Places · Spain

Living in Santander

Spain · temperate

🌍

Santander is a compact city of roughly 172,000 people with both the sea and mountains close by in Spain. The climate is temperate. It keeps a balanced mix of locals and visitors and is considered very safe. A typical month of living costs around $1,750. Healthcare is strong, and the internet is fast enough for full-time remote work. People come here for surfing, swimming, food and eating out.

This is one of the places where living off-grid genuinely works, in law and in space.

Santander at a glance: cost, climate, safety

👥
People
~172,000
💵
Cost / mo
~$1,800
🌡️
Climate
temperate
🛡️
Safety
5/5
🏥
Healthcare
4/5
📶
Internet
4/5
🚶
Walkable
4/5
🍽️
Food
4/5
🌫️
Air
4/5Good
🚰
Water
4/5Tap water drinkable

Who tends to love living in Santander

All parameters

🛡️ Safety5/5
🏥 Healthcare4/5
🏛️ Public healthcare5/5
💳 Private healthcare5/5
📶 Internet4/5
🚶 Walkable4/5
🚌 Transit4/5
🍽️ Food4/5
📚 LibrarySeveral within 6 km
🥗 Veg options4/5
🌫️ Air4/5 · 10 µg/m³
🚰 Water4/5 · Tap water drinkable
📈 PopularityGrowing
🏠 Rent, 5 yrs+38%
👶 For kids4/5
🛂 Immigration4/5
🏛️ Stability5/5
💸 Tax friendly2/5
🧑‍💻 Business3/5
🕵️ Privacy4/5
🏦 State digital currencyIn development
🗣️ Free expressionReasonable
₿ Bitcoin3/5
🌈 LGBTQ+5/5
🦂 Dangerous animals1/5
🌱 Fertile soil4/5
🔌 Living off-grid5/5
📸 Tourism3/5
👥 Crowding3/5
✈️ Airport3/5
🛰️ StarlinkYes
⚕️ AbortionLegal

💉 Childhood vaccines: Recommended, never required

Spain has no mandate and coverage above 95 per cent, which is the argument its health service makes against one.

If you skip them: Nothing, although a judge can order a vaccination during an outbreak.

Exemptions: Not needed.

Source: Vaccines 2024;12:1296, European survey

📈 Popularity & prices: Growing

Accommodation prices have moved about +38% in the last 5 years.

Estimates, for orientation only.

🔭 Where this place is heading

Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.

⚠️ The downsides of living in Santander

Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.

Where is Santander?

₿ Spend Bitcoin around Santander

Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.

₿ …

Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.

Questions, answered

How much does it cost to live in Santander, Spain?

A typical month in Santander costs around $1,750, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.

Is Santander, Spain safe?

Arcadia rates personal safety in Santander at 5 out of 5, which is excellent.

What is the internet like in Santander?

Internet in Santander is rated 4 out of 5 for remote work, which is good. Starlink is available in this country.

What is the weather like in Santander?

Santander has a temperate climate. It is on the coast. Mountains are close by.

Is healthcare good in Santander?

Healthcare in Santander is rated 4 out of 5 overall, which is good. Public healthcare is 5/5 and private healthcare 5/5.

How easy is it to move to Spain?

Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Spain at 4 out of 5, which is good. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.

Is Santander actually right for you?

Santander is one of 3,500+ places we compare. Answer a few honest questions and we will tell you the handful that truly fit your life, ranked and explained.

Find my place →

⏱️ ~5 min · one payment · no newsletter

Places similar to Santander