Essentials
- Internet Speed
- Average 150 Mbps (Fiber widely available: Movistar, Orange)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, but high mineral content; many prefer filtered or bottled water
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F
- SIM Card
- Vodafone, Movistar, Orange (Prepaid 20GB approx. €15)
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut (Spanish IBAN), N26, or CaixaBank HolaBank
- Accommodation
- Idealista, Fotocasa, Badi (for rooms)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards/contactless accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com (approx. €900-€1,400/month for 1BR)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Tarragona (approx. €25/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Part Alta (Old Town) - Roman ruins and historic atmosphere
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Eixample / Rambla Nova area - Modern amenities and better internet infrastructure
- City
- Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
- Population
- 135,000
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Tarragona Impulsa or Space Up (€15/day, €175/month)
- Best Cafe for Work
- 緩 huan (Via de l'Imperi Romà) or Coffee Break (Rambla Nova)
- Networking Events
- Meetup.com 'Tarragona Tech & Entrepreneurs' group
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Tarragona or Language Exchange events at Highland Pub
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Radio Taxi Tarragona (App: Pidetaxi). No Uber/Cabify
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Spin (Electric scooters), Drac Actiu for bike rentals
- Best Beach Nearby
- Platja de l'Arrabassada (Blue Flag, walkable from center)
- Top Regional Airline
- Vueling (Operating from Reus Airport - 15 mins away)
- Top International Airline
- Iberia / British Airways / Lufthansa (Via Barcelona El Prat)
- Highway Access
- AP-7 (Mediterranean Highway) and A-7
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Tarragona Estació (Regional) and Camp de Tarragona (High-speed AVE)
- Public Transport Passes
- T-Mes card (€45/month) or T-10 multi-trip card (€12)
- Regional Travel
- Renfe Rodalies to Barcelona (1 hour, approx. €8.05)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga TGN (Carrer de l'Asalt) - approx. €12 per drop-in
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Viding Sant Jordi (Rambla President Lluís Companys) - €55/month
- Laundry Services
- La Wash (Self-service, approx. €5 per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo, Just Eat
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Romesco de Peix (Fish stew with nut-based Romesco sauce)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- El Vergel Vege-Restaurant (Carrer Major)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pastisseria Conde (Carrer del Comte)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercat Central de Tarragona (Modernist market hall)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es, El Corte Inglés
- Grocery Delivery
- Mercadona or Bonpreu App
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Plaça de la Font (Main square with cafes/bars)
- Local Brewery
- Cervesera Hort del Barri (Craft beer taproom)
- Wine Bars
- L'Antiquari (Located in a historic building in Part Alta)
- Street Food Stalls
- La Cuineta (Takeaway local home cooking)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kiku (Japanese) or El Terrat (Modern Mediterranean/Fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Roman Amphitheatre (overlooking the sea)
- Museums & Art Venues
- MNACT (National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona)
- Historical Sites
- Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del Diable) - 4km from city
- Religious Sites
- Tarragona Cathedral (Saint Tecla)
- Annual Events
- Santa Tecla Festival (September) - Castellers (Human Towers)
- Cultural Districts
- Serrallo (Fishermen’s Quarter)
- Theater Venues
- Teatre Metropol (Designed by Josep Maria Jujol)
- Local Markets
- Flea Market at Rambla Nova (Sundays)
- Music Scene
- Sala Zero (Live rock and indie music)
- Street Art
- Mural del Carrer dels Cavallers (Plaça dels Sedassos)
- Cooking Classes
- Taller de Cuina at Mercat Central
- Art Galleries
- MAMT (Modern Art Museum of Tarragona)
- Historic Buildings
- Casa Castellarnau (14th-century mansion)
- Local Heritage
- Tradition of 'Castells' (recognized by UNESCO)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Bosc de la Marquesa (Coastal forest and pristine coves)
- National Parks Nearby
- Delta de l'Ebre Natural Park (1 hour drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The GR-92 coastal path (Camí de Ronda)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Balcó del Mediterrani (End of Rambla Nova)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Gorg de Creixell (Wetlands nearby)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Prohibited on beaches; designated areas in picnic zones of Prades Mountains
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (Central office at Plaza de la Font), SEUR
- Tech Repair Services
- Informàtica Tarragona (Carrer de Pere Martell)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Natació Tàrraco
- Language Classes
- International House Tarragona (Spanish/Catalan courses)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública de Tarragona
- Community Centers
- Espai Jove Kesse
- Gaming Lounges
- Mystic (Video game cafe)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Tarragona (Port Esportiu)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €108,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €64,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €84,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €184,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €104,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate in Spain)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% - 26% for residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47% (National + Regional Catalonia surcharge)
- VAT
- 21% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Spanish 'Transparencia Fiscal Internacional' rules apply
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles), approx. 0.4%-1.1% of value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 10% ITP (Transfer Tax) for resale properties in Catalonia
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (Flat 24% for 6 years) or Spanish Digital Nomad Visa special tax regime