How regional identity and politics shape life for newcomers

Key rules

• Daily life: Politics rarely affects shopping, renting, private-sector work or social life, and Spanish is understood everywhere.
• Schools: Teaching language is the biggest practical effect for families, so check each school's language model before you choose.
• Public jobs: Public-sector jobs may require the regional language.
• Services: Regional health and social services differ in waiting times and rules.

The short version

Regional identity and independence debates shape institutions, schools and interactions in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, but they rarely dominate a newcomer's daily life. Shopping, renting, private-sector work and socialising rarely depend on political identity. Spanish is understood everywhere, and foreigners are rarely drawn into identity politics.

Where you will notice the regional side is language and administration.

Where it touches you: language and public services

• Signs and offices. In Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, as well as Valencia and the Balearics, a second language is official alongside Spanish. You will see it on signage, forms and in public offices.
• Schools. Public schools in Catalonia are mostly taught in Catalan. In the Basque Country it depends on the school model, so check the model before you choose a school. In Galicia, schools teach in both Galician and Spanish. Courts change school language rules from time to time, so ask the school what applies now.
• Public-sector jobs. These may require the regional language. Private-sector work usually does not.
• Health and social services. Rules and waiting times differ from region to region.

You can live with Spanish only. Learning a few words of the local language is still appreciated and helps in smaller places.

Catalonia

Catalonia held an independence referendum in 2017, and the regional leaders were later convicted. Pardons followed in 2021 and an amnesty law in 2024. In the May 2024 election Salvador Illa (PSC) became president, and the pro-independence parties lost their majority. Independence remains a political demand, not an active legal route. The current debate is more about funding and the treatment of exiled leaders.

In daily life, this mostly appears as Catalan being the default language in schools and public life, and flags and symbols on balconies and in demonstrations. Local tension varies by town. Most people are welcoming if you make an effort with the language.

The Basque Country

Imanol Pradales (PNV) became lehendakari, the head of the Basque government, after the April 2024 election. His party governs in coalition with the PSE-EE. The nationalist PNV and EH Bildu each won 27 seats. A discussion on a new political status is under way in the Basque parliament, but no new statute has been approved.

The Basque language, euskera, is very different from Spanish, so it is harder to pick up. Many families choose a school model with more or less Basque, which matters most if you have children.

Galicia

Galician identity is visible but low-key and rarely confrontational. Galician is on road signs and in public administration, and most people switch between Galician and Spanish. In rural areas and small towns Galician is the everyday language. A Coruña, Vigo and Ourense are more Spanish-speaking.

The PP, led by Alfonso Rueda, has governed since 2022 and won an absolute majority in February 2024. The nationalist BNG is the second force. Independence is a minority view. Culture shows up in festivals, music, Celtic heritage and the Día das Letras Galegas on 17 May.

What to do

• Before choosing a home, check the language of instruction at nearby public schools.
• If you want a public-sector job, check whether it requires the regional language.
• Avoid taking sides in political talk until you know the people. Most locals will not expect you to have an opinion.

The questions below cover language learning, schools and how live the independence debate is.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to learn Catalan, Basque or Galician?

Not for daily life, because Spanish is understood everywhere. It matters most if you have children in public school or want a public-sector job, where the language may be required. In rural Galicia, Galician is the everyday language, so a few words help.

Will my children be taught in Spanish at school?

It depends on the region and the school. Public schools in Catalonia are mostly taught in Catalan, and the Basque Country offers different school models with different language mixes. In Galicia, classes run in both languages. Ask the school or regional education office which model applies before you enrol.

Is the Catalan independence debate still a live issue?

It is a political debate, not an active legal route. Pro-independence parties lost their parliamentary majority in the 2024 election, and Salvador Illa now governs Catalonia. Foreigners are rarely drawn into it.

Is Galicia as politically charged as Catalonia?

No. Galician identity is visible but low-key. It shows in festivals, music and Día das Letras Galegas on 17 May, and independence is a minority view.