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Is Spain now much cheaper than UK?

(71 Posts)
Callistemon21 Thu 19-Oct-23 20:34:18

Spain might be cheaper than the UK for a holiday in like for like areas but other countries in the EU are more expensive than the UK.

nottherequiteyet Thu 19-Oct-23 19:43:26

True for accommodation in London but cost of living crisis aside, which hits us all, other prices can be more reasonable (eg for buying food/eating out) because there is so much competition! Transport always seems good value to me too if you are in the Oystercard zone. We really noticed Spain was cheaper it was a pleasant surprise

BlueBelle Thu 19-Oct-23 05:34:27

You can’t compare London prices with a small town in Spain you have to compare like for like though just like you can’t compare London with a smaller town in UK

A flat in London would get you a mansion in my town

vegansrock Thu 19-Oct-23 05:16:27

Rail travel is lots cheaper in Italy. I go frequently to a fairly affluent part of Italy and some find prices lower than the UK. You can get good 3 course lunch with a glass of wine for about 12 € in some places , though there isn’t a lot of choice on the menu .

nottherequiteyet Wed 18-Oct-23 21:46:23

We were in Spain last week - where we were was about a third/quarter cheaper than the UK - a milk coffee in a cafe 1.8 euros, menu del dia 18 euros for a 4 course meal, fuel was cheaper, entry to the sports centre to swim 2.5 euros and so on was a pleasure to be there

Freya5 Wed 18-Oct-23 19:00:29

Glorianny

I'm just back from a holiday in Spain and thought that most things were cheaper than here. Coffee in a rural cafe for 2 Euros, Beer in a central. Seville posh bar for 4.50 Euros. Supermarkets seemed cheaper too. So is it anything to do with that dreaded word Brexit?

No , otherwise Germany would be as cheap, and it certainly is not. Our supermarkets are certainly cheaper than either Netherlands or Germany. Coffee, in my favourite Venezia, decent, 3.50 euros equivalent of 3.03 GBP. I don't go to Spain.

Tenko Wed 18-Oct-23 18:41:08

I was in Spain back in June , in Nerja and found it cheaper than the uk. Wine, beer ,coffee and eating out much cheaper . We have friends living there and their rent, council tax and utilities are much less than the uk.

Maggiemaybe Wed 18-Oct-23 17:22:10

We’re in Croatia at the moment and are surprised at prices we’ve seen in the supermarkets. Butter, for example, at over 4 euros for 250g. The price of eating out is on a par to what we’d pay in the UK , but of course we’re in a tourist area. Our guide tells us that prices shot up when they joined the Euro this year and people are struggling. The average salary is way below ours.

BlueBelle Wed 18-Oct-23 16:15:05

Was in Barcelona very recently and it was comparable to Uk definitely not cheaper I would have said similar

Glorianny Wed 18-Oct-23 16:07:16

Callistemon21

Beer is cheaper in Spain than in most European countries.
Beer in the UK is cheaper than in many EU countries and the price varies from area to area.

Coffee prices vary from area to area in Spain and in the UK.

So it it a complete non-sequitor.

I actually live in one of the cheapest areas in the UK for most things. Them peskie southerners are impressed by our beer prices and drink too much of it.
But I'd struggle to find a coffee for less than £2, and if I did it would probably be instant!

halfpint1 Wed 18-Oct-23 14:37:39

I find France considerably cheaper than England even with the current price rises

Framilode Wed 18-Oct-23 14:19:30

We are in Spain at the moment and have been for six weeks. Our weekly shop in Mercadona usually comes to just under 100 Euros, and that includes 4 bottles of decentish wine and fillet steak. Our weekly shop in the UK is £150 and no fillet steak.
Our council tax is just over 150 euros plus 100 for the bins emptying which is done every day.
Overall, I would say Spain is still considerably cheaper.

Hithere Wed 18-Oct-23 13:20:51

It is all relative

Cost of living in different areas, minimum salary just like another pp mentioned, etc

Mamie Wed 18-Oct-23 10:32:11

We have always found Spain (where DS lives) cheaper than France (where we live). DS lives in the centre of the area that produces olive oil and says that the prices have shot up this year because of the weather.
We have certainly found drinks and eating out cheaper in Spain, but are not fans of Spanish eating hours!

Urmstongran Wed 18-Oct-23 10:14:44

Correct Wenmore - The hourly minimum wage in Spain is only €7.82 per hour. I find a lot of things are cheaper there than here but I suppose that’s the main reason.

Joseann Wed 18-Oct-23 10:10:01

I've not been to Spain for decades, but if it's true, please can it have a knock on effect in France where things go up in price year on year. Even the ferry company, French, has increased its prices noticeably in the restaurants and bar.

Wenmore Wed 18-Oct-23 10:05:43

The minimum wage is far lower in Spain than the UK.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 18-Oct-23 10:00:49

Not that easy Glorianny I still have relatives who live in Spain, they have a spend up here in the U.K. on each visit.

Prices are regional as they are here.

Callistemon21 Wed 18-Oct-23 09:57:26

Beer is cheaper in Spain than in most European countries.
Beer in the UK is cheaper than in many EU countries and the price varies from area to area.

Coffee prices vary from area to area in Spain and in the UK.

So it it a complete non-sequitor.

nanna8 Wed 18-Oct-23 09:46:48

Console yourselves that it is even more expensive here in Australia! I shudder every time I go into the supermarket, even ALDIs.

Glorianny Wed 18-Oct-23 09:41:41

I'm just back from a holiday in Spain and thought that most things were cheaper than here. Coffee in a rural cafe for 2 Euros, Beer in a central. Seville posh bar for 4.50 Euros. Supermarkets seemed cheaper too. So is it anything to do with that dreaded word Brexit?