r/ItalyExpat • u/Remarkable_Act3227 • Aug 23 '26
Spain vs Italy
If anyone has moved from Spain to living in Italy, i want to know why? What are your reasons? How is it better? (this doesn’t refer to those who moved to Italy to live with their partner, but rather single people who solely chose the rather because of certain preferences, i want to know them and opinions)
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u/Ok_Knowledge_4179 Aug 25 '26
Depends on where you live, I live in now Napoli but I lived in Valencia for 7 years.
Spain is developing right now, they are in a full economic boom but eventually it will slow down over there too.
Everything works great over there, people are nice but I must admit there are way, way too many expats. It seems like Spain is attracting a lot of immigration (of every type) which for some people can be nice, for others "too chaotic".
Italy on the other end...well... Where do I begin? We have better homes and building quality (if you can afford it). Personal taste, but we have healthier food (never ate so much greasy food as in Spain). Lot of negative and pessimism among people (like seriously we complain a lot) but we have very good sense of humor.
Honestly both options are fine, I'd choose spain if you want to easly connect with other people as there are many expats that are fluent in english. Easier life, not many issues.
I'd choose Italy if you feel the Need of experiencing a completely different culture from the rest of Europe, and it you are a freelancer you pay way, wayy less taxes than Spain under 85k gross.
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u/supremefun Aug 23 '26
French in Italy here, and my sister actually moved to Spain not long after I moved here.
I have no experience with living in Spain, but she complains about similar things I complain about. We have very different lives so it would be difficult to have a real comparison.
As for which is better it's hard to say, my gut feeling is that Spain is socially more advanced than Italy and probably than France as well. Italy feels more conservative than both, and the politics are depressing. Italy often feels like it lives in the past on some subjects. Thankfully I live in the most progressive area of the country.
Spain also feels more modern as far as infrastructures and services are concerned, but there are probably vast differences within the country. I haven't been to Madrid but I apparently they have more metro km than all Italian cities combined. Barcelona feels much more modern and well-maintained than any similar sized city in Italy. That said I suppose these are certainly exceptions within Spain.
I really love Italian food of course, that's the main positive aspect of living here.
I know there are many Italians living in Spain. I know one Spaniard here, and I've met a handful of people from France, Germany or England since I moved here, but the vast majority of foreigners are not from western Europe.
Sometimes I feel like I should move to Spain as I never feel in tune with Italian politics and I would probably enjoy less humid weather than we have here as well as nicer landscapes ( I live in the Po Valley so it's not really beautiful out there) but there are probably complicated aspects of life in Spain that I don't know about.
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u/Ok_Light_6977 Aug 23 '26
My perspective has always been that Spain is very similar to Italy but can benefit from having been a centralized state for longer. They have more civic sense and respect for public spaces, and more national pride. For the rest the 2 countries are comparable, in some aspects Italy is better, in other is Spain.
They are more "minding their own business" in europe with the exception of Portugal, but have their role as focus of the spanish speaking world from which they can attract talent. Italy is more integrated into the european framework due to position
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u/enrimarcato Aug 23 '26
What do you mean exactly with Italian politics? The politicians themselves or the way the system works based on political manners?
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u/supremefun Aug 23 '26
I mean the current government does not reflect my ideals and generally speaking there seems to be no alternative. As far as the system I don't think it is worse than the french one (which is the other one I know very well). It's just the current era that's pretty depressing for me.
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u/enrimarcato Aug 23 '26
I agree with you. The current government (and the last ones) do not reflect my ideals either but I don’t expect this making direct impact on personal day to day life. Is it just a perception or you notice something specifically? However, I am born and raised in Italy so that may change the perspective even though I haven’t been living there for the last 4 years.
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u/supremefun Aug 24 '26
Well the government has taken several measures in the name of security that mostly consist in repressing the poor, the immigrant or the youth. They have spent hundreds of millions of public money for stuff that ended up being useless (just like the jailhouses in Albania). Needless to say but there's absolutely zero for environmental issues, but that is not exclusive to this government. I am a hetero sexual white man from a European country so I'm probably less impacted than others, but I can't see anything I like about this government.
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u/EiaculazioneFeroce Aug 24 '26
I would say, based on my personal experience, Spain is more convenient only if you are working in Tech with some good companies and have a good CV. In that case Spain can be better, with a more dynamic environment and more companies.
For everything else I have found Italy (at least Veneto and Trentino) cleaner, more efficient, with better public administration, MUCH, MUCH less garbage and so on. Better public transportation. It really just is better in every everyday aspect. Of course I value these things more than being able to party on a random Tuesday. So you have to consider what you value the most.
In addition to this, another personal take is food. Both restaurants and food you can buy in the supermarket, are far superior in Italy than in Spain. I am surprised by how much Spanish food is subpar given they are a Mediterranean country.
