Moving to Palma? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Palma is a popular and sunny destination situated in the Balearic Sea belonging to the Balearic Islands. The capital of Mallorca, it’s an island flanked by sea shores and beaches and is a regular recipient of various ‘Best City’ awards across the globe.

If you are considering moving to Palma, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this piece of paradise.

Quick Palma Facts:

Population: 409,661 (2018 estimate).
Official Language: Spanish (de facto) and Catàlan, with many other languages being spoken by expat residents, including English, French, German, Italian, Arabic and Portuguese.
GDP Per Capita: $30,321 USD (2021)
Restaurants: Palma has a sprawling cave system, with the most notable being Coves del Drach.
Currency: Euro (EUR). As of 2024, £1 = €1.20, $1 USD = €0.89, $1 CAD = €0.66, $1 AUD = €0.61

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Palma

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from some of the largest global cities, and shipping it to Palma:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Beijing	$2,450 - $2,550	$4,400 - $4,600
Berlin	$1,950 - $2,050	$3,600 - $3,800
Chicago	$2,250 - $2,350	$4,100 - $4,300
Chongqing	$2,650 - $2,750	$4,800 - $5,000
Delhi	$2,600 - $2,700	$4,700 - $4,900
Dubai	$2,750 - $2,850	$5,000 - $5,200
Houston	$2,350 - $2,450	$4,200 - $4,400
Los Angeles	$2,250 - $2,350	$4,100 - $4,300
Madrid	$1,800 - $1,900	$3,300 - $3,500
New York City	$2,150 - $2,250	$4,000 - $4,200
Paris	$1,900 - $2,000	$3,500 - $3,700
Phoenix	$2,300 - $2,400	$4,200 - $4,400
Rome	$1,900 - $2,000	$3,500 - $3,700
Shanghai	$2,550 - $2,650	$4,600 - $4,800
Sydney	$2,950 - $3,050	$5,200 - $5,400
Toronto	$2,300 - $2,400	$4,200 - $4,400
Vancouver	$2,350 - $2,450	$4,300 - $4,500
Vienna	$2,000 - $2,100	$3,600 - $3,800

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (September 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, Flexport, or Maersk;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. Palma Housing Costs

Housing prices are very affordable compared with major cities around the world and there’s a large selection of different housing types, from small studios to palatial mansions. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Palma:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €840+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €680+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €1,300+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €1,000+

Palma Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €4,300+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: €2,500+

Palma Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Palma compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 64.4% more expensive
New York is 75.6% more expensive
Los Angeles is 66.7% more expensive
Toronto is 49.6% more expensive
Vancouver is 53% more expensive
Sydney is 56.3% more expensive
Melbourne is 38.8% more expensive
Dubai is 49% more expensive
Paris is 44.5% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: House and flat shares are a possibility for those who don’t need their own space. With a house/apartment share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. The bathroom/s will be shared with other people in the house. There are many flats available for shared rental as well. Have a look at RoomLaLa, Erasmusu, Gabinohome and Fotocasa to find someone you can get on with to share the costs with you.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Palma has a variety of accommodations from studios to palatial villas. It has been named the world’s best city to live on by various bodies and is often described as the jewel of the Mediterranean. The Old Town has a large selection of upmarket apartments which will suit those who want to be close to the restaurants and nightlife. There is also parking in this area which is for residents only. Zona Colegios is a quiet area, suitable for families and close to schools. The most expensive areas are Santa Catalina and the old fishing village of Portixol. If you would rather be a little away from the city, then Son Vida estate is an option. It sits on the hillside overlooking the city and has dream homes with prices to match.

3. Palma Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Palma is a foodie paradise. The massive influx of tourists during the summer and winter months allows some of the world’s top chefs to practise their art on the island. You’ll find food from every continent represented here. The only drawback is that most restaurants are expensive and aimed at the tourists’ wallets.

