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A Digital Nomad Guide to Spain 2024 (Everything You Need to Know)

Spain was named the number one country for digital nomads in 2024, and, in many ways, it’s easy to be a digital nomad in this welcoming southern European country. It’s a diverse and welcoming country with delicious food, fun activities, and affordability.

This guide will cover the pros and cons of living in Spain, the best cities for digital nomads, and information about the new digital nomad visa, which makes it easy for remote workers to live there for up to a year.

spain for digital nomads and remote workers

With so many excellent opportunities in Spain for digital nomads and remote workers, more and more remote workers are choosing it as their next destination. There’s a perfect city for just about everyone, whether you’re looking for a laid-back destination or a home base filled with exciting adventures.

It’s also a wonderful place to explore history, enjoy a vibrant nightlife scene, and relax on the beach. 

Keep reading to learn all about being a digital nomad in Spain!

Can I Be a Digital Nomad in Spain? 

Yes, Spain is a hotspot for digital nomads. Here are some top reasons travellers appreciate Spain as a remote work destination.

  • It’s affordable. Spain’s cost of living is fairly comfortable, especially for a western country. This allows for a great work-life balance opportunity.
  • The weather is nice. Spain is known as a sunny country that boasts warm weather just about all year.
  • There’s an excellent digital nomad scene. Because Spain is popular for digital nomads, there are many opportunities for meeting like-minded people.
  • There’s a new Spain Digital Nomad Visa. The new remote worker visa makes it easy for digital nomads to stay in Spain long-term.
  • The food is delicious. With flavorful local fare, Spain is one of the best countries in the world for foodies.
  • Travelling is convenient. Spain’s excellent public transportation system, walkability, and various airports make it easy to travel around Spain and to other destinations.

Read more: 17 Cheapest Places for Digital Nomads & Remote Workers 2023

Is There a Digital Nomad Visa for Spain?

spain for digital nomads

Yes, the new Spain remote work visa makes it much easier for digital nomads to spend time in Spain. It allows remote workers to stay anywhere from six months to a year there as long as they have proof of income. If you want to stay longer, you can extend your visa and stay for an additional year, for two years total.

Note: If you have an E.U. passport or are arriving in Spain from another location in the Schengen Zone, you can spend up to six months of the year without having to officially register for the visa.

The most important requirements of the Spain Digital Nomad Visa are:

  • you must receive at least 80% of your income from companies outside of Spain
  • have at least one experience working remotely
  • have a clean criminal record
  • have private health insurance valid in Spain

Read more: 12 European Countries Offering Visas for Freelancers (+ How to Apply)

Best Cities in Spain for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers

No matter what you’re looking for – beaches, culture, nightlife, history, and more – the best cities in Spain for digital nomads can offer it. 

Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville are ideal places for digital nomads in Spain. They’re all unique, but each offers a perfect balance of working and fun opportunities. 

Madrid

Madrid is Spain’s capital and most populated city. It’s also the economic, cultural, and political hub. If you’re considering being a digital nomad in Madrid, you can expect a lot of opportunities for culture, networking, socialising, and fun.

madrid for digital nomads

From dining and shopping to exploring nature and visiting art galleries, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Madrid locals are friendly, and although the city is lively, there’s also a comfortable and relaxed vibe. 

One of Madrid’s most significant attractions for digital nomads is how effortless it is to get around. The city is very walkable, or you can hop on the metro to explore areas further away. Madrid is also in the country’s centre, making it convenient to visit other places. Its international airport also makes it easy to travel outside Spain. 

Barcelona

Barcelona sits along the Balearic Sea in northern Spain and is the country’s second-largest city. It’s also one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads in Spain and worldwide. In fact, there are several popular networking groups for digital nomads, including Barcelona Digital Nomads

spain digital nomads


If you like stunning architecture, a vibrant culture, and picture-perfect beaches, you’ll love being a digital nomad in Barcelona. It’s sunny almost all year, and there’s always something to do. There’s an ideal mix of exciting and relaxing activities. And with countless cafes and coworking spaces to focus on work, it’s easy to create a healthy work-life balance.

solis portable wifi

Valencia

Valencia, a large coastal city in southern Spain, is the ideal destination for digital nomads looking for it all. In Valencia, you can find great weather, gorgeous beaches, countless restaurants and bars, and a convenient lifestyle.

valaencia for digital nomads

Although Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain, it offers a small-town feel with friendly residents and the ability to ride a bike or walk to most places. Its cafe culture is perfect for remote workers, while fun activities are easy to appreciate during your free time.

Read more: Here are the 25 Best Places for Digital Nomads in Europe

Seville

If you’re interested in being a digital nomad in Spain in a place that offers city life but isn’t as touristy as more popular destinations, Seville might be the perfect option for you. Seville is located next to the Guadalquivir River in southern Spain and offers pleasant weather year-round and a laid-back lifestyle.

seville for digital nomads


More and more travellers and remote workers are going to Seville to appreciate its diverse community, affordability, lush landscapes, and historic buildings. You can also find a few coworking spaces and cafes in this charming city.

