Moving to Madrid – International Relocation

Moving to Madrid

Spain’s capital and largest city, Madrid derives its name from the Arabic words for “plenty of water.”

Madrid is a relative newcomer among great European capitals. Originally a stronghold of the Moors, Madrid was captured by the Christians in 1085 but was still an undistinguished provincial town when Philip II moved his capital there from Toledo in 1561.

Expats moving to Madrid will find a manageable, old city striving to become comfortable in its new modern garb.

This commercial and political capital still has deep Spanish roots, and though the centre is convincingly international, foreigners have no need to fear the pressures of a high-speed lifestyle that are so often attached to similar western European destinations, like Paris, London and Rome.

While retirees searching for sunnier shores and a relaxing descent into their twilight years may not exactly relish the prospect of emigrating to Madrid, it’s beyond a doubt the place to go for those looking to further their career, while capitalising on an attractive quality of life.

It’s true that the economic climate in Spain has been ravaged at the hands of recession, but nonetheless, Madrid is still the best city to find a job in the nation.

You may wish to take advantage of our visa and immigration services at this stage.

Boasting both large multinationals and a fair amount of direct foreign investment.

Madrid Architecture Spain

Finding a school in Madrid

Expat families will find an impressive number of private schools (40) with bilingual or full English curricula,

State schools in Madrid are mostly attended by locals. These institutions can be good options for young expat children learning

to adjust to life in Spain, but it can prove a challenging option for older students, as classes are taught in Spanish.

Apart from state schools, many Madrileños will send their students to private Catholic schools, which are subsidised by the government.

Tuition is much less expensive for these entities than for European private schools. However, subsidised schools also teach Spanish curricula in the Spanish language, and can be similarly difficult for newly arrived expat children.

Only independent and international schools teach in English, and both tend to be on the expensive side Independent schools in Madrid can cost more than € 8,000 a year. Do be wary that some independent schools in Spain refer to themselves as international schools; although, they teach Spanish curricula in a foreign language. These tend to be more popular with the locals than the expat community.

University in Madrid

Still, there are plenty of international schools that uphold the teaching language and curriculum of a foreign country (i.e. American, British, German, etc.).

All of these institutions are registered with their nation’s embassy. Many international schools have waiting lists, and expat families are encouraged to enrol their children well before the school calendar begins.

International schools are more experienced in accommodating students who have previously studied different curricula.  and Madrid’s appealing weather (it’s pleasant enough to have drinks on the terrace from March to November) means that kids have plenty of opportunity to entertain themselves outdoors.

Do note that August can be very hot, air conditioning is a must, and winters are cold, with the occasional snowfall drifting down every other year. You may wish to take advantage of our detailed school search services.

Shopping in Madrid

Variety is the essence of shopping in Madrid, retailers and products are never limited to a defined style nor a single look and feel.

Eating Out In Madrid Spain

It is a city where you find almost everything, particularly if you are seeking the sophisticated, the unique or the eccentric.

From the elegance and flair of the boutiques in the Salamanca district, through to the more cosmopolitan charms of the Chueca district, and beyond to the large department stores and popular chain stores, Madrid truly has it all.

Combine all this with the city’s history, art, culture, good weather and gastronomy and you may just have found the shopping capital of Europe!

Finding a job in Madrid

First off, expats coming from other European Union (EU) countries have the advantage of not needing a work permit to be formally employed in Spain.

Furthermore, employers are often encouraged to consider offering job contracts to other European nationals before looking outside the spectrum.

Those expats who are non-EU nationals will need to have a job offer or apply to be self-employed in order to legally work in Madrid; and finding a company sponsor can often be hard to come by.

Transport in Madrid

Expats worried about getting around in Madrid should certainly shelf their concerns.

The city is simply marvellous when it comes to moving about – it’s flat, central and equipped with what many believe to be the world’s best metro system.

Add Spain’s famous high-speed train network to the mix, and you’ve got no excuse not to travel the proximal area and the country as a whole like it’s your own personal playground.

Furthermore, as the national capital, Madrid is the heart of the country and the international hub for all things Spain!

Healthcare in Madrid

The Healthcare system in Madrid is considered one of the best in Europe, with a high-standard public system available for free for employees in Spain or EU citizens, and private coverage systems on offer for others.

Interdean Madrid offices

We have our own offices in Madrid making sure we are with you every step of the way.