Inexpensive Restaurant: €12.50 – €13.00
Takeout Coffee: €2.15 – €2.50
Bottle of Coke: €2.20 – €3.00
1L of Milk: €0.90 – €1.00
Loaf of Bread: €0.95 – €1.50
12 Eggs: €2.50 – €3.00
1kg Chicken: €6.40 – €6.w50
1kg Beef: €11.40 – €16.00
1kg Apples: €1.90 – €2.00
1kg White Rice: €1.70 – €2.00

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

New York restaurants are 46.1% more expensive and groceries are 55.9% more expensive than Mallorca.
Los Angeles restaurants are 40.4% more expensive and groceries are 42.6% more expensive than Mallorca.
London restaurants are 33.5% more expensive and groceries are 22.3% more expensive than Mallorca.
Paris restaurants are 25.6% more expensive and groceries are 42.3% more expensive than Mallorca.
Toronto restaurants are 27.9% more expensive and groceries are 35% more expensive than Mallorca.
Vancouver restaurants are 25.7% more expensive and groceries are 37.6% more expensive than Mallorca.
Sydney restaurants are 29% more expensive and groceries are 43.4% more expensive than Mallorca.
Melbourne restaurants are 27.9% more expensive and groceries are 44.2% more expensive than Mallorca.
Dubai restaurants are 24.4% cheaper and groceries are 9.9% more expensive than Mallorca.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: El Corte Ingles is a chain similar to the UK’s Marks & Spencers. Carrefour, Lidl and Aldi are all in Palma, offering reasonably priced food. Eroski supermarkets are good for buying fish and meat. Nice Price and BFS Pollensa, bill themselves as British supermarkets, although they do stock local produce and food from other countries. There are weekly food markets everywhere in Mallorca which sell a wide range of fresh and appetising food. The best ones in Palma are Mercado de Santa Catalina and Mercat Per Garau.
Find Cheap Eats: It’s not easy to find good, cheap places to eat in Palma, especially during the peak holiday season. Also, many restaurants close during the winter period. That said, have a look at the following sites to see which restaurants tantalise your taste buds – Travel Supermarket and Like a Local Guide.

4. Palma Alcohol Costs

Palma has a huge selection of bars, clubs and nightclubs, ranging from basic to highly sophisticated. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €2.75 – €3.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €3.50 – €4.50
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €0.90 – €1.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €1.40 – €2.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €5.00 – €8.00

How To Drink For Less in Palma:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Palma does have a few bars and clubs which offer Happy Hour. Have a look at the following site to find where your favourite tipple is on special – Trip Advisor.

5. Palma Transportation Fares

Palma’s public transportation system consists of buses and two tourist train routes. The bus service in Palma is fairly regular and reliable but is less so in other areas. Most people choose to hire a car or use a tour bus or taxi.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult single – €2.00
One day ticket for the bus – €4.00
Monthly season ticket for the bus – €37.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a 10-trip ticket – €11.50
Buy a bike. Cycling is definitely an option in Palma, especially in the low season.
Walk. Depending on where you live and work, walking is certainly a mode of transport to consider.

6. Cost of Internet in Palma

Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Ono: €33.40 a month (fiber broadband up to 600mb)
Orange: €30.95 a month (fiber broadband up to 500mb)

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Palma enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The hottest month is August with an average temperature of 25°C. March is the coldest month with an average of 15°C. Palma’s wettest month is October when an average of 70mm of rain falls.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: €75 – €94
Summer Dress: €30 – €40
Running Shoes (Trainers): €65 – €90
Business Shoes: €95 – €100
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): €80
Deodorant: €3.50
Shampoo: €4.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €1.95
Gym Membership: €50 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: €7.75

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Palma

Everyone in Mallorca drives on the right. Driving in Palma is generally fine during peak periods in the holiday season.

If you’re moving to Palma from within Spain, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address with your new Mallorcan one at your nearest traffic office.

If you live outside the EU, then you can drive on that licence for six months. If your foreign licence is not in Spanish, then you must obtain a Spanish translation or get an International Driving Licence. After this six-month period, you must obtain a Spanish driving licence.

If you are from an EU country then you will need to get a Spanish licence after being in the country for two years. However, you must register your details with the Central Register of Drivers and Minor Offenders after six months. Note that persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to drive in Mallorca.

Residents of certain countries can exchange their licence, other people will need to take a Spanish driving test – both written and practical. This is done in Palma. Expatica.com has useful information in English for expats wanting to drive in Spain.

