HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Spain is planning to launch a digital nomad visa, allowing people to live and work in the country for a maximum of 12 months.

Tax incentives may also be given to encourage young entrepreneurs to move away to somewhere new.

With the rise in people working remotely and the lack of job opportunities in rural Spain, the new visa has been welcomed by many. Rural villages and small towns, in particular, have witnessed dwindling populations and are certainly ready to welcome remote workers.

Approximately 30 villages and towns that have less than 5,000 residents have joined the incentive known as Red Nacional de Pueblos Acogedores para el Teletrabajo (National Network of Welcoming Villages for Remote workers), in the hope of welcoming new residents to help revitalise the local communities. 

Anyone choosing to take part in this new initiative, need not worry about ‘finding their way’ or ‘feeling out of place’ as each remote worker will be connected with a ‘host’. The host's job is to welcome and show them around, which overcomes the worries of starting again somewhere new.
Spain is a nation whose people maintain a good work and life balance, so it is understandable that many choose to live and work here. It is however important to note that to be a digital nomad you are required to get a visa if you are not an EU citizen.

There are different visas you can use such as the self-employment visa or the golden visa. Another visa available is the non-lucrative visa, this however is not recommended as the Spanish government is becoming stricter.

Before the COVID pandemic, most non-EU citizens migrated to Spain as remote workers using the non-lucrative visa. However, during the pandemic, many digital nomads saw their visa applications being denied.

The good news is that the Spanish government is working on creating a visa specifically for digital nomads and plan to have it active within 6 months.

So who or what is a Digital Nomad in Spain?

The world as a whole is developing with a growing trend of digital nomadism.

Digital nomads are people who work independently and remotely, and who rely on an internet connection to work. They are not location-bound and can travel anywhere as they work.

According to the latest stats, over 4.8 million remote workers who work independently, class themselves as digital nomads. This number is likely to grow as more than 17 million people globally are aiming to become nomadic.

The Covid pandemic has made way for employment opportunities, as many businesses are hiring remote workers using telecommunication technologies. Digital nomads include graphic designers, web developers, online marketers, consultants, travel writers, online tutors and online retailers, to name just a few.

Why choose Spain for working remotely?

Many professionals choose remote working as it enables them to travel the world, while at the same time fulfil work commitments.

Many choose Spain for its warm climate, the cost of living, delicious food, stunning sandy beaches, its metropolitan charm and of course the beautiful Spanish cities that are ideal for digital nomadic living.

Cities such as Barcelona and Valencia already promote remote workers and have so much to offer so you can enjoy a great lifestyle.

Choosing a city with an existing digital nomad community is a good idea as it will help to enlarge your social circle. You will be able to connect with other remote workers living in your area and the community will offer you the emotional and social support you need.

Social media is a great way to find local communities in different cities, so check out places like Facebook or Google.

Top tip for living as a Digital Nomad while working remotely in Spain

Digital nomadism and the idea of working for yourself in a country with so much on offer is very tempting. But, it is important to get your business established first before making the leap.

Maybe start by working from home first, nurture the business and then when you start to see profits, commit to digital nomad living and relocate to Spain.

There are many work visas available in Spain which allow non-EU nationals to live and work here. Check out our work visas in Spain page for further information.

Sources

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/08/19/spain-is-launching-a-digital-nomad-visa-but-where-should-you-stay
https://myspainvisa.com/digital-nomad-spain-work-remotely/
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/08/19/spain-is-launching-a-digital-nomad-visa-but-where-should-you-stay
https://www.themayor.eu/en/a/view/spain-plans-to-launch-digital-nomad-visa-many-small-towns-ready-to-host-8711