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MOVING TO SPAIN

Why Navarre is the region with the best quality of life in Spain

Whether it be education, health or overall happiness, this little-known autonomous community of Spain consistently ranks as the region with the best quality of life in the entire country.

Published: 4 September 2024 14:14 CEST
Updated: 7 September 2024 08:06 CEST
Why Navarre is the region with the best quality of life in Spain
Plaza del Castillo in Pamplona, Navarra's capital. Photo: David Vives/Unsplash

Navarra, or Navarre in English, is a relatively unknown and region of Spain, often overlooked by international holidaymakers.

Sandwiched between Aragón and the Basque Country, it has only around 660,000 inhabitants according to the latest population figures from Spain’s national statistics institute (INE).

It’s of course mostly known for its capital Pamplona and the famous San Fermín festival bull runs, but the wider region itself is something of a hidden gem with picturesque landscapes, excellent local gastronomy and its rich historical and cultural heritage, something recognised both nationally and internationally.

This is especially true when you consider that it’s officially the region of Spain with the highest quality of living in the entire country.

And this isn’t just a one off; since 2008 Navarre has consistently ranked as one of (if not) the best place to live in all of Spain, and it regularly takes first or second place in many of the metrics that make up the quality of life index. 

READ ALSO: What are the pros and cons of life in Spain’s Navarre region?

In recent years Navarra has ranked highest among all regions of Spain for quality of life and around 4 points higher than the national average.

This is further backed up by the INE’s latest Quality of Life Indicator survey that ranks regions along various socioeconomic criteria.

The nine areas analysed are overall living conditions (where Navarre ranked 3rd), work and professional life (6th), health (2nd), education (2nd), leisure and social relations (1st), physical and personal security (9th), governance and basic rights (8th), surroundings and environment (1st) and general life experience (1st). 

After Navarra, La Rioja and Aragón were found to have the highest levels of quality of life overall. Navarre particularly stood out as it was the region that most often ranked in the top three in the different criteria – something it did on six occasions.

Education

Navarra ranked second overall in terms of education quality, behind only the neighbouring Basque Country. It’s the region with the most people aged 25 to 64 who have received some sort of training or education in the last month, has the second highest percentage of young people (18-24 years old) with higher levels of studies and the lowest early drop-out rate.

It also came third in terms of the adult population with a higher level of studies.

Work 

Navarra ranked sixth among the 17 regions of Spain for overall work and professional life and stands out as one of the regions with the lowest percentage of low salaries among its workers. Navarra came second overall in terms of the highest median income and the highest satisfaction with individual household economic situation.

It also has low rates of unemployment and long-term unemployment compared to other regions of Spain. Of the eight job criteria analysed by the INE, Navarra was above the national average in six of them.

According to INE figures, Navarre has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Spain (9.6 percent per 2023 figures).

Crime and security

Navarra is also generally very safe. There were only 3 murders in the region in 2022 (the last year the INE took data for) however the overall crime rate did rise taking it to 50 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, the 5th highest in Spain.

In terms of physical and personal safety, Navarra was about average for Spain, coming in 9th position.

The picturesque village of Eugui in Navarra. Photo: Iñigo Goyache/Unsplash
 

Health

People in Navarra are healthier than your average Spaniard.

As far as general life experience is concerned, Navarre leads the national ranking in terms of overall life satisfaction.

It also ranked as the second best region for self-perceived health, for having the second highest life expectancy and for having the lowest percentage of daily smokers.

Environment and leisure

Navarra is known for its lush and green landscapes, and in terms of environment and leisure options Navarra was unsurprisingly the region with the highest satisfaction with green areas and the surroundings.

It’s also clean and has the second lowest concentration of polluting particles in the air.

Housing and poverty

According to the INE report, Navarra is the region with the lowest percentage of its population at risk of relative poverty and the highest satisfaction with housing.

As it’s in northern Spain, however, rents and property prices are higher than elsewhere in the country on average.

READ ALSO: Are people from Navarre more Basque than Spanish? 

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DRIVING

The illnesses and health conditions you can’t have when driving in Spain 

Spain has increased the number of illnesses and health conditions that will prevent people from legally driving or from renewing their licence from next year onwards. From mental disorders to cancer and heart problems, here’s the full list.