If you are taking a car with you to Palma, you can drive it for 6 months without registering it. After the 6 months period, you have 30 days to register it.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Palma:

Volkswagen Golf: €19,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): €1.69
Registration Fee (if any): the cost depends on the size of the vehicle and its CO2 emissions.

Source: Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Palma:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. At present, there is no Uber in Mallorca.

9. Taxes in Palma

No matter where you live in Spain or Mallorca, you will pay the same rate of tax. Sales Tax, or VAT (Value Added Tax) is 21% in Spain and is included in the price that is advertised.

If you own a property in Palma you will need to pay IBI tax. The amount varies depending on the size of the property, the services you receive and the area it’s in. Note if you rent a property, it is the owner who pays IBI not the tenant.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Palma, you must pay various taxes and fees. There is a property transfer tax of between 5% and 10%, VAT is payable at 10% on new properties, notary costs, title deed tax and land registration fees are between 1% and 2.5% of the purchase price and legal fees will cost between 1% and 2%.

10. Flight Costs from Palma

If you do make the move to Palma, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

New York: €200
Los Angeles: €400
London: €15
Paris: €15
Toronto: €380
Vancouver: €470
Dubai: €150
Sydney: €590
Melbourne: €1,000
Cape Town: €470
Hong Kong: €450

Other Tips on Moving to Palma:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Palma but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Palma Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Palma.

Meetups: Palma has lots of free meetup groups you can find on Meetup.com. Join Mallorca Explorers, Mallorca Language Exchange, Mallorca Startups, In and Outdoor Yoga and many more.
Attend Local Events: Palma has a lot to offer residents and tourists alike. Find out what’s going on from Trip Advisor, The Telegraph and Palma.

12. Moving to Palma with a Family

Palma is a great place for families to live and enjoy life. The island has a variety of landscapes to explore by road and on foot. It also has many cultural events and festivals which the kids are sure to enjoy and, of course, it has lots of beaches. Here’s some extra food for thought:

New Parents (or parents to be): Mum Abroad is an excellent site which will give you information on antenatal classes, postnatal classes and general parenting. It’s an interactive site so you can ask for information directly.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: One of the best areas for families in Palma is the Zona Colégios. This area is quiet but close to good schools and amenities. It has some large houses on good-sized plots, townhouses and apartments; so, there is something to suit families of all sizes. Son Vida is one of the most prestigious areas of Palma, sitting on the mountainside looking down over the city. It is surrounded by golf courses but is still only 15 minutes from the city and its schools.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: TripHobo, The Telegraph and Tots 100 all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Palma for Work

Most people move to Palma to semi-retire or retire. However, if you are thinking of moving to Palma to work and want to guarantee getting a job, you really need to speak Spanish as there are very few permanent jobs available for those who don’t speak the language. Most jobs are in the tourism and hospitality industry, but of course, those are seasonal. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Average Salary.
How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Palma, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Balaeric Website, ABC Mallorca and Think Spain. As there appear to be very few jobs advertised on the internet, you may actually have to pay a visit to the island, armed with your CV and knock on a few doors. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Palma from Australia

You’ll find a fair number of Australians living in Palma. If you’d like to join them, here’s more food for thought:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Palma with the population of a city in Australia, you’d be looking at a city a little smaller than Canberra.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Meetup offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Palma.

15. Moving to Palma from Canada

Quite a few Canadians are living in Palma. Here are a few extra points to consider:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of the city of Palma with the population of a city in Canada, you’d be looking at St. Catharines – Niagra.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Canadians in Palma.

16. Moving to Palma from the United States

There’s a small American contingent living and working in Palma. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: Palma’s population is roughly the same as Tulsa’s.
Expat Groups: Meeting Americans who are already living and working in Palma is an excellent way to make friends and learn how to integrate quickly into your new life. InterNations and International Expat’s Club will enable you to meet other expats from the States and other countries.

17. Moving to Palma from the United Kingdom

They are a lot of Brits living in Palma. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Palma with a city in the UK, you’d be looking at Bristol.
Expat Groups: Meeting Brits who are already living in Palma is an excellent way to make friends and learn all about living in the city. Have a look at the following site to find people from home – InterNations.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Palma you can start by comparing moving quotes here.