A Swede in Spain; how to stay “lagom” abroad

For a Swede, Spain may seem a country much too Southern and far from home, but thousands of Swedish nationals today are not only making Spain their top holiday destination but are moving abroad for a new life full of Mediterranean culture and celebrations.

In Spain, it is easy as ABC to stay “lagom” and thriving; there are just a few things you need to be prepared for.

A Swede in Spain; The hours

Spain´s late-night social party scene is nothing like Sweden´s typical “come home to sleep after work” routine; in Spain, people start living as the sun sets. Written by the laws of nature, the two nations have different sunset hours, with at least an hour difference, Sweden being the first to get dark.

While most Swedes turn to bedtime, Spain beams with laughter, lively conversations, and often fireworks set in the streets. Especially in cities like Barcelona or Madrid, restaurants and bars stay open until 2,30am on weekdays and 3am on the weekends, unlike closing at 11pm on the dot in Swedish towns.

8pm is peak time for going out in Spain, as the weather cools, spreading reviving energy through residents and visitors of Spanish towns. The sleeping habits, too, differ a lot. A 2019 study published by SleepJunkie compared the sleeping habits across the world, listing the top countries for sleep quality. While Sweden came 6th, being a country rich in nightlife, Spain came 16th.

A Swede in Spain; Money matters

A 2022 study showed Swedish GDP value of a worker´s hour was €67; way above Spain´s €47, which is considered below the European average. But considering the prices of the two countries, with a cup of cappuccino being €1,7 in Spain and €3,37 in Sweden, most Northern Europeans consider living in Spain the most affordable and easy-going way of being a European citizen.

2019 data from the Eurostat stated that prices in Spain are on average at least 20 per cent lower than Sweden, with everything from beverages to clothes and property being significantly easier to obtain; except the high costs of electricity.

A Swede in Spain; Work, work, work

The Swedes, unarguable work longer hours than Spaniards; the working week in Sweden is normally 41 hours, while it is 40 hours in Spain. Thousands of people in Spain have recently been protesting against working hours, urging the government to reduce them to 37,5 hours; that is, considering that Spaniards take a daily siesta from 2pm until 5pm. Spanish workers, however, are much more accustomed to working night shifts, with most jobs in Spain being related to hospitality and tourism.

A Swede in Spain; National delicacies

Spain´s rich cuisine is one of the biggest factors that bring in millions of visitors to the country; people from all over the globe travel to Spain to try the famous tapas, jamon and paella. Fresh fruits, available at every store, and delicious wine, are the favourite traits of Spain among Europeans. There are hundreds of tasty dishes to try in Spain but if you ever miss meals made by family back in Sweden, there are numerous Swedish restaurants in Costa Blanca and Malaga with traditional serving of gravad lax and köttbullar.

It´s imperative to know, however, that in Spain, as proved by Eurostat data, 9,20pm is the most popular time for dinner, and is considered the most important time of the day, spending it with family, friends and delicious food. Lunchtime is also later than Swedish standards, normally around 2,30; most Spaniards eat less in the morning and more at night.

A Swede in Spain; The sun

In terms of weather, Spain is a clear winner. Coastlines, sunny shores, beautiful mountains; Spain is worth living in for its stunning views alone. The Euro Weekly has spoken with many Nordic nationals living in Spain, and as Sara Ritäkt, from Sweden – currently living in Costa del Sol – recently said in a Speaking European interview, the reason for moving to Spain comes in “one simple answer. The sun.”

During the winter, Spain can get to 20+ degrees, with sun always looking over the residents. Living in Spain, you will never again have to wake up in the “pitch black,” – as Sara described her past – trying to find your way to your 9am work shift, “shovelling snow to get your car going.”

A Swede in Spain; Making friends

Spain is one of the most international and welcoming countries in Europe; with innumerable international communities, including Swedish and Nordic, it is practically impossible to feel lonely in Spain. Spaniards are highly sociable and rarely shy of striking up a conversation. In Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Valencia, and Barcelona, Swedish communities have continued expanding over the years, with hundreds of residents, Scandinavian companies, and schools appearing on the coasts.

Favouring “lagom,” Spain is super easy for Swedes to adapt to; it is one of the best European countries for life and work balance. “Not too little, not too much, just right,” is a perfect approach to living in Spain, where every moment is appreciated, with quality time spent during every coffee break and fiesta; living in the moment and making the best of the present.

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