Bilbao, Spain
Bilbao, Spain is a Europe base for digital nomads with a typical solo monthly cost around $2050, average internet around 120 Mbps, and a safety score of 8/10. In our dataset the friendliest months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, while rainy months to plan around are Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan. Place feel leans urban with vibes tagged foodie, adventure. Visa: Visa Exemption: up to 90 days. Schengen short stay: 90 days in any 180. Digital nomad route: 1-yr consular telework visa; in-Spain residence permit up to 3 years, renew 2 (Ley 14/2013 art. 74 quinquies). Time zone UTC+1.
Key stats for digital nomads
- Cost of living (solo / month): $2050
- Long-term monthly estimate: $1538
- Median Airbnb (night): $93 (estimate)
- Internet: 120 Mbps (reliability 8/10 (estimate))
- Power grid stability: 9/10 (estimate)
- Coworking density: Med
- Safety: 8/10 (female safety 7/10)
- Visa: Visa Exemption: up to 90 days. Schengen short stay: 90 days in any 180. Digital nomad route: 1-yr consular telework visa; in-Spain residence permit up to 3 years, renew 2 (Ley 14/2013 art. 74 quinquies).
- Timezone: UTC+1
- Language: Spanish
- Region: Europe
- Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- Rainy months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan
- Avg temperature: 13°C
Vibe tags
- foodie
- adventure
Landscape
- urban
Why go
- Guggenheim
- Basque culture
- Green
Trade-offs
- Gray weather
- Smaller scene
Quick answers
How much does it cost to live in Bilbao as a digital nomad?
About $2050 a month for a solo nomad, based on Nomad Spin's estimates. For longer stays, our long-term monthly estimate is $1538. The median Airbnb estimate is $93 a night, which matters most if you book short stays instead of a monthly rental.
Is the internet in Bilbao good enough for video calls?
Yes, for most calls. Nomad Spin lists average speeds around 120 Mbps with estimated reliability 8/10 and power grid stability 9/10. Coworking density is Medium, so shortlist a coworking space early. Test your own apartment's connection before a long stay.
How long can I stay in Spain as a digital nomad?
Up to 90 days for many passports, counted across the whole Schengen area. For a longer remote-work stay, Spain's digital nomad visa runs up to 1 year, and an in-country telework permit up to 3 years (Ley 14/2013). Verify current rules on official Spanish government pages.
When is the best time to live in Bilbao?
May to September are the best months in Nomad Spin's data. The rainy months to plan around are October to January, and the average temperature is about 13 C. Other months carry no weather flag in our data.
Is Bilbao safe for solo female travelers?
Mostly, with normal precautions. Bilbao scores 8/10 for overall safety and 7/10 for female safety in Nomad Spin's data. LGBTQ+ friendliness scores 7/10. Use normal city precautions and check recent local advice for the area you book.
Who should skip Bilbao as a nomad base?
Skip Bilbao if these listed trade-offs are dealbreakers: gray weather and smaller scene. Its listed strengths are guggenheim, basque culture and green. English proficiency scores 5/10 in our data. Expect about $2050 a month in our data.
Find your next base
Compare Bilbao against your budget, internet, and safety floors, then spin the globe for a match, or browse more nomad guides.