Teach English in Spain: Financial Snapshot
Explore the factors that affect the costs associated with renting apartments, banking, and buying food in Spain.
Spain: At a Glance
Spain: Living in Spain
Spain: Teaching ESL in Spain
Spain: Financial Snapshot
Expected Apartment Costs in Spain
Banking in Spain
Food Costs in Spain
Expected Apartment Costs in Spain
A studio apartment in a good location will probably cost €500 - €1,200 per month. Rent can increase depending on the city, the furniture included with the property, and the size and condition of the apartment.
Banking in Spain
ESL teachers setting up a bank account in Spain will find that banking in Spain is similar to Canada, with the exception of the hours the bank is open. Bank branches are only open from 9:00am to 2:00pm on weekdays and they may be open on Saturdays until 1:00pm. The shorter business hours are not an issue for many ESL teachers due to the fact that features such as online banking and 24-hour ATM access are available at most banks.
Setting up an account at a Spanish bank is a relatively easy experience. ESL teachers will need to provide a valid passport and valid contact information to be issued a Spanish bank account.
Most Spanish banks offer chequing accounts, used for daily transactions, paying bills, and deposits. These accounts usually come with personalized checks and a credit card/debit card. Savings and student accounts may also be offered.
Food Costs in Spain
The cost of food can play a role in the budget of many ESL teachers and teaching in Spain is no different. Many regions of Spain offer unique foods, costs, and cooking styles. When going out to a restaurant to eat, teachers can expect to spend around €25 for a good meal and an additional €2.00 - 3.00 for a drink. A lot of grocery shopping is still done at small family-owned corner stores or the market, but urban areas do have supermarkets and stores that offer American food as well.
Below are some examples of typical Spanish food prices.
- 1L of milk - €0.85
- Chicken breast (1 kg) - €6.40
- Potatoes (1 kg) - €1.20
- 1 dozen eggs - €2.15
- 1 loaf of bread - €0.85
