🇪🇸 Spain · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Palma de Mallorca? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed flat, Casc Antic or Santa CatalinaEUR 1,150–1,650 / month
One-bed flat, Pere Garau, Son Cotoner or Son FerriolEUR 850–1,250 / month
Utilities and internet, one personEUR 120–190 / month
Groceries, one personEUR 240–330 / month — a genuine island premium on almost everything
EMT Palma and TIB bus travelEUR 30–45 / month with a travel card
Good to know
Population
≈420,000 in the city — about a third of the Balearic Islands' total, and the population of the island roughly doubles in high summer
Languages
Castilian Spanish and Catalan, both co-official, with the Mallorcan variety spoken locally. German and English are very widely spoken in the service economy
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Time zone
CET (GMT+1); CEST (GMT+2) from late March to late October
Power plug
Type C and F, 230 V / 50 Hz
Climate
Mediterranean — hot dry summers moderated by sea breeze, mild wet winters, and autumn storm systems that can be severe
Resident travel
Registered Balearic residents receive a 75% discount on flights and ferries to the peninsula and between the islands, verified against the padrón
Regional tax
Wealth tax applies with a 3,000,000 euro exempt minimum — the highest in Spain — while property transfer tax runs on a progressive scale reaching 13%
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Palma de Mallorca checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Palma de Mallorca
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.