An extensive analysis conducted by Solutions for global citizens has ranked Spain as a top destination for digital nomads from the 65 countries surveyed.
The Netherlands and Norway took second and third place respectively.
With Málaga ranked as the world’s best city to live in, according to Forbes last year, and with more than 600 blue flag beaches, the world’s best restaurant, countless co-working spaces, more than 300 days of sunshine and excellent healthcare services, it is It was only a matter of time before Spain would receive this recognition.
Recall that the Start-Up Act, also known as the digital nomad visa, was only launched on January 1, 2023. And 10 months later, according to local authorities, more than 753,000 location-independent workers had already called this country home.
The cost of visas, the favorable tax regime, the national economy and technological development were among the twelve indicators analyzed by the company.
According to authorities, the Canary Islands are the most sought-after destinations for home workers, followed by Málaga and Seville.
Next on the list is Alicante. Right after that we find Valencia, which is expected to reach around 4,000 digital nomads by the end of 2024.
Of course, technology hubs like Barcelona and Madrid also attract hundreds of digital nomads every year due to their high-speed internet services and vibrant European atmosphere. In reality, Barcelona’s digital nomad community is one of the largest in the world.
In a nutshell, Spain caters to a wide range of remote workers with diverse preferences, from ambitious young entrepreneurs looking to scale their operations to families with children, and more.
“Spanish cities have for years been among the most sought-after destinations for those who want to embrace this [digital nomad] lifestyle. Certainly, the introduction of visas for digital nomads is a major factor motivating people to put this country at the top of their list.” Bluepillow experts said last year.
Another important “additional” benefit is that by becoming a digital nomad in Spain, non-EU citizens can obtain nationality, provided a number of requirements are met.
It is also worth mentioning that sentiments against mass tourism and digital nomads have emerged in several Spanish cities.
The past few months have been residents have taken to the streets to protest their country’s ‘tourism’ and the threat to their economy, culture and way of life.
As a result, Barcelona has decided not to further renew the operating permits of all tourist apartments (over 10,000) after November 2028.
While this move may calm the waters, ongoing protests suggest this is not enough and further action could be taken against tourism and digital nomads in the city.