Remote work in Spain may not have been something most people considered before 2020. More and more individuals are becoming remote workers. Digital nomads are those that are not tied down to a specific place to work, the choose to work anywhere from a city, state, or country that they would like to explore… without compromising their income.
There are three good reasons why individual would choose Spain to work remotely – their weather, food, and culture. These are perfect for those who love exploring, are foodies, and want to learn more about the Spain’s unique culture.
The Rain in Spain…
Spain’s temperatures are a little more on the warmer side, even during the winter months. The hottest month in Spain is around 76 degrees and the coldest month is January at around 42 degrees. For those that choose to work remotely in Spain are able to do more exploring, and with remote work, this is a huge benefit to beat out any depression that comes with the typical work from home experience. Spain typically leans more towards a “Mediterranean” diet. So foodies can expect a lot of fresh ingredients. And with Spain having diverse regions, nomads will really get to experience different types of dishes that vary from one city to another. Spaniards take their food very seriously. So individuals know they are going to get a dish that was made with the soul and is unique.
Saving money doing Remote Work in Spain
As a digital nomad, remote work means you can save money on rent by choosing to live in an apartment or sharing a house with roommates instead of living alone. Save even more by living somewhere that has cheaper costs of living, like Spain. Also because your home base isn’t tied to your job, you have much more flexibility when it comes to choosing your location. So you can do what we do – enjoy all that Europe has to offer as often as possible!
The living cost is less expensive than other countries. For example, Barcelona and Madrid run about $1,094 for rent in the city center and renting in smaller cities like Malaga and Seville, you are going to spend a little less, around $784. The cost of transportation is pretty low as well, when living in the smaller cities, monthly transportation is around $42.
Finding a job
The job market in Spain is quite competitive so you probably want to have a remote job before moving to Spain. Then it’s a matter of finding a place to live and a way to get around. Depending on where you live, it might be cheaper for you to look for opportunities outside of Barcelona or Madrid.
Working from home can be great, but it isn’t for everyone. On the one hand, you don’t have to deal with traffic or crowded trains and you can work in your pajamas if you want to, but on the other hand, you also aren’t around your coworkers and managers to bounce ideas off of when needed and you may feel isolated from the rest of the team. So how can you determine whether remote work is right for you? Read on to find out more about the pros and cons of remote work in Spain.
Living like a local
Thriving in a new city can be difficult enough when you live there, let alone when you work remotely. Despite its popularity, some cities (such as Madrid) are better suited to remote work than others (such as Malaga). If you’re considering living and working remotely from Madrid or Malaga, here are a few factors to keep in mind.
Getting around Spain
You’ll get used to traveling everywhere by foot, bike, train, or bus. Unless you live in Madrid or Barcelona (or similar urban areas), it can be quite difficult to buy a car. Plus, public transportation is far cheaper than many U.S.-based systems.
Health insurance
One of the biggest benefits to working remotely is health insurance. With a nomadic lifestyle, health insurance can be difficult to come by. InSpain’s national healthcare system is one of the best in Europe. You will be entitled to healthcare services just like any other resident living or working within Spain.
Your Spanish Visa
Don’t forget that to work in Spain as a digital nomad, you will have to apply for a visa. They have recently introduced an act, Startup Act. To apply for the visa, you have to be employed by a non-Spanish company. You also have to have an income with less than 20% earned from Spanish companies.
Resources:
Time and date: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/spain/madrid/climate
Out and Beyond: https://outandbeyond.com/digital-nomad-spain/
Spain Visa: https://www.spainvisa.eu/spain-visa-digital-nomads/
