Business
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% - 26% for residents.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €64,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €120,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €84,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €152,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €104,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) offers 4% (subject to requirements); standard Spain is 25%.
- Tax System
- Spanish residents pay on worldwide income; Digital Nomad Visa offers 24% flat rate for 5 years.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47% (National/Regional combined across Spain).
- VAT
- IGIC (Canary Island Indirect Tax) is 7%, significantly lower than mainland Spain's 21% VAT.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict Spanish transparency rules apply.
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - Annual city tax approx. 0.4% - 1.1%.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 6.5% - 7% ITP (Transfer Tax) in Canaries.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law or Digital Nomad Visa special 24% tax rate on income up to €600,000.
Essentials
- City
- San Sebastián de La Gomera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
- Population
- 22,000 (Island-wide), approx. 9,000 in the capital
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available in major towns (300-600 Mbps). Starlink is a popular backup for remote rural areas.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, BBVA on Calle Real.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, but high mineral content; most locals prefer bottled water or filters.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange. Best coverage in mountains is Movistar.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, N26, and CaixaBank (Holabank account for non-residents).
- Accommodation
- Apartamentos El Sombrerito, Airbnb listings, and rural 'Casas Rurales'.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted in most shops/restaurants, but carry cash for small mountain village bars.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agency 'Gomera Vive'.
- Budget Accommodation
- Pension Victor (approx. €35/night) in San Sebastián.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Valle Gran Rey for beaches and sunsets; San Sebastián for history and ferry access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Valle Gran Rey (for community) or Hermigua (for tranquility and nature).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Coworking La Gomera (San Sebastián) and various coliving spaces in Valle Gran Rey.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafetería El Pajar (San Sebastián); Bar Maria (Valle Gran Rey) for outdoor vibes.
- Networking Events
- Digital Nomad meetups organized via 'La Gomera Digital Nomads' Facebook/WhatsApp groups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly drum circles at Playa del Inglés (Valle Gran Rey) and hiking group meetups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Use local Taxis (Radio Taxi La Gomera: +34 922 87 05 24).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Gomera Bikes (Valle Gran Rey) - approx. €20/day for e-bikes.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa de Vueltas (calm) and Playa del Inglés (wild/scenic) in Valle Gran Rey.
- Top Regional Airline
- Binter Canarias (Flights to Tenerife North/Gran Canaria).
- Top International Airline
- Fly to Tenerife South (TFS) via Ryanair or EasyJet, then take the Fred. Olsen ferry.
- Highway Access
- GM-1 (Main island loop), GM-2 (Central mountain route).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Estación de Guaguas (Bus Station) San Sebastián.
- Public Transport Passes
- Ten+ card (discounts on Guaguas/Buses island-wide).
- Regional Travel
- Fred. Olsen or Naviera Armas ferries to Tenerife (approx. 50 mins, €40).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in San Sebastián.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Centro de Salud y Bienestar (Valle Gran Rey); Yoga Gomera.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gimnasio Municipal de San Sebastián; Outdoor calisthenics parks.
- Laundry Services
- Autolavandería La Gomera (San Sebastián).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None (Call restaurants directly for takeaway). Some local shops offer delivery.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Almogrote (spicy cheese paste) and Miel de Palma (palm syrup).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Restaurante Vegetariano El Girasol (Valle Gran Rey).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pastelería Picacho (Hermigua) for traditional cookies.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- HiperDino and SPAR supermarkets.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (Shipping takes 5-10 days due to customs/Aduanas).
- Grocery Delivery
- TuTrébol offers online ordering and delivery in some zones.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- La Avenida in San Sebastián; Vueltas area in Valle Gran Rey.
- Local Brewery
- No commercial brewery on island; seek 'Cerveza Layla' (craft beer from neighboring islands).
- Wine Bars
- Tascas in Agulo; try local white wines (Gomera DOC).
- Street Food Stalls
- Kiosko Las carabelas (San Sebastián) for quick snacks near the park.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Abante (Italian/Fusion) in San Sebastián.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Torre del Conde (San Sebastián) and Mirador de Abrante (Glass skywalk).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Casa de Colón (Columbus House) in San Sebastián.
- Historical Sites
- Church of the Assumption (San Sebastián) where Columbus prayed.
- Religious Sites
- Ermita de San Isidro (on top of Roque de Agando).
- Annual Events
- Bajada de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Every 5 years); Fiestas Colombinas (September).
- Cultural Districts
- Agulo (often cited as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain).
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio Insular Infanta Cristina (San Sebastián).
- Local Markets
- Mercado Municipal de San Sebastián (Saturday mornings).
- Music Scene
- Live folk music (Silbo Gomero demonstrations) in traditional restaurants.
- Street Art
- Murals in Vallehermoso depicting agricultural life.
- Cooking Classes
- Rural workshops for making Almogrote in Hermigua.
- Art Galleries
- Sala de Exposiciones at the Cabildo Insular.
- Historic Buildings
- Pozo de la Aguada (The well Columbus used to water his ships).
- Local Heritage
- Silbo Gomero (the unique whistled language, UNESCO heritage).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Garajonay National Park - Ancient laurel forests.
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Nacional de Garajonay (Center of the island).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- GR-131 (High ridge trail) and GR-132 (Coastal loop).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de los Roques (Iconic volcanic plugs).
- Birdwatching Locations
- La Laguna Grande and the cliffs of La Mérica.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly regulated; only at designated recreational areas like El Cedro with permits.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (Post Office) and SEUR (for international couriers).
- Tech Repair Services
- Informatica Gomera (San Sebastián).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local youth centers (Casas de Juventud) in San Sebastián.
- Language Classes
- Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) in San Sebastián.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de San Sebastián.
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural de Valle Gran Rey.
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly private cafes with Wi-Fi.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None; La Gomera focuses on nature and quietude.