Other Services and Amenities
- Community Centers
- Casal de Joves para la Cultura.
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (Carrer de la Guàrdia, 12).
- Tech Repair Services
- Mobile shop on Av. de Catalunya (mostly basic repairs).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public tables at Parc de Sa Riera.
- Language Classes
- Servei de Català (Carrer Església) for Catalan/Spanish basics.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal Manuel de Pedrolo.
- Gaming Lounges
- None; limited to Lloret de Mar arcades.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gran Casino Costa Brava (Lloret de Mar, 10km away).
Essentials
- City
- Tossa de Mar, Province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain
- Population
- Approximately 6,000 (increases significantly in summer)
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-300 Mbps (Fiber optic is standard in most rentals)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, but high mineral content; locals often prefer bottled water like Font Vella.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Vodafone, Orange; available at authorized shops in Blanes or Girona. eSIMs through Holafly/Airalo recommended.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, N26, and Wise are widely used and accepted.
- Accommodation
- Villas, apartments, and boutique hotels (e.g., Hotel Chapelín).
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and contactless payments accepted in 95% of establishments.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like 'Tossa Rental'.
- Budget Accommodation
- Mana Mana Hostel (Carrer de la Guàrdia, 52) – approx. €30-40/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Vila Vella (Old Town) for history and Platja Gran for beachfront access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Upper Tossa/Centro – quieter residential areas away from the main tourist strip.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Tossa de Mar does not have a dedicated coworking; most nomads use 'El Local' (Lloret de Mar, 15m away) or hotel lobbies.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Gran Cafè (Passeig del Mar, 16) – Great views and decent Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- Occasional meetups organized via 'Digital Nomads Costa Brava' Facebook group.
- Social Events for Expats
- Language exchange nights at local bars like 'Don Juan'.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber/Cabify limited. Best to use Ràdio Taxi Tossa (+34 972 34 05 49).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Jimenez Rent (Av. de la Palma, 7) – approx. €25/day for a scooter.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Cala Pola (accessible by hike or boat) or Platja d'es Codolar.
- Top Regional Airline
- Vueling (Hub: Barcelona El Prat).
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair (operates heavily from Girona-Costa Brava Airport).
- Highway Access
- C-31 and AP-7 (Autopista del Mediterráneo) connected via GI-682.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Blanes Train Station (connected by Sarfa bus to Tossa de Mar).
- Public Transport Passes
- ATM Area de Girona cards (T-10) for regional buses like Moventis/Sarfa.
- Regional Travel
- Sarfa Bus to Barcelona (approx. 1h 20m, €15) or Girona (approx. 1h, €10).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Comarcal de la Selva (Blanes) – 20 mins away.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Shanti Vida Tossa (seasonal outdoor classes) and Hotel Gran Reymar Spa.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Zona Esportiva Municipal (Carrer de l’Ermita) – approx. €40/month.
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Self-Service (Av. de Ferran Agulló, 12).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo (limited availability), Just Eat.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cim i Tomba (Traditional fisherman's fish and potato stew).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pizzeria Bello (Carrer dels Socors) offers veggie options; La Roca de Tossa.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pastisseria Tomàs (Carrer de la Guàrdia, 1) – try the 'Besos de Tossa'.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercadona and Lidl (located at the entrance of the town).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (delivery standard 24-48 hours).
- Grocery Delivery
- BonpreuEsclat or Mercadona online.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Carrer dels Socors (The main 'social' street).
- Local Brewery
- Birra 08 (Craft beer bar/retailer locally available).
- Wine Bars
- Taverna de l'Abat (Vila Vella) – excellent Empordà region wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Weekly Market (Thursdays) at Rambla Pau Casals.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mestre d'Aixa (Mediterranean fusion).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Castillo de Tossa de Mar (Vila Vella walls).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Municipal Museum of Tossa de Mar (First contemporary art museum in Spain).
- Historical Sites
- Roman Villa of Ametllers (1st Century BC).
- Religious Sites
- Parish Church of Sant Vicenç.
- Annual Events
- Festa Major de Sant Vicenç (January); Tossa de Mar Flower Festival (May).
- Cultural Districts
- Vila Vella (The only fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast).
- Theater Venues
- Cine-Teatre Montserrat.
- Local Markets
- Dijous Market (Thursdays, 09:00 - 13:00) – clothing, food, crafts.
- Music Scene
- Habaneras singing festivals on the beach during summer.
- Street Art
- Statue of Ava Gardner (commemorating the filming of 'Pandora and the Flying Dutchman').
- Cooking Classes
- Local workshops at 'Espai de Gastronomia'.
- Art Galleries
- Galeria d'Art f. linares.
- Historic Buildings
- Far de Tossa (Lighthouse).
- Local Heritage
- The 'Pelegrí de Tossa' (annual religious pilgrimage).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Massís de l'Ardenya (mountain range for hiking).
- National Parks Nearby
- Montseny Natural Park (1 hour drive).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Camí de Ronda (Coastal path) – Tossa to Lloret or Tossa to Sant Feliu.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de Marassa – panoramic coastal views.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Riera de Tossa (river mouth area).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Prohibited on beaches; designated BBQ areas in Sa Riera Park.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €157,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €105,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €210,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €145,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €320,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €216,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard rate in Spain.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% to 26% depending on amount.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (>183 days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approx. 47% (varies by region, Catalonia is high).
- VAT
- 21% (IVA).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'Transparencia Fiscal Internacional' rules apply.
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) – annual tax based on value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 10% ITP (Transfer Tax) on resale properties in Catalonia.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (flat 24% for 6 years) or the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa tax regime.