Forum
Analytics
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to larger Spanish cities like Madrid or Barcelona, affordable for many digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable but rising due to increased demand; options vary from shared apartments to private studios.
🍎 Food & Groceries
72%
Weight: 40
Good value for fresh local produce and groceries; dining out is affordable with many mid-range options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
75%
Weight: 20
Public transport is affordable with monthly passes; taxis and ride-sharing are moderately priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
67%
Weight: 15
Cultural events and nightlife are affordable, though some tourist spots can be pricier.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
69%
Weight: 10
Average gym memberships cost less than in larger European cities; multiple options available.
💱 Currency Stability
93%
Weight: 30
Euro currency is stable with low inflation and strong economic backing.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
86%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with reliable connections suitable for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
74%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in the city center catering to freelancers and startups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
81%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable environments for working.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
78%
Weight: 30
Growing number of cafes popular among digital nomads with power outlets and good internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
53%
Weight: 100
Not yet a major hotspot but gaining traction among European digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
87%
Weight: 30
Strong local culture emphasizing work-life balance with ample leisure opportunities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
79%
Weight: 15
Good air quality and environmental initiatives; urban green spaces well maintained.
🧼 Cleanliness
76%
Weight: 10
City is generally clean with efficient waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
62%
Weight: 30
Spanish and Basque are primary languages; English is moderately spoken especially in tourist and coworking areas.
💨 Air Quality
78%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality with occasional pollution spikes during industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
70%
Weight: 25
Good schools and family-oriented amenities but less focused on expat families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
89%
Weight: 20
High-quality public and private healthcare facilities available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
84%
Weight: 25
Affordable healthcare costs, especially with EU health insurance or private plans.
🏥 Healthcare
87%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access and services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
64%
Weight: 80
Mild oceanic climate; moderate rainfall and temperatures year-round, less sunny than southern Spain.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
88%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
77%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas within the city and nearby natural reserves.
❄️ Air Conditioning
59%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is less common due to mild climate but increasingly present in newer buildings.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
63%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild winters and cool summers, some rainfall throughout the year.
🔊 Noise Pollution
63%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels in city center; quieter residential areas available.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
85%
Weight: 20
Rich Basque culture with unique traditions, museums, and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
68%
Weight: 15
Vibrant but more low-key compared to larger Spanish cities; good selection of bars and live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
79%
Weight: 15
Close to beaches, mountains, and hiking trails; excellent for outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
71%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers offering Spanish and Basque lessons.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
76%
Weight: 10
Good variety of cultural, culinary, and nature tours available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
65%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and cinemas provide indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
89%
Weight: 25
Renowned for Basque cuisine and pintxos bars; excellent food culture.
🧠 Yoga Studios
67%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, though not as widespread as in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms and fitness centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
82%
Weight: 15
Abundant fresh produce and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
78%
Weight: 20
Central European Time (CET) suitable for coordinating with most European and some American time zones.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
64%
Weight: 25
Growing startup and freelancer community but smaller than major hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
63%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community supported by coworking spaces and events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
72%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and networking events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
60%
Weight: 15
Small but growing startup ecosystem with some government support.
💳 Local Payment Services
74%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of cards and mobile payments; some local fintech options.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
51%
Weight: 15
Limited mainstream adoption but niche communities exist.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
73%
Weight: 30
Bilbao Airport offers good connections to major European cities.
🚇 Public Transit
79%
Weight: 20
Efficient metro, bus, and tram systems covering the city well.
🚶 Walkability
80%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
71%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing services available but less prevalent than in bigger cities.
🚲 Cycling
68%
Weight: 10
Growing cycling infrastructure but hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
75%
Weight: 15
Good train and bus connections to other Spanish cities and France.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
64%
Weight: 10
Some electric scooter and bike rental services available but limited coverage.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
83%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and expanding 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
69%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many public spaces but quality varies.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
65%
Weight: 40
Schengen visa policies apply; moderate ease for EU citizens, more complex for others.
📊 Tax Friendliness
57%
Weight: 30
Spain has relatively high taxes; no special digital nomad tax incentives yet.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
91%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech under Spanish law.
🏛️ Political Stability
78%
Weight: 20
Generally stable political environment with occasional regional tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
68%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation; some banks offer digital options.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; processes improving but still somewhat slow.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
40%
Weight: 35
Spain introduced a digital nomad visa recently but implementation and uptake remain limited.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
67%
Weight: 50
Increasingly welcoming to digital nomads with growing infrastructure and community.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
59%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events but smaller scale compared to major nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Moderate presence on digital nomad forums and social media.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
84%
Weight: 100
Low crime rates and safe urban environment.
♀️ Female Friendly
79%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and welcoming for female travelers and nomads.
✊ Racial Tolerance
71%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; some challenges but generally inclusive.