Best places to retire in Spain
For retirees, Santander ranks highest in Spain (retire score 68/100), balancing affordability, a mild climate and safety. The most affordable option is Madrid. Our retire score = 40% cost + 30% climate + 30% safety.
Top retirement cities in Spain
- Santander — retire score 68/100 (cost 34, climate 100, safety 81)
- Logroño — retire score 68/100 (cost 35, climate 98, safety 82)
- Donostia / San Sebastián — retire score 68/100 (cost 34, climate 100, safety 81)
- Bilbao — retire score 67/100 (cost 32, climate 100, safety 82)
- Lleida — retire score 67/100 (cost 35, climate 99, safety 79)
- Barcelona — retire score 67/100 (cost 38, climate 100, safety 74)
- Pamplona — retire score 67/100 (cost 34, climate 96, safety 81)
- Tarragona — retire score 67/100 (cost 35, climate 100, safety 77)
- Madrid — retire score 66/100 (cost 40, climate 94, safety 73)
- Gasteiz / Vitoria — retire score 66/100 (cost 33, climate 94, safety 81)
- Oviedo — retire score 66/100 (cost 34, climate 100, safety 76)
- Castelló de la Plana — retire score 66/100 (cost 34, climate 95, safety 78)
Retire score weights affordability, climate comfort and disaster+crime safety. It does not include healthcare quality or retirement-visa rules — verify those separately.
FAQ
Where is the best place to retire in Spain?
Santander ranks highest in our retirement score (68/100), balancing affordability, mild climate and safety.
Is Spain a good place to retire?
Spain's best retirement city scores 68/100; the most affordable is Madrid (cost 40/100). We weigh cost, climate and natural-disaster + crime safety — not healthcare or visas, which you should check separately.
What's the cheapest place to retire in Spain?
Madrid has the lowest cost of living in Spain in our data.