Video Of The Week: Do The Spanish Hate Tourists?

What’s Really Happening in Spain?

Hi, I’m Kat Kalashian with Live and Invest Overseas, and today we’re talking about Spain, because you may be aware that Spain has seen some protests lately.

Since 2024 and continuing into 2025, there have been demonstrations in some parts of the country. In a few highly publicized cases, some protesters even used water guns to spray tourists as they walked by.

Because of this, many people have been asking whether Spain truly does not want foreigners, and whether these incidents reflect a broader hostility toward outsiders. To understand that properly, it helps to look at the situation in more detail.

The Tourist Backlash Explained

The protests that began in 2024 and continued into 2025 have mostly taken place in heavily visited destinations such as the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Barcelona, and Málaga.

These protests are primarily aimed at mass tourism and the way it affects everyday local life, especially in places that receive large numbers of cruise ship passengers and short-term visitors.

The concern is less about foreigners in general and more about the pressure created when large numbers of visitors arrive at once, crowd public spaces, strain services, and disrupt the rhythm of daily life for local residents.

Are Spaniards Anti-Tourist or Just Overwhelmed?

The issue is not simply that Spaniards dislike tourists. Rather, in some of the most heavily visited areas, residents feel overwhelmed by the scale and behavior associated with mass tourism.

When thousands of short-term visitors arrive in a city for only a few hours, they may contribute some spending, but they can also create congestion, long lines, noise, litter, and a general sense that local neighborhoods are being treated like temporary attractions rather than lived-in communities.

This frustration is especially pronounced in major cruise ship ports and in destinations that see a high volume of quick-stop tourism.

At the same time, tourism is also an important source of employment and local income, so the issue is not entirely one-sided. Many places depend on tourist activity, even while trying to manage its negative effects more responsibly.

Barcelona’s Response

Barcelona has been one of the most visible examples of a city trying to respond to overtourism.

Local leaders have taken steps such as increasing the nightly tourist tax and placing additional limits on cruise ship visitors, particularly those staying only a very short time.

There have also been efforts to further regulate or phase out short-term rentals, based on the idea that tourist demand can drive up housing costs and make long-term accommodation less affordable for residents.

These measures are not a blanket rejection of visitors. Rather, they are targeted attempts to make tourism more sustainable and less disruptive to local housing and daily life.

Outside a relatively small number of high-pressure destinations, most of Spain does not face this same intensity of tourism-related strain.

Tourists vs. Expats: The Big Difference

One of the most important distinctions to make is the difference between a tourist and someone planning to move to Spain.

If you relocate to Spain, you are not simply passing through for a few days. You are much more likely to learn at least some Spanish, integrate into local life, and develop a real appreciation for the culture, traditions, and community around you.

That makes your role very different from that of a short-term visitor who arrives only to consume a destination and then leave.

Spain also has relatively low population density compared with some other major European countries, so foreign residents moving there do not automatically create the same pressures associated with concentrated tourist traffic.

Does Spain Really Want Expats and Retirees?

Spain does welcome expats and retirees, especially those who live respectfully, participate in the local economy, and make a real effort to build a life there.

The country has created multiple residency pathways, including options such as the non-lucrative visa and the digital nomad visa, which shows clear interest in attracting foreign residents under the right conditions.

The incidents involving water guns and anti-tourism demonstrations are isolated and tied mainly to areas dealing with rowdy short-term tourism, cruise traffic, and party-oriented travel.

In many cases, the strongest frustrations are aimed at visitors who treat cities as party zones rather than real communities. This includes disruptive weekend tourism, public drunkenness, late-night noise, and disrespectful behavior in residential spaces.

For respectful foreign residents and retirees, the experience is very different. Those who appreciate the country and adapt to local norms are generally received warmly.

The Truth About the 100% Tax on Property Bought by Foreigners

There has also been concern about reports that Spain wants to impose a 100% tax on property purchases made by foreigners.

Spain did eliminate its golden visa program, which had allowed certain property investors to obtain residency. That change was largely aimed at buyers seeking easier access to Europe without any real intention of living in Spain.

A proposal has also been discussed that would apply a 100% tax to property purchases made by non-EU, nonresident buyers. However, this proposal has not been passed into law.

As currently understood, it would apply only to nonresidents who are not citizens of the European Union. That means someone who first establishes legal residency in Spain would not necessarily be affected in the same way.

For now, the important point is that the law has not passed, and anyone considering a move would still be wise to rent first, spend time in the country, and make sure the chosen location is the right fit before buying property.

Do the Spanish People Like North Americans?

Generally speaking, yes. Spaniards are often warm, curious, social, and welcoming toward North Americans.

In many parts of the country, especially coastal and internationally oriented cities, people are accustomed to foreigners and may speak at least some English.

A respectful attitude and a genuine effort to engage with local life go a long way. As in most places, the response people receive often depends less on nationality and more on behavior.

The Impact of the 2024 Valencia Floods

Some people have also asked whether the 2024 flooding in Valencia should be a concern for anyone considering moving there.

The floods were caused by a rare and extremely intense storm in October 2024 and were a tragic event, with significant loss of life in parts of the Valencia region, especially in lower-income suburban and rural areas where infrastructure was more vulnerable.

Valencia City itself remained much better protected due to modern flood-control infrastructure built over past decades.

In response to the disaster, Spain launched a major national plan aimed at improving drainage, widening riverbeds, and expanding water-management projects to reduce the likelihood and severity of future flooding.

While the event was serious, it does not mean Valencia should automatically be ruled out as a place to live.

Do I Need to Learn Spanish to Move to Spain?

You do not absolutely have to learn Spanish in order to move to Spain, but even a basic level of Spanish can make daily life much easier and more rewarding.

In popular expat areas, particularly along the Mediterranean coast, many people in the service sector do speak English. However, Spanish becomes much more important when dealing with bureaucracy, forming local friendships, and integrating more fully into the culture.

Even a small effort tends to be appreciated, and trying to speak the language can open many more doors in everyday life.

Could Spain Be the Place for Me Abroad?

The only real way to know whether Spain is right for you is to experience it firsthand and spend time there in a more local, everyday way.

That means going beyond the tourist experience. It helps to meet locals, spend time with expats who have already made the move, visit grocery stores, use transportation the way residents do, and get a true feel for how daily life works.

Spain offers many of the qualities that attract people looking for a life abroad: pleasant weather, beautiful beaches, healthy food, rich culture, strong healthcare, modern conveniences, and established foreign communities.

For people who want a developed-country lifestyle in Europe with a high quality of life, Spain can be a very compelling option.

Ultimately, whether Spain is the right fit comes down to personal experience, lifestyle preferences, and how comfortable you feel building a life there.