Spainfully Honest

Spainfully Honest

The Spainfully Honest podcast is your friendly guide to moving to Spain, living in Spain, and actually feeling at home once you arrive. We talk openly about Spanish visas, paperwork, working in Spain, relationships, and everyday life in Spain. No hype, no horror stories for clicks, just real conversations, honest advice, and the things we wish we’d known earlier. Hosted by two friends and long-term residents of Spain, Catherine and Paul, the podcast is based on their real experience of relocating to Spain, settling in, and building a life here.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Episode 45: Interview-Moving from the USA to Malaga

    In this episode of Spainfully Honest, we sit down with a guest originally from Atlanta, USA, who now calls Malaga home. He shares his journey from the States to Spain and how what started as a move abroad turned into building a life in Malaga City! We talk through how he ended up settling in Malaga, what the transition was really like, and how day-to-day life compares to what he left behind in the US. From culture shifts to lifestyle differences, it’s an honest look at what it takes to start again in a new country. As he now works with Remax in Malaga, we also get into the property side of things, including insights into different neighbourhoods, where people tend to rent or buy, and what areas might suit different lifestyles depending on what you’re looking for. If you would like to contact Hamilton for more information about properties in Malaga he was kind enough to give us his email: jamonbone@gmail.com Fact check: Quick note from us: we often keep the conversation natural and conversational in the episode, and then fact-check or clarify details afterwards in the show notes so everything is accurate. Note: In Spain, tenants on standard residential rental contracts can generally terminate a lease after six months with proper notice, but this may not apply in the same way to temporary or seasonal contracts. Deposit returns also depend on the condition of the property, outstanding payments, and any valid contractual clauses. As always thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, make sure you hit subscribe and follow us on socials so you don’t miss what’s coming next. And if you want to keep the conversation going, come and join our Discord community here: https://discord.gg/wTGrjpVQh — it’s where we all hang out, swap stories, and chat all things Spain. Or if you’ve got a story to share, a guest suggestion, or just want to say hi, you can always email us at hello@spainfullyhonest.com

    38 min

  2. 28 APR

    Episode 44: Barcelona City Tour

    This week on Spainfully Honest we’re talking about Barcelona, a city that always has a bit of everything going on. History, food, beach life, culture… it’s one of those places that can feel overwhelming at first, but once you understand the layout and rhythm of it, it all starts to make sense. This is a guide you can listen to before you go, or while you’re actually there, to help you get your bearings and decide what’s worth your time. We go through the main areas, what the city feels like day to day, and some of the things that make Barcelona so different from other European cities. We also touch on traditions like Sant Jordi, which really shows another side of the city beyond the usual sightseeing spots. If you’re planning a trip, a few of the things we mention that might be useful: Getting around the city: Hola BarcelonaCity sightseeing buses: barcelonabusturistic.catA great spot for food / brunch: Brunch & Cake Email Paul and Catherine at hello@spainfullyhonest.com Follow us on social media pleeaasse! ⁠⁠(3) Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠(15) Facebook⁠⁠ And as always thank you for listening!!

    22 min

  3. 21 APR

    Episode 43: Cartagena City Tour

    This week on Spainfully Honest, we’re joined again by Paul from Chersun, who lives in Cartagena city. We put together a Cartagena City tour, covering everything from great cafés and restaurants to places to visit, including museums, shopping areas with lots of insider information from someone who has worked and lived in the area for years! We’ve structured the episode so it starts and finishes at the port, which works well if you’re visiting on a cruise or just planning a day in the city. You’ll find links to all the places we mention in the show notes to make it easier to follow along or plan your own visit: Main stops from the episode Licor 43 Factory Experience (Experiencia 43) Licor 43 official site & experience bookingThis is the official site where people can book the experience and get a feel for what’s included. ARQUA Museum (National Museum of Underwater Archaeology)https://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/mnarqua/home.html(This is the official government site—best one to link for visitors)El Batel Auditorium / Theatre https://auditorioelbatel.es/(Official site with events, concerts, and what’s on)Roman Theatre of Cartagena (and museum) Official Roman Theatre Museum siteThe main site for visiting info, tickets, and opening times. Café Lab (Casas del Rey) https://www.cafelab.es/A La Brasa (Cartagena)👉 A La Brasa official restaurant pageMenu, bookings, and info all here. Universal Restaurant (Cartagena) Restaurante Universal official websiteQuick fact check (keeping ourselves in line 😅) Just a couple of small corrections from this week’s episode: – We mentioned that the first submarine was invented and built in Cartagena. What we meant to say is that it was the first military submarine, designed by Isaac Peral and launched in the city. – We also said the Phoenician ships found in Mazarrón (now in the ARQUA Museum) were the oldest ships ever discovered. To be more accurate, they’re the oldest shipwrecks found in the Mediterranean. Nothing too dramatic, but we like to keep things as accurate as possible! Email Paul and Catherine at hello@spainfullyhonest.com Follow us on social media pleeaasse! ⁠(3) Instagram⁠⁠(15) Facebook⁠ And as always thank you for listening!!

