7 Shocking and Specific Things To Know Before Moving to Madrid Spain + Other Helpful Tips
Updated July 2024
Wondering what the key things to know before moving to Madrid are?
When I first moved to Madrid from the US to teach English, I thought I knew what to expect. But living just outside the city center with a local host family opened my eyes in unexpected ways.
Adjusting to life in Spain came with its challenges, from navigating daily life to understanding local customs, and every day felt like such an adventure!
If you’re about to embark on this epic experience, let me guide you as I’ve been in your shoes! As a Mexican American, I encountered a few cultural surprises that I hadn’t anticipated.
After spending a year exploring Madrid’s lifestyle and culture and living and working there, I think my unique perspective can shed some light so that you have an idea of what to expect and experience less of a learning curve.
Keep reading to discover the surprising and specific things I wish I knew before moving to Madrid—insights that will help you decide if Madrid is right for you!
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7 Specific Things To Know Before Moving to Madrid, Spain
1. Allergies in Madrid are no joke
The saying, Spring is in the air is quite literal in Madrid because you can see it and you can feel it. However, as beautiful as this time is, nature-wise, it does quite a number on those of us who suffer from springtime allergies.
Come springtime, the city and its outskirts flourish with beautiful flowers, including the famous Almond Trees (pictured on the right). Although beautiful, the allergies that come from it may affect those vulnerable to seasonal allergies.
If you’re someone who also *slightly* suffers from a little bit of allergies during this beautiful time of the year, I want you to know that it intensifies in Madrid.
The pollen is abundant in the air; mold, yeast, and the little white cotton-looking things are flying through the air everywhere. It’s all over Madrid.
My allergies included sneezing all the time, watery eyes, and even losing my voice. So before it gets to that point, take proper allergy medication, reduce your time outside a bit more, and you’ll be fine.
2. The Spanish bureaucratic system can be a bit of a headache
Realistically, any legal process in any country is already a complete drag (nobody has time to wait hours in line to be told you’re missing a document, you know??).
However, in Madrid, it intensified.
It’s to the point that some workers have rejected paperwork on something so basic, like using the wrong color ink on your application or having the wrong-sized photo by a little.
Also, the lack of information on official government websites, vague addresses, and random hours of operation throughout the week are just a few of the things to consider when doing anything legal in Spain.
Or steps that don’t make sense, yet you have to follow them in a specific order.
You need certain documentation that you can only get when you’re closer to finalizing the documents when you’re first filling out your application.
It isn’t very easy.
Without getting too ranty or making this post too negative, I’ll just say that it’s safe to say that this counts as one of the things to know before moving to MadIt is not.
It’s not like anyone can avoid it, but it’s a good idea to mentally prepare your mindset (and patience) beforehand.
3. The healthcare system in Madrid is actually amazing
Here’s a VERY GOOD thing.
I didn’t know how simple the process of getting a healthcare card in Spain was. Knowing how straightforward healthcare access is in Spain can ease your mind if you plan to move.
Coming from the States, I was a bit anxious about navigating medical services in Madrid, but it turned out to be one of the simplest parts of my settling-in journey.
Once I got my residency document (empadronamiento) from the local town hall (ayuntamiento) and received my health card (tarjeta sanitaria), I was amazed at how quickly I could use healthcare services.
The ease of setting this up was a breath of fresh air—quite a contrast to what I was used to back home!
4. Using your U.S. phone in Madrid is simple
I wish I had known this before moving to Madrid, and let me tell you why.
Though I wasn’t paying an obscene amount of money monthly for my phone service, I could have definitely been more aware of other phone companies and their services.
I realized a few months after talking to other expats about how amazing their data and phone service was that they were paying WAY lower than I was.
I wish I had known the different things to look for when searching for a SIM card, depending on my needs and preferences.
If you’re in the same boat, I have created a FREE guide to help you choose the best SIM card for your phone, whether you’re moving abroad or traveling out of the country.
Make sure to check it out by leaving me your name and email down below!
5. The Madrid public transportation is amazing
Before I moved to Madrid, I had no idea how incredible the city’s public transportation system was or how essential the “abono transporte” card would be in my daily life.
This “abono” transportation card is a must-have for anyone living in or moving to Madrid.
If you’re under 25, this all-access pass costs just 20 euros a month and lets you use unlimited public transport across the city.
This includes metros, buses, and trains—even to some UNESCO World Heritage sites like Alcalá de Henares and Aranjuez and nearby cities like Toledo, from Madrid. Imagine exploring all these places unlimited for just 20 euros a month!
