If there's one place that can hold the title as the 'party capital of the world,' it's the island of Ibiza. This beautiful little island among the Balearic archipelago thrives on its infamous nightlife scene. People from all around the world, especially from Europe, travel here to party, let loose, and have a good time. You'd think such a place would be a den for depravity, right? Well, it's not like that! Even with its nightlife culture, Ibiza remains a hometown for a lot of people. And if you want to relocate here yourself, let this guide show you the ropes!
Overview
As of 2021, the estimated population of Ibiza is 52,466 residents. It only goes to show that compared to other cities in Spain, especially to the popular ones like Barcelona and Madrid, Ibiza isn't big enough to be considered a 'major city.' With that said, its popularity increases over time. Partly because of its infamous nightlife scene and partly because of the warm climate here. It rarely gets cold in Ibiza, making it a summer destination for a lot of tourists and the world's elite. But while Ibiza welcomes visitors and new residents from around the world, Spanish remains the dominant language here. You’ll benefit a lot from
learning Spanish here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Visa
You probably already know that you need a
Schengen Visa in order to gain entry to Spain and the rest of the EU. Especially if you're coming from a non-EU country. There's also the option of getting into the country via the
ETIAS Visa Waiver Program. If you're eligible, you can travel to Spain even when you don't have a Schengen Visa. But to stay here for more than 90 days (approximately three months), you'll need to apply for a
Tarjeta de Residencia (residence card). This will jumpstart your process of becoming a legal resident of Spain.
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Getting Around
Despite what you may think, yachts aren't the only modes of transportation available in Ibiza. Many people are able to get around due to
public transport. Buses and taxis are a dime a dozen and are extremely cheap. Just stay close to the designation stations scattered throughout the island to get to one. You can also rent a car in Ibiza. This is actually a common mode of transportation on the island too. Nevertheless, whether you go for one to the other, you'll want to download
transportation apps to help you get around. They're a lot more helpful than you think!
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Where to Live
Before anything else, you first have to know which
neighborhood in Ibiza you'll want to move to! Don't think that everything on the island is all about partying and going wild. While those places have certainly proven to be the most popular, they don't define what Ibiza is all about. There are still some areas here where you can live a nice, normal, and quiet life. The district of Figueretas is a good example. This neighborhood is chill, laid-back, and largely residential. Sant Jordi, on the other hand, is the most traditionally Spanish out of them all!
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Real Estate
Yes, it's as you expected! The
living costs in Ibiza are quite high. Well, mid-range-to-high, to be more accurate. It's as expensive as other major cities in Europe, especially when it comes to rent. If you want to go for a
luxury apartment in Ibiza, prepare to pay around €850.00 to €3,000.00 a month! Depending on how many rooms your place has and whether it's located among the central districts of the city or along the outskirts of town. If you want to actually buy your own home in Ibiza, it'll cost you €3,000.00 to €7,000.00 per square meter!
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Employment
There's still the issue of employment too! You can't move to Ibiza without a job! How will you ever be able to sustain your lifestyle if you don't have work? Fortunately, even though
Spain's job market isn't exactly at its best right now, there are still a lot of opportunities here in Ibiza. There's, of course, tourism, seeing as how countless people visit the Balearic island; some even regularly! From tour guides to hotel stalls, they'll need a lot of manpower here! Healthcare workers, as what the current global pandemic has shown, remain essential too! So don't worry! Even when you relocate here, you can still
find a job no matter what!
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Education
Education is probably the last thing on your mind when visiting Ibiza, isn't it? Who'd want to worry about school when you're going to the party capital of the world? With that said, when you're relocating to this Balearic island, on the other hand, especially with your entire family, you'll want to know which ones are
Ibiza's finest international schools. Don't worry! There are, at least, a handful of them where you can enroll your kid. The
Morna International College, which offers the UK National curriculum, and
Lycée Français International d'Ibiza, offering up French education to international students, are perfect examples!
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Healthcare
Considering that people in Ibiza tend to go wild while partying, it's pretty essential to have hospitals and clinics nearby. Fortunately,
the island's finest healthcare institutions are more than equipped to take care of everyone's medical needs. There's the
Centro Médico Polivalente Siesta, the
Ibiza Medical Centre, and Hospital Can Misses, among many others! You also don't need to worry about coverage too! The moment you relocate to Ibiza or any other part of Spain for that matter, you'll automatically be allowed access to
the country's national healthcare system. This can help lower your medical costs substantially!
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Safety
A huge question will often burden you when you stay in Ibiza: are you safe here? The answer? For the most part, yes! Although
the crime rates of Ibiza do seem quite high, they're not so high that the city can be considered a dangerous place. As of 2021, Ibiza's general crime rate is 54.53%, considered moderate on the scale. With that said, the city's rate of increasing crimes for the past few years is 64.32%, leaning higher than the average. Nevertheless, the safety rates of walking around here are 71.92% during the day and 40.40% at night. Both aren't that bad!
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Taxes
The moment you relocate to Ibiza and become a legal resident, know that you'll automatically become a taxpayer too. And when that happens, you'll have to conform to
the country's tax system. Now, if you're coming from a fellow European country, that'll make it easier for you. Many of the rules of the tax system here bear similarities to those in neighboring nations. The most important of which is the income tax rate. Your income tax rate will depend on how much you earn in a year. Just remember that and you'll be fine!
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Relocation Tips
Now for some last-minute relocation tips. Firstly, don't forget to join a
local mobile network the moment you get here. In fact, if it's possible, purchase a local SIM card and put it in your phone even before you land in Ibiza. That will save you the time and trouble of trying to connect and communicate with people, both locally and abroad. Secondly, to ensure your money stays safe while you're here,
open a local bank account! Don't worry! The process is easy and there are a ton of Spanish banks that cater to expats specifically! You and your money will be in good hands here!
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Relocating all the way to Ibiza may seem like a party, but it won't be as fun and hassle-free if you don't know what you're doing! Fortunately, you can let this relocation guide tell you everything you need to know and more!
