Moving to Spain comes with a lot of little “wait… I didn’t think about that” moments, and one of them, surprisingly, is your subscriptions. I’m talking about all the usual suspects. Streaming, music, apps, anything quietly charging your card every month. It doesn’t feel like a big deal at first, but once you actually sit down and look at it, you realize those subscriptions add up fast. So here’s the real question: Do you keep your U.S. subscriptions… or switch to Spanish ones?
The Money Side of Things
If you’re still paying for subscriptions in the United States, you’re probably paying in dollars, and usually at U.S. pricing. Now here’s where it gets interesting. If you cancel and re-subscribe in Spain, you’ll often get the same service for less, just priced in euros. In some cases, it can feel like you’re cutting the cost in half (or at least close enough to make you pause for a second).
For example, platforms like Netflix or Spotify tend to adjust pricing based on the country you’re in. So financially, switching to a Spanish plan can make a lot of sense, especially if you’re planning to stay long-term. But here’s the catch… It’s not just about the price. It’s about the content. When you switch your subscription to Spain, your library usually updates to match your location. Which means…
Your U.S. shows? Some of them might disappear. That comfort show you’ve rewatched 10 times? Gone. That random reality show you only watch when you can’t sleep? Also gone.
It’s not that the platform is worse; it’s just different. Spain has its own catalog, its own licensing, and its own priorities. So it really comes down to this: Do you want to save money, or do you want to keep your exact same content?
There’s no wrong answer. Just preferences.
The Password Sharing Era Is… Complicated Now
Let’s talk about something that used to be simple: sharing accounts. Back in the day, you could log into your family’s Netflix account from anywhere, and if they asked questions, you’d just enter a verification code and move on with your life. Now? Not so much.
Streaming platforms have gotten stricter about account sharing across different locations. If you’re consistently using an account in Spain that’s registered in the United States, you might run into issues. At some point, they’ll ask you to confirm your “household,” and after a few attempts, they basically stop letting it slide.
Which means you could lose access entirely unless the account is updated or you create your own. So for a lot of people, this alone is enough reason to just switch to a local Spanish plan and call it a day.
So… What Should You Do?
Honestly? It depends on you. If you’re someone who:
- Wants to save money
- Plans to stay in Spain long-term
- Doesn’t mind exploring new shows and content
Switching to a Spanish subscription makes total sense, but if you:
- Have specific shows you love
- Care about having access to U.S. content
- Don’t mind paying a little more
You might prefer to keep your U.S. subscriptions for as long as possible.
VPN is a Lifesaver
One easy workaround for all of this is using a VPN. A VPN, or virtual private network, basically lets you change your location online. So even if you’re physically in Spain, you can appear as if you’re browsing from the United States and still access your usual content.
I’ve personally been using a VPN since I moved here, both on my laptop and my phone. The one I started with is Surfshark, and honestly, I’ve had a great experience with it. One of the best parts is that it allows unlimited devices, which is super convenient. I paid around $80 for about two and a half years, which is a really solid deal. If you sign up through my link below, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and you’ll also get a few extra months free: Lofton’s Surfshark Link!
Now, here’s where things get a little tricky. If you’re like me and use a projector or stream through devices on your TV like an Amazon Fire TV Stick or a Roku (yes, I brought mine from home too), you might run into some limitations. I wasn’t able to get my VPN working on those devices with Surfshark, which was a little frustrating at first.
But I did find a workaround. NordVPN is actually available directly on the Amazon Fire TV Stick, which means you can connect it straight to your TV or projector and access U.S.-based content that way. Game changer.
So at the end of the day, both options are great. It really just depends on how you watch your content and what devices you’re using. I’ll share my NordVPN link below, and if you use either one, I may earn a small commission, again at no extra cost to you: Lofton’s NordVPN Link!
This is one of those small lifestyle decisions that doesn’t seem like a big deal… until it is. Because it’s not just about money, it’s about comfort, habits, and those little routines that make a place feel like home. So whether you stick with your U.S. accounts or fully switch over to Spain, just know there’s no perfect answer. It’s just about what matters more to you.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
