Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country, known for its industrial heritage and architectural landmarks. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 345,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; local banks include BBVA and Banco Santander |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common options include Revolut, N26, and local banks like CaixaBank |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Spotahome, and local real estate agents |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Spotahome are popular for short stays, with prices starting around €50 per night |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Bilbao Central and Casa de la Musica are affordable lodging options |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Casco Viejo and the Bilbao city center are recommended for tourists |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Abando and Indautxu are preferred areas due to coworking spaces and cafes |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Bilbao La Vieja, an excellent coworking space with good amenities |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café de Oriente offers a quiet environment and good coffee for remote work |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups on platforms like Meetup.com hold regular events for professionals |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Bilbao Facebook group organizes community gatherings |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Free Now is the leading ride-sharing app in Bilbao |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bilbao Bizikleta offers bike rental services for exploring the city |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Plentzia Beach, around 30 minutes away by train |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Iberia is a prominent regional airline serving Bilbao |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and Lufthansa connect Bilbao with major cities |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The AP-8 and A-68 highways provide excellent connections to surrounding regions |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bilbao Abando is the main train station |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bilbao Bizkaia transport card offers discounts on public transport fares |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect Bilbao with surrounding cities like San Sebastián and Vitoria |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital de Basurto is the main healthcare facility in Bilbao |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogashala Bilbao offers yoga classes and wellness sessions |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Anytime Fitness are popular gym chains in the area |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava Express offers convenient laundromat services |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Just Eat and Glovo are popular food delivery services |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Bacalao a la Vizcaína (cod in Vizcayan sauce) is a must-try Basque dish |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Gure Toki and Kafe Antzokia offer great vegan options |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pastelería Arrese is famous for its traditional Basque pastries |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | La Ribera Market is a vibrant food market with affordable options |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local online stores include El Corte Inglés and Carrefour for grocery shopping |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercado online services like Mercadona offer delivery |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Bilbao La Vieja area is known for its nightlife |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Bizkaia Brewery offers tours and tastings |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vinos y Tapas is a popular spot for local wine tasting |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food at Bilbao's various food festivals offers local delicacies |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Mamma Mia serve Italian cuisine |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Guggenheim Museum is a modern architectural masterpiece |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum showcases Basque and European art |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Cathedral of Santiago is a key historical site in the city |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Basílica de Begoña is a notable religious site in Bilbao |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Bilbao BBK Live music festival attracts international artists every July |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The old town, or Casco Viejo, is rich in culture and history |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Arriaga hosts various performances and concerts |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado de la Ribera is the largest covered market in Europe |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Bilbao has a vibrant music scene with live venues like Kafe Antzokia |
| 🎨 Street Art | Philanthropic street art can be found throughout various neighborhoods |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes at BCC encourage visitors to learn about Basque cuisine |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería Berini showcases contemporary Spanish art |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The historic Palacio Chávarri is a notable architectural site |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Bilbao's industrial heritage is reflected in its architecture and culture |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Mount Artxanda offers stunning views and hiking paths |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Urkiola Natural Park is a beautiful area for hiking and exploration |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The estuary of Bilbao has scenic walking paths |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoints from Mount Artxanda are breathtaking |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Biotopo de Arrozales in the Delta del Nervión is perfect for birdwatching |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Beach areas like Plentzia allow for designated bonfire spots |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | UPS and Correos provide reliable parcel delivery services |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | K-Town offers electronics repair in the city |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Club Bilbao hosts regular matches and events |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Basque Language School offers classes for beginners |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Municipal de Bidebarrieta provides quiet study areas |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural de Abando hosts various community activities |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamer's Hub offers a great space for video game enthusiasts |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Bilboko offers gambling and entertainment |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €144,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €248,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €176,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 19% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income with progressive rates |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 47% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applies to foreign companies controlled by Spanish residents |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cadastral value |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% for property purchases |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Possible to obtain non-resident tax status and pay lower rates |