    44 min

  4. 13 APR

    Episode 42: Moving to Barcelona

    In this episode of Spainfully Honest, we sat down with Margaret from Camino Collab, who helps people make the move to Europe, mostly Spain, and is based in Barcelona. We talk about what life in Barcelona is actually like once you’re living there, not just the holiday version. Margaret shares her own experience of living and working there, and what she sees from helping others make the move. We get into the importance of Catalan, especially when it comes to choosing schools for your kids, and why it’s something you really need to think about early on if you’re planning a move here. We also go through some of the different neighbourhoods in Barcelona and what they’re actually like to live in, how to start integrating properly, and what tends to make a big difference when you’re settling into a new country. Margaret also shares some really practical tips and honest advice for anyone thinking about moving to Spain, the kind of things you only really learn once you’re here. A really open conversation about life in Barcelona, what it’s really like behind the scenes, and how to make the move a bit smoother. If you are thinking about moving to Spain check out Margaret's company Camino Collab here Email Paul and Catherine at hello@spainfullyhonest.com Follow us on social media pleeaasse! (3) Instagram(15) FacebookThank you for listening!!

    31 min

  5. 7 APR

    Episode 41: Social Security in Spain Explained: Payslips, Benefits & What You’re Entitled To

    If you’re working in Spain or thinking about working in Spain and still not quite sure how the system works, you’re not alone. In this episode of Spainfully Honest, we break down social security in Spain in a clear, straightforward way. We cover everything from how to get your social security number to understanding your nómina (payslip) and what it really means to “cotizar” or pay into the social security system. We talk through what you’re actually paying into the system and, more importantly, what you get in return. That includes sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, unemployment benefits, pensions, and some of the lesser-known extras like pagos extra, días de lactancia (lactating days!), and support available for over-55s. Whether you’ve been thinking about moving to Spain, just started working in Spain, or you’ve been here a while and still have questions, this episode will help you make sense of your payslip, your contributions, and your entitlements, without the jargon! If you have any questions about anything we covered or you want more information, just email us at hello@spainfullyhonest.com As always, thanks for listening! We would really appreciate it if you could leave us a great review and/or subscribe if you don't already.

    59 min

  6. 31 MAR

    Episode 40: Interview: Moving to Santander

    In this week’s episode of Spainfully Honest, Paul and Catherine chat with Sarah, who moved from the U.S. to Santander in northern Spain. She talks us through her move to Spain and why she chose Santander, a place that often gets overlooked compared to other parts of the country. They chat about what living in Santander is really like for her day to day, from the climate and pace of life to schools, family life and settling into a new routine. Sarah also shares her experience of finding property in Spain and what employment opportunities are like in this part of Spain, along with the challenges that can come with relocating abroad. It is an honest look at life in Spain beyond the usual hotspots, and what it really takes to build a new life here. If you are thinking about a move to Spain or are curious about living in Spain in a less typical location, this episode offers a real and relatable insight into starting fresh and making it work in Santander! For more information about moving to Santander check out Sarah's website www.movetosantander.com To send any suggestions or questions to Catherine and Paul email hello@spainfullyhonest.com Thanks for listening!

    38 min

  7. 24 MAR

    Episode 39: Easter/Semana Santa in Spain

    This episode of Spainfully Honest looks at what Easter in Spain, or Semana Santa, is really like. Catherine and Paul talk through how it’s celebrated, focusing on the processions you see in towns and cities and how much they can differ depending on where you are. They spend a bit of time explaining the overall feel of the processions, as this is something that often surprises people. Some are quite somber and reflective, while others feel more relaxed and easier to watch, especially if you’re going along with children. They also share some practical advice on how to find information locally and which types of processions might be better suited for families. Food comes into it as well, as it always does. They chat about the traditional Spanish Easter foods you’ll see at this time of year, but also where you can still find the more familiar things like Easter eggs if you’re missing those traditions from home. There’s also a bit of comparison with how Easter is celebrated in their own countries, and how that changes when you’re living in Spain full time. Overall, it’s a straightforward look at what to expect, with a few helpful insights if you’re planning to experience Semana Santa for yourself. Here are some links to apps mentioned during the podcast : El Penitente - Guía Cofrade de Semana Santa | Málaga y SevillasSantaZgz. Turismo de Zaragoza. Ayuntamiento de ZaragozaApps de la Semana Santa para Android: procesiones y másAnd here is the Instagram page for Olga's unique bags: (1) InstagramThanks for watching and Happy Easter!

    52 min

  8. 17 MAR

    Episode 38: Spanish Visa Options

    In this episode of Spainfully Honest, Paul and Catherine take a close look at the huge variety of visas you can get to move to Spain. While they cover the familiar ones like work, student, and non-lucrative visas, they also dig into lots of lesser-known options, everything from religious and artistic visas to volunteer and au pair visas. They talk through how to pick the right visa for your situation and point you to helpful resources so you can make sense of the process. If you’ve ever wondered what options are out there beyond the usual, this episode lays it all out. Here is the link they discussed in the episode :Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y CooperaciónHere is the link to the episode which offers more guidance about visas in Spain also discussed in the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nzu2QRodIsaf2XSW9gUVz?si=WiKyaXstR-2iPnv2oKiRug Email Paul and Catherine with your suggestions and questions at hello@spainfullyhonest.com

    52 min
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About

The Spainfully Honest podcast is your friendly guide to moving to Spain, living in Spain, and actually feeling at home once you arrive. We talk openly about Spanish visas, paperwork, working in Spain, relationships, and everyday life in Spain. No hype, no horror stories for clicks, just real conversations, honest advice, and the things we wish we’d known earlier. Hosted by two friends and long-term residents of Spain, Catherine and Paul, the podcast is based on their real experience of relocating to Spain, settling in, and building a life here.

Information

  • Creator
    Spainfully Honest
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Spainfully Honest
  • Show Website
    Spainfully Honest

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