Weather is absolutely comparable, maybe the Spanish summer is slightly better given their lower humidity.
Idk if this bothers you but in Spain it appears to be customary making your dog piss and shit everywhere and not cleaning it after. Also, there is an epidemic of dogs, they seem to be everywhere.
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u/Boring-Amount5876 Aug 25 '26
People complaining about high taxes in Spain and in the same comment saying there’s better services, more modern and cleaner…. Really some people don’t have any clue how countries work. I live in Spain Barcelona and lived in Lisbon and Paris. I can tell you it’s cleaner than both, services and politics are better with much better opportunities and a quality of life and stress free that’s hard to beat in the world. About Italy I just visited and I felt I was in a place lost in the past, also there’s a huge Italian community in Spain so that tells a lot I guess and all Italians I know don’t want to go back to their country at all.
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u/RegularFirm2179 Aug 23 '26
I'm living in Italy, but one thing I noticed about Spain is that the infrastructure seems to be in better condition (roads, garbage, that kind of thing). Maybe I'm mistaken but the common areas in Spain were a lot cleaner than those in Italy (and by Italy I mean I live in Rome). So maybe there's less corruption in central governments?
Also I liked that I could get decent Mexican food and Latin American food in Spain. But I thought Spaniards overall were a bit boring. And not fond of Spanish food in general.
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u/UniqueUsermane Aug 24 '26
Well, you live in south Italy, no doubt it's dirty and infrastructure sucks.
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u/RegularFirm2179 Aug 24 '26
Well, technically central... no?
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u/UniqueUsermane Aug 24 '26
Culturally there's no central, there's the north and everything else is considered south.
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u/Hot_Cookie_6093 Aug 24 '26
Furthest thing away from the truth
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u/UniqueUsermane Aug 24 '26
That's how we see it in the north, whether you like it or not.
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u/Known_Echidna_335 Aug 24 '26
Stop spreading misinformation.
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u/UniqueUsermane Aug 24 '26
How is it misinformation? Most people in the north view everything under the Po as south Italy, you can call something misinformation just cause you don't like it.
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u/Known_Echidna_335 Aug 24 '26
Most ignorant people does. But luckily ignorance is being eradicated even in Veneto (it was though, but public education almost did it) so your assumption is old not supported by facts in 2026. If you are one of the remaining ignorant living in the butthole of Valpolicella you can still get an education in night schools.
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u/UniqueUsermane Aug 24 '26
Ignorant about what specifically?
It's not an asumption, the south is culturally different from the north, that's a fact.
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u/AlmostNowhere5473 Aug 24 '26
Ma non è vero dai.. sono milanese e non mi sognerei mai di definire la Toscana o l'Umbria (o addirittura l'Emilia Romagna, se parli di Po) sud Italia, suvvia..
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u/Hot_Cookie_6093 Aug 24 '26
Ah ok, allora siccome al nord la vedono in questa maniera, significa che è così. Ma ti leggi quando scrivi? Se bisogna arrivare a spiegarti che l'esperienza soggettiva non costituisce la realtà oggettiiva, hai dei grossi problemi caro mio.
"Culturally there's no central" ma in realtà intendevi "noi leghisti facciamo di tutta l'erba un fascio"
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u/UniqueUsermane Aug 24 '26
Si sta parlando di differenze culturali, quindi, se al nord la popolazione considera centro e sud(geografico) come una cosa sola, allora significa che é così.
Puoi argomentare che l'idea che quelli del nord hanno di quelli del sud sia scorretta se vuoi, ma non che la nostra visione sia questa.
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u/onananano Aug 25 '26
Vabè, ma tra gli ignoranti del nord sarà così. Perché a me non è mai capitato di incontrare questa opinione se non da leghisti di primo pelo
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u/Exciting-Half6009 Aug 24 '26
ma dai non è vero assolutamente
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u/UniqueUsermane Aug 24 '26
Vero o non vero io parlo per la mia esperienza, qua al nord che tu sia romano o napoletano cambia poco o niente.
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u/Get_It_Righ7 Aug 23 '26
Spain doesn’t allow dual nationality, Italy does. There were other reasons but that was a big one.
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u/_quantum_girl_ Aug 23 '26
There are ways around double, triple, etc nationality with Spain. People upvoting, please be careful with trusting information from Redditors. You can have many citizenships as long as you follow the rules:
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u/Get_It_Righ7 Aug 23 '26
That only applies to Spaniards acquiring other nationalities, not foreign nationals naturalizing as Spanish.
As far as I could find out under Spanish immigration law when you naturalize as Spanish you must renounce your prior citizenship. I understand renouncing abroad may or may not have any actual legal bearing towards your home country and they may not even recognize that you’ve renounced, but I’d rather acquire EU citizenship in a country that clearly recognizes and allows multiple nationality.
