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Bilbao

Spain

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The Story

Overview

Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country and northern Spain, has transformed from an industrial port city into a vibrant cultural and economic center. Known for its architectural renaissance symbolized by the Guggenheim Museum, the city combines historic charm with modern innovation. With a population of over 347,000 in the city proper and over 1 million in the metropolitan area, Bilbao is a major economic hub that has successfully reinvented itself through urban renewal and cultural development. The city is also significant for its Basque heritage, world-renowned gastronomy, and its football club Athletic Bilbao, known for its unique policy of featuring only Basque players.

Location & Geography

At a Glance

Quick Facts

Climate

Oceanic

Monthly Cost of Living

$2100 USD

Healthcare

High-quality universal healthcare through Spanish national system

Expat Community

Growing international presence, particularly in business and arts sectors

English Prevalence

Moderate, increasing in business and tourist areas

Infrastructure

Well-developed modern infrastructure with extensive public transport

Lifestyle

Modern urban lifestyle with strong cultural identity and gastronomy focus

Crime Rate

Low, considered one of Spain's safest major cities

Discover More About Spain

Explore comprehensive insights about living in Spain, from visa requirements and healthcare systems to cultural nuances and lifestyle opportunities.

Quality of Life in Spain

Below you'll find key quality of life metrics comparing Spain to the United States. All metrics are normalized to a 0-100 scale for easy comparison. Green arrows (↑) indicate better performance than the US, while red arrows (↓) indicate worse performance.

Understanding the Metrics

Quality of Life Index: Overall score combining all factors. Higher scores indicate better living conditions.

Purchasing Power: How much you can buy with your money. Higher scores mean better purchasing power.

Safety Index: Level of safety and security. Higher scores indicate safer conditions.

Healthcare Index: Quality and accessibility of healthcare. Higher scores mean better healthcare systems.

Cost of Living Index: Cost of goods and services. Lower scores indicate more affordable living costs.

Property Price to Income Ratio: Housing affordability ratio. Lower scores mean more affordable housing relative to income.

Traffic Commute Time Index: Average commute times. Lower scores indicate better traffic conditions.

Pollution Index: Environmental pollution levels. Lower scores mean cleaner environment.

Climate Index: Climate comfort rating. Higher scores indicate more favorable weather conditions.

Quality of Life

78.2

Purchasing Power

47.3

Safety Index

65.9

Healthcare Index

80.3

Cost of Living Index

34.6

Property Price To Income Ratio

14.9

Traffic Commute Time Index

12.7

Pollution Index

30.3

Climate Index

89.8

Financial Overview

Cost of Living

Monthly Estimate

USD 2,100

Rent

USD 900

  • 1-bedroom apartment in city center

Utilities

USD 150

  • Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage

Dining Out

USD 600

  • Regular dining out for one person

Want more detailed insights?

Explore our comprehensive cost of living breakdown, including detailed price comparisons for groceries, entertainment, healthcare, and more.

Safety & Security

Safety Overview

Very safe city

Crime Overview

Common Incidents

Low crime rate overall

Safe Areas

Most areas are safe day and night

Safety Precautions

Standard urban precautions

Emergency Numbers

Police

911

Ambulance

911

Fire

911

Medical Care

Healthcare

Healthcare System

System Type

Universal public healthcare

Quality Level

High-quality medical services

Medical Facilities

Available Facilities

    Access

    Full access to Spanish healthcare system

    Weather & Seasons

    Climate

    Mild temperatures year-round with regular rainfall. Summers are warm with average highs around 25-26°C (77-79°F), winters are cool with lows between 6-7°C (43-45°F). High annual rainfall and moderate sunshine hours compared to rest of Spain.

    Best Time to Visit

    Contact us for detailed seasonal information

    Unlock premium insights including weather trends and monthly averages

    Communication

    Language

    English Proficiency

    Bilingual city with Spanish and Basque widely used. English growing in business sectors.

    Moderate, increasing in business and tourist areas
    Global Rank: #44 of 112 countries

    What Does This Mean?

