Moving to Valencia
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Valencia, Spain. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$2,219
solo, city centre
Livability
71/100
strong
Safety
82/100
Safe enough to stop thinking about it
PR timeline
5 yrs
citizenship: 10y
How to move to Valencia
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Some paperworkDuration: 1 year (renewable to 5)
Proof of remote income ≥ €2,334/mo. Work must be primarily for non-Spanish clients.
Visa difficulty by nationality
5 years
to permanent residency
10 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires DELE A2 Spanish and the CCSE constitutional knowledge exam. 10 years residency — reduced to 2 for Latin Americans.
Work permit accessibility: moderate
What it costs to move to Valencia
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$1,429
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 38% of 97 cities
$2,279
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$2,219/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Moderate2–4 weeks, more supply than Barcelona/Madrid
- •NIE required for lease signing
- •Prices rising sharply due to expat demand
- •2 months' deposit
- •Less English-friendly than Barcelona
First month in Valencia
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Apply for Spain Digital Nomad Visa
1 year (renewable to 5). Proof of remote income ≥ €2,334/mo. Work must be primarily for non-Spanish clients.
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Spanish-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$16/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 2–4 weeks, more supply than Barcelona/Madrid. Housing friction: Moderate.
- ☐
Have $6,867 ready for move-in costs
First month + 2mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Private insurance ~$100/mo until residency kicks in
- ☐
Start learning basic Spanish
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Valencia
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Spanish
primary language
Moderate
English proficiency
English proficiency is moderate. Learning at least basic Spanish isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
8.1/10
democracy index (EIU)
🏛️ Full democracy
regime type
#25 of 163
Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful)
Travel advisory: Level 1 — Exercise normal precautions
Is Valencia safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
👍
Safe enough to stop thinking about it
0.7
homicides per 100k
Crime index: 35/100
Moderate. Standard urban awareness applies.
Weather in Valencia
What the thermometer actually says
29°C
summer highs
7°C
winter lows
99 Mbps
average download speed
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System: Public system covers all registered residents; regional quality varies
Before residency: EU citizens: EHIC covers necessary care; register at local health center for full access. Non-EU: emergency rooms treat everyone free. For ongoing care, register as resident (empadronamiento) — some regions grant public access immediately. Private insurance ~€90/mo meanwhile. (private insurance ~$100/mo)
Specialist wait time: 4–12 weeks
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ Valencia: 0.7/100k homicide rate. Safe enough to stop thinking about it.
- ✓ 29°C summers plus Valencia's coast. Not a drill.
- ✓ Spain: 90/100 Freedom House. Valencia has real press freedom.
Think twice about
- ✗ $1429/mo rent in Valencia. It keeps climbing.
- ✗ English covers lunch in Valencia. Contracts need Spanish.
- ✗ 99 Mbps broadband in Valencia. Fine, but not fast.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Valencia profile →