Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 6.7 million in the metropolitan area. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; Accepts various international credit cards. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange with prepaid options available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks such as BBVA, Santander, and online options like Revolut are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Platforms like Airbnb, Spotahome, and local agencies offer various housing options. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted, with contactless payments popular. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Spotahome are highly recommended for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Ok Hostels and The Hat offer affordable options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Areas like Sol, Malasaña, and Gran Vía are popular among tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Chueca, Malasaña, and Chamberí are ideal neighborhoods fostering a digital nomad community. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Spaces like Impact Hub, WeWork, and La Maquinista are great for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café de Oriente and Toma Café are known for their work-friendly spaces. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups and networking events regularly occur via platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | International groups on Facebook like 'Expats in Madrid' offer social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Cabify are popular and reliable ride-hailing options. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rental services like BiciMAD for bikes and Lime for scooters are available. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | La Playa de Valencia is approximately 3 hours away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Iberia is the main regional carrier operating domestic flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Iberia and Air Europa serve numerous international destinations. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to major highways like A-1 and A-3 connecting to other regions. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Madrid Atocha is the main railway station connecting to local and international routes. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | 10-trip metro/bus pass costs around €12.20, monthly pass about €54.60. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains (Renfe) connect well to nearby cities like Toledo and Segovia. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Universitario La Paz is one of the top healthcare facilities. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Centers like Yoga & Co and The Yoga Studio are popular among residents. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Virgin Active offer comprehensive fitness options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like Lavandería 24 horas are convenient for quick services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Just Eat are the most popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Cocido Madrileño,' a traditional Madrid stew. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like B13 and La Huerta de Al lado offer great plant-based options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chocolatería San Ginés is famous for churros and chocolate. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Markets like Mercado de San Miguel and El Rastro flea market offer budget-friendly selections. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Platforms like Amazon and El Corte Inglés provide extensive online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Services like Carrefour and Mercadona offer grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Malasaña and La Latina are vibrant nightlife districts. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cerveza La Virgen is a popular local brewery with a great atmosphere. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vinotecas like Lavinia and La Tercera offer extensive wine selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food can be found at Mercado de San Antón and various food trucks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like StreetXO and EAT are known for international flavors. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Must-visit spots include the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and Retiro Park. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Prado Museum and Reina Sofía Museum are top cultural attractions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Sites like the Puerta del Sol and Almudena Cathedral are rich in history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Templo de Debod and the Basilica of San Francisco are notable churches. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Events like San Isidro Festival celebrate local culture in May. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Malasaña and La Latina are known for their cultural vibrancy. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Español and Teatro de la Abadía host regular performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado de San Miguel and Mercado de Anton Martin are lively markets. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Venues like Café Berlin and La Sala are great for live music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Malasaña is famous for its vibrant street art and murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes at Taller de Cocina promote Spanish culinary skills. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galleries such as Espacio Mínimo and Juana de Arco showcase local art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor are stunning architectural landmarks. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Madrid's local heritage is reflected in its historic neighborhoods and traditions. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Sierra de Guadarrama National Park offers beautiful hiking opportunities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The closest national park is a short drive to the northwest (Sierra de Guadarrama). |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Madrid Río park features paths for walking and cycling along the river. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The rooftop bars such as Circulo de Bellas Artes offer stunning city views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Madrid Río and Parque de El Retiro are great spots for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some parks, like Casa de Campo, allow designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Correos are reliable options for parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like Repara tu Móvil provide quality tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Parks such as Parque de la Cuña Verde have free ping-pong tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto Cervantes offers Spanish language courses for all levels. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library of Spain is a quiet spot for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro cultural La Tabacalera hosts community events and workshops. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Too Many Games offers gaming and social gathering experiences. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Gran Madrid offers various gaming experiences. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €144,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €204,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €162,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 19% effective tax rate on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 47% maximum personal income tax rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% standard Value Added Tax rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Spain has strict CFC rules for the taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on cadastral value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is 7% on property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Spain offers non-resident status with 24% flat income tax for foreign income. |