$$PlaybookLisbon
Portugal
120 Mbps
7/10
8/10
8/10
Valencia
Spain
Spain's most liveable city — sunnier than Madrid, cheaper than Barcelona, and finally on nomads' radars
Nomad Score
8.4/10
Cost Tier
Moderate ($$)
Internet
280 Mbps
Safety
8.0/10
Walkability
8/10
English-Friendly
6/10
About Valencia
Valencia has spent years in Barcelona's shadow, but the nomad community has found it out. The cost of living is 25–35% lower than Barcelona, the climate is arguably better (300+ days of sun, dry heat rather than humid), and the city is built around a massive converted riverbed park that makes cycling the primary mode of transport. The paella is the real thing here. The coworking scene is still growing but solid, fiber internet is fast and affordable, and the digital nomad visa application process is exactly the same as any other Spanish city — the D8 equivalent.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in USD for a single digital nomad.
Rent (Studio)$950
Coworking$150
Groceries$260
Eating Out$290
Transport$20
Phone/SIM$15
Gym$35
Total Monthly$1,720
Visa & Stay
Visa-Free for US Citizens
Yes
Max Stay (Visa-Free)
90 days
Digital Nomad Visa
Available
Spain Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups) — same as Barcelona. Requires 80%+ of income from non-Spanish clients/employer. Minimum income EUR 2,849/month. Includes access to the 24% Beckham Law flat tax for up to 6 years.
Minimum Income: $2,849/month
Climate
Climate Type
mediterranean
Best Months
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Avoid Months
Jul, Aug
July and August bring intense heat (35–40°C) and heavy domestic tourism; the city is still very liveable compared to Madrid, but it's the least comfortable months.
Timezone
CET (UTC+1)
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Spanish, Valencian
Continent
Europe
Topics & Vibes
cyclingfoodcoworkingbeachcafe culturecommunityhistory
Is this information still accurate?
Related guides
Everything you need before and after landing in Valencia.
🛂Spain Nomad Visa→🇪🇺Schengen 90/180 Rule→💳Banking for Nomads→💸Wise vs Revolut→🛡️Travel Insurance→🏠Finding Accommodation→🏘️Airbnb vs Booking.com→🧾Taxes as a Nomad→📶SIM Cards & eSIMs→🔒Best VPN for Nomads→
Free tools
Ready to get settled in Valencia?
Follow our step-by-step acclimation playbook for your first two weeks.
Start the PlaybookSimilar cities
All cities →
More cities in 🇪🇸 Spain
Spain guide →
Frequently Asked Questions — Valencia
Common questions from digital nomads researching Valencia.
Is Valencia good for digital nomads?
Yes — Valencia scores 8.4/10 on Settled Nomad's nomad index, making it an excellent choice for remote workers. Spain's most liveable city — sunnier than Madrid, cheaper than Barcelona, and finally on nomads' radars. The city is rated "easy" difficulty for new arrivals, with a 6/10 English-friendliness score and 8/10 for safety. Internet averages 280 Mbps. Overall, Valencia has spent years in Barcelona's shadow, but the nomad community has found it out.
How much does it cost to live in Valencia as a digital nomad?
A typical single digital nomad can expect to spend around $1,720/month in Valencia. The budget breaks down as: studio apartment rent ~$950, coworking space ~$150, groceries ~$260, eating out ~$290, local transport ~$20, phone/SIM ~$15, and gym ~$35. Overall, Valencia is a mid-range destination. Costs vary depending on neighbourhood, lifestyle, and whether you cook at home.
Do US citizens need a visa to work remotely in Valencia?
US citizens can enter Spain visa-free for up to 90 days — no advance visa is required. For longer stays, Spain offers a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa: Spain Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups) — same as Barcelona. Requires 80%+ of income from non-Spanish clients/employer. Minimum income EUR 2,849/month. Includes access to the 24% Beckham Law flat tax for up to 6 years. The minimum income requirement is $2,849/month.
What is the internet like in Valencia?
Internet speeds in Valencia average around 280 Mbps, which is exceptional — well above average for fast uploads, 4K streaming, and simultaneous video calls. Dedicated coworking spaces reliably deliver faster and more stable connections than cafes or short-term apartments. If you plan to work from home, confirm fibre availability before signing a lease — co-working memberships are a reliable fallback during slower periods.
