Why We Chose to Start a Family in Spain

There are tons of reasons why couples decide when and where to start a family.

In our case, my husband and I were living in Texas. We had lived in Spain and desperately wanted to go back. What we enjoyed most about Spain, we thought, would be even more enjoyable -and make our lives easier- as parents.

My husband found a Master’s program we liked, we packed our bags, brought our dog, found semi-decent paying jobs and were able to start a family in Spain -living just outside of Madrid. Three years later we are still grateful for the life we’ve built and thrilled with our decision.

Some things that factored into our decision to start a family in Spain were:

Spain is safe.

Want to take your newborn for a stroll in the park at ten o’clock at night?

This would be unthinkable back home, but is perfectly acceptable -and safe- to do in Spain. Almost everywhere is safe, friendly, and inviting. Plus, Madrid summers are notoriously hot, and a walk in the park at 10 PM is the coolest time of day. Not to mention the sun sets near then anyway.

You’ll get used to seeing families, older couples, and young kids out late. It’s safe to be out and a cultural norm. In fact, people are used to spending more time out and about then they are at home.

Dining out is easier.

Going out to a restaurant, with your family in tow, is a cinch.

Parents often sit outside and enjoy a meal while their kids play in the nearest plaza (all within view). Kids are allowed to be kids. It’s quite a common sight and a part of daily life.

Maternity and paternity leave are a thing.

Spanish maternity leave grants new mothers 16 weeks of paid time off, while fathers are given 8 weeks (also paid).

Hear that US?

While it was difficult to navigate the paperwork and social security appointments, it literally paid off for us in the end.

That money -and time- was extremely helpful when we needed it most. In fact, teachers at my school were given maternity leave starting at just over twenty weeks pregnant. What?! Who wouldn’t want to start a family in Spain?

I was an anomaly waddling around my school until I started my leave at 38 weeks -and that’s early by US standards.

Parks and playgrounds are everywhere.

I have yet to experience this as my daughter is still young, but playgrounds and parks are everywhere. They are well-loved and packed during peak hours, AKA… not siesta.

And because cities are walkable, that means the closest park is a quick walk away. Easy peasy.

You might be able to get away with avoiding school car drop-off lanes.

Yes, car drop-offs exists here too. But, remember how I mentioned Spain’s walkability? That means many parents walk, not drive, their kids to school.

I think it’s the sweetest thing. No drop-off dash. Just families calmly chatting while their kids play for the last few minutes before school starts. It’s heartwarming to see.

The cost of daycare is far, far cheaper.

We looked at a few private daycare options for our daughter, and we were looking to pay anywhere from 350 to 450 euros per month.

Plus the government offers an extra hundred euros off for working mothers.

That’s insanely cheap compared to US prices.

Safer health outcomes for mom and baby.

Obviously a major consideration when deciding to start a family in Spain -or anywhere- is healthcare. Fortunately, whether you choose private or public health insurance, the infant and maternal mortality rate is statistically better in Spain than in the US.

In fact, the US has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed country in the world.

I felt completely safe and comfortable having my child in Spain.

Furthermore, all of my appointments (prenatal, postnatal, and the birth) and all of my daughter’s appointments with her pediatrician were covered too. No copay, no deductibles. We walked in and were attended to.

The only thing we’ve had to pay for out-of-pocket are two vaccines that weren’t covered by the government.

This obviously depends on whether you have private or public healthcare, but it’s still far cheaper than the US.

Is it right for you?

Whether you’re considering starting a family in Spain or moving your family to Spain, these are a few important examples of family life that we’ve fallen in love with.

And while there are a ton of factors that couples should consider before having their first child, ours happened to align with what we liked best about Spain.

It is tough to be far from our families, but living here, right now, is what’s best for ours.