About Tertulia

Why Tertulia exists

I’m Catalan and American, and I know the decision to move between the two countries from both sides. I trained as a physicist and have spent my career building technology for large international events, where accuracy, planning and execution matter. I later added an MBA and a master’s in data science. Tertulia brings those disciplines together: quantitative analysis, business judgment and data.

When I began considering a return to Catalonia, I found plenty of information about lifestyle and relatively little that addressed the practical questions. What would I pay in tax in different regions? How do the tax differences compare with the cost of living and other factors that matter when choosing a town? Which places offer good access to healthcare, international connections and the kind of everyday environment I would want to live in?

So I started building the analysis I wanted to have. I collected the relevant data, built the models and checked the results against official tax simulators and primary sources.

Tax is only one part of the decision. A move of this kind involves significant financial and practical trade-offs, and those are easier to evaluate when they are made explicit. The Index is designed to provide that foundation: a clear view of the numbers and the differences between regions and towns.

Tertulia makes that work available to other Americans considering a move to Spain. It is independent, quantitative and written in English, with a particular focus on Spanish taxation and the practical differences between places.

It is also intended to improve over time. If you already live in Spain and find that a number, assumption or town score does not reflect reality, tell us. The Index should become more useful as better data and more local knowledge are added.