Because of advanced technology and international mobility, more and more people are working online or remotely while traveling to different places. This has become the norm with more company workers working from different places other than where their company is located. For the remote worker or the digital nomad, Spain is the perfect place to work. This is because Spain has a robust ecosystem of entrepreneurs and digital nomads that is supported and encouraged by the Spanish government, a lifestyle that encourages both work and leisure to enjoy the mild Mediterranean weather, fantastic cuisine and interesting history and culture, and a cost of living that is affordable.
How does one work remotely from Spain?
To work remotely in Spain, one has to first find a job that will allow you to work remotely. This should not be a problem as many companies are hiring remote workers or you can work as an online freelancer. Digital marketing, graphic design, web development and programming are just some of the available jobs. Then you will need to choose the city that will become your new base. Madrid and Barcelona are the biggest cities in Spain and have the resources, internet infrastructure and large expat community. They also the main startup capitals in Europe with Barcelona as one of the best cities in Europe to set up a startup. Valencia, Canary Islands, Sevilla, Malaga, Granada and San Sebastian are the other cities in Spain that are ideal for remote workers. The next and most important step is to apply for a digital nomad visa.
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is a travel authorization that will allow non-European Union citizens to legally live and work in Spain. Although it has not yet been launched, there is a list of requirements that need to be met before applying. Applicant must be able to work independently of your location and be able to complete your work using information and communication technology. Applicant must also have an income with less than 20% earned from Spanish companies. Applicant must be employed by a foreign company.
In the meantime, a digital nomad can apply for the non-lucrative visa to live in Spain. However, this type of visa limits the economic activity of the workers. The other options are the Spain Schengen Visa that is essentially a tourist visa and will allow the holder to stay in Spain for a maximum of 90 days. Lastly, the digital nomad can apply for the Spain Golden Visa, a residence by investment visa that requires an investment of at least €500,000 in Spain’s economy.