Regional differences in Spain

Madrid the capital in the centre is the hub of government, big companies and transport, Barcelona the capital of Catalonia is a world city on the Mediterranean for tourism, tech and business, Valencia a coastal city with lower prices, Seville the capital of Andalusia with its heritage and tourist activity, Málaga on the Costa del Sol a tech and tourist hub, Bilbao in the Basque Country an industrial and cultural centre, and Zaragoza on the Ebro and Granada and Salamanca are university cities.

• And the Canary and Balearic Islands are seasonal tourist regions.
• Prices differ greatly: rents in Madrid, Barcelona, the Balearics and Málaga are among the highest, while they are lower in inland cities and regions such as Extremadura and Castile.
• And international jobs are concentrated in Madrid and Barcelona.

Spanish (Castilian) is used everywhere and is the language of national administration.

• Alongside it are Catalan in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands (under the name Catalan or Mallorquín) and Valencia (Valencian), Basque (Euskera) in the Basque Country and Navarre, and Galician (Galego) in Galicia.
• These languages are taught in schools and used in administration, media and daily life, and many residents feel a strong regional identity.
• You do not need to master the co-official language to live and work in most cases but learning it brings you closer to people and benefits public jobs and schools.
• You may encounter signs and procedures in two languages.
• And respect these languages and local history, and avoid sensitive or political comparisons.
• And no one prevents you from speaking Spanish.

The green north (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country) is humid and rainy with mountainous nature and famous seafood, and its people are described as reserved and serious.

• The Mediterranean (Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia) is warm, commercial and touristic.
• And the south (Andalusia) is hot and dry in summer with flamenco culture, festivals and a friendly social atmosphere, and temperatures in summer rise above forty degrees.
• And the interior (Castile) is continental: cold winter and hot summer, historic cities and quiet towns, and lower population density.
• And Empty Spain (España vaciada) suffers from population decline and few services in rural areas.
• The Canary Islands have a mild climate all year.
• Consider the lifestyle and climate when choosing.

Because regions' powers differ, procedures and dates vary: the health system (SERMAS, CatSalut, SAS and others) and health card names, school registration dates, grants and aid, university costs, regional taxes and rent deductions, and even local public holidays.

• So always check your region's and town hall's site rather than relying on general news.
• Moving between regions may require transferring the health card and registering anew and equating some matters, and the person keeps their national rights.
• Each region provides social services and aid at different levels, so talk to social services before moving.
• And some regions offer stronger welcome programmes for migrants than others, so ask local organisations.

Before moving visit the region several times in different seasons, talk to its residents, and check jobs, rent, transport, schools, mosques, health services, climate and the co-official language.

• For tech and international business Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, for tourism and hospitality the coasts and islands, for agriculture Andalusia, Murcia, Catalonia and Castile, and for industry the Basque Country and Catalonia.
• Look for local migrant associations and communities since they ease the start, and in some cities you may find large Moroccan and Arab communities.
• And know that life in small towns is quieter and cheaper but jobs and transport are fewer.
• And the protection law or the welcome programme may determine your region of residence in some cases.
• And do not decide because of cheap rent only.

How many autonomous communities does Spain have?