Why Bilbao?
The Guggenheim city. Basque culture, Europe's best pintxos scene, and outstanding urban infrastructure in a compact, walkable city. Lower sun but higher quality of life.
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Expense | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR apartment (centre) | €1,050 | Bills typically extra €80–120 |
| Coworking membership | €175 | Hot desk; private office from €350 |
| Groceries | €250–350 | Mercadona is the best value supermarket |
| Eating out (avg meal) | €12–18 | Menú del día (€10–14) is excellent value |
| Transport (monthly pass) | €40–70 | Most nomads use a bicycle or scooter too |
| Health insurance | €50–80 | Private, for Visa. SANITAS or CIGNA recommended |
| Total estimate | €1,900 | Comfortable lifestyle with dining out |
Best Neighborhoods
Where you live matters as much as which city you choose. Here are the neighbourhoods most popular with digital nomads in Bilbao:
Casco Viejo
Historic & pintxosThe old quarter. Legendary pintxos bars, historic streets, lively atmosphere.
Avg 1BR:€1,050/mo
Indautxu
Modern & residentialModern Bilbao. Shopping, restaurants, very liveable for long stays.
Avg 1BR:€1,100/mo
Deusto
University & creativeUniversity area. Younger crowd, more affordable, up-and-coming.
Avg 1BR:€900/mo
Best Coworking Spaces
Bilbao has 22+ coworking spaces, ranging from community-focused hubs to premium private offices. Here are our top picks:
| Space | Type | Price | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIC Berrilan | Innovation centre | €175/mo | 4.5 | Basque innovation hub. Excellent for startup founders and entrepreneurs. |
| Coworking Bilbao | Community coworking | €160/mo | 4.3 | Well-established community. Regular events and networking. |