Britons flock to stunning nation with year-round sunshine and a low living cost as it is crowned ‘top country’ for expats
British holidaymakers have always been drawn to Spain because it offers idyllic living conditions and attractive holiday packages.
However, the country is attracting more expats than ever thanks to its year-round sunshine and lower costs of living.
Whether Britons are seeking longer days or more sunshine, the country ticks many boxes on an expat’s wishlist.
The latest figures show that Spain is the first choice for Britons looking to start afresh, followed by the United States and Australia.
Spain was crowned the most popular destination for British expats
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Save Sayce, founder and managing director of Compare My Move, explained: “We expect Spain to stay a popular destination for British movers throughout 2024, possibly even growing in popularity due to the stagnant mortgage rates in the UK and the mortgage interest rates in Spain being around two per cent lower than the UK.
“While the USA will still be very popular due to the cultural similarity between the UK and the States, the uncertainty of the election outcome could see fewer people planning a move there for fear of any change in immigration laws.
“I’d also expect the United Arab Emirates and Dubai to do well this year, continuing their increase in popularity.
“Throughout the top 10 places to move abroad, I think the number of movers will increase as more and more people look to living abroad as an option.”
The list, compiled by the International removals comparison website, Compare My Move, included the following destinations:
1 – Spain
2 – United States
3 – Australia
4 – France
5 – Italy
6 – Germany
7 – United Arab Emirates
8 – New Zealand
9 – Ireland
10 – Canada
11 – Portugal
12 – Netherlands
13 – Switzerland
14 – South Africa
15 – India
16 – Sweden
17 – Belgium
18 – Greece
19 – Denmark
20 – Norway
Spain secured the top spot on the list, with figures confirming it lures up to 14.1 per cent of expats leaving the UK.
The country is famously welcoming to expats, with destinations such as Costa Del Sol and Malaga recognised as two of the main hubs for British newcomers.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Tourism is causing friction in several Spanish cities
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With year-round sunshine and a lower cost of living than in the United Kingdom, it is no surprise the European hotspot consistently ranks as one of the most popular places for Britons.
A wave of protests has recently swept across the European country in recent months, however, as locals face higher rent due to the ever-growing influx of tourists.
Locals on islands such as Majorca and Ibiza have marched against the growing demands of over-tourism. Several other cities have introduced tourism taxes to cope with demands from visitors.
Many Spanish nationals have blamed foreigners for the rising house prices, suggesting that rental holiday homes have fuelled higher asking prices.
