💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to larger Spanish cities like Madrid or Barcelona; more affordable but not the cheapest in Spain.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
58%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable but rising due to increased popularity; affordable options available outside city center.
🍎 Food & Groceries
73%
Weight: 40
Good value for fresh local produce and groceries; dining out is moderately priced with many affordable tapas bars.
🚌 Transportation Cost
79%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable; monthly passes are inexpensive compared to other European cities.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
67%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are moderately priced; cultural events and museums offer good value.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
71%
Weight: 10
Gyms are reasonably priced, with many options including budget-friendly chains and boutique studios.
💱 Currency Stability
94%
Weight: 30
Euro currency is stable with low volatility, providing financial predictability.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
85%
Weight: 100
Reliable high-speed fiber internet widely available; average speeds around 200 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
74%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in the city center catering to freelancers and startups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
80%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi with good connectivity, popular among remote workers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
A growing number of cafes cater to digital nomads with power outlets and comfortable seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
53%
Weight: 100
Emerging destination for digital nomads but less popular than Barcelona or Valencia.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
86%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on leisure and family time; relaxed pace of life.
🌳 Environmental Quality
78%
Weight: 15
Good air quality and efforts in sustainability; urban green initiatives ongoing.
🧼 Cleanliness
75%
Weight: 10
Generally clean city with well-maintained public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
60%
Weight: 30
Spanish and Basque are primary languages; English is moderately spoken, especially among younger population.
💨 Air Quality
79%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality due to coastal location and green spaces.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
89%
Weight: 20
High-quality public and private healthcare facilities available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
87%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are affordable, especially with public health insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
88%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access for residents and expats.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
64%
Weight: 80
Oceanic climate with mild temperatures but frequent rain and cloudy days, less sunny than southern Spain.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
83%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional flooding but generally safe.
🏞️ Green Spaces
76%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas within the city; proximity to natural landscapes.
❄️ Air Conditioning
54%
Weight: 15
Not widespread due to mild climate; some buildings lack AC which can be uncomfortable in summer.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
70%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons with mild winters and cool summers; more rain in autumn and winter.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
87%
Weight: 20
Rich Basque culture with unique traditions, museums, and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
62%
Weight: 15
Vibrant but smaller nightlife scene compared to larger Spanish cities; good bars and live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
79%
Weight: 15
Close to beaches, mountains, and hiking trails; excellent for outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Several language schools for Spanish and Basque; moderate availability of courses.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
78%
Weight: 10
Good variety of cultural tours, gastronomy experiences, and Basque heritage activities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
64%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and cinemas available but limited compared to larger cities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
91%
Weight: 25
World-renowned Basque cuisine with many Michelin-starred restaurants and vibrant pintxos bars.
🧠 Yoga Studios
68%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, though not as numerous as in bigger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
73%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms, fitness centers, and outdoor exercise options.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
80%
Weight: 15
Abundance of fresh seafood, organic markets, and health-conscious eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
84%
Weight: 20
Central European Time (CET) aligns well with most European and some American working hours.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
61%
Weight: 25
Growing startup and freelancer community but smaller scale than major hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
57%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
64%
Weight: 20
Moderate freelance presence with coworking spaces supporting independent workers.
🏢 Coworking Quality
70%
Weight: 30
Good quality coworking spaces with modern amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
59%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with some support but less developed than Barcelona or Madrid.
💳 Local Payment Services
75%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of contactless payments and mobile banking apps.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
52%
Weight: 15
Limited local adoption; some interest but not a major hub for crypto activities.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
71%
Weight: 30
Bilbao Airport offers good connections to major European cities; limited intercontinental flights.
🚇 Public Transit
78%
Weight: 20
Efficient metro, bus, and tram systems covering the city well.
🚶 Walkability
83%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets and easy access to amenities.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing services available but less prevalent than in bigger cities.
🚲 Cycling
69%
Weight: 10
Growing cycling infrastructure but still developing; some bike lanes and rental options.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
74%
Weight: 15
Good train and bus connections to other Spanish cities and France.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Some electric scooter and bike rental services available but limited coverage.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
86%
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
88%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many public spaces but quality varies.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
63%
Weight: 40
Schengen visa requirements apply; no specific digital nomad visa but tourist visa options exist.
📊 Tax Friendliness
54%
Weight: 30
Spain has relatively high taxes; limited incentives for freelancers or remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
92%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
81%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with occasional regional tensions but overall safe.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
68%
Weight: 15
Moderate bureaucracy; easier with residency but possible for non-residents with documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Process can be bureaucratic and time-consuming but manageable with guidance.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of April 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
67%
Weight: 50
Growing awareness and infrastructure for digital nomads but still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55%
Weight: 25
Occasional meetups and events but limited compared to major nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
60%
Weight: 20
Some online groups and forums exist but smaller community size.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
84%
Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
79%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for women; good gender equality.
✊ Racial Tolerance
71%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; diverse but occasional challenges as in many European cities.