🇪🇸 Spain · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in San Sebastián? 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, Centro, Gros or AntiguoEUR 1,100–1,600 / month
One-bed flat, Egia, Amara Berri or IntxaurrondoEUR 900–1,250 / month
One-bed flat, Errenteria, Lasarte or HernaniEUR 700–1,000 / month
Utilities and internet, one personEUR 120–180 / month — heating and dehumidifying, not cooling
Dbus, Euskotren and Renfe with a Mugi cardEUR 35–55 / month
Good to know
Population
≈190,000 in the city, with roughly 400,000 across the surrounding Donostialdea comarca — small by Spanish standards and hemmed in by hills and sea
Languages
Castilian Spanish and Euskara, both co-official. Gipuzkoa is the most Basque-speaking province: Euskara is the medium of most schooling here and a certified level is a hard requirement for many public sector posts
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
Oceanic and genuinely wet — rain spread through the year, frequent sirimiri drizzle, mild summers and no Mediterranean extremes
Driving side
Right
Tax authority
The Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa, not the Spanish Agencia Tributaria — its own income tax, corporate tax and Impuesto sobre la Riqueza y las Grandes Fortunas under the Concierto Económico
Some of this may be out of date.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 San Sebastián checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to San Sebastián
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.