A Cuban woman living in Spain reached her financial breaking point on Wednesday, candidly sharing her frustration in a TikTok video. On the very day she was supposed to pay her rent, her landlord handed her a water bill totaling 315 euros, a figure her salary simply cannot cover.
"I can't take it anymore. I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or scream. I'm exhausted," Karmen Torres confesses at the beginning of the one-minute and 13-second clip, her voice strained with fatigue.
Torres explains that water bills in Spain are issued bi-monthly, and the unexpected 315-euro charge blindsided her on the first of the month, just as rent was due.
This exorbitant bill far exceeds the Spanish average. Water bills for a typical household range from 30 to 90 euros every two months, making the 315 euros unusually high. This could be due to excessive usage, a larger home, or accumulated debts.
Yet, Torres' challenges extend beyond this single bill. "It's rent, food, my child's school expenses, utilities—nothing stretches far enough," she summarizes in the video.
She also reveals that she works a job she dislikes solely to cover basic expenses, leaving nothing at the month's end. "I'm in a job I don't like, working just to pay for services, expenses, and rent. There's nothing left," she admits.
This narrative highlights a systemic issue faced by countless Cuban immigrants in Spain. In major cities, rents range from 900 to 1,638 euros monthly, while the average salary is approximately 1,500 euros, with the Minimum Interprofessional Wage around 1,370-1,400 euros in 2026. When combined with food costs (300 to 400 euros per person), utilities, and school expenses, there's little room for saving or sending money back to Cuba.
Torres is not alone in her plight. In June, another Cuban warned against moving to Spain without substantial savings, while someone who emigrated from the United States described the experience as utter madness. Social media is rife with similar accounts, depicting life in Spain as "living to pay bills."
Spain ranks as the second most popular destination for Cuban emigrants, following the United States. Data from the National Institute of Statistics in February 2026 showed that at least 35,200 Cubans registered in Spain's municipal rolls during 2025, raising the total Cuban resident population to about 287,490 by January 2026. The highest concentrations are found in the Canary Islands, Madrid, and Catalonia.
Many of these immigrants arrive without credit history or prior contracts, forcing them to accept unfavorable housing conditions and making them particularly vulnerable to unexpected expenses, like the one Torres encountered.
In closing her video, Torres poses a direct question to her community: "How do you manage? Because right now, I can't make ends meet. I thought I could. How do you do it? Explain in the comments."
Understanding Financial Challenges for Cuban Immigrants in Spain
Why is the water bill so high for Karmen Torres?
Karmen Torres received a water bill of 315 euros, which is significantly higher than the typical Spanish household bill of 30 to 90 euros every two months. This could be due to high water usage, a large residence, or accumulated debts.
What are the average living costs for Cuban immigrants in Spain?
In major Spanish cities, rent ranges from 900 to 1,638 euros monthly, with average salaries around 1,500 euros. Food costs are between 300 and 400 euros per person, and other expenses include utilities and school costs, leaving little room for savings.
How many Cubans are currently living in Spain?
As of January 2026, approximately 287,490 Cubans reside in Spain, with significant populations in the Canary Islands, Madrid, and Catalonia.