Cost of Living in Spain

One of Spain’s biggest draws for digital nomads is its affordability, especially compared to other places in Western Europe. The average monthly salary is about $2,900, with most individuals spending around $1,000 per month to live comfortably if they’re sharing a living space.

As a digital nomad, you probably want to include activities and travel expenses in your budget. Depending on your income, this could be easily doable.

Here’s a rundown of average costs for basic expenses in Spain:

  • Accommodation: Average rent for a 1 bedroom in the city is about $820 or $658 if you’re outside of the city. Of course, several factors play a role in rent prices, including location, size, amenities, roommates, etc.
  • Dining: When eating at a restaurant, the average inexpensive meal is about $13.
  • Drinks: A beer usually costs under $3, while a coffee is less than $2.
  • Transportation: A one-way ticket for public transportation averages around $1.50, while a monthly pass is about $43. Meanwhile, a taxi ride can range from about $1 for short trips to about $23 for longer trips.

Cafes and Coworking Spaces in Spain

With Spain being so welcoming of digital nomads come ample cafes and coworking spaces. There are plenty of places to connect to reliable Wi-Fi, work, and connect with fellow nomads. 

cafes and coworking spaces in spain

Here are some of the best cafes and coworking spaces in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville.

Cafe & Coworking Spaces in Madrid

  • Pum Pum Café: a trendy cafe and bakery with good food and speciality coffee
  • The Shed CoWorking: a comfortable, inspiring place to work and participate in events and activities
  • Coworking Espíritu23: a multi-functional space for digital nomads, creatives, and artists.

Cafe & Coworking Spaces in Barcelona

  • Camelia Art Café: a cosy cafe ideal for working on your laptop
  • Betahaus: a large coworking space in the heart of Barcelona, offering opportunities for making connections, working, and appreciating lovely city views
  • Attico Urquinaona: a workspace found in a vibrant neighbourhood that encourages collaboration, productivity, and creativity

Cafe & Coworking Spaces in Valencia

  • Mayan Coffees: a popular coffee shop overlooking the iconic Quart Towers
  • Vortex Playa: a conveniently located coworking space with various office options and social activities
  • Garage Coworking València: a stylish place to work in the city centre with ample natural light, large desks, an outdoor terrace, 

Cafe & Coworking Spaces in Seville

Most cafes in Seville, like some throughout Spain, don’t have WiFi or allow guests to work on their computers. However, there are many excellent cafes worth checking out and coworking spaces for business.

  • Arcadia Coworking: a shared workspace with various working spots, a kitchen, a place to relax, and more
  • Coworking Sevilla: a coworking space ideal for getting work done and being a part of a community of fellow digital nomads in Spain

How to Find Long-Term Accommodation in Spain?

We usually recommend starting with a short-term rental before booking long-term accommodation. This lets you get to know the area and find a reliable rental. 

Long-Term Accommodation in Spain

You can always start by booking an Airbnb or a hotel or vacation rental on Booking.com. There are also several coliving spaces throughout Spain.

To find long-term accommodations, you can always ask locals or fellow nomads once you arrive. Facebook pages like this one or other city-specific pages for digital nomads in Spain can also provide leads for rentals. Rental websites like Fotocasa or idealista are also popular in Spain.

Downsides of Being a Digital Nomad in Spain

Friendly locals, affordability, lovely weather, and the Spain Digital Nomad Visa are just a few reasons this is one of the best destinations for remote workers. In fact, it’s very difficult to find any downsides to living in Spain.

The two disadvantages that could be a turn-off for visitors are living spaces and the heat. 

Most accommodations are flats, which can be a problem for people used to living in a house with an outdoor area. That said, there’s plenty of nature to enjoy in Spain. And as a digital nomad, you’ll likely be exploring or working most of your time.

As far as the heat goes, most people really appreciate Spain’s year-round warm weather. That said, it can get quite hot, depending on where you live. For fairly mild weather year-round, Barcelona is your best option.

Is Spain Safe for LGBTQ+ People?

Yes, Spain is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries worldwide. Over the years, LGBT rights have only grown, and the community receives more awareness and celebration than in many other places.

 Spain for LGBTQ+ People

The LGBTQ+ culture also plays a significant role in Spanish literature, music, and social issues.

Diversity is embraced in Spain, especially in big cities. Madrid has an estimated LGBT population of 500,000 and is even considered one of Europe’s most gay-friendly cities. Barcelona is also home to many LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, shops, and restaurants.

Do I Need to Learn the Language?

English is spoken in many Spanish cities, and you don’t need to learn the language to be a digital nomad in Spain. However, it’s always a good idea to learn common phrases. This shows consideration for the culture and can help you if you happen to visit places where English isn’t widely spoken.

Doing some basic lessons using an app like Duolingo or Memrise can really pay off! Even simply having Google Translate ready on your phone when needed can come in handy. 

We hope this guide to being a digital nomad in Spain was helpful to you! If you’re interested in learning about working remotely in other European countries, you might be interested in reading about Romania or Georgia.

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