Moving to Spain
Is Galicia for me?
Green countryside, Atlantic beaches and a choice of city or rural living: discover whether Galicia could be your place in Spain.
A different picture of life in Spain
If your Spanish dream includes green hills, coastal walks and a home with room to breathe, Galicia could be a lovely place to begin. In Spain’s north-west, its Atlantic scenery and wooded countryside offer plenty to explore. There is space here for different dreams: a city apartment, a village home or a country house with a garden.
Would you enjoy a walk by the water, cooking with local produce or getting to know a smaller community? Galicia is worth exploring with those ordinary pleasures in mind.
What do property prices in Galicia look like?
For a useful reference point, idealista’s September 2026 sales report recorded an average advertised asking price of €1,671 per square metre across Galicia. Its provincial figures ranged from €960/m² in Ourense and €1,212/m² in Lugo to €1,773/m² in A Coruña and €2,056/m² in Pontevedra.
These are provincial asking-price averages, not completed sale prices or valuations of individual homes. A city-centre apartment, a coastal house and a rural renovation can have very different budgets. Compare current listings and allow separately for taxes, legal fees, surveys and any work a property needs. An inexpensive purchase can still need a substantial renovation budget.
Explore the cities as well as the countryside
Santiago de Compostela brings historic streets and the destination of the Camino de Santiago into the picture. A Coruña and Vigo are coastal city options, while Pontevedra, Lugo, Ourense and Ferrol offer further places to investigate. Galicia’s official tourism guide highlights the variety of its cities, villages, monuments, food and natural landscapes.
Spend time in the neighbourhoods you might call home. Try the shops, check the journey to services and consider whether you prefer a city routine or a smaller town. You may find that being able to walk out for a coffee matters more than another room.
The appeal of rural life in Galicia
For buyers drawn to a quieter setting, rural Galicia offers a tempting idea: a stone house, outdoor space and countryside beyond the front door. Imagine time for a garden, a longer walk or a relaxed lunch with visiting friends. A village setting can be just as interesting as a completely isolated home.
Turn that picture into a practical checklist. Check road access, internet and mobile coverage, water and drainage, heating, roof condition and the distance to healthcare and groceries. Ask an independent lawyer and an appropriate surveyor about the exact property, boundaries, permissions and any planned building work.
Cooler summers, with local differences
If you find intense summer heat tiring, Galicia’s northern Atlantic setting may appeal. Spain’s official weather guide describes the north as milder in summer, with cooler temperatures and some rainfall. The green landscape is part of that climate’s appeal.
Choose the location carefully: coastal Galicia and the inland valleys do not share identical weather. Inland places such as Ourense can have hot summer days. Look at local station information and the home’s shade, ventilation and heating, rather than assuming the whole region stays cool.
Visit Galicia in winter as well as summer
A summer visit is a wonderful introduction, but we recommend returning in winter before deciding to buy. Notice daylight in the rooms, how the house handles wet weather, heating costs and access on less inviting days. Try the journeys you would make through an ordinary week.
Visit at different times of day and spend time in the area when you are not sightseeing. A home that suits you in both seasons gives you a much clearer basis for a decision.
Try renting before you buy
If you can, rent in your preferred part of Galicia before buying a property. It is a chance to test rural life, compare a town with a village and learn which services you want nearby. A rental stay may sharpen your wish list far more than a busy weekend of viewings.
Check that the rental agreement suits your intended stay and have its terms explained. Keep notes about what works: outdoor space, room layout, access, local connections and the pace of the place. Those observations can make your eventual property search more focused.
We can help you find a home anywhere in Spain
Galicia might be the right fit—or it might help you discover what you want from another region. Move to Spain Property can help you look for a home anywhere in Spain. Tell Stephen your preferred area, budget, timescale and must-haves, and start the conversation from there.
Our property-finding service costs you nothing and comes with no obligation. Before signing a purchase agreement or paying a deposit, take independent Spanish legal advice. If you plan to move permanently, check your visa or residence position separately. We can refer you to an English-speaking Spanish lawyer, and you remain free to choose your own adviser.