Moving to Almería: Costs, Housing, Work and Tips (2026)

In short: Almería is the driest and sunniest corner of Andalusia: a wild coastline, desert landscapes and rents below Costa del Sol levels. The province suits people looking for peace, nature and sunshine who can live with poor transport links.

Who is Almería right for?

• Good: retirees looking for mild winters with highs of around 17 °C in January (AEMET).
• Good: remote workers and self-employed people who want to live by the sea for less than in Málaga.
• Good: nature lovers: the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park offers secluded coves, hiking and diving.
• Good: students at the Universidad de Almería, see Studying in Almería.

• Not ideal: if you often fly to Germany, because the airport has a limited choice of routes.
• Not ideal: if you want to live in the countryside without a car, because buses run rarely.
• Not ideal: if you need greenery, forests and water in your daily life.

German-speaking doctors in Almería: 5 verified practices and clinics →

Where to live?

Neighbourhood / town	Rent €/m²	Suits
Almería Centro	10.0	Singles, students, life without a car
Zapillo (Almería)	10.0	Close to the beach in the city, couples, remote workers
Nueva Andalucía (Almería)	9.0	Families, close to the university
Roquetas de Mar and Aguadulce	9.2	Families, retirees, beach life with infrastructure
Vera and Mojácar	Vera 9.5; Mojácar n/a	Retirees, international community, holiday resort feel
Níjar with San José and Cabo de Gata	n/a	Nature lovers with a car, self-employed people who need peace and quiet

Rent figures: Idealista, September 2026; Idealista does not publish a rent figure for Mojácar and Níjar, where purchase prices are 2,676 and 1,973 € per m² respectively.

What does living there cost?

Item	Per month
Rent for a 2-room flat (approx. 70 m²)	approx. 660 €
Utilities (electricity, water, internet)	130 to 170 €
Groceries (1 person)	250 to 320 €
Transport	40 to 150 €
Total (1 person)	approx. 1,080 to 1,300 €

The rent is calculated from the Idealista figure for Almería city (9.4 € × 70 m²), the other items are estimates; in summer the air conditioning pushes up the electricity bill.

Working

The province’s economy depends heavily on intensive agriculture: around El Ejido, Roquetas de Mar and Vícar stretches the “Mar de plástico” (sea of plastic), one of the largest greenhouse areas in Europe. The jobs there are mostly physically demanding and poorly paid, and working conditions are regularly criticised. Other employers are tourism, logistics, the university, healthcare and solar research (Plataforma Solar de Almería in Tabernas). The province’s unemployment rate is 16.1 % (INE, EPA, Q2 2026), so remote work or self-employment is the most realistic route. More on this: Working in Spain and Autónomo.

Daily life: climate, healthcare, schools, transport

• Climate: with 200 mm of rainfall a year, the coast is one of the driest areas in Europe; in July and August there is practically no rain and highs average 31 °C (AEMET, Almería Aeropuerto, 1981 to 2010). Water is scarce, many towns rely on desalination plants, and in drought years there are calls to save water.
• Healthcare: the main hospital is the Hospital Universitario Torrecárdenas in Almería city, plus the Hospital Universitario Poniente in El Ejido and the Hospital La Inmaculada in Huércal-Overa. More under Health insurance.
• Schools: there is no German school in the province, so families plan with Spanish schools or private options. See with a family.
• Transport: Almería airport is close to the city but has few routes. The railway is the big problem: since 6 September 2026 the Intercity between Almería and Madrid has been replaced by buses as far as Linares-Baeza due to construction work, and only the Alvia via Granada to Madrid is still running. The high-speed line from Murcia is still under construction, and there is no start date for services (as of October 2026). Outside the city you need a car.

First steps on the ground

1. Apply for your NIE

   You get the appointment via the Cita previa with the Policía Nacional in Almería city; allow a few weeks of lead time. Guide

2. Find a flat

   Search on the coast from September onwards, because in summer many flats are rented out to holidaymakers at high prices. Guide

3. Register at the town hall

   You complete the Padrón at the Ayuntamiento of your municipality, for example the Ayuntamiento de Almería or de Roquetas de Mar. Guide

4. Open a bank account

   You need a Spanish account for rent, electricity and direct debits; the big banks have branches in all larger towns. Guide

5. Health card

   With your Padrón and proof of insurance, you apply for the Servicio Andaluz de Salud card at the responsible Centro de Salud. Guide

Common mistakes

• Renting a flat in Mojácar or San José in winter and discovering in June that the contract only runs until the season starts.
• Buying a country house without checking the building permit and water connection: in the hinterland there are houses that were never legalised.
• Underestimating the summer: flats without air conditioning and shade become barely habitable from July.
• Wanting to live in Cabo de Gata or the Levante almeriense without a car.

Compare: Moving to Granada, Costa del Sol or the overview Moving to Andalusia.

Frequently asked questions