Americans in Spain: What US Expats Need to Know in 2024

Barcelona-based American journalist Jennifer Lutz is gauging the sentiment of US nationals living in Spain as more Americans consider relocating abroad and what those already living in ‘España’ wish they’d known before making the move.

The shift comes as a growing number of Americans express concern about the political climate at home, and seek a different way of life. But adapting to a new country isn’t without its challenges, and Lutz’s reporting reveals a nuanced picture of the American experience in Spain.

While Spaniards generally express a welcoming attitude, the focus is less on political affiliation and more on respectful integration, according to those interviewed. “As long as you’re nice to the people, and you try to integrate yourself into the country, my opinion is positive,” says Gaëll, a 28-year-vintage graphic designer from Barcelona.

The political landscape in the US does register, however, particularly regarding economic implications. Deborah, a politically conservative resident outside Barcelona, noted the impact of US tariffs, but emphasized a broader acceptance: “I don’t care about your personal politics… as long as you’re a good person.”

Historical perspective also shapes the Spanish view. Some residents, recalling the Franco dictatorship, are acutely aware of the potential for political instability. “We lived through Franco, so we know what fascism looks like and we know how quickly things change,” said an unnamed couple in Barcelona.

Brad, a San Franciscan living in Mijas, observed that Spaniards are largely preoccupied with their own lives and hold diverse opinions about the US, mirroring the political divisions within the US itself. “Reactions are split just as politics in the US, UK, and EU are split,” he said.

Unlike the often-polarized discourse in the United States, conversations in Spain tend to focus on policy rather than personality, and are characterized by a willingness to engage in reasoned debate.

The experience of raising families in Spain is also a draw for some Americans. Josh, a 41-year-old from Buffalo who moved to Cadaquès five years ago, highlighted the benefits of multilingualism for his daughter. “She’s attending the local school here, so in school she speaks Catalan, in the house we speak English, and my wife is Uruguayan, and she speaks Spanish with my daughter. Having my daughter speak three languages at the age of five has been an amazing experience.”

His wife, Lucia, added that Spain offers a more fluid sense of identity. “Here, in Spain, our daughter is just Ame,” she said. “But in the US, she’s a Black, Hispanic, Jewish girl. I don’t want society choosing her identity for her.”

However, the influx of Americans is not without its consequences. Rising property prices are a growing concern for locals. Joan, a musician from Olot, acknowledged the economic impact: “You, the Americans, can buy houses that we can’t afford, so there’s a conflict because the global prices in Spain increase.”

Isabell, a thirty-year-old American tour guide and documentary filmmaker living in Córdoba, Madrid, and Barcelona, is experiencing this firsthand. Her landlord has repeatedly increased her rent, exploiting a situation where demand outstrips supply. “I know it’s illegal, but I also know if I won’t pay it, someone else will,” she said, adding she is consulting with a lawyer and the local housing authority.

Patricia, who moved to Barcelona from New York forty years ago, expressed concern about the impact of American purchasing power on the local housing market. “You’re taking away the opportunity for young people to live in their cities. Americans come with their bundles of dollars, and they don’t think.”

The Spanish government is attempting to address the housing crisis, but preserving the country’s cultural identity remains a challenge. Ramón, a Catalan artist, emphasized the importance of cultural exchange: “So, it depends on the American, just like anyone. But, for us, it’s very nice if they try to speak a bit of our language, and try to know us. It’s about making a connection.”

Jennifer Lutz recounts her own initial cultural misstep, highlighting the importance of understanding local customs. She described how offering expensive desserts as gifts was misinterpreted until she offered to help with meal preparation, a gesture that fostered a deeper connection with the Spanish family she was staying with.