Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of Europe’s biggest nomad hubs, and the reason is the weather: daytime highs of about 21 to 27°C all year, which makes it the obvious place to escape a European winter. It is a real city of 380,000 people with a long urban beach, Las Canteras, a surf break, fast fibre, good coliving and coworking, and costs well below mainland Spain’s big cities.
The Canary Islands are part of Spain and the EU, on the same clock as London. They are a long way from the rest of Europe (about four hours’ flight to London or Berlin), and the city itself has more beach life than culture. For sights as a visitor, see the Las Palmas travel guide.
Las Palmas for Digital Nomads at a Glance#
Why Las Palmas Works for Remote Workers#
- Spring weather all year. Sunny, mild winters and summers that rarely get very hot.
- A city beach. Las Canteras has a reef that makes it calm for swimming, a 3-kilometre promenade and surf at La Cicer.
- A big community. Coliving houses, coworking spaces and meetups most days in the winter season.
- Value. Rent and food cost less than in Barcelona, Madrid or Lisbon, and the Canaries have a lower sales tax (IGIC, 7%).
- Time zone. Same as London: five hours ahead of New York.
Who It Suits (and Who It Doesn't)#
Las Palmas suits winter-sun seekers, surfers and social nomads who work European or US East Coast hours. It suits you less if you want a historic city full of museums, easy weekend trips across Europe, or a hot summer: the north of the island is often cloudy in summer (the panza de burro).
Visas#
The Canaries are in the Schengen Area, so most non-EU visitors can stay 90 days in any 180. Spain’s digital nomad visa asks for about €2,850 a month from employers or clients outside Spain, and can be applied for at a consulate or from inside Spain. The Canaries have their own lower tax rates for some businesses; get tax advice if you plan to become resident.
Spain: Digital Nomad Visa (International Teleworker Residence)
- Stay
- 1 year as a visa from a consulate, or 3 years if you apply from inside Spain
- Valid for
- 1 to 3 years
- Renewal
- Renews for 2 years at a time; permanent residence after 5
- Money required
- About €2,850 a month (200% of the Spanish minimum wage, raised in 2026)
- Fee
- About €80 at a consulate; about €73 plus card fee in Spain
- Who qualifies
- Remote workers with at least 3 months with the employer or clients, a degree or 3 years' experience, and no more than 20% of income from Spanish clients.
- Family
- First dependant +75% of minimum wage, each further one +25%
- Tax
- Can opt into the Beckham regime: a flat 24% on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 for 6 years, foreign income mostly untaxed
- How to apply
- At a Spanish consulate, or from inside Spain on a visa-free stay through the UGE online portal. Official site
Applying from inside Spain gets 3 years at once and avoids a consulate queue, and is the route most people use.
Spain for digital nomads · Rules checked October 2026. Confirm with the official source before applying.
What It Costs#
These are monthly costs for one person renting a furnished one-bed near the beach, in US dollars. Winter, from October to April, is high season for nomads.
| Monthly cost | Typical range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furnished 1-bed apartment, monthly | $900 - $1,400 | Near Las Canteras or in Guanarteme; rooms in shared flats and coliving from about €500-800 |
| Bills | $40 - $90 | Often included; no heating or air-con needed most of the year |
| Home internet | Fibre of 600 Mbps-1 Gbps; usually included | |
| Coworking | $120 - $250 | Day passes about €15-20; monthly about €150-240 (IGIC included at some spaces) |
| Food (groceries plus eating out often) | $300 - $550 | Groceries are cheap; a menú del día about €10-14 |
| Transport | $20 - $50 | Guaguas (city buses) with a monthly pass; Global buses around the island |
| Phone plan with data | $10 - $20 | Digi, Lowi or Simyo; EU roaming included |
| Surf, gym and activities | $30 - $120 | Surf lessons and board rental at La Cicer |
| Social life and extras | $150 - $300 | Beach bars, tapas and cheap wine |
These are ballpark estimates, not quotes. Real costs vary hugely with your lifestyle, which neighbourhood you live in, how often you eat out or take taxis, the season and the exchange rate. Use them to compare places, then check current prices before you commit.
