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Popular Spanish Cities to Move to
Spain offers sunshine, warmer temperatures and a laid-back, relaxed pace of life, so it’s little wonder that over 300,000 British nationals have made the move there from the UK.
If you are considering a move abroad, whether you need packing, loading, transporting and unloading or just the shipping of your belongings, Hamiltons Removals offer a weekly removals service to Spain that can be tailored to your exact requirements to make your move abroad as stress-free as possible. We offer first-class international removals to Barcelona, Seville, Madrid and every other part of Spain.
If you’re undecided on where you’d like to move to, here are some of the most popular Spanish destinations:
Barcelona
With its countless monuments, beautiful open streets and long sandy beaches, Barcelona is the main tourist capital of Spain. The city also has some iconic architecture, including the mind-blowing Gaudi Cathedral and the Picasso Museum.
Barcelona is a foodie’s dream with many restaurants, cafes and street food vendors selling a huge range of mouth-watering local cuisines. Pay a visit to the Parc Guell for some incredible views across the city. Barcelona has a 24-hour metro, as well as hop-on/hop-off buses and a reliable taxi network.
Madrid
Madrid is the capital city and the largest and most-visited city in Spain. It has an excellent nightlife, lots of art museums and restaurants and a huge diversity of ethnicities, making it one of Europe’s most colourful, cosmopolitan cities.
One of the most popular tourist attractions is the Royal Palace, the residence of Spain’s monarch. In the heart of the city is Puerta del Sol – a large plaza serving as the scene of street festivals, important gatherings and street performers, as well as being a hub for Madrid’s public transport network. Another notable square in Madrid is Plaza Mayor, best known for its lively San Miguel Market.
Seville
With its fantastic tourist attractions, lively festivals and a bustling nightlife, Seville is one of the most fun places to go in Spain. It’s known for its beauty, elegance and wonderful architecture, including the Cathedral of Seville, where it is believed Christopher Columbus is buried.
Seville is the country’s financial and cultural capital and home to other significant buildings, such the Real Alcazar, an extravagant Moorish palace with sweeping, luxurious gardens.
San Sebastian
Located off the coast of the Bay of Biscay in the Basque country of north Spain, San Sebastian is the capital of the Gipuzko province. It’s a beautiful seaside city known for some of the best beaches in Europe. One of the most popular beaches is Playa de la Concha, which offers fun activities, such as kayaking, water skiing, swimming and sunbathing.
San Sebastian has an outstanding culinary tradition, and the Old Town is home to many historic buildings that were reconstructed in the 19th century after a lot of the city was destroyed in the Napoleonic wars.
Valencia
Valencia is in the east of Spain and is one of its largest and most important cities. Every March, the city plays host to the Fallas Festival, where every neighbourhood makes a huge variety of papier-mâché figures and masks. At the end of the festival, all communities party through the night and all the figures are ceremoniously burnt.
It built its most impressive landmark – the cultural and entertainment complex called the City of Arts and Science – after redirecting the Turia River. In this complex are buildings such as the science museum, aquarium and planetarium.
Granada
Granada is the capital of the Granada province and is located at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains in southern Spain. The city offers a brilliant mix of traditional cultures, a lively nightlife and incredible attractions, such as the Alhambra, a pinnacle of Moorish architecture. The Alhambra is a medieval complex overlooking Granada with spectacular, lush gardens, amazing water features and breathtaking views of the city.
Ibiza
Ibiza is famed as a destination for all-night clubbing with some of the world’s top DJs. However, there are plenty of quiet, calm and picturesque parts of the island too.
There are many beautiful, rural hotels, sun-kissed beaches, hidden villages and secluded coves dotted around the historic island.
Hamiltons Removals provides high-quality, affordable international removals to Barcelona, Seville, Madrid and the rest of Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands. We offer three levels of removals to Spain:
Dedicated Service – This provides you with the sole use of a vehicle for transporting your belongings from the UK to your new place in Spain.
Special Service – Specify the collection and delivery time to suit your schedule and requirements.
Part-Load or Groupage Service – Most efficient for small loads. Your belongings share a vehicle with other part-loads, reducing the cost of transportation
If you are considering a move to Spain and would like to discuss it with Hamiltons Removals, speak to one of our friendly team today on 0845 003 8259 or click here for a free quote.
FAQs
Q: What is the visa situation for people moving from the UK to Spain?
A: There is a “90-day rule” in effect for UK citizens. Without a specific residency visa, UK citizens can only stay in Spain for 90 days within any 180-day period. If you plan to move permanently to one of Spain’s popular cities, you must apply for a residency visa (such as the Digital Nomad or Non-Lucrative Visa) before you move.
Q: What documents will Hamiltons need to clear my goods through Spanish customs?
A: To ensure a smooth transition, you will generally need a copy of your passport, and a detailed inventory of your items (with estimated values). You should also have proof of Spanish residency (or your application for it) and a signed Customs Authorisation form. We will be able to help you with all of this.
Q: How does the cost of living in Spain compare with the UK in 2026?
A: While inflation has affected the whole of Europe, the cost of living in Spain remains roughly 20–25% lower than in the UK. Utilities and groceries are notably more affordable, though “prime” cities like Madrid and Marbella have seen significant increases in rental prices.
All information correct at the time of writing.
