Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Smart money transfers worldwide.

Affiliate disclosure

Barcelona, Spain 🇪🇸
#402 ,

Nomad Score: 72%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
52% Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living; more affordable than other major Western European cities but still relatively high compared to Eastern Europe.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
43% Weight: 80
Rental prices are high, especially in central areas popular with nomads and tourists.
🍎 Food & Groceries
61% Weight: 40
Good variety of affordable local markets and mid-range restaurants; groceries are moderately priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
78% Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable with monthly passes available.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60% Weight: 15
Wide range of entertainment options with moderate pricing; nightlife can be pricey in tourist hotspots.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
65% Weight: 10
Average gym memberships cost around €30-€50 per month.
💱 Currency Stability
90% Weight: 30
Euro is a stable currency with low volatility.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
87% Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with average speeds around 200 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
89% Weight: 40
Numerous coworking spaces spread across the city catering to digital nomads.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
85% Weight: 30
Many cafes offer reliable WiFi and comfortable working environments.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
83% Weight: 30
Several cafes are popular among nomads, offering power outlets and good coffee.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
86% Weight: 100
Barcelona is a well-known hotspot for digital nomads with a vibrant community.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90% Weight: 25
Easy to obtain prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
79% Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on leisure and social life; typical Spanish work culture supports balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
67% Weight: 15
Urban pollution is moderate; efforts to improve air quality ongoing.
🧼 Cleanliness
62% Weight: 10
City is generally clean but some tourist-heavy areas can be littered.
🗨️ Language Barrier
68% Weight: 30
Spanish and Catalan are official; English is widely spoken in tourist and expat areas.
💨 Air Quality
65% Weight: 15
Air quality fluctuates; occasional pollution spikes but generally acceptable.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
65% Weight: 25
Good schools and parks but busy city environment may be less ideal for families.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
88% Weight: 20
High-quality public and private healthcare facilities available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
80% Weight: 25
Public healthcare is affordable; private options are more expensive but still reasonable.
🏥 Healthcare
84% Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access for residents and expats.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
89% Weight: 80
Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, sunny summers.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75% Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters; occasional flooding but rare.
🏞️ Green Spaces
71% Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas, though urban density limits large green spaces.
❄️ Air Conditioning
74% Weight: 15
Common in most accommodations and public places, though not universal.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
68% Weight: 10
Distinct seasons but mild; less variation compared to more continental climates.
🔊 Noise Pollution
54% Weight: 10
High noise levels in central and nightlife areas; quieter neighborhoods available.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
92% Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with museums, festivals, and vibrant arts scene.
🌃 Nightlife
90% Weight: 15
World-renowned nightlife with diverse options from bars to clubs.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
76% Weight: 15
Proximity to beaches and mountains offers good outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
78% Weight: 10
Many language schools and informal opportunities to learn Spanish and Catalan.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
84% Weight: 10
Wide variety of tours and cultural experiences available for visitors.
🎳 Indoors Fun
79% Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and indoor activities are plentiful.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
91% Weight: 25
Excellent food scene with traditional Catalan cuisine and international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
77% Weight: 10
Numerous yoga studios catering to different styles and levels.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
78% Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms, fitness centers, and outdoor workout spots.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
83% Weight: 15
Abundant healthy food options including organic markets and vegetarian/vegan restaurants.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70% Weight: 20
Central European Time is convenient for European clients but less so for Americas or Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
85% Weight: 25
Active expat and startup communities with frequent networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
72% Weight: 20
Moderate local remote job market; more opportunities in tech and creative sectors.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
79% Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
88% Weight: 30
High-quality coworking spaces with modern amenities and good community vibe.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
76% Weight: 15
Active startup ecosystem with accelerators and investment opportunities.
💳 Local Payment Services
74% Weight: 10
Widespread use of cards and mobile payments; some limitations for international fintech.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
65% Weight: 15
Growing interest but still emerging market for crypto services.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
83% Weight: 30
Well-connected international airport with flights across Europe and beyond.
🚇 Public Transit
87% Weight: 20
Extensive metro, bus, and tram network covering most of the city.
🚶 Walkability
89% Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
84% Weight: 15
Uber, Cabify, and local ride-sharing services widely available.
🚲 Cycling
75% Weight: 10
Growing cycling infrastructure but still developing compared to northern Europe.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
86% Weight: 15
High-speed trains and buses connect Barcelona to other major Spanish cities and Europe.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
81% Weight: 10
Many electric scooter and bike rental services available throughout the city.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
88% Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage citywide.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90% Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
92% Weight: 15
Stable and reliable power supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
73% Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many public spaces but often slower than private connections.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
65% Weight: 40
Schengen visa rules apply; no specific digital nomad visa but long-stay options exist.
📊 Tax Friendliness
58% Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; bureaucratic processes can be complex for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95% Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
79% Weight: 20
Generally stable but occasional regional political tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
67% Weight: 15
Possible but requires paperwork and proof of residence; some banks more foreigner-friendly.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
64% Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; process can be slow but manageable with guidance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available as of June 2025.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
84% Weight: 50
Popular destination with good infrastructure and community for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
81% Weight: 25
Regular meetups and events for digital nomads and expats.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
83% Weight: 20
Active online groups and forums centered around Barcelona nomad life.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
75% Weight: 100
Generally safe but petty crime like pickpocketing is common in tourist areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
78% Weight: 50
Relatively safe and welcoming for female travelers and nomads.
✊ Racial Tolerance
72% Weight: 50
Moderate tolerance; some reports of discrimination but generally multicultural.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.