This article explores Spanish culture through the lens of British people moving to Spain. It examines regional identity, social norms, communication styles and political sensitivities and explains how cultural differences can affect integration and feelings of homesickness.
Moving to Spain from the UK is as much a cultural transition as it is a practical one. While climate, lifestyle and cost of living often attract British people, the deeper experience of living in Spain is shaped by history, regional identity, social customs and unspoken expectations that take time to understand.
Spanish culture is layered, regional and rooted in family, community and shared daily rituals. For British people, the challenge is rarely about liking Spain; it is about learning how to live well within a system that is so different to the UK.
While the UK may be geographically close, the transition between the different cultures can be difficult for some people to overcome.
This guide takes a deeper look at Spanish culture, the most common challenges British people face when relocating, and practical ways to adapt, integrate and reduce feelings of homesickness over time.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. Cultural experiences vary widely by region, background and individual circumstances.
There is a long-standing stereotype of British people in Spain living largely separate lives, socialising mainly with other expats and making limited effort to integrate. While this reflected parts of the expat experience in the past, it is increasingly dated.
Since Brexit there is a stronger desire, both socially and practically, for British expats to engage more with Spanish life. Language skills, cultural awareness and local participation matter more than they once did, particularly outside established expat enclaves.
British people who make an effort to integrate are often received warmly. Small actions such as learning the language, respecting local customs and participating in community life can significantly change how welcome and settled someone feels.
For many, moving beyond the stereotype is not about abandoning British identity, but about building a more balanced life that includes both local and international connections.
One of the most profound cultural adjustments for British people is Spain’s relationship with time. Spanish daily life runs later and is structured around climate, social interaction and tradition rather than strict efficiency.
Lunch is often the main meal of the day and may take place between 2pm and 4pm. Dinner commonly starts after 9pm, especially in summer. Many businesses close in the afternoon, and administration often operates on reduced hours.
For those used to the UK’s time-bound culture, this can feel inefficient or disorganised. In reality, it reflects a cultural prioritisation of balance, social connection and rest. Adjusting expectations, rather than resisting the rhythm, makes daily life significantly easier.
Social life in Spain is continuous rather than occasional. Relationships are maintained through frequent, informal contact rather than planned events.
Cafés, bars and public spaces play a central role in daily interaction. People of all ages socialise together, often briefly but regularly. Family relationships are strong and commonly multigenerational, with family commitments taking priority over work or appointments.
British people may initially find this openness unfamiliar. Over time, many find it provides a stronger sense of connection, particularly when they stop expecting friendships to form in the same way they do in the UK.
Communication in Spain is typically more expressive, direct and emotionally engaged than in the UK. Conversations may involve interruptions, animated gestures and raised voices without signalling conflict.
British people may initially interpret this as confrontational or chaotic. Understanding that enthusiasm and emotional expression are culturally normal helps avoid misinterpretation.
Indirectness, understatement and irony, common in British communication, do not always translate well. Clear, polite directness is often more effective.
Spanish bureaucracy is a common source of frustration for newcomers, especially British people. Processes are still typically paper-based, require in-person appointments or phone calls and vary by region. This means that an understanding of the language is essential.
Rules may be interpreted differently depending on the office or official, and persistence is sometimes required. This is not necessarily inefficiency, but a system built around procedure and hierarchy rather than speed.
Allowing extra time, bringing physical copies of documents and approaching administration with patience can significantly reduce stress.
Cost of living in Spain is considered lower than the UK, but the reality is more closely tied to lifestyle and cultural expectations than headline prices.
Everyday costs such as groceries, coffee, eating out and local transport are typically lower, particularly when you shop locally and adapt to Spanish habits. Social life in Spain is built around frequent, low-cost spending rather than occasional big expenses. Regular café visits, shared meals and informal socialising are part of daily life, not a luxury.
Housing costs, however, can be high in popular cities and coastal areas, and rental markets are often competitive. Utilities, private healthcare insurance and car ownership can also add up, especially if you try to maintain a UK-style standard of space, convenience and consumption.
Many British people find that Spain feels more affordable once they adjust expectations. Living like a local such as smaller homes, fewer subscriptions, more social time outside the home, often makes the biggest difference to both cost and quality of life.
Language is one of the most significant factors in how settled British people feel in Spain. While English is widely spoken in tourist areas, daily life, administration and healthcare often require Spanish.
It is not uncommon for English not to be spoken outside of major cities or traditional more touristy areas, and this can come as a shock. Therefore, relying solely on English can lead to isolation and dependency. Learning Spanish, even at a basic level, improves confidence, independence and access to services.
In some regions, a regional language is used alongside Spanish. While not usually essential for daily life, awareness and respect for these languages can support better integration.
Regional identity in Spain is not symbolic or secondary. In many places, it shapes how people see themselves, how they relate to authority and how they expect others to behave.
In practice, regional history, language and political identity influence everyday life in ways that are subtle but persistent. This can affect how bureaucracy is handled, how social relationships develop and how welcome newcomers feel over time.
In some regions, local language and traditions are closely tied to identity. While Spanish is widely spoken, assuming it is always the default or sufficient can create quiet distance rather than open conflict. Respect for regional identity is often measured less by fluency and more by awareness and attitude.
Cultural friction tends to arise when British people interpret regional difference as inconsistency or inefficiency, rather than as a reflection of local values and history. Those who recognise that expectations vary by place, and adjust accordingly, usually find integration easier and misunderstandings fewer.
In some regions, regional identity is also linked to political history and, at times, ongoing tension with central government. These issues can be deeply personal and emotionally charged, even when they are not openly discussed in everyday life.
For expats, the risk is usually not in holding an opinion, but in assuming political neutrality or treating regional identity as a casual topic of conversation. Comments about independence, language use or national identity can easily cause offence if made without context or familiarity.
As an outsider, it is generally wise to listen more than speak on these topics, particularly in the early stages of settling in. Demonstrating awareness and respect, rather than curiosity or comparison, tends to be appreciated and helps avoid unnecessary social friction.
Public holidays and religious traditions play a visible role in Spanish life, even for people who are not personally religious. Many national, regional and local holidays are linked to Catholic feast days, historical events or patron saints, and they often affect business hours, transport and administration.
For British people, the impact is usually practical before it is cultural. Offices may close unexpectedly, appointments can be postponed and entire towns may slow or stop during local festivals. These interruptions are not exceptions; they are built into how public life operates.
Religion in Spain is often cultural rather than doctrinal. Even those who do not attend church may participate in processions, festivals or communal events tied to religious calendars. Treating these occasions as inconveniences rather than shared traditions can create quiet social distance.
Homesickness often appears after the initial excitement of moving fades. It is rarely about missing the UK itself and more about emotional disconnection.
Language fatigue, administrative stress and social isolation are common contributors. These feelings usually ease as routines form and familiarity grows.
Building small, consistent connections often matters more than dramatic lifestyle changes. Regular interactions, local activities and a sense of belonging develop gradually over time.
Belonging in Spain develops gradually. It often comes from repeated, everyday interactions rather than major milestones.
Regularly visiting the same café, shopping locally, greeting neighbours and participating in community events can slowly shift a place from feeling temporary to feeling like home.
Patience, openness and realistic expectations are essential. Integration is not about becoming Spanish, but about feeling comfortable within Spanish society.
British people moving to Spain often encounter similar challenges during their first years:
Recognising these challenges as normal stages of cultural adjustment helps prevent frustration turning into disengagement.
