Spain and Italy are two of the countries people most often shortlist together when moving to the EU. Below is an honest side-by-side on the things that shape daily life, with the stronger country marked on each row. On these measures Spain comes out ahead on 9, Italy on 1.
Rent is the clearest split: a one-bed runs about EUR 1,000 a month in Spain against EUR 850 in Italy, so Italy saves you roughly EUR 150 every month.
What actually matters is the money left after rent: EUR 600 in Spain against EUR 750 in Italy, which is where Italy pulls ahead.
You will get further on English alone in Spain than in Italy, which matters most in the first year, before the local language clicks.
🇪🇸Spain
🇮🇹Italy
Money & housing
Cost of living
60/100 ✓
62/100
Tax burden
60/100 ✓
65/100
Housing pressure
75/100
60/100 ✓
Documents & staying
Years to citizenship
~10 yrs
~10 yrs
Bureaucracy
70/100 ✓
85/100
Daily life
Safety
78/100 ✓
75/100
Healthcare
80/100 ✓
78/100
Public transport
80/100 ✓
70/100
English
55/100 ✓
45/100
Schools
70/100 ✓
68/100
Remote-work
80/100 ✓
65/100
Climate
Warm
Warm
EU facts
Currency
Euro
Euro
Schengen area
Yes
Yes
Illustrative MoveMap estimates (0-100 scores), not official statistics. For cost, tax, housing, bureaucracy and years, lower is better, for the rest higher is better. A ✓ marks the stronger country on rows that can be ranked. Currency and Schengen status verified July 2026.
So which should you choose?
The table shows averages, but the right answer depends on what you weigh most. If your priority is among cost of living, tax burden, bureaucracy, Spain likely edges it. If you care more about housing pressure, Italy may suit you better. Your income, family, documents and the specific city matter as much as the country, which is exactly what the MoveMap check weighs up.
Spain or Italy? See which fits you
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