Published: 6 September 2024 14:51 CEST
The illnesses and health conditions you can't have when driving in Spain 

The recent update of Spain’s Traffic Law means that from 2025 a greater number of people in Spain will not be able to get behind the wheel. 

Toughening conditions for drivers based on health conditions is a measure aimed at curbing traffic accidents and road deaths. 

In the words of Spain’s Traffic Authority the DGT, “in order to get behind the wheel safely, the driver needs perceptive, cognitive and motor skills”.

The DGT has divided the health conditions that are incompatible with driving into nine categories: vascular, cardiac, psychiatric, neurological, endocrine, digestive, respiratory, oncological, chronic and degenerative. 

It’s worth noting that the level of symptoms displayed and medical reports presented can influence the decision. Not all driving bans based on illness are permanent either.

However, if the detrimental medical conditions are confirmed and long-lasting, driving for that person becomes illegal in Spain. 

They will not be able to renew their licence either in some cases, or as we will see below, a certain amount of time after their operation or illness will have to pass first.

The penalties imposed by the DGT for those who flout the rules range from €6,000 to €200.

Below is a list of the health conditions that make driving illegal in Spain, or which will result in your licence being revoked, not renewed, or at the very least keep you off the road for a period of time.

Vascular diseases 

Large vessel aneurysm or dissection: a favourable report from a specialist will be required to renew your licence, valid for between 1 and 10 years. Six months after an operation, renewals are granted for between 1 and 2 years. Drivers considered still at risk of further vascular problems will be deemed unfit. 

Ischemic attack (mini-stroke): Someone who has suffered a mini-stroke will have to wait 6 months before applying to renew their licence.  

Heart disease

Arrhythmias and surgeries involving a pacemaker, heart valve prostheses and cardiac revascularization: People who fit any of these descriptions will not be able to drive until one month after the operation, in some cases three months.

Cardiac syncope in the last six months: These people’s licences cannot be renewed, except if there is a favourable report from the cardiologist.

Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) : If you suffered a heart attack, you will not be able to drive until three months after it happened and you should also wait three months before renewing your licence. This may only be extended for two or three years.

Mental disorders

Dementia, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, depression, sleep disorders, obsessive compulsive or intellectual development disorders, ADHD and alcohol or drug dependence: People who have been diagnosed with any of these conditions will not be able to drive unless the disease manifests itself in a mild manner and there is a favourable medical report that deems them fit to drive.

Neurological diseases

Loss of consciousness in the last year: Drivers who have suffered this due to neurological reasons will be considered unsuited to drive.

Epilepsy: After the first seizure or only seizure, 6 months must pass and with a favourable report presented for the person to be allowed to drive. In this case, their licence will be valid for between 1 and 10 years depending on their circumstances.

Transient ischemic attack (mild stroke): The person must wait six months before getting a medical report which if favourable allows to renew their licence for a year. 

Endocrine diseases

Treatment for diabetes, hyperthyroidism or adrenal diseases: Depending on the severity of the condition, the person’s driving licence may not be renewed. 

Diabetes: Once again, a positive medical report will be needed to renew your licence for between 1 and 5 years. 

Hypothyroidism and parathyroid disease: A doctor will have to give you the go-ahead for you to be able to renew your licence.

Digestive diseases

Nephropathy (kidney disease): A certificate of good health from your doctor will be needed to renew for between 1 and 10 years.

Kidney transplant: If six months have elapsed since the transplant and there have been no subsequent problems, a favourable report from the nephrologist allows you to drive legally in Spain.

Respiratory diseases

Chronic dyspnoea (shortness of breath): People with this condition cannot renew their driving licences in Spain.

Obstructive sleep apnoea: You can renew your licence for up to three years, but you need the go-ahead from the doctor.

Cancer

Oncological diseases: if the oncologist’s report is favourable, the validity period of a licence for a cancer sufferer in Spain is one year. When there is no evidence of cancer and no active treatment, a driving licence can be renewed for five years.

Onco-haematological disorders: As a general rule, driving licences cannot be renewed until 10 years have passed since symptoms have completely remitted for any onco-haematological cancer. However, one and three-year renewals can be offered when the oncologist gives the go-ahead. 

Other chronic and degenerative diseases

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s or rheumatoid arthritis: Spain’s DGT doesn’t allow drivers with any of these illnesses to get behind the wheel.

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