      Languages

      Spanish
      Basque

      Learning Difficulty

      Level 1
      Closely related to English

      Expected learning time: 24 weeks (600 hours)

      Based on FSI (Foreign Service Institute) language difficulty ratings

      Make Friends in Spanish

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      • Learn at your own pace
      • Simple, fun daily lessons
      • No pressure or deadlines

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      Community

      Expat Life

      Medium

      Demographics

      Main Nationalities

      Mix of business professionalsartistsand academics

      Community Life

      Popular Activities

      • Cultural events
      • gastronomy
      • outdoor activities

      Your American Community in Spain

      Join local meetups and Facebook groups in your area

      Immigration Guide

      Living in Spain

      Understand the visa and residency options available for living in Bilbao, Spain. Part of EU Schengen zone

      Digital Nomad
      Investment (Limited)
      Permanent
      Citizenship
      Working
      Student
      Family

      Lifestyle & Retirement

      Options for those seeking a change in lifestyle, whether retiring or working remotely.

      Digital Nomad

      Ideal for remote workers and digital professionals who want to live in the country while working for overseas companies.

      Status in Spain: Fully available. This is an established visa pathway in Spain.

      Investment & Business

      Pathways for those looking to invest or work in the country.

      Investment

      Limited Availability

      For those interested in making a significant financial investment in the country, such as purchasing property or starting a business.

      Status in Spain: Available with some restrictions. We recommend consulting with an immigration lawyer for the latest details.

      Working

      Permits you to work locally in the country, either for a specific employer or in general.

      Status in Spain: Fully available. This is an established visa pathway in Spain.

      Long-term Residency

      Options for those seeking to establish permanent roots.

      Permanent

      Long-term residency rights that allow you to live in the country indefinitely.

      Status in Spain: Fully available. This is an established visa pathway in Spain.

      Citizenship

      The opportunity to become a full citizen of the country, often after meeting specific residency requirements.

      Status in Spain: Fully available. This is an established visa pathway in Spain.

      Additional Options

      Other pathways including education and family reunion.

      Student

      Designed for those pursuing education at local institutions.

      Status in Spain: Fully available. This is an established visa pathway in Spain.

      Family

      Options for bringing family members or joining relatives already in the country.

      Status in Spain: Fully available. This is an established visa pathway in Spain.

      Note: Immigration policies can change. Always consult with the Spain embassy or a qualified immigration lawyer for the most current information and personalized advice.

      Essential Services

      Infrastructure

      Modern and well-maintained

      Connectivity

      Internet Service

      Modern and well-maintained

      Average Speed: Contact us for details

      Mobile Coverage

      Good

      Utilities

      Power Grid

      Modern and well-maintained

      110/220V / 60Hz

      Water Quality

      Contact us for details

      Tap water treatment recommended

      Municipal Services

      Waste Management

      Comprehensive urban services

      Recycling: Contact us for details

      Property & Housing

      Real Estate

      Mix of historic and modern properties

      Market Overview

      Mix of historic and modern properties

      Market Forecast

      Contact us for details

      Buying Property

      Restrictions

      • Standard Spanish property regulations apply

      Renting Property

      Typical Terms

      Contact us for details

      Deposits

      Contact us for details

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      Your Educational Journey

      Understanding Local Education

      Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country and northern Spain, has transformed from an industrial port city into a vibrant cultural and economic center. Known for its architectural renaissance symbolized by the Guggenheim Museum, the city combines historic charm with modern innovation. With a population of over 347,000 in the city proper and over 1 million in the metropolitan area, Bilbao is a major economic hub that has successfully reinvented itself through urban renewal and cultural development. The city is also significant for its Basque heritage, world-renowned gastronomy, and its football club Athletic Bilbao, known for its unique policy of featuring only Basque players.

      Your Educational Choices

      What's Available to You

      Public and private schools, major universities

      Quality You Can Expect

      High standard of education at all levels

      International Learning Opportunities

      Schools That Welcome International Students

      Several international education options

      Key Considerations

      Pros & Cons

      Discover More About Spain

      Explore comprehensive insights about living in Spain, from visa requirements and healthcare systems to cultural nuances and lifestyle opportunities.