Madrid: A Cultural Hotspot
The Spanish capital ranks 6th out of 49 in the Expat City Ranking 2023. Digital Life (10th) in Madrid is a particular highlight. Expats find it easy to pay without cash (6th), get high-speed internet access at home (6th), and have unrestricted access to online services (7th).
However, 51% say it’s difficult to live in Madrid without speaking the local language(s) (vs. 32% globally), which leads to a somewhat mediocre ranking in the Expat Essentials Index (19th). When it comes to Working Abroad (38th), job security (42nd) and the state of the local economy (41st) leave a lot to be desired. On the positive side, Personal Finances (10th) cause few problems for expats.
Like the other Spanish cities in the ranking, the Quality of Life (3rd) in Madrid is voted among the best globally. Both public transportation (5th) and healthcare (2nd) are seen as affordable. The city even rises to the top of the ranking for its Leisure Options (1st): its culture and nightlife (1st) can’t be beat. The culinary variety and dining options (4th), paired with the many opportunities for recreational sports (7th), further enrich expats’ free time.
This may be one reason why, in the Ease of Settling In Index (8th), 77% say that it’s easy to get used to the local culture (vs. 62% globally). Four in five (80%) also describe the local residents as generally friendly towards foreign residents (vs. 65% globally). Overall, 85% of expats are happy with their life in Madrid, compared to 72% globally.
