Spain is dominating the global digital nomad scene, partly because of their new “digital nomad visa.”
The number of remote workers has increased greatly over the last several years, and Spain has hosted the third-highest digital nomad population since 2015.
Remote workers in Spain can easily find cafes, libraries, and numerous public spaces to work from and there are more than 300 co-working spaces in the city of Barcelona alone.
Spain’s New Visa Program
The digital nomad visa is now available to non-European Union nationals. This remote work visa was approved by the Spanish parliament in November of 2022 and was designed to draw individuals from the tech sector to Spain.
The new visa is available to those who are self-employed or working for a company not operating in Spain and have a degree or certifications that are tied to the field that they work in. Along with meeting these specific technical requirements, those approved for the special visa must prove that they are self-sufficient by earning at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage, and provide proof that they have no criminal record in Spain or the country where they resided for five years prior to the application.
The visa is valid for 12 months (or the duration of employment, if less than a year), but once in Spain, recipients can apply for a three-year residency permit, that can be renewed for an additional 2 years. Since spouses, children, and civil partners may also reside with the visa holder, this opportunity was designed to appeal to workers with families and single remote workers alike.
Long-time digital nomads are flocking to Spain in droves. The tax rate of 15% is lower than that of many surrounding countries. Pleasant weather, access to attractions across Western Europe, and an affordable cost of living add to Spain’s appeal.