Hamiltons Removals’ Handy Moving House Checklist
Before you move to a new house, you should notify every person and organisation your move will affect. Hamiltons Removals have created this handy list for you to easily work through to avoid any administrative problems down the line. This list covers all the relevant organisations, from your bank to your children’s schools and is designed to help you create a stress-free and efficient move.
As well as providing a first-class removals service, Hamiltons Removals rent storage space in Norfolk. We have two affordable, secure storage facilities in Harleston and Aldeby for customers who need to store things either short-term during a move or longer-term.
Tell People You’re Moving
It’s important to make a list of everyone who needs to be notified of your move. As well as your friends and family, you need to tell:
- Your employer
- Childrens’ schools
- Your doctor
- Your dentist
- Your bank and/or building society
- DVLA
- Passport
- Car and home insurance companies
Have a good think about all the people who regularly send you post and tell them you’re moving.
Tell Your Landlord
If you’re renting your property, you should let your landlord or property owner know in good time that you intend to move out. Most tenancy agreements stipulate one month’s notice, but it may be longer – so it’s best to check. An official letter or email from you specifying the day you’ll be moving out will be helpful for both parties and should offer you some protection if any dispute arises.
Utility Providers & Subscriptions
It’s important to change your address with your utility providers as soon as possible because you don’t want to pay for services you haven’t used. Take final meter readings for your gas, electricity and water a few days before you move out and let your utility companies know your new address. This will ensure there are no disputes between you and the new tenant.
If you subscribe to any newspapers, magazines or food parcel services, let them know you’re moving too. Arrange the internet for your new place in good time. Being stuck without the internet can be difficult, especially if you rely on it for working – or even for a smart TV.
Remember to take meter readings as soon as you’ve moved into your new place.
Arrange a Mail Redirection
Your utility and service providers will have your new address, but there will inevitably be some companies that still have your old address on file. The easiest solution is to arrange a mail redirect at the Post Office. There is a small fee for this service but ensures you won’t miss any post from the companies you haven’t told about the move and also means the new resident of your old place doesn’t have to do it.
Update Your TV Licence Address
Unfortunately, your TV licence doesn’t automatically update when you move, so it’s important to tell them your new address or you could risk paying a fine of up to £1,000.
Organise Your Belongings & Start Packing
This is a good time to get rid of anything you don’t want to take with you. Sort your things into three categories: Keep, Donate and Rubbish Tip.
For the ‘Keep’ category, sort your things into boxes labelled with the relevant rooms they’ll be going to in your new place. Hamiltons Removals sells all the packing materials you’ll need for your move – from different-sized boxes, to furniture covers, carpet protectors and rolls of bubble wrap.
For the ‘Donate’ stuff, load a car up with things you don’t use anymore or simply don’t want to keep and take them to your local charity shop.
For those items you never got around to throwing out, or are too old or broken to donate, make a quick trip to your local rubbish tip and get rid of them. If you do this part a few weeks before your move, you’ll probably have enough time to sell some of your unwanted things on sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree.
Getting rid of a lot of old belongings can be very therapeutic and provides a sense of relief and cleansing. It also allows you to move into your new place and begin your new chapter fresh and clean.
Liaise with The Removals Company
Speak to your removals company as early as possible before your move. If you leave it too late, you may find out they are fully booked for the date you want to move. It’s important to specify the dates and times of your move, the level of service you require and how much stuff you have.
If you’re unsure exactly how much you’ll be taking, removals companies can usually estimate how much you have by knowing how many full rooms you have.
Arrange Storage
For all the things you don’t need right now, but anticipate using in the future, such as garden furniture, seasonal sports equipment or camping gear for example, it may be wise to consider placing those items into secure storage. Hamiltons Removals rent storage space in Norfolk at our two secure Safe N Stored storage facilities in Harleston and Aldeby.
Our Harleston site offers individual storage rooms from sizes ranging from 25-200 ft², while at our Aldeby premises, you can choose from a range of different-sized storage containers.
Your possessions will be kept clean, dry and extremely securely both locations, which are particularly convenient for people living in the Diss, Bungay and Stradbroke areas.
If you are planning a house move and need self-storage, speak to us today on 01379 855203 to discuss your requirements, or click here.
FAQS
Q: If I’ve booked Hamiltons to pack for me, what do I actually need to do before they arrive?
A: You can leave your china, glassware, ornaments, and books right on their shelves and in their cupboards—our specialist packing teams will handle them securely. However, you should ensure that any passageways and staircases are completely clear, valuables (like cash and jewellery) are safely put aside to travel with you, and that you have designated a clear “Do Not Pack” area for your moving-day essentials.
Q: Can I leave my clothes hanging in the wardrobes, or do I need to pack them?
A: Any clothing on hangers can be left exactly as it is. On the morning of your move, our crew will bring specialised wardrobe carton carriers. We will transfer your hanging clothes directly into these structured boxes to keep them clean and crease-free, and then re-hang them at your new property. Any folded clothes in drawers should be packed into suitcases or boxes.
Q: Are there any everyday household items that Hamiltons cannot legally transport?
A: Yes. We cannot carry hazardous or flammable substances. This includes half-used tins of paint, gas canisters, matches, paraffin, petrol from lawnmowers, or garden creosote. These must be disposed of or moved independently.