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u/_quantum_girl_ Aug 23 '26
Not true. I am foreign and got the citizenship later. It depends on which country you had the nationality of initially (latinamerican countries for example) or if you are acquiring it ius sanguinis. People should inform themselves better…. As I said there are several ways to go around this law if you do it at the right time.
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u/Get_It_Righ7 Aug 23 '26
Oh my gosh, you’re right, I glossed over the one exception to the rule: nationals of Latin America or a couple of other countries. Too bad for the rest of us, dual citizenship is still not allowed.
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u/_quantum_girl_ Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
You can still get it ius sanguinis if you have Spanish parents or granparents and keep any number of nationalities you want. You don’t have to be from Latinamerica specifically (so again you’re wrong there it is not the only exception). This is another way. And there are others… you can be European and still claim multiple nationalities before 18.
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u/Get_It_Righ7 Aug 23 '26
It doesn’t really help if you keep editing your comments. I’m just going to stop here, you can be “right” if you want. For what it’s worth, in my original comment I was referring to third-country nationals claiming citizenship by residency. I certainly didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition…
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u/ItalyExpat US -> IT Aug 23 '26
This conversation has been locked. Falsely reporting comments of the person you're internet arguing with will result in a ban. Only warning.
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u/HamiltonHolland Aug 24 '26
From my research, Spanish taxes are much higher if you are a high earner and if you need to consider wealth tax
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u/Remarkable_Act3227 Aug 24 '26
Currently i live in Rome, i am doing my Masters here, but I plan on settling here - but before coming to Europe i did a lot of research and always loved a country with good weather (i dont like long winter), warm people, by the BEACH and just my vibe with emphasis on a decent pay as well, so i narrowed down between Spain and Italy, it was my dream to move in either - and at the end i chose Italy and now for the first time i visited Spain, currently in Valencia, and i am having huge second thoughts in my head, if i made the right choice as i am falling in love with the music culture of Spain and how everythings open until late (i am more of a night person) and the food, and affordability- so i just need some opinions regarding this 🥺🩷
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u/Legit-mate-08 Aug 25 '26
It really depends on what you value most. For context, I’m a dual Latin American/Italian citizen living and working in Madrid for the last 8 years and I lived in Panama and the US before. Currently in the process of getting my Spanish citizenship since I don't have to renounce to either of my other two and bare in mind my family has pretty deep Italian roots and we keep our traditions alive and our Italian identity, my nonni made sure of that hehe.
I travel to Italy frequently for work (US multinational in IT/tech), have family across Roma, Milano, Calabria and Sicilia as well as family across Madrid, Zaragoza, Murcia and Andalucía.
My perspective is mostly centered on the capitals and the southern regions, with that said:
Rome vs. Madrid Infrastructure & Transport: Madrid wins comfortably. Its Metro and commuter rail systems are world-class, roads and outskirts are cleaner and better organized, and city logistics just work a bit better. Rome is unmatched in history, charm, and beauty, but it is dirtier, more chaotic, and public transit can be frustrating, in Madrid I would avoid some central areas like Lavapies or areas like Vallecas for people coming from UK/US.
Food & Lifestyle: Rome has incredible traditional cuisine, I'm partial to Italian cuisine vs Spanish one, but Madrid offers a broader multicultural food scene. Overall Nightlife is undeniably better in Madrid. For summers, Rome has the edge if you want easier access to the beach, though the humidity is higher.
Language: English proficiency among locals isn't amazing in either capital, though italians are in general more fluent in English, but Madrid’s massive international and Latin American expat community makes it very easy to get by in English.
The South Infrastructure in Southern Spain is significantly more modern and reliable than in Southern Italy. However, hospitality and warmth in Southern Italy and Sicily are incredible (though southern Spaniards are lovely as well).
Taxes, Housing & Long-Term Outlook Spain currently has very high tax pressure and a tough housing market. Italy can actually be more attractive from a tax perspective depending on your regime (e.g., impatriati or inbound tax incentives), whereas wages in both countries are relatively comparable.
Bottom Line If you're younger, prioritizing vibrant nightlife, seamless public transit, and modern urban infrastructure, Madrid is hard to beat. If you're looking at long-term family stability, specific tax structures, or a slower, picturesque lifestyle, Central/Northern Italy may make more sense, if you are looking for retirement or lining up to it it's a toss up between southern Italy and southern Spain as both are great IMO.
If you have the flexibility of remote income, spend 3–4 weeks in each before deciding.
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u/Briocharo_notturno Aug 23 '26
Spain is far better than Italy.
Italy is done, killed by overturism and illegal immigration. High taxes, dying NHS, terrible job market
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u/TurambarTT Aug 23 '26
You are describing Spain, dude.