The price of the abono card increases for those over 25. However, it’s still a huge saving compared to buying individual tickets, especially if you plan to explore all the amazing day trips around Madrid.
Even living in the suburbs, where I didn’t use the metro as often, I found that bus fares alone could add up to about 50 euros a month. At 20 euros, the abono is a steal.
You can pick one up at major metro stations like Príncipe Pío or even apply for it online on the Transportes Madrid website, but before you do, make sure to have proper documentation proving that you’re a resident of the community of Madrid.
6. Making friends in Spain is different from the U.S.
Before moving to Madrid, I didn’t fully consider how different making friends would be from back home in the States.
Naively, I assumed it wouldn’t be too different—maybe just a few cultural differences. However, I noticed a few differences once I began working alongside my Spanish co-workers.
In Madrid and Spain as a whole, friendships are cultivated more intentionally.
People often take their time observing newcomers before deciding to invest in a new friendship. Unlike in the States, where we’re often eager to expand our social circles.
Many Madrileños have long-standing friendships that began in childhood with classmates, neighbors, and family connections, which means they’re not as actively looking to make new friends in adulthood.
Despite this, the locals were definitely friendly; however, moving from being just co-workers to actual friends took longer than I (naively) initially expected.
It wasn’t until closer to the end of the school year, after months of working together, that some co-workers began to invite me to gatherings outside of work and even invited me on weekend trips to their homes to meet their families, which was incredibly special and unforgettable.
Moral of the story: I learned that making friends with Spanish people was slower than what I was used to, but definitely very genuine and welcoming when the timing was right. I learned to appreciate that very much.
Is moving to Madrid a good idea?
If you’re drawn to a city where you can easily walk everywhere, where the transportation is top-notch, and where the terrace and coffee scene buzzes every day of the week, Madrid is the place for you!
Can you visualize yourself living amidst stunning cultural scenes, a constant lineup of activities, and neighborhoods that blend trendy vibes with quaint charm? Madrid offers all this and more, making it an ideal place to relocate.
These are just a few of the reasons why moving to Madrid could be your next great adventure.
Madrid is a city that’s always alive, always inviting you to explore—from attending a concert, visiting a museum, enjoying cultural activities like the Sunday Rastro Vintage Market, or simply hanging out on a new terrace, sharing tapas with friends.
Maybe you’re just starting to consider moving abroad, or perhaps you’re already planning your relocation from the US to Madrid.
No matter where you are in your journey, whether you’re a college student looking for your next steps or you’re looking for a fresh start with a dose of adventures, I hope my insights from a year spent teaching English here can guide your decision.
So, if you’re ready for a change of scenery in a city that truly has it all, welcome home to Madrid!
What are some of the do’s and don’ts in Madrid, Spain?
Based on my own experience, here are some of my quick do’s and dont’s that you may or may not have heard of when it comes to things to know before moving to Madrid, Spain. They are pretty light, but maybe you’ll learn something new in one of these:
- Do expect multiple courses of food when eating at a Spanish friend’s house.
- Do expect to be surprised by how straightforward Spanish people are, especially if you were raised in a Latin American household.
- Do try to know some facts about your country, like population, etc., to make conversation with locals, especially over dinner, because this topic comes up for some reason. It may sometimes make you feel like you’re an ambassador from your country.
- Do know about the incredible shopping available in Madrid – you’ll want to buy everything there because it’s just so different from the U.S. – in a good way.
- Do expect the food to be very flavorful, although not spicy at all.
- Don’t expect to have dinner before 8 pm when meeting up with locals.
- Don’t expect to go out before 10 pm – the nightlife really gets going after midnight.
- Don’t expect that you’ll make friends right away with locals. They take their time getting to know you before becoming friends with you.
- Don’t expect Madrileños to take a siesta in the middle of the day – it’s not true for all of Spain.
- Don’t expect everyone to know English; it’s up to you to learn at least some basic Spanish to understand what’s going on.
Quick moving to Madrid Q&A:
Can you live in Madrid without speaking Spanish?
If you live in Madrid, I think you can get away with not knowing how to speak Spanish. However, I also think it might be challenging in some ways not knowing at least a few phrases or understanding at least a little.
If you want to make friends with locals, it can be a bit challenging to spark a conversation, as many may not speak English. Some may, but not all.
If you are looking to ask a local for directions, it’s a gamble on whether or not the person may know how to help you in English.
