A Cuban family of four residing in Spain manages their household expenses on a combined monthly income of 2,000 euros from two earners. According to a video shared by TikToker Karmen Torres on May 29, the family allocates approximately 1,600 euros to fixed expenses, offering a detailed glimpse into their domestic finances.
Karmen lives with her partner, her child, and her mother, with only her and her partner contributing to the household income. This means their entire family depends on this shared budget.
The financial breakdown she provided is as follows: 500 euros for rent, 400 euros on groceries — roughly 100 euros weekly —, between 200 and 250 euros on utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and internet, and 300 euros on child-related expenses and leisure activities, which include school trips, dance classes, and other school-related unforeseen costs. Additionally, they occasionally spend around 200 euros on clothing and footwear.
"Out of those 2,000 euros, I calculated that we spend about 1,600, meaning we have around 400 euros left for the entire month," she explained in her video.
With just 400 euros as a cushion, Karmen's conclusion was clear: "Life in Spain isn't easy. If you're considering emigrating, this is the reality: you'll work almost exclusively to cover expenses."
Her story is not unique. A Cuban construction worker in Spain disclosed in December 2025 that on a salary of 1,200 to 1,300 euros, more than half was spent on rent — 610 euros — and electricity — 100 euros — leaving him with just over 200 euros for the remainder of the month.
The rental market in Spain poses significant challenges for immigrant families. As of 2026, the national average rental price stands at 15.1 euros per square meter, with a 70-square-meter apartment in Madrid costing around 1,638 euros monthly, significantly higher than what Karmen pays, indicating that her family likely lives in a more affordable area.
Adding to these financial pressures is the necessity to send remittances back to Cuba. Recently, Cuban resident Linet described a relentless spending cycle to support her family on the island: first for a power generator, then for portable batteries costing between 549 and 1,150 dollars, amid blackouts lasting over 32 hours daily. "The money you send, if it's used for the generator, means they can't eat," she warned.
As of January 2026, Spain hosts approximately 287,490 Cuban residents, according to the National Institute of Statistics, with 35,200 new arrivals in 2025 alone. Most migrate in search of better living conditions, only to encounter a minimum wage of 1,221 euros gross monthly and a job market that frequently doesn't allow for savings or support for relatives left behind in Cuba.
Other Cuban women have issued similar warnings on social media. In July 2026, a post outlined the reasons many Cubans are struggling in Spain, and in June, another Cuban advised against emigrating to Spain without savings as an initial safety net.
Cuban Migration and Financial Challenges in Spain
What are the main expenses for a Cuban family living in Spain?
The primary expenses for a Cuban family in Spain include rent, groceries, utilities, child-related costs, and occasional clothing purchases, totaling approximately 1,600 euros monthly.
How does the rental market in Spain affect immigrant families?
The rental market in Spain is particularly challenging for immigrant families, with high costs in cities like Madrid making it difficult to manage expenses and save.
Why do Cubans continue to migrate to Spain despite financial hardships?
Cubans migrate to Spain in search of improved living conditions, but often face financial hardships due to the high cost of living and a job market that offers limited opportunities for savings.