Living outside your country of origin implies economic adaptation, and for Cuban emigrants, the transition to countries like Spain can be quite a challenge.
Darlin, a Cuban youtuber living in Spain, shared transparently about his monthly expenses and compared what it means economically to live in the Balearic Islands versus his life in Cuba.
Rent an apartment in Spain
One of Darlin’s biggest expenses is the rent for his apartment. As he explains, getting housing in Spain is not easy. “Entering an apartment requires a series of requirements: payroll, employment contract… That you demonstrate to that owner and that agency that you have stability,” he details.
His home, a studio apartment in Palma de Mallorca, costs 850 euros per month, not including water, electricity or internet. Although high, Darlin recognizes that the price reflects the tranquility and beauty of the place: “I know this is a luxury: to be able to have such a beautiful view,” he commented about his surroundings.
Basic services and transportation
The cost of basic services such as electricity, water and internet adds to the monthly expense. Darlin details that his electricity consumption amounts to about 70 euros per month, while water, billed bimonthly, costs him 30 euros per month. In addition, you pay 47 euros for the internet, which includes additional services such as Amazon Prime and Disney+.
Regarding transportation, although the bus in Palma de Mallorca is free, Darlin points out that the quality of the service is low. For this reason, together with her husband, they share the gasoline costs for their car, with an average of 50 euros per month each.
Food expenses in Spain
Darlin and her husband spend between 300 and 320 euros a month on food. Although they choose supermarkets that are more accessible to them, such as Mercadona, they are surprised when they compare the costs with the average income in Cuba. “I spent on this purchase what a Cuban earns in a month,” he reflects, remembering that one euro is equivalent to 345 Cuban pesos.
Medical insurance and extra expenses
Although public healthcare is free in Spain, Darlin and her husband chose to take out private health insurance, spending 35 euros each. Also, like many Cubans abroad, he allocates part of his monthly income to helping relatives in Cuba.
Despite the expenses, Darlin and her husband allow themselves to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle. Between breakfasts on terraces and beers on the weekends, they invest about 35 euros a week in leisure. “Spain is the country of afternoons,” he says, highlighting that sharing moments away from home is part of the local culture.
More expensive than in Cuba?
When comparing his life in Spain with that in Cuba, he recognizes the differences in purchasing power. While in Cuba 10 euros can represent a monthly income, in Spain they are just a daily expense. However, he points out that although costs are higher, so are income and quality of life.
“When I arrived here, I was constantly comparing the two currencies and saying: How cheap everything is!” he remembers, but adds that he quickly understood the value of the euro and the need to manage it well.
Darlin concluded that his total monthly expense, adding rent, services, food, transportation, health insurance and leisure, reaches 1,637 euros.
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