However, I know that Madrid has many expats, and many locals, especially the younger people, are learning English, whether at school or on their own with private tutoring. So it’s not like you’ll be completely stuck if you can’t speak Spanish, but if you venture outside of the city, that may change.
If you go into a cafe, you can order a coffee in English, for instance, order food in some restaurants, or if you go inside a museum or clothing store, people there may be able to help you in English.
Still, I suggest you learn at least some basic words. Spanish people will also feel that you’re making an effort; therefore, they’ll want to help you even more.
While you’re learning some basic Spanish phrases, make sure to learn some local slang and even a few curse words to really understand what everyday sayings and expressions mean.
✅ Click here to buy the 102 Slang and Curse Words in Spanish from Spain ✅
How to explore and get to know the local culture in Madrid, Spain
When you first move to Madrid, make sure to connect with other expats.
This is so you can start getting acquainted with others, learn from their experience if they have lived in Madrid for a longer amount of time, or ask questions like what grocery stores to find certain ingredients or the best banks to open a bank account as a U.S. national in Madrid.
Facebook groups may be old school, but they are still very helpful for connecting with expats already living in Madrid.
So don’t hesitate to dive deep into a goldmine of resources and common Q&A’s on Facebook, especially when you first move to Madrid, Spain. Start with keywords like Madrid expats to help you get started.
Exploring the city aimlessly has been one of my favorite ways to get to know the local culture and sites all around. Getting on the metro or bus or train for the sake of exploring without having anywhere.
See a name on the metro map for a neighborhood that catches your eye? Stop there and explore.
Do some research on the best free things to do in Madrid, and you’ll also tap into even more activities to explore Madrid even more!
Other ways fun ways to explore the city when you relocate to Madrid
- Madrid City Center Scavenger Game: Download a fun scavenger game to receive a list of gems scattered around Madrid, designed to help you discover the city in a unique way.
- Madrid Tapas Night Walking Tour: Gear up for an evening of fun, food, and drinks, learning about the city’s best local hot spots for the best tapas and overall vibes!
- Museums: With more than 40 different museums, visit the dozens of museums in Madrid, ranging from anthropology and archaeology to art. Specifically, see the main three in Madrid: Museo del Prado, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Museo Reina Sofía.
- Free walking tour: A free walking tour never fails to help you get acquainted with the local lay of the land and getting to know streets and shortcuts while spotting out some places you want to go back to on your own time that you didn’t see before.
- A bike tour of Madrid: Explore the sights of the city from the beautiful views from the Templo de Debod, passing through Retiro Park, the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and much more!
What are the downsides of living in Madrid?
Like many other cities in the world, Madrid has its downsides, so here are some of the downsides I experienced when moving there for a year.
Stores close early—some grocery stores and other shops close at different times in Spain than in the U.S., for instance. For an American living in Madrid, this can be a bit of a culture shock.
In the U.S., we may be accustomed to 24-hour big box stores or the U.S. standard 7 am—10 pm shopping hours for grocery stores.
However, in Spain, it’s a different story.
Many stores may close early, around 6 pm, or not even open at all on some days, especially on Sundays. So plan ahead of time, or else this can get a bit frustrating!
Some Spaniards can be a bit ignorant—the keyword here is some. It may not be a specific issue to deal with when living in Madrid, but sometimes, you can bump into ignorant people in Madrid, too.
Especially if you’re a person of color, many Spaniards who haven’t traveled outside of the country or who are not from a big city like Madrid have interesting ideas about the conquest of the Americas and Columbus (which tends to be more common with older people). Many people may encounter someone who looks different from them for the first time, and some of their questions are questionable.
As a Mexican-American woman who spoke Spanish and moved to Madrid, I lived with a host family for a year and worked alongside Spanish people at school.
So naturally, I was surrounded by local conversations all the time, whether I was involved in them or I was overhearing them.
Though I never experienced racism personally or ever felt threatened or anything negative, I do remember one person being surprised that I had family members with names in Spanish like Miguel.
I don’t know if they assumed we had only indigenous names like Cuauhtémoc, but that was surprising.
Concluding thoughts on the 7 specific things to know before moving to Madrid, Spain
Although these are things that I wish I had known before moving to Madrid, finding out about these little things when I did is what made my experience and growth even more interesting and fun.
Except maybe for the allergies part.
If you have any tips to share and if you can relate to this post because you have lived in Madrid as well, make sure to leave your tips in the comments below! I look forward to reading them.
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