13 reasons to retire in Empuriabrava

Moving to another country to enjoy retirement is a common practice among seniors. This stage of life brings about many changes that everyone would like to experience smoothly. Moving abroad is one way to approach this new chapter.

Spain is one of the most popular places to retire because of its environment, its mild and sunny climate all year round and the quality of life of its inhabitants. The Costa Brava in particular is very popular, especially Empuriabrava in the municipality of Castello d'Empuries, in the province of Girona in Catalonia.

Here are 13 good reasons to choose Empuriabrava for your retirement.

A city where life is good

Empuriabrava offers an ideal setting for living with a sunny climate all year round. By choosing this area, the expression "retirement in the sun" will be applied both literally and figuratively, as the temperature almost never drops below 13°C, even in winter.

An accessible real estate offer

The best way to spend your retirement in Empuriabrava is to buy your own home, especially as the property market is fairly affordable. With prices per square metre averaging 2,570 euros, the area is still more attractive than other towns along the Mediterranean in France.

In addition, there is a wide range of property to choose from: villas, flats, houses, and even moorings. You only need the assistance of a real estate agency to find the property that suits your budget and preferences. Invest in a villa with a private mooring in Empuriabrava to have your own jetty or rent it out year-round to holidaymakers on the Costa Brava.

Fun and sports activities to enjoy

If retirement does not mean a nap, then Empuriabrava is the place for you. This marina will give you access to a multitude of sports and leisure activities, which you can practice regularly to keep yourself in shape.

The programme includes golf at the two 18-hole courses in Perelada and Torremirona and the Pitch and Put in Castello d'Empuries, hiking in the renowned Aquamolls d'Emporda nature park, fishing, water sports such as kite-surfing or windsurfing, parachute jumping, flight simulator, etc.

For the less sporty, Empuriabrava has many beaches where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll or picnic in front of a beautiful sunset. The park can also be explored at leisure to discover the hundreds of species of birds that call the park home, while boat trips allow you to explore the marina's canal.

Less tax to pay

Spain is a country where taxation is cheaper than in other European countries such as France. Anyone staying for 183 days will be considered a Spanish national by the state and for a pensioner this means that the pension will be taxable at a lower rate. Taxes incurred on the purchase of a property will also be taxable in Spain.

Quality medical care

The health care system in Empuriabrava is the same as in the rest of Catalonia, which is renowned for the quality of its infrastructure and its competent health care staff. It should also be noted that the social security system in Empuriabrava is of good quality.

A city where you feel safe

In general, Spain is a country with a fairly low crime rate when compared to other countries like France.

Empuriabrava is no exception, so you can settle in with peace of mind.

To generate rental income

Buying a property in the Empuriabrava marina gives you the opportunity to make your investment profitable by renting it out to visitors during the holiday season.

There is a considerable amount of tourism and whether you have decided to move there permanently or only for part of the year, you will be able to find tenants easily in the high season until you retire.

To enjoy its gastronomy

Being a coastal town, Empuriabrava is a place where you can enjoy a wide variety of fish and seafood.

There are many restaurants and bars where you can sample the local cuisine, which includes Catalan and Spanish specialities.

A modern city

This seaside resort is equipped with all the infrastructure necessary for a comfortable life: bank, local shops, restaurants, boutiques...

The quality of life is excellent.

A city with good transport links

Getting in and out of Empuriabrava is easy as it can be reached by road, boat and air. The resort is also close to the international airports of Girona Costa Brava and Perpignan in France, as well as Barcelona's El Prat International Airport.

The AP2/E15 motorway entrance to other European highways is just a few minutes' drive away, and the Figueres TGV station is only 15 km away.

Welcoming residents

Spain is a country known for the friendliness of its people. When you move to one of its regions, you will be surrounded by friendly and welcoming neighbours.

To increase purchasing power

Living in Empuriabrava is fairly inexpensive as food, entertainment, clothing and other necessities are very affordable. Only the costs of internet access and telephony are high compared to the prices of other amenities.

Ease of learning the language

The languages spoken in Empuriabrava are Castilian and Catalan, which can be learned fairly easily and quickly. Retirees who speak French will have the least difficulty speaking Spanish, as the sentence structure is quite similar in both languages.

It is also important to note that many expatriates and retirees are already present in the country. By communicating with them, you will avoid becoming too isolated during your settlement period.