After Spain launched its digital nomad visa in 2023, it became a top choice destination for those seeking a remote worker lifestyle.  Certain factors like its lifestyle and visa accessibility contribute majorly in ranking the country one of the top destinations for people who wish to travel and live in different locations while maintaining their job.

Remote work empowered people to be self employed or work for companies that allowed complete remote work, and this has caused more people who seek autonomy over their schedule and location to go into remote work.

Since Spain became more welcoming to digital nomads, it has attracted remote workers who wish to work, travel and integrate themselves into the local culture.

However, one would require careful planning to completely relocate to Spain through the digital nomad visa.

Hence, this article will educate you on visa requirements for digital nomads, budgeting and cost of living, how to find accommodation, the remote work lifestyle, travel tips and destinations, the digital nomad community and how to balance work and travel.

Visa Requirements for Digital Nomads in Spain

There are two known visa options for digital nomads in Spain – the Digital Nomad Visa and the Non-Lucrative Visa. The non-lucrative visa is not actually a digital nomad visa but have been used by digital nomads to reside in Spain without working for a Spanish company or being self-employed.

The digital nomad visa is the most popular and targeted specifically for non-EU citizens to live and work remotely in the country while being employed by foreign companies.

The visa can be for just one year if it is temporal or it can be for three years if the person wishes to get a residency permit. To be eligible for this visa, you need to have the following requirements:

• A valid passport
• Proof of remote work
• Minimum Income requirement
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record

Once you meet the above requirements, you can now take the following steps to apply:

You must apply for NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) number prior to visa application. This number is used to identify foreigners in Spain and is unique for each individual.

To get an NIE number, apply at the Foreigners Office in the province where you live or plan to live, complete the EX-15 application form, pay the required fee, and provide a valid passport and proof of residence in the Consular area.

If your application is successful, you will receive a number that contains a letter – seven digits – and another letter.

Once you’ve gotten your NIE number, you must fill out and sign the National Visa application form.

Then upload a recent passport photograph (with white background), an original and photocopy of a valid passport, your criminal record certificate, proof of residence in the consular district, and proof of your representative’s identity (if you applied through one).

After you’ve uploaded these documents, you will pay the compulsory visa fee (in local currency) and submit an original and a copy of your health insurance certificate.

The remote worker will also need to submit a certificate of employment (not more than 3 months) issued by the foreign company he/she is working for. The certificate will contain the following information – length of contract, explicit consent by the company for the applicant to work remotely and salary.

Budgeting and Cost of Living in Spain

Depending on one’s lifestyle and location, one can spend €2,000 a month. The major expenses they have to make include:

• Rent (around €800 for a one bedroom in major cities like Madrid or Barcelona)
• Groceries – depending on your eating habit, this could be around €200 to €300 monthly.
• Utilities – around €100 to cover electricity, water and internet
• Transportation – around €40 for public transport and extra for flights.
• Health insurance – depends on whether you go for a private or public health insurance plan.
• Extra costs – for eating out, internet and phone plans, coworking space fees, social activities and entertainment.

To save money as a digital nomad, it is ideal that you budget like a pro and live beyond your earnings. For instance, you can go for a more affordable accommodation option, take advantage of free activities in your location, cook your own meals, have different sources of income and track your expenses.

To make a detailed budget and track your expenses, you can use financial management tools such as Xero, Inventory Tracking, FreshBooks, QuickBooks, etc.

The banking options available to digital nomads in Spain include – Monese, Wise, Starling Bank, Revolut, N26, Chime, CaixaBank, etc.

Finding Accommodations in Spain

The accommodation type that digital nomads go for in Spain depends on their length of stay and desired budget. Some accommodation types available to them are:

• Hotels
• Aparthotels
• Apartments (short-term rentals, long-term leases)
• Airbnb
• Tourist apartments
• Hostels
• Co-living spaces / Shared flats
• Rural accommodation
• Campsites
• Furnished rentals

You can use online rental platforms such as Spotahome, Idealista and Airbnb to find suitable accommodation in popular digital hubs like Barcelona, Malaga and Valencia.

Working Remotely in Spain: Internet,

Spain boasts of having the most extensive fiber optic network coverage i.e. the largest fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks in the EU. Their high penetration of 5G technology and strong digital connectivity makes their internet infrastructure a leader in broadband access.

Examples of internet providers in Spain include:

• Movistar (the largest internet provider owned by Telefónica)
• Vodafone
• Orange
• Yoigo
• MásMóvil
• Jazztel
• Lowi
• O2
• Pepephone

Examples of working spaces that allow you to work productively in Spain:

• Crec Coworking Barcelona Poble Sec
• The Shed CoWorking
• CoWorking Betahaus
• Agora CoWorking
• CoWorking Sarq
• The Living Room CoWorking

Exploring Spain: Travel Tips and Destinations

The concept of being a digital nomad arises from being able to mix work and travel, so here are must-visit destinations for digital nomads in Spain:

• Antoni Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona
• World-class museums in the capital city Madrid
• Moorish architecture in Seville
• The Alhambra palace in Granada
• Modern architecture and Mediterranean charm in Valencia
• Balearic Island in Mallorca
• Santiago de Compostela
• Rioja region – for wine lovers
• Tenerife with Teide National Park at Canary Islands.

Even if you don’t own a car or can’t afford to rent, you can visit these locations using trains, buses, public transport, and domestic flights. Even if you are able to rent a car, you must be aware that you may experience parking difficulties in cities.

Conclusion

You may want to join a community for digital nomads as it gives you a way to connect with others, access to valuable information, and opportunities for collaboration.

It also helps to provide a sense of belonging and support network. You can find this community in online forums and groups, coworking spaces, digital nomad events and conferences and local meetups.