‘It’s really strange’: An expat living in Spain shares the biggest ‘cultural adjustment’ when moving there

There is a lot to consider and plan for when moving abroad, particularly the logistics of finding accomodation and sorting your right to live and work in another country.

Something that people may not think to prepare for, however, is the “cultural adjustments” that are required when living in Spain.

One woman who relocated to the sunny holiday destination explained the move came with some challenges.

She said something that is “really strange in Spain” is the opening hours for things like shops and restaurants.

While the expat is “kind of loving” it, she said it “takes a lot of adjusting to”, while speaking on the YouTube channel Under El Spanish Sun.

She told viewers: “Between the hours of around 2.30pm and 4.30pm or 5pm, a lot of things are closed. The town goes to sleep and no one is doing anything.”

The expat added once the shops reopen, they are open until around 8pm or 10pm.

As well as having times of the day when shops are closed, she added a lot of businesses completely close in August.

The expat continued: “In August, Spain is on holiday. It’s like our Christmas holiday but a billion times more.”

While people generally still reply during the festive season in many parts of the world, this is not the case in Spain during August.

She added: “Here it is like, ‘no, we’re on holiday, we’re not even looking at our business phones, we’re just having fun’.

“It is so refreshing, but it means that if you need to get things done during those months you’ve got to plan around it.”

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

・Expat in Portugal warns of biggest difference there – ‘it was very difficult to understand’

・British expat names the ‘best’ thing about living in Spain – and it’s free

・‘It’s a national obsession!’ Expat in France names ‘non-negotiable’ activity for your next holiday

The expat explained things like buying or renting a property in August will be difficult and any serious business should be done around these months.

As part of the culture, many people will also not work at all on public holidays and weekends.

This comes as one man who moved to Spain shared a common misconception about relocating there.

He warned those considering a move there should be prepared for the bureaucracy, which can be more difficult to navigate than people often realise.