When I moved abroad, I thought one of the biggest culture shocks in Spain would be late dinners or the slower lifestyle. And while those things are definitely true, I quickly discovered that living in Spain comes with a whole list of little surprises — most funny, some frustrating, but all part of the adventure.

If you’re preparing for expat life in Spain or just curious about what daily life is really like, here are the 8 biggest culture shocks I’ve experienced as an American living abroad.

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1. Late Eating Schedules

Let’s start with the obvious — and the culture shock that Spain is most famous for. In the U.S., I was used to eating dinner by 7pm and being in bed by 10pm at the latest. In Spain, you’ll still find families just sitting down to eat when I’d normally be heading to bed.

At first it threw me off, but I’ve quickly learned to embrace it. My schedule now includes breakfast between 9-10am, lunch between 1-3pm and dinner around 9-10pm (or even later on the weekends). I’ve found that late lunch followed by tapas with friends in the evening has become one of my favorite parts of Spanish life.

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2. Navigating the Grocery Store

Shopping at Spanish supermarkets is an adventure of its own. For me, the biggest surprise to me was the lack of international variety. Want to find corn tortillas, chili powder, or your favorite Asian sauces? You might need to hunt down a specialty shop, which tends to be pricier.

It also shocks me that if you want just one Diet Coke out of a six-pack, you can take it out of the wrapping and buy it individually. The first time I saw someone rip open a package in Carrefour, I was extremely confused. But here it’s completely normal!

Lastly, you may have to stop at multiple stores to complete your grocery list. We usually go to the bakery for fresh bread, butcher for meat, the produce store, and hit our closest grocery or convenience store for anything else. It seems like an inconvenience at first, but I love the relationships you build with neighborhood business owners!

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3. The Slower Pace of Life

Spain is well known for it’s slow pace, and you’ll feel it everywhere. Bureaucracy moves at a glacial pace. Waiters are in no rush to take your order. Even simple things, like getting picking up a package, can take multiple visits.

It can be frustrating, but honestly, it’s also refreshing. Once I stopped fighting it and accepted the benefits of living a more relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, I felt way less stressed. This is such an opposite to the hustle culture typical to the U.S.

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4. Drinking Culture

In Spain, it’s not atypical to see people drinking at any hour of the day. A glass of wine at lunch or a beer at 11am doesn’t raise eyebrows here. It’s more about socializing and enjoying life rather than getting drunk.

You rarely see the binge-drinking culture that’s so common in the U.S. Instead, it’s one caña (small beer), then maybe one more at the bar nextdoor, and seeing where the night takes you!

My personal favorite thing about drinking culture in Spain is that they (almost) always give you a free tapa when you order a drink. It could be nuts, olives, potato chips, or even gummy candy. It’s a nice touch and something I love about going out with friends in Spain!

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5. Siestas & August Vacations

I learned my lesson the hard way that almost everything is closed from 2-5pm. I would try to run to the store or grab a quick bite to eat, only to leave the apartment and realize not a single spot was open. You have to be much more conscious about time than in the U.S.!

It’s one of the most classic culture shocks in Spain for a reason: siesta hours are real. On top of that? Businesses will literally shut down for the entire month of August. This means bars, restaurants, stores, vet clinics — you name it, are all closed for the month.

At first, I found it inconvenient, but now I secretly love the forced slowdown at the end of every summer.

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6. Dressing for the Season (And Not the Weather)

This one still confuses me, honestly. Spaniards don’t dress based on the weather, but on the season. If it’s 70°F in February, I might want to wear short sleeves. But my neighbors? They’re still in puffy coats and scarves because it’s “winter.” I don’t totally understand the rationale but it is something you’ll quickly pick up on in Spain!

And trust me, you’ll stand out if you don’t follow the seasonal dress code.

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7. Universal Healthcare

One of the most positive culture shocks is the healthcare in Spain. After years of navigating the U.S. system, it was wild to go to the doctor, get tests ordered immediately, and not have to worry about what my bill would come out to.

The fact that locals can stay in a hospital overnight and only pay for the food they ate is still mind-blowing to me. As an expat, you’ll probably start with private insurance (required for visas), but it’s still shockingly affordable compared to the U.S.

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8. No Tipping (For the Most Part)

In Spain, you don’t tip 20% like in the U.S. In fact, you barely tip at all. Maybe you’ll round up the bill or leave a euro or two for exceptional service.

The exceptions that I’ve noticed are hair and nail salons, where although it’s not expected, tipping is more common. I felt really rude not tipping waiters in Spain when I first moved, but quickly realized it’s just not part of the culture here.

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9. Birthday Traditions

Here’s a crazy one: in Spain, if it’s your birthday, you pay for the group celebration. Drinks, dinner, the works — it’s on the birthday person.

The first time I went to a birthday dinner here, I was fully expecting to chip in or pick up the tab. Then I realized the birthday girl was footing the entire bill, and that it’s actually a tradition. It’s a complete opposite of what I grew up with in the U.S., but such a generous twist on celebrating. To me, it means that if you’re invited to celebrate a birthday, then you’re a special and important part of that persons life. Like most traditions in Spain, it puts the focus back on community!

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Final Thoughts on Culture Shock in Spain

For me, these little surprises are what make expat life in Spain so fun and unique. Whether it’s a funny quirk or a complete lifestyle change, these are all real parts of expat life that you learn to adjust to.

If you’re planning a move, know that the culture shock in Spain is real — but it’s also what makes the experience so special. Embrace the differences, learn as you go, and you’ll find yourself falling in love with the quirks of Spanish life.

Want more practical tips? Check out my guides on healthcare in Spain, moving abroad with pets, and my first week abroad checklist.

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