Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Spain · Canary Islands · Europe
Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria and one of Europe's most established digital-nomad hubs, blending a 3km city beach (Las Canteras) with a real, lived-in Spanish city of cafes, coworking spaces and surf culture. The subtropical climate keeps temperatures between roughly 18C and 28C all year, and the EU-grade infrastructure, fast fiber and Spain's nomad visa make long stays easy. Costs sit below mainland Madrid or Barcelona, with the Guanarteme and La Isleta neighborhoods near the beach forming the heart of the remote-work community.
Wealth migration
Outflowing−500Spain just hit its first-ever net millionaire outflow as the golden visa dies and wealth taxes bite; Las Palmas pulls digital nomads, not the ultra-rich.
Tax regime
Spain net wealth/solidarity tax 1.7-3.5% on fortunes >€3M; Canary Islands offer ZEC 4% corporate tax + 7% IGIC
Beckham Law gives 24% flat rate on Spanish income for 6 yrs, but foreign assets still face solidarity tax; no regional wealth-tax shelter for true HNWIs
Golden / investor visa
No residency-by-investment programme.
Why the wealthy are leaving, 2025-26
- Spain's Golden Visa abolished 3 April 2025 (Organic Law 1/2025), investor-residency route to Spain/Canaries closed, citing housing affordability
- National Wealth Tax + Solidarity Tax on Large Fortunes (1.7%-3.5% on net wealth above €3M) is pushing HNWIs out, Spain logged its first-ever net millionaire outflow (-500) in Henley's 2025 report
- Las Palmas is Spain's #1 digital-nomad/remote-worker hub, pulling lifestyle entrepreneurs (not ultra-HNWIs) via the Digital Nomad Visa + Beckham Law 24% flat regime, rents up ~5% in 2025
- Canary Islands' ZEC regime (4% corporate tax, registration window closing 31 Dec 2026) + 7% IGIC vs 21% mainland VAT attracts businesses, but offers no shelter from Spain's national wealth/solidarity tax
- EU-wide flight of capital: France (-800), Spain (-500) and Germany (-400) all posted first-time net HNWI losses in 2025 as the UAE (+9,800) and Italy's flat-tax soak up departures
More of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Monthly cost breakdown
$1,800solo nomad · mid-rangeClimate
SubtropicalPros
- Mild subtropical weather and a 3km city beach year-round
- Large, established nomad community with abundant coworking
- Fast EU fiber internet plus Spain's digital nomad visa
- Lower cost than Madrid or Barcelona with full city amenities
Cons
- Trade winds and humidity can make summer feel sticky
- Pickpocketing risk around the promenade and tourist hubs
- Higher Spanish-DNV income threshold (raised to ~EUR 2,763/mo in late 2025)
Where nomads stay
The nomad mecca: steps from Las Canteras and La Cicer surf, packed with cafes and coworkings
Authentic, local and a bit cheaper, with a slower pace near the harbor
Central hub by the park and port with nightlife, shops and good transport links
Historic cobbled old town for culture lovers who don't need the beach
Coworking
- White Forest
- Sky Coworking Las Palmas
- Soppa de Azul
- The House Coworking
Annual events
- Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran CanariaFebruary
- WOMAD World Music FestivalNovember
- Noche de San Juan beach bonfiresJune
