💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
61%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to larger Spanish cities like Madrid or Barcelona; affordable but not the cheapest.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
57%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are reasonable but rising due to increased demand; cheaper than major metros but higher than smaller towns.
🍎 Food & Groceries
72%
Weight: 40
Good value for fresh local produce and groceries; dining out is affordable with many tapas bars and local eateries.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable; monthly passes are inexpensive.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Wide range of cultural events and entertainment options at moderate prices.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
75%
Weight: 10
Gyms are reasonably priced, with many options including budget and premium facilities.
💱 Currency Stability
95%
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 reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
78%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in the city center catering to freelancers and remote workers.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
83%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi with good connectivity, popular among digital nomads.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
79%
Weight: 30
A growing number of cafes are welcoming to remote workers, with power outlets and comfortable seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
54%
Weight: 100
Emerging destination for digital nomads but less popular than larger Spanish cities.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
86%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on leisure and social life; relaxed pace typical of Basque culture.
🌳 Environmental Quality
74%
Weight: 15
Good air quality and efforts towards sustainability; some industrial areas affect localized pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
78%
Weight: 10
City is generally clean with well-maintained public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
62%
Weight: 30
Spanish widely spoken; Basque language present but not essential; English less common outside tourist areas.
💨 Air Quality
71%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, occasional pollution from traffic and industry.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
72%
Weight: 25
Good public services and parks; suitable for families but less focused on expats.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
90%
Weight: 20
High-quality public and private healthcare facilities available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
85%
Weight: 25
Affordable healthcare costs, especially with EU health insurance or private plans.
🏥 Healthcare
88%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare system with good access for residents and visitors.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
53%
Weight: 80
Oceanic climate with mild temperatures but frequent rain and overcast days.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
89%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
76%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas within the city and nearby natural reserves.
❄️ Air Conditioning
42%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is not widespread due to mild summers; some discomfort during heat waves.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
67%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild winters and cool summers; more rain in autumn and winter.
🔊 Noise Pollution
68%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; quieter than larger cities but some busy areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
89%
Weight: 20
Rich Basque culture with unique traditions, festivals, and strong local identity.
🌃 Nightlife
71%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with many bars and clubs, though quieter than larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
83%
Weight: 15
Close proximity to beaches, mountains, and hiking trails.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
68%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Spanish and Basque through local schools and language exchanges.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
79%
Weight: 10
Good variety of cultural tours, gastronomy experiences, and outdoor activities.
🎳 Indoors Fun
65%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and cultural centers available but limited compared to larger cities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
92%
Weight: 25
World-renowned Basque cuisine with many Michelin-starred restaurants and local pintxos bars.
🧠 Yoga Studios
67%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, though not as abundant as in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
74%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms, sports clubs, and fitness centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
81%
Weight: 15
Fresh seafood, local produce, and organic markets widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
75%
Weight: 20
Central European Time (CET) suitable for working with Europe and parts of the Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
63%
Weight: 25
Growing but still limited compared to major hubs; some meetups and professional groups exist.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
51%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
60%
Weight: 20
Freelance community is emerging but not yet large or well-established.
🏢 Coworking Quality
77%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
55%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is developing but smaller than in Madrid or Barcelona.
💳 Local Payment Services
79%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of cards and mobile payments; local banks offer good digital services.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption; some interest but not a major hub for crypto activities.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
73%
Weight: 30
Bilbao Airport offers good connections to major European cities; limited intercontinental flights.
🚇 Public Transit
82%
Weight: 20
Efficient metro, bus, and tram systems covering the city and suburbs.
🚶 Walkability
85%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
71%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing apps available but less prevalent than in larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
74%
Weight: 10
Growing cycling infrastructure, though hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
78%
Weight: 15
Good train and bus connections to other Spanish cities and France.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
69%
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
92%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
70%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many public spaces but quality varies.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
65%
Weight: 40
Schengen visa rules apply; moderate ease for EU citizens, more complex for others.
📊 Tax Friendliness
54%
Weight: 30
Spain has relatively high taxes; no special tax incentives for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
83%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with occasional regional tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
68%
Weight: 15
Moderate bureaucracy; easier for EU citizens than non-EU.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves paperwork and some delays.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of May 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
67%
Weight: 50
Growing awareness and infrastructure for nomads but still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
59%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events, but limited compared to larger nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Moderate online presence with some active groups on social media.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
87%
Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
81%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for women travelers and workers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant society with some challenges typical of European cities.