Essentials
- City
- Girona, Catalonia, Spain
- Population
- 103,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 150 Mbps; Fiber optic widely available in the city center.
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander.
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, though many locals prefer bottled or filtered water due to high mineral content.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets.
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, and Yoigo. Prices approx. €15-€20 for 50GB.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 are highly popular; local accounts available via Sabadell for residents.
- Accommodation
- Girona Housing, Airbnb, and local agencies like Finques Company.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, contactless payment is accepted even in small bakeries and taxis.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local apartments (avg. €1,200/month for a central 1-bed).
- Budget Accommodation
- Can Beatus or Equity Point Hostel (approx. €30-€45/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Barri Vell (Old Town) - near the Cathedral and Jewish Quarter.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Eixample or Devesa - quieter, better grocery access, and more modern apartments.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cooker (Carrer de la Rutlla, 16) - approx. €150/month for a flex desk.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Federal Café (Carrer de la Força, 9) - laptop friendly with great Wi-Fi; Coffee €2.50.
- Networking Events
- Girona Tech Hub meetups and 'Girona Digital Nomads' Facebook group events.
- Social Events for Expats
- Language exchange at McKiernans Irish Pub (Rambla de la Llibertat).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Taxi Girona (App: PideTaxi). Uber/Cabify have very limited presence.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Girocleta (public bike sharing for residents) or Eat Sleep Cycle for pro rentals (€40/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Sant Pere Pescador or Platja d'Aro (approx. 40 mins by car/bus).
- Top Regional Airline
- Vueling (operates largely from nearby Barcelona-El Prat).
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair (major hub at Girona-Costa Brava Airport GRO).
- Highway Access
- AP-7 (Autopista del Mediterráneo) connects to France and Barcelona.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Girona Railway Station (AVE High Speed connects to Barcelona in 38 mins).
- Public Transport Passes
- T-10 card (approx. €11 for 10 trips) valid for urban buses.
- Regional Travel
- RENFE Medium Distance trains and Sagalés/Sarfa buses for Costa Brava.
Business
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard rate in Spain.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% - 26% depending on amount.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (>183 days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47% (on income over €300,000).
- VAT
- 21% (standard), 10% (reduced for food/transport).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict rules applied under Spanish law.
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - annual tax paid to the Girona Town Hall.
- Property Transaction Tax
- ITP (Property Transfer Tax) is 10% for resale properties in Catalonia.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (Fixed 24% tax for 6 years) or the new Startup Law Visa for Nomads (15% tax).
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €180,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €252,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €156,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €320,000)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Universitari de Girona Doctor Josep Trueta (Av. de França, s/n).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Happy Yoga Girona (Carrer de la Creu, 11) - €12 drop-in.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- GEiEG (multiple locations) - comprehensive sports complex approx. €50/month.
- Laundry Services
- Fresh Laundry (Carrer de Santa Eugènia) - self-service wash/dry for €8.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo and Just Eat are the market leaders in Girona.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Xuixo (sugar-coated pastry filled with crema catalana) at Fleca Payerols.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- B12 (Plaça de l'Independència) - vegan bar and restaurant.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Rocambolesc (Carrer de Santa Clara) - gourmet ice cream by the Roca brothers.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercat del Lleó (Public Market) for fresh local produce at fair prices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (Prime delivery is 24h), El Corte Inglés.
- Grocery Delivery
- Mercadona or Bonpreu/Esclat online delivery services.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Plaça de la Independència and Carrer de la Sèquia.
- Local Brewery
- Biergarten Girona or Dos Kiwis Brewing (nearby in Gaüses).
- Wine Bars
- Plaça del Vi, 7 - excellent selection of Empordà region wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- No permanent stalls, but 'Food Trucks' are common during the Temps de Flors festival.
- Popular International Cuisine
- König (multiple locations) - famous for burgers and local tapas; very affordable.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Girona Cathedral (featuring the widest Gothic nave in the world).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Cinema Museum (Museu del Cinema) - entry €6.
- Historical Sites
- The Jewish Quarter (El Call) and the Eiffel Bridge (Pont de les Peixateries Velles).
- Religious Sites
- Sant Pere de Galligants (Romanesque abbey).
- Annual Events
- Temps de Flors (Flower Festival in May) and Narcissus Festival (San Narciso in October).
- Cultural Districts
- Barri Vell (Old Town).
- Theater Venues
- Teatre Municipal de Girona.
- Local Markets
- Mercat de les Ribes del Ter (Tuesdays/Saturdays).
- Music Scene
- Sunset Jazz Club (Carrer de la Plateria) for live performances.
- Street Art
- Mural cycle at the Monar district and underpass art near Devesa.
- Cooking Classes
- Girona Cooking Classes (Carrer Hortes) - approx. €75 per session.
- Art Galleries
- Dual Art Gallery (Carrer de la Muralla).
- Historic Buildings
- Arab Baths (Banys Àrabs) - 12th century Romanesque structure.
- Local Heritage
- The Girona Lioness (La Lleona) - legend says you must kiss her bottom to return to Girona.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- La Devesa Park - the largest urban park in Catalonia with 2,500 plane trees.
- National Parks Nearby
- Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park (40 mins away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Olot-Girona Greenways (Vies Verdes) - retired railway track for cycling.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Passeig de la Muralla (the old city walls walk with views over the Pyrenees).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ter River banks and nearby Banyoles Lake.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly regulated; only allowed in designated BBQ areas like Sant Grau.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (Carrer de Santa Eugènia); SEUR and MRW for express.
- Tech Repair Services
- Pccat Girona (Carrer de l'Obra).
- Table Tennis Spots
- TT Cassà (nearby club) or public tables in Parc Central.
- Language Classes
- Servei Lingüístic de la UdG or Escola Oficial d’Idiomes (EOI) Girona.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública Carles Rahola - modern, ultra-fast Wi-Fi, and quiet zones.
- Community Centers
- Centre Cívic Barri Vell-Mercadal.
- Gaming Lounges
- Elite Gaming Center (nearby in larger mall zones).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Peralada (approx. 40 mins north).