The last facts from the National Observatory for Technology and Society (ONTSI) shows that more than 12% of employees in Spain work remotely.
Working from home is not only a widespread practice but also has better quality compared to other countries. According to the latest rankings of Visa Guide’s Digital Nomad Index, Spain is the country where remote workers have the best work-life balance, with 4.5 points, followed by Argentina (3.72), Romania, the UAE and Croatia.
This ranking examines fundamental technical and social factors that combine work and travel, internet speed, tax policy, cost of living in euros, global health score and popularity with tourists.
But what makes Spain such a good country for remote workers? Giulia Miazzo, HRBP Manager at PayFit, knows the answer: “First of all, Spain’s geographical and cultural diversity offers remote workers the opportunity to experience a diverse, flexible environment adapted to their needs,” she explains.
The expert notes that “both the weather and good connectivity between all cities are two very positive points that allow workers to move throughout the Spanish territory” and “enjoy the great gastronomic, tourist, cultural and leisure offer without to stop working.”
Another factor to take into account is “the great network that allows remote workers to stay connected with colleagues from virtually anywhere in the world.” Furthermore, data shows that “Employees have recognized the benefits of remote work to their lives and are responding by increasing their productivity.”
In this sense, “this has led to managers being convinced that it is good to have remote working options in companies.” It has also been “observed that companies that do not offer this see highly skilled workers choosing other companies that do.”
Miazzo also stated that companies seek to provide a “strong and sustainable work environment, regardless of employees’ geographic location.”
The expert concludes her analysis by stating that “remote working is an enduring trend” and that this is true “towards a hybrid and flexible model that offers employees more flexibility while strengthening relationships between team members, which is the key to success.
The Spanish digital nomad visa
According to the VisaGuide.World Digital Nomad Visa Index, Spain is recognized as the best country visa for digital nomads worldwide. The index evaluates visas for digital nomads from 38 countries, taking into account several factors. Spain took the top spot, surpassing Argentina, Romania, the United Arab Emirates and Croatia, which also ranked highly.
Categories of applicants:
- Employees who are authorized to work remotely.
- Self-employed professionals with international clients or online income sources outside Spain.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Employer or customers must be located outside Spain.
- Income from Spanish sources may not exceed 20% of total income.
- A minimum of three months of involvement with current employers or clients is required.
- Applicants must meet specific income thresholds and professional experience or educational qualifications.
Additional requirements:
- A clean criminal record certificate, legalized and apostilled, with a minimum validity of 90 days, and a declaration that there has been no criminal record for the past five years.
- Completing the application form.
- Payment of the administrative fee (€790,038).
- Securing private health insurance with comprehensive coverage throughout Spain.
The biggest hotspots for digital nomads in Spain
Barcelona has one of the largest Digital Nomad communities, with a Meetup group in Barcelona almost here 6,000 members. This vibrant community has been consistently hosting weekly meetings for the past five years, creating a support network for both local and international participants.
Besides Barcelona, Spain is home to other popular hotspots for digital nomads, such as Mallorca, Marbella, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, each with a significant digital nomad community. Las Palmas, in particular, stands out for having a large community of digital nomads, making it an attractive destination for those looking to work remotely while enjoying the Spanish lifestyle and culture. These locations offer a unique blend of work-life balance, thanks to their beautiful landscapes, rich history and dynamic social scenes, making Spain a top choice for digital nomads around the world.
