How Much Money You Need to Move to Spain as a Family

For the full overview, see where to live on the Costa del Sol with kids.

Beyond monthly living costs, the actual move to Spain involves significant one-off expenses that families frequently underestimate. This guide provides a realistic breakdown of moving costs, setup expenses, deposits, school registration fees, and how much financial runway you need before your first month in Spain.

One-off moving costs

Shipping household goods: €2,000–€5,000 from Northern Europe. Flights and initial accommodation: €1,500–€3,000. Legal and NIE processing: €500–€1,500. Health insurance setup: €300–€600. Car purchase or import: €5,000–€15,000 if needed.

First-month setup costs

Rental deposit (2 months): €2,400–€7,000. School registration and first-term fees: €2,000–€8,000. Furniture and essentials: €1,000–€3,000. Expect €8,000–€20,000 in total setup costs before your regular monthly budget begins. See cost of living for ongoing monthly budgets.

How much financial runway

Most advisors recommend having 6 months of living expenses saved before moving, plus setup costs. For a family of four with one child in international school, that means €30,000–€55,000 in accessible savings. See salary needed for ongoing income benchmarks.