The Move to Cantabria Podcast

Welcome to the The Move to Cantabria Podcast where celebrates life in Cantabria. 

I’m Grace, I moved here with my family five years ago and in a way this podcast is something I would have benefited from greatly as a newcomer. 

It is an honour for me to curate these conversations with wonderful guests, and to help you understand Cantabrian culture — making it easier to integrate into your new community.

In each episode, we’ll explore what makes this region so special — from local traditions and lifestyle, to practical topics like housing, schools, healthcare, and community life. While also giving you the tools, support, and confidence to move here and make a home with ease.

So whether you’re planning your move or already here, I hope this podcast helps you feel more connected, confident, and inspired about living here. 

Subscribe to The Move to Cantabria Podcast, let’s celebrate life in this beautiful part of Northern Spain together.

Cantabria’s Celtic Soul — with Pablo from Cahornega

In this episode of The Move to Cantabria Podcast, Grace speaks with Pablo — surfer, musician, and member of the Cantabrian folk group Cahornega — about Cantabria’s Celtic roots and the deep connection between music, nature, and identity.

Through stories of land, ocean, and tradition, this conversation explores what makes Cantabria feel closer to Ireland or Brittany than southern Spain — and why culture here is something lived, not performed.

  • Cantabria’s Celtic heritage and cultural identity

  • Music as a living expression of place

  • The role of nature in daily life

  • Keeping tradition alive for future generations

Raising Healthy Children in Cantabria: A Paediatrician’s Perspective on Public Healthcare

Guest: Blanca Hernández Macho, Médico Pediatra

What is public healthcare in Cantabria really like for families?

If you’re moving to Spain with children, healthcare is often one of the biggest concerns. In this episode of The Move to Cantabria Podcast – Celebrating Life in Cantabria, we speak with a public-sector paediatrician Blanca who relocated from Madrid and is now raising her own two children in Northern Spain.

We explore how public healthcare in Cantabria works for children, including:

• How local health centres (centros de salud) operate
• Why children are assigned a paediatrician rather than a GP
• How to book appointments (online, by phone, or in person)
• What happens when specialist care is needed
• The role of Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander
• The realities, strengths, and limitations of the public system
• Whether families combine public and private healthcare

This conversation offers both professional insight and lived experience — from someone who works within the system and trusts it enough to raise her own family here.

How Spanish Taxes Work — And Why Location Matters

Guest: Carlos Lorzeno, American & Legal Spain

When people dream about moving to Northern Spain, they picture the coastline, the slower pace of life, and a strong sense of community. What they don’t always realise… is that where you choose to live in Spain can significantly shape your tax situation.

In this episode of The Move to Cantabria Podcast, I’m joined by Spanish tax specialist Carlos Lorenzo, founder of American & Legal Spain, to break down how the Spanish tax system really works — and why location matters more than most people expect.

We explore what it means to become a Spanish tax resident, the key taxes expats need to understand, and how different regions — including Cantabria, Madrid and Andalucía — apply different approaches when it comes to wealth tax, inheritance tax, and more.

We also unpack common misconceptions, the role of the Beckham Law, and the biggest mistakes people make when they relocate without proper planning.

This is a practical, honest conversation designed to help you make informed decisions — so you can focus on building a life here, not navigating unexpected surprises later.

If you’re considering a move to Cantabria, or anywhere in Spain, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of the financial side of relocation — and why it deserves your attention from the very beginning.

🎙️ In this episode, we cover:

  • What makes you a Spanish tax resident

  • The main taxes expats need to understand

  • Why Spain is not one single tax system

  • How regions like Cantabria, Madrid and Andalucía differ

  • Wealth tax explained simply

  • The Beckham Law and who it applies to

  • The most common tax mistakes expats make

🎧 A final thought:


Spain isn’t one tax system — it’s 17 different approaches under one flag. And where you land shapes more than your lifestyle… it shapes your financial life too.

Spanish Taxes in Cantabria

Understanding the Education System in Cantabria, Spain

Guest: Julie McNamara, Mother, teacher and expat 20+ years

Understanding the education system in Spain can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re relocating from abroad.

In this episode of the Move to Cantabria podcast, we sit down with Julie — a teacher, mum of three, and expat of 20+ years — to break it all down in a clear, honest and practical way.

We cover everything you need to know to get started:
✔️ Infantil, Primaria & Secondary explained
✔️ Public vs Concertado vs Private schools
✔️ How the curriculum and assessments work
✔️ What happens after age 16
✔️ Religion in schools — and your options as a family

This is Part 1 of a two-part series designed to help families feel more confident navigating education in Cantabria.

👉 In Part 2, we’ll dive into daily school life, routines, integration and what it really feels like for children and parents.

If you’re planning a move to Northern Spain, this is essential listening.

🔔 Subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss the next episode.

Need Help Choosing a School?

We support families through the entire process — from understanding options to finding the right school and settling in.

Because this isn’t just about education — it’s about building your life here. Find out more here.