I am a Birtish citizen who has moved to Spain and I was wondering how Spanish people feel about?

Question

British people coming to live here? I know that Britian is awash with people coming into the country and there is some backlash towards the new-comers. How does the average Spanish person feel about all the Brits coming to live in Spain?

Answer 1

I am Spanish and I think most of us have nothing against any other nationalities coming to live in Spain as long as they learn the language and integrate themselves in the culture.
I have know Brits who live in Barcelona who do not speak any Spanish, they live and work and relate themselves with other Brits/Americans/Canadians etc and who do not "need" to learn about the culture since they have their private world. I do not agree with this but it is their choice.

I also have other foreign friends who have learned "catalan" (language spoken in Catalonia) and who have Spanish friends....

So enjoy your stay here...I've lived in the UK/USA and France and have to admit that Spain is an awesome country to live in. I've know it after my return...

Answer 2

I agree with tonyinspain and can't understand why he was given the thumbs down. I have lived in southern Spain, coastal and inland for nearly 10yrs and have found the Spanish to be really welcoming people, especially to the English. On the coastal resorts English is spoken almost everywhere, so much so that the Spanish authorities have directed that menus be printed in Spanish as well as English, this is because there are thousands of English and foreign bars that totally outnumber the Spanish. Further inland, if you live there, the Spanish people do appreciate it if the foreigners try to learn a little Spanish and will bend over backwards to help you. If you are corrected it is always in a friendly manner so don't be offended.
Learn a little of the culture and get to know your Spanish neighbours, if you don't have any frequent a Spanish bar or local shop and try and watch some Spanish tv, especially the news, this way you can get so much more from what is going to be your wonderful life in Spain

Answer 3

I am near retirement age and my wife and I would love to live in Spain, but we know it's impossible because she has health problems that would put this beyond our reach. However, we do holiday in Spain as often as possible and although we go to the tourist resorts on package holidays, we also go on many trips to se the "real" Spain.
I am saddened at the spanish boy's answer. We are very fond of the Spanish people, we have learned a little of the language even though we are only tourists, and we are well aware of the great range of hair and skin colour amongs the spanish. They are a very friendly and proud nation. I think that anyone who went to live there with an open mind and a desire to fit in would be very happy.

Answer 4

Somewhat, Peter is right.(Though I disagree with the "stupid" part). And I'm also Spaniard.

I mean, honestly, where exactly are the 200 something thousand Germans living in Spain, f.i? All packed in Majorcan resorts drinking imported german beer (the new german länder).
Where are the Brits? All packed in Costa del Sol or Valencia/Alicante watching Sky TV

Sun, sand, and Sea. Is it a surprise?? Not really. But these are just the tourist areas, so when people go there, we just don't think of them for their nationality, just as tourists. It's business after all, and you'll get well treated, of course, and people there will be kind and helpful. Right, that's Spain as well, but, somehow, it's not Spain. Not the real one, really.

Anyway, those who have money can always make a living anywhere, no prob, that's fine. It's not like those migrants coming from North Africa in small boats or from wherever, who really get to see and know Spain, learn the culture, language, integrate in our society, cos they just can't book their rooms in those fancy seaside hotels and apartments.

Answer 5

I congratulate 'Peter' for his honesty.

Many Spanish people say that ' the English leave their brains at the airport'.

Why else do they buy property from street sellers; buy houses without using a lawyer or doing a search at the property register; eat in filthy looking bars; get fall-down drunk; test the depth of swimming pools with their heads; fall off balconies;- like to be publically abused and ridiculed by holiday reps; visit art galleries when they have no interest; etc.

Many Spaniards express disquiet about the barrios / ghettos of English and German people who do nothing to integrate.
Problems arise when the immigrants have problems such as health problems and cannot explain their symptoms.


The Spanish government is worried about the influx of Brits retiring to Spain. the future costs of these people growing old and being a drain on the national health service is a serious concern.
I believe that the UK government is to pay but there is still the problem of future resources.

The secret in Spain is to remember that YOU are a bloody foreigner and should remember it.
Learn Spanish and go native. Once you have a bunch of local friend, your life will change completely.

Answer 6

It depends where abouts you move to. There's many areas of spain that only exist solely because of the tourism of the brit's, the vast majority, in my semi sheltered interaction, are far more worried about the influx of migrants from Africa an Morocco, from what I've been told by friends in Spain, esp. from indigenous peeps is that these are the areas that are causing the most problemas. We have a different relationship with the Spanish from at least twenty years of visiting the country as a populas, its not all good, hell no, but they accept us because they understand us.
It's human nature to fear what you don't understand, sure, but one love people!!!

Answer 7

My dad has a house in a village near Iznajar in the province of Cordoba. The people there are very friendly and welcoming. Antonio who owns the bar even has a version of his menu written in English so the Brits can order. I am not sure how the rest of Spain feels but in the area my dad's house is they sure do like foreigners.

Answer 8

i'm additionally a US citizen residing in spain.in case you marry a spanish citizen that doesn't furnish you Spanish citizenship. you ought to coach for a criminal foreigners card with the spanish nationwide police.you're able to be able to compliment to coach for Spanish citizenship after 3 years of everlasting place of abode in Spain something i do no longer recommendnd due which you will loose you US citizenship. additionally call up the spanish embassy in Washington.D.C. for greater info due that rules constantly exchange

Answer 9

Hola!...we've lived in southern Spain (in the campo) for several years...we have several Spanish friends and neighbours; We've asked the same question. Everyone I 've spoken to is in favour of all nationalities coming to live here....as long as they learn the language and are positive in their contribution within the community.

Answer 10

If I tell you the truth, The Spanish people say that German people and English people are stupid here. I think so,because when they come here , they only drink and f u c k , and then they think that we always make this(drink and f u ck) and we dont work.

For example, I'm from the north of Spain.I have blue eyes , and brown hair, my face is white. My sister is blond, and green eyes
Are you surprise?I think so. Because British people think that we are all with very dark hair, and brown face...they came here, and only spend money in the cheapest shop, the cheapest restaurant...whose staff are "gitano" "Gypsy" . The people who want to meet really Spanish people, have to go to not touristic cities, because there are the aujntentic Spanish

I'm Spanish , and I think this of giris(people who are from Britain, France, Holland...and they came to touristic cities of Spain, only because there are sun and there are more cheap that ther countries). And the rest of the peop`le think the same as me