with an Employer of Record (like Oyster HR or Remote.com). They handle the legalities of international employment and are the way of the future IMO.
I suggest looking for asynchronous remote companies. Companies that don’t determine salary by the confines of geographical location. These are few and far between, but again, I believe they are the way forward.
Important: Don’t expect to keep your US salary when you move abroad. Most companies will offer significantly less because of “market adjustment.” Be prepared.
Renting an Apartment: What Worked for Me
Instead of an expensive hotel or Airbnb, I booked a 3-month tourist lease before arriving. I vetted the agency, took a leap of faith, and it worked out - no moving around, no stress upon arriving. But if you’re nervous, I get it. Short-term rentals are everywhere here, and most apartments are available with just a week or two of notice.
You’ll notice that most apartments are on a tourist lease or are short-term rentals (3-11 months). This is one of the major housing issues in Barcelona because landlords charge a LOT per month for short term rentals and continue changing long term leases (5-8 years) into short term rentals in favor of hiking the price up.
On Idealista (aka Spain’s Zillow), you can sort by short term or long term, whatever you’re looking for. For a short term rental in the city center with 2 bedrooms, expect to pay around €1800/month. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a long term rental that is owned by a private landlord. But most rentals are managed by rental agencies. They charge a fee that is typically 10% of the yearly rent (DUMB!) and I would normally be okay with paying for an agency if they provided a service to the tenant, but they don’t do any sourcing or research for you. They only manage the property for the landlord.
Despite that, I have rented through aTemporal and aProperties and had great experiences both times and would highly recommend them.
What I’ve Learned from Living Abroad
Moving to Spain has changed me in ways I didn’t expect - emotionally, mentally, and personally.
1. You Learn Who You Are (Fast)
Living alone, in a new language, in a new culture? You’re forced to face parts of yourself you didn’t even know existed. I’ve become more confident, more relaxed, and more open than I ever was in the U.S.
2. Stability Is a Privilege
Even now, I never feel fully “secure.” The job market is shaky, layoffs are always happening, and I constantly have to be one step ahead. That’s why I started building something of my own - like this blog, a podcast, and creative work on social media - because I don’t want to rely on one corporate job to keep me here. It’s simply not a secure safety net to rely on one job anymore.
3. If You Can Do It Legally, DO IT
So many people try to game the system, but I don’t recommend it. There are legal paths to living abroad - they’re not easy, but they exist. Please don’t risk your future just to avoid paperwork or taxes. Do it by the book. Hire a gestor to help you with the paperwork if you need it.
Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely - even with all the chaos. I’ve met people I never would have met, had experiences I never would’ve had, and grown in ways I couldn’t have if I stayed in my comfort zone.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it: moving abroad is hard. It’s expensive, it’s unstable, and there are no guarantees. But it’s also thrilling, empowering, and incredibly worth it - especially if you do your research and go in with realistic expectations.
If you’re thinking about moving abroad and have questions, I’d love to help. Feel free to send me a DM or leave a comment. And if you want a part two on this - like a guide to budgeting, taxes, or cultural differences - let me know!