Is Valencia safe for digital nomads?
Valencia has a safety rating of 8/10 on our scale — considered very safe for digital nomads. Standard urban awareness (securing valuables, using reputable transport) is all that is needed. As with any city, basic precautions apply: use ride-hailing apps rather than unmarked taxis, don't leave laptops unattended in cafes, and be aware of your surroundings in busy tourist areas.
What is the best time of year to visit Valencia?
The best months to base yourself in Valencia are March, April, May, June, September, October, November. The climate type is mediterranean. We recommend avoiding July, August — july and August bring intense heat (35–40°C) and heavy domestic tourism; the city is still very liveable compared to Madrid, but it's the least comfortable months..
What currency is used in Valencia and how should I handle money?
Valencia uses the Euro (EUR). The Euro is widely accepted across the EU. Cards (Visa/Mastercard) work almost everywhere. Apps like Wise and Revolut offer near-interbank exchange rates — avoid exchanging cash at airports or hotel desks where margins are high.
Plan your trip to Valencia
Partner links🏠
Find a place to stay
Monthly rentals, apartments & hotels in Valencia
Search Booking.com
✈️Find cheap flights
Search hundreds of airlines for flights to Valencia
Search Skyscanner
These are affiliate links. Settled Nomad earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Gear up for Valencia
Tools the Settled Nomad community relies on — vetted, nomad-tested.
🛡️Most popular
SafetyWing
Travel & medical insurance for nomads
Flexible monthly coverage starting at $42/mo. Cancel anytime, covers 180+ countries, and pays out in USD.
Get covered
📱
Airalo
eSIM for 190+ countries
Skip the airport SIM queue. Buy a local eSIM before you land and stay connected from day one.
Get an eSIM
💸
Wise
International banking without the fees
Hold 50+ currencies, get local bank details in 10 countries, and send money at the real exchange rate.
Open a free account
🔒
NordVPN
Stay secure on public Wi-Fi
Essential for coworking spaces and coffee shops. Access home streaming services and keep your data private.
Get NordVPN
🏨
Booking.com
Monthly stays & apartments worldwide
Filter by monthly price, kitchen, and workspace. Thousands of nomad-friendly apartments not on Airbnb.
Search stays
✈️
Skyscanner
Find the cheapest flights anywhere
Compare hundreds of airlines in seconds. Set price alerts and book when the fare drops.
Search flights
These are affiliate links. Settled Nomad earns a commission at no extra cost to you.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. Settled Nomad may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.
Stay in the loop
New city guides, visa changes, and nomad intel — monthly, no spam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best digital nomad city for me?
Start by filtering on your non-negotiables: if budget is tight, sort by cost and look at cities under $2,000/month (Chiang Mai, Medellín, Tbilisi). If fast internet is critical for video calls, filter by internet speed score. If you're on a US passport in Europe, check Schengen status — cities in Georgia, Albania, or the UK give you unlimited stay without the 90-day limit. Use the quiz to get 3 personalized picks based on your specific priorities.
What is the 'nomad score' shown on each city?
The nomad score is a 0–10 composite rating built from verified data: internet speed (25%), cost of living vs. global median (25%), safety index (20%), English proficiency (15%), and coworking availability + visa friendliness (15%). A score of 7+ indicates a city that works well for most nomads. The score is recalculated quarterly as underlying data refreshes.
Which digital nomad cities have the best internet?
The consistently highest-rated cities for internet speed are: Tallinn, Estonia (average 100+ Mbps, fiber everywhere), Seoul, South Korea (gigabit fiber standard), Chiang Mai, Thailand (fast and cheap, coworkings have 200+ Mbps), Lisbon, Portugal (fiber widely available, 100–500 Mbps in most apartments), and Mexico City (100+ Mbps in Roma/Condesa neighborhoods). For video-heavy work, any of these cities provides reliable upload speeds for HD streaming.
Can I live in these cities without speaking the local language?
Most top-ranked nomad cities have high English proficiency — Lisbon, Tallinn, Amsterdam, Prague, and Bangkok all have strong English-speaking nomad communities and service sectors. Cities with lower English scores (Tokyo, Medellín, Chiang Mai) still work well for nomads because the expat community is large, coworkings operate in English, and translation apps handle most daily situations. Every city guide includes an English proficiency rating and practical notes on language.