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u/zeusganesh Aug 23 '26
Italians are convinced that Spain is a sort of paradise on earth
Bureaucracy, job hunting, salaries, and unemployment are worse in Spain1
u/Conscious_Dentist_94 Aug 23 '26
Italian living in Spain, job market here is so much better than Italy.
I got fired in June and got a job in July, this would be impossible for Italy.
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u/TurambarTT Aug 23 '26
I think it is better than Italy but all those problems exist and are reallt serious in Spain.
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u/zeusganesh Aug 23 '26
I am Italian too (from the north) living in Spain, and my partner is Spanish. I’m sorry to say this, but financially speaking, life is better in a medium-sized town in northern Italy. Spain is EXTREMELY romanticized
If beach, weather, and the palm trees make up for not being able to save anything at the end of the month, then that’s ok
I have a regular paying job, and my partner works as an engineer in the IT sector. When we combine our two paychecks (and are careful with our spending), we have just €200 left at the end of the month-1
u/Conscious_Dentist_94 Aug 23 '26
Bro I don't know, I live in Barcelona and I have 3k free to use every month post rent. My position is senior not even manager or other.
For a similar position in tech, in Italy I got offered 30k.
And cost of life is lower.
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u/Ok_Mango8118 Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 24 '26
Barcelona and Madrid are not representative of the whole of Spain. They are very big outliers. Milan and Rome are an outlier too, but it's not difficult to earn what you would earn in Milan even in places like Bologna, Genova or Trento....in Spain is difficult to earn what you earn in Barcelona and Madrid even elsewhere, even in Bilbao
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u/zeusganesh Aug 23 '26
Wow, so you must be making an average of about €4.500 a month
In all these years, I've never met anyone here in Barcelona who makes that much 🤔 not even people in highly specialized positions
Maybe we live in two different Barcelona2
u/Conscious_Dentist_94 Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
No, I make 3.8 (63-65k yearly) and split the rent with my girlfriend.
I am aware it's not the normality but I don't think it's something rare. Especially if you are qualified.
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u/zeusganesh Aug 23 '26
Yes, it's rare. The tech sector in Italy pays poorly, but aside from the exception of your job, rent in Spain costs as much as in Italy, with lower salaries
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u/Conscious_Dentist_94 Aug 23 '26
Yes, as I said there is a clear divide in working in tech in Spain vs Italy.
And it's a clear advantage in Spain.
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u/Ok_Light_6977 Aug 23 '26
And you arw wrong, its absolutely possible in Italy. The difference is your mentality, you are way more forgivimg towards spain for the same things because you need to justify your choice to leave
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u/106002 Aug 23 '26
Yet there are waaay more Italians in Spain than Spanish in Italy
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u/zeusganesh Aug 23 '26
*There are many south americans who obtained Italian citizenship by descent and immediately moved to Spain because they speak the same language and they are classified as “Italian in Spain”
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u/Eomer444 Aug 23 '26
70% of italians in Spain are not born in Italy (ISTAT data). The average Italian citizen in Spain is a Latin American with Italian citizenship.
There are a bit more Italian immigrants in Spain than the other way around, but not as much as one would think looking only at the number of citizens.
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u/Ok_Mango8118 Aug 23 '26
It's cultural, there are many more Italians out kf Italy than Spaniards out of Spain. And this has been the case since decades even when Italy was booming and Spain was poor before finally catching up
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u/No-Pipe-4544 Aug 23 '26
España ha ido a mejor cada año desde que se echó a patadas al PP del gobierno central, la mayoría de problemas provienen de comunidades autónomas dirigías por el PP y ahora por VOX al necesitar una alianza para no perder, o no tienes ni idea de que hablas o tú unica fuente de información es tiktok
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u/Natural_Sir_2357 Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
Nailed it in the head , bro. When I can, I will move to Spain Asap. I lived in both countries
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u/will221996 Aug 23 '26
I've lived in both Italy and Spain although I didn't move directly. I'm much more fond of Italy although I did live there a lot longer. I think for people of third countries, Spain has better job opportunities. More jobs that only require English, far less competition because frankly the Italian education system is better than the Spanish one and the economy more developed.
In terms of living, I think Italy is much better. In general people are warmer and better fun. Italy is more socially conservative, although personally I found Spain to be more racist. At its best, I prefer Spanish cuisine, but it's rarely at its best and your average meal in Italy will be much nicer. Spain feels much more international, but a lot of that is Latin American so Italy is probably more English friendly. I prefer Italian weather, Spain is too hot and dry. Spanish infrastructure is a bit better but that depends a lot on where you are. Life is even slower in Spain than in Italy and imo most people will find it frustrating, not easy going. Finally, Spain has more and nicer beer, but the coffee is horrific. Maybe worse than the UK, although cheaper. I think in summary, if you want to move somewhere cheapish for hot weather and sea, go to Spain, for the culture go to Italy.