Ways to save: share a flat or use coliving, shop at the Mercado del Puerto and supermarkets, and use a monthly bus pass. Alcohol and tobacco are cheaper than on the mainland.
Where to Live#
Most nomads live within walking distance of Las Canteras, between La Isleta and Guanarteme.
| Neighbourhood | Vibe | 1-bed / month | Best for | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Canteras and La Isleta | The city beach: a long promenade with a reef, cafes, restaurants and most of the nomad scene | $900-1,500 | Beach life and community | Walk; city buses |
| Guanarteme and La Cicer | The southern end of Las Canteras, a local area with the surf break | $800-1,300 | Surfers and value near the beach | Walk to the beach; buses |
| Mesa y López and Alcaravaneras | The shopping district between the two beaches, with a smaller city beach on the east side | $850-1,300 | Convenience | Main bus routes |
| Triana and Vegueta | The historic old town, with colonial streets, the cathedral and Friday-night bars | $800-1,300 | Character and culture | Buses to Las Canteras in 15-20 minutes |
Monthly rentals are listed on Idealista, Spotahome and Airbnb, and in Las Palmas nomad and rental Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Book well ahead for December to March.
Coworking Spaces#
Day passes cost about €15 to €20. Prices below are as published or recently reported.
Sky Coworking
A coworking and coliving operator by Las Canteras with day, five-day, ten-day and monthly passes, all priced with the local IGIC tax included.
Best for: Flexible passes near the beach
Work in Cholas
A community-first coworking space run by Repeople, the coliving operator, with regular events and an easy way to meet other nomads.
Best for: Community
The promenade along Las Canteras is lined with cafes, and many welcome laptops on weekdays.
Coliving#
Sky Coliving
Sky’s coliving rooms near the beach, bookable by the week or month, with coworking included.
Best for: Short stays by the beach
Internet and SIM Cards#
Fibre of 600 Mbps to 1 Gbps is standard in the city. Budget mobile brands such as Digi, Lowi and Simyo are cheap, and EU roaming rules apply in the Canaries.
Getting Around#
Las Palmas is easy to cover on foot, by bike and on the yellow city buses (guaguas). Global buses link the city with the airport (about 25 minutes), the south’s beaches and the mountain villages. Renting a car for a weekend opens up the island’s mountains and the dunes at Maspalomas. Ferries and short flights connect the other Canary Islands.
Weather and When to Go#
Any time works. October to May is the main nomad season, with warm sunny days. Summer is warm but often cloudy in the city, while the south of the island is sunnier and hotter. Occasional calima (Saharan dust) brings haze and heat.
Community and Meeting People#
Las Palmas has one of the most organised nomad communities in Europe: coliving events, coworking meetups, surf trips, hikes and Las Palmas nomad WhatsApp and Telegram groups mean you can meet people from your first day.
Health and Safety#
Las Palmas is safe. Watch your belongings on the beach and at night in busy areas. Healthcare is excellent; non-EU visitors need health insurance.
Las Palmas Digital Nomad FAQs#
Is Las Palmas good for digital nomads?
Yes, especially in winter. It has spring weather all year, a city beach, fast internet, a big community and lower costs than mainland Spain’s big cities.
How much does it cost to live in Las Palmas as a nomad?
About $2,100 a month for a comfortable life with your own flat, from about $1,500 with a room or coliving. These are ballpark figures, and winter is busier.
Is Las Palmas in the EU and Schengen?
Yes. The Canary Islands are part of Spain, the EU and the Schengen Area, so the 90-day rule and Spain’s nomad visa both apply.
Where should digital nomads live in Las Palmas?
Near Las Canteras: La Isleta and the central promenade for community and beach life, or Guanarteme for surf and a more local feel.
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and venues change: check before you commit to a month.