Complete guide

How to find software developers in Bilbao

Bilbao
February 22, 2023
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Bilbao is a city in northern Spain, located on the banks of the Nervion River. It is the capital of the Basque Country, and is known for its diverse culture, rich history, and vibrant art scene. The city is home to a number of landmarks, including the Guggenheim Museum and the Zubizuri Bridge. It is also a major industrial center and a popular destination for tourists. With its unique mix of modern and traditional architecture, Bilbao is a fascinating destination for those looking to explore a city unlike any other. Bilbao is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Bilbao are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Bilbao you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Bilbao, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Bilbao is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Bilbao

Statistics on tech talent in Bilbao are a reflection of the growing trend of tech-savvy professionals in the city. There is an increasing number of tech-related jobs in the city and a growing demand for qualified tech talent. The city also offers a number of tech-related educational and training opportunities, making it an ideal place for those looking to develop their technology skills. The city has also seen an influx of tech companies, startups, and tech-related events, all of which contribute to the growth of the tech industry in Bilbao.

The tech ecosystem in Bilbao

The tech ecosystem in Bilbao is a vibrant and rapidly growing one with a wide range of startups, accelerators, incubators, universities and investors. The city's strategic location between Madrid and Barcelona, its vibrant cultural and business environment, and its increasing focus on innovation and creativity make it an attractive destination for tech entrepreneurs. In recent years, the city has seen a surge in the number of tech-focused events, such as the Bilbao International Technology Conference and the Bilbao Fintech Summit, as well as a number of international startup competitions and hackathons. Additionally, a number of venture capital firms, such as KFund and Azure Capital Partners, have set up offices in the city. Finally, the Basque government's commitment to promoting innovation and technology makes Bilbao an attractive destination for entrepreneurs looking to launch their startups.

Best tech meetups in Bilbao

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. BilbaoTech
2. BiscayTech
3. Bilbao Open Data
4. Bilbao Mobile
5. Bilbao Web Meetup
6. Basque DevOps
7. Bilbao Big Data
8. Bilbao Python User Group
9. Bilbao Digital Transformation
10. Bilbao IoT Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Bilbao

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Utilize job boards and online recruitment platforms: There are many job boards and online recruitment platforms that can be used to source software development talent in Bilbao. Popular job boards and online recruitment platforms include Indeed, LinkedIn, Stack Overflow, and Glassdoor.

2. Network with local universities and coding boot camps: Networking with local universities and coding boot camps is a great way to source software development talent in Bilbao. This can be done by attending career fairs, hosting company presentations, and offering internships or apprenticeships.

3. Leverage employee referrals: Employee referrals are an effective way to source software development talent in Bilbao. Encourage your current employees to spread the word about open positions and potential opportunities within your company.

4. Participate in local tech events: Participating in local tech events is a great way to meet potential candidates and get to know the software development community in Bilbao. Attending hackathons, meetups and other tech events can be an effective way to find the right talent.

5. Use social media platforms: Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can be used to source software development talent in Bilbao. Job postings, company profiles, and targeted ads can be used to reach potential candidates.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Bilbao is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Bilbao

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Indeed
3. Glassdoor
4. Stack Overflow
5. Jobisite
6. Monster
7. BilbaoJobs
8. Jobandtalent
9. Jobox
10. Jobrapido

Best remote job boards to find developers in Bilbao

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Upwork
2. Fiverr
3. Guru
4. PeoplePerHour
5. LinkedIn
6. Freelancer
7. Toptal
8. SimplyHired
9. FlexJobs
10. Virtual Vocations

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Bilbao

In Bilbao, the average salary for a junior developer is around 36,000 euros per year. This salary is usually composed of a base salary and an additional bonus depending on the company. The base salary is usually around 30,000 euros and the bonus is based on the individual's performance and can range from 1,000 to 6,000 euros. In addition, some companies may offer additional benefits such as stock options, health insurance, and other perks.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Bilbao

The average salary for a senior developer in Bilbao, Spain is approximately €45,000 per year. This salary range typically includes salaries ranging from €40,000 to €50,000, depending on experience and skill level. Senior developers in Bilbao typically have several years of experience in software development and are responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of software applications. They may also be responsible for the development of user interfaces, writing code, and managing databases.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Bilbao. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Bilbao. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Bilbao.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is an employer who takes responsibility for all aspects of hiring, managing and paying employees in a foreign country, such as Bilbao. The EOR takes on the role of the employer and is responsible for all legal and administrative requirements related to the employment relationship such as:

1. Hiring employees: The EOR is responsible for finding and selecting the best candidates for the position. The EOR will also handle the paperwork related to the employment process, such as the contracts, visas, and other legal documents.

2. Managing employees: The EOR will manage the employees and ensure they are following the company policies and procedures. They will also be responsible for handling any disciplinary issues.

3. Paying employees: The EOR will be responsible for making sure that the employees are paid on time and in full. They will also handle the payroll taxes and other related paperwork.

4. Providing benefits: The EOR will provide benefits to the employees, such as medical insurance, vacation time, and other benefits as required by law.

An EOR is a great solution for companies who want to hire employees in a foreign country without having to set up a legal entity. It allows the company to focus on their core business while the EOR takes care of the administration and legal requirements.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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