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My fellow Americans love Spain. I receive questions about moving here weekly, and my family now brags about what was once a “hasty decision.”
In this December edition, we look at how Americans spend more on Spanish homes than any other nationality, the influence being exerted by conservative group US Heritage Foundation in Spain, and how American Football's promotion here is increasing American 'soft power'.
At the beginning of this year, The Local reported a 26 percent rise in Americans living in Spain in the past two years. Last year, a record 15,638 Americans achieved residency in Spain.
Many moved for political reasons, and others cite improvements in lifestyle. One reader applauded what they call “virtually free healthcare and education.”
Still, others pointed out faults with the Spanish system, such as a lack of opportunities for business and career growth.” I can tell you from personal experience, both sides have merit, and it depends on your approach.
Spain is now Europe’s fastest-growing economy, but it still boasts some of the lowest salaries in the European Union.
Caught between the dual migrations of poor and wealthy foreigners, the Spanish government struggles to find balance.
In mid-November, Spain's Labour Minister and Second Vice-President, Yolanda Díaz, announced that her hard-left party Sumar will demand a so-called “Trump tax” to make big US technology companies pay taxes in Spain and guarantee "fair" competition with Spanish competitors.
Details on the tax are yet to be announced, although Ministry sources indicated to Spanish daily El País that it will likely be an increase to the “Google tax”, which is currently at 3 percent and levied on different digital services such as data sales.
The “Google tax” is already a heated topic, with the Trump administration calling for its removal.
READ MORE: What is Spain's ‘Google tax’ and why does Trump want it scrapped?
The plausible tax increase isn’t all that the Trump administration dislikes about Spanish policy. The American president has been vocal about his disdain for Spanish politics under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, suggesting Spain be removed from Nato for its refusal to increase defence spending to 5 percent of GDP.
It’s more than bluster; political news outlets such as Agenda Pública have found deep connections between far-right think tanks in the United States and Spain’s far-right Vox party and the centre-right PP party. Mike Gonzalez, an expert at the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think-tank in the United States behind the controversial Project 2025, has been vocal about its bids in the Iberian Peninsula.
READ ALSO: Will far-right Vox play a role in Spain's next government?
Gonzalez, who last visited Madrid in November to meet with Vox leadership, told Agenda Pública, “Spain is a bridge country, a key one, one of the most important in Western civilisation.”
He, like Trump, also criticised Sánchez's refusal to join other Nato countries in their commitment to increased defence spending, calling the Spanish PM “a bad ally.”
Spain’s housing crisis adds fuel to the far-right’s fire, and Americans are an unwitting culprit, buying up property throughout the peninsula (and the islands). We’re among seven countries comprising the majority of foreign property purchasers, joining the Portuguese, Ukrainians, Italians, Moroccans, Colombians, and Dutch.
READ ALSO: Spain's Vox proposes taxing foreigners more to give housing benefits to locals
But where Americans really shine is how much we pay. With an average of €3,465/m2, US nationals are paying the highest average price in Spain. For many locals, it’s becoming a problem. One Local reader explained this by writing "Spanish people can't afford buy a flat because the prices are rising too much. Foreigners with higher salaries are buying and renting a lot here, and normal people with a normal wage in Spain can't live in our cities."
In the last year alone, property prices in Spain have risen 14.8 percent.
Meanwhile, Spain is being influenced by the US in another way — American football. On November 16th, Madrid became the fourth European city to host an NFL regular season game, following London, Munich and Frankfurt.
Just under 80,000 spectators filled Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu stadium to watch the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders.
No matter that to Spaniards, football is a game played with the feet, the American version is attracting fans and money to Madrid — an estimated $81.2 million over that weekend.
It’s a double-edged sword. Spain wins new fans and emerges as a destination for international sporting events.
On the other hand, at a time when American influence is on the ebb (thanks to cuts in foreign aid, restrictions on international students, and hostility towards science), the NFL - and with it the US - gain "soft power" over Spain, culturally and economically.
That's according to a recent article by Elcano Royal Institute for International and Strategic Studies, a government-established think tank based in Madrid. We’ll see how Americans feel about being known for touchdowns rather than Nobles.
If you’re considering moving to Spain, don’t expect perfection. Also, don’t expect the same pace, policies, and culture as you’re accustomed to back home — maybe cheer for both American and European football.
Everything from home ownership, rental agreements, taxes, and dating is different here. Do what you can to integrate, learn the rhythm, the culture, and the language, which brings me to my monthly oops.
Conjugations matter — especially when dating. It was early in my Barcelona adventure, and I overestimated my language skills — and as always, my dating skills. After a few drinks, I announced I was going home, “Vamos a casa,” I said, begging off his invitation for another round.
When my date happily accompanied me, I was thrilled to live in a city where gentlemen still walked the streets. It wasn’t till we arrived at my door that I realised I had my conjugations wrong. “Vamos a casa means “let’s go home.” I apologised profusely and insisted I meant to say, “me voy a casa,” which means “I’m going home.”
A disappointed Spaniard spent the night alone, or at least, without me. Needless to say, there was no second date.
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