Expat Life | Smart Saving and Earning Strategies

Spain is a dream destination for many expats, offering a rich culture, pleasant climate, and relatively low cost of living. However, figuring out how to live comfortably without stress while saving money and earning a steady income is a common concern. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to save money and find income opportunities in Spain, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable life abroad.

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• Preface

• Smart Ways to Save Money in Spain

  - Tips to save money on housing in Spain

  - Tips for saving money on food expenses in Spain

  - Tips to save money on transportation in Spain

  - How to reduce daily expenses in Spain?

• How to make money in Spain

  - Popular industries for working in Spain

  - Spanish job sites

• A way to make money suitable for Taiwanese

• Entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities

• Conclusion

Part 1: Smart Ways to Save Money in Spain

1. Housing: Finding Affordable and High-Value Accommodation

Rental prices in Spain vary by region. Madrid and Barcelona city centers tend to be expensive, while smaller cities like Valencia, Seville, and Málaga offer more affordable options. Here’s how to save on housing:

• Shared Apartments (Compartir Piso): Splitting rent with roommates is ideal for singles and students.

• Avoiding City Centers: Opt for suburban areas or less touristy districts, such as Usera in Madrid or Sant Andreu in Barcelona.

• Using Rental Platforms (Idealista, Fotocasa): These websites offer various rental options at different price points.

• Negotiating Rent: Landlords may offer discounts for long-term tenants.

• Considering Rental Contract Duration: Long-term leases are often cheaper than short-term rentals.

• Networking with Locals: Many landlords prefer renting to tenants they trust, so connections through social media or friends can help find better deals.

  
  

2. Reducing Food Expenses

• Choose Budget Supermarkets: Mercadona, DIA, and Lidl are cheaper than Carrefour or El Corte Inglés.

• Buy Seasonal Produce: Municipal markets (Mercado Municipal) offer fresher and more affordable options than supermarkets.

• Limit Dining Out & Opt for "Menú del Día": This fixed-price lunch menu (10-15€) is more affordable than ordering à la carte.

• Cook at Home: Preparing meals like Tortilla Española (Spanish omelet) or Gazpacho (tomato cold soup) saves money and is healthier.

• Look for Promotions & Discounts: Many supermarkets offer discounts on specific days. Apps like Too Good To Go let you buy surplus food at lower prices.

• Consider Bulk Purchases: Stores like Makro allow customers to buy in bulk, ideal for shared households.

  
  

3. Cutting Transportation Costs

• Public Transport Passes: Monthly passes (Abono Transportes) in Madrid and Barcelona allow unlimited metro and bus travel.

• Shared Bikes & Electric Scooters: Services like Bicing (Barcelona) or Madrid Bici offer affordable alternatives for short commutes.

• Carpooling (BlaBlaCar): A great way to save on long-distance travel.

• Youth and Student Discounts: People under 26 can apply for a Carné Joven (youth transport card) for discounts.

• Consider Buying a Second-Hand Bicycle: In cycling-friendly cities, this is a cost-effective and eco-friendly commute option.

  
  

4. Other Ways to Cut Daily Expenses

• Affordable Mobile Plans: Virtual operators like Lowi, Simyo, and Pepephone offer cheaper options than Movistar or Vodafone.

• Free Entertainment: Many museums, such as the Prado Museum in Madrid, offer free entry on specific days.

• Smart Online Shopping: Platforms like Amazon.es and Wallapop (for second-hand goods) offer better prices.

• Community Events: Many cities host free language exchange, sports, and cultural events, helping save money while socializing.

  
  

Part 2: Ways to Earn Money in Spain

1. Job Opportunities: High-Demand Sectors & Job Platforms

• Popular Sectors: Hospitality, tourism, education (language teaching), IT, freelancing (design, writing).

• Job Platforms:

  • InfoJobs: Spain’s largest job platform.

  • Indeed.es: More international job opportunities.

  • LinkedIn: Ideal for professionals.

  • Milanuncios: Features many part-time and temporary jobs.

• Attend Job Fairs: Increases chances of direct interviews and securing a position.

  
  

2. Best Ways for Taiwanese Expats to Earn Money

• Teaching Mandarin: High demand in Spain; platforms like Italki and Preply offer online teaching opportunities.

• Selling & Reselling Products: Taiwanese products like beauty and electronics have a niche market in Spain.

• Translation & Tour Guiding: If fluent in Spanish, offering translation or guided tours can be lucrative, especially in cities with high Taiwanese tourism.

• Freelance & Remote Work: Writing, design, programming—platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer global opportunities.

  
  

3. Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment

Spain is entrepreneur-friendly, offering the Autónomo (self-employed) option, ideal for personal businesses or freelancing.

• How to Register as Self-Employed:

  1. Apply for an NIE (Foreigner Identification Number).

  2. Register as Autónomo and start paying taxes (tax discounts available for the first two years).

  3. Explore funding options like ENISA (government-backed low-interest loans).

• Popular Business Ideas:

  • Opening a Taiwanese bubble tea shop or specialty restaurant.

  • Local travel services targeting Taiwanese tourists.

  • E-commerce and cross-border trade.

    
    

Conclusion: Living Comfortably with the Right Strategies

Spain has a lower cost of living compared to many other European countries, but using smart saving and earning strategies ensures an even better quality of life. By choosing the right housing, managing expenses wisely, and tapping into job or business opportunities, expats can enjoy a stress-free and financially stable life in Spain. Hope this guide helps make your overseas experience in Spain even smoother!