You’ve done it. You got the acceptance email from NALCAP, BEDA, or UCETAM (or maybe you’re coordinating a study abroad program for students in Madrid). You’re officially moving to Spain!
You can already picture it—lazy afternoons sipping café con leche in a sun-drenched plaza, spontaneous weekend trips to Barcelona or Seville, and classrooms filled with eager students excited to learn English from you.
But before you get lost in the daydream, let’s talk money. This is my favorite thing to speak about because we don’t speak enough about the realities of money when moving to a foreign country.
While living in Spain isn’t as expensive as London or New York, it’s not free either. And if you don’t budget before you arrive, that dream can quickly turn into a stressful scramble to make ends meet.
So, how much do you really need? What’s a realistic budget for living in Spain as a language assistant? Let’s break it all down.
The Reality Check: Your Upfront Costs Before Moving to Spain
The First Big Shock: Getting to Spain Costs More Than You Think
Most first-time language assistants underestimate how much money they’ll need before their first stipend arrives.
The truth? You’ll need to front-load a lot of expenses—from visas to flights to housing deposits—before you even step foot in Spain.
Here’s what you’re looking at before your plane even takes off:
How Much Should You Save Before Moving?
🔹 Minimum: $3,500 🔹 Ideal: $4,500+ 🔹 Best-Case Scenario: $6,000+ (for extra cushion & travel money)
Pro Tip: Spain operates on a monthly payment system, meaning your first stipend won’t arrive until the end of your first full month. You’ll need enough money to survive the first 4-6 weeks without income.
The Monthly Budget: Can You Live Comfortably on Your Stipend?
What’s the Reality of Living on a Language Assistant Salary?
Most programs pay between €800 and €1,600 per month, depending on your hours and location. But does that actually cover your expenses?
Here’s a realistic look at monthly living costs:
Can You Actually Survive on a Language Assistant Salary?
No (I couldn’t) but—if you plan to live in a shared apartment, cook at home, and budget wisely, maybe. Maybe not—if you plan to eat out frequently, travel every weekend, or live alone in a major city.
3️⃣ Annual & One-Time Costs You Might Forget
Moving abroad means surprise expenses pop up more often than you think. Here are some of the biggest ones to plan for:
Budget Hacks to Make Your Money Go Further
1. Rent Smarter, Not Harder
- Shared apartments (piso compartido) = instant savings.
- Use Idealista, Badi, and Facebook groups to find roommates.
- Avoid renting alone unless you have extra income or a large stipend.
2. Grocery Shop Like a Local
- Mercadona, Lidl, and Carrefour are your best bets for budget groceries.
- Skip imported brands—Spanish products are way cheaper.
3. Travel on a Budget
- Book flights early with Ryanair, Vueling, and EasyJet.
- Use FlixBus & Renfe trains for cheap domestic travel.
- Take advantage of student & teacher discounts on public transport.
4. Side Hustles = Extra Cash
- Private English tutoring: €15-€25/hour
- Online freelance work: Writing, design, or teaching
- Social media content creation: If you’ve got skills, use them!
Final Takeaway: Are You Financially Ready?
Do you have at least $3,500 in savings before moving?
✅ Do you have a plan for covering your first 4-6 weeks without income?
✅ Do you understand what your stipend will cover—and what it won’t?
If you can confidently answer “yes” to all three, you’re ready for an incredible, stress-free year in Spain!
Moving abroad is one of the most exciting, life-changing experiences you can have. But let’s be real—it’s also a huge leap.
You’ve worked hard to get here, and you deserve to start your journey with confidence, not confusion. Imagine landing in Madrid (or wherever you’re placed), already knowing where you’re going, how much things cost, and what to expect. No scrambling for last-minute answers, no surprise expenses throwing you off track—just a smooth, stress-free start to your adventure.
If you want to walk into this experience fully prepared, with a plan that sets you up for success, I’ve got something for you.
📍 The Move to Madrid Course was built to take the guesswork out of relocating—so you can focus on enjoying the journey, not just surviving it.
If this sounds like exactly what you need, take a look. No pressure—just a resource designed to help you make the most of this opportunity.
🔗 Check it out here: Move to Madrid Course
Your new life in Spain is waiting. Let’s make sure you’re ready for it.