A comprehensive analysis carried out by Global Citizen Solutions has ranked Spain as the top destination for digital nomads among 65 countries studied.
The Netherlands and Norway secured the second and third spots, respectively.
With Málaga as the World’s Best City to Live in, according to Forbes last year, and with over 600 blue-flag beaches, the world’s best restaurant, countless co-working spaces, more than 300 days of sunshine and outstanding health care services, it was only a matter of time before Spain received this recognition.
Remember that the Start-Up Act, also known as the visa for digital nomads, was only launched on Jan. 1, 2023. And 10 months later, over 753,000 location-independent workers had already called this country home, according to local authorities.
The cost of visas, the favorable tax regime, the national economy, and technological development were among the 12 indicators analyzed by the firm.
According to authorities, the most sought-after destinations for remote workers include the Canary Islands, followed by Málaga and Sevilla.
Next on the list is Alicante. Right after, we find Valencia, which is predicted to reach about 4,000 digital nomads by the end of 2024.
Of course, tech hubs such as Barcelona and Madrid also draw hundreds of digital nomads every year due to their fast internet services and vibrant European atmosphere. In fact, Barcelona’s digital nomad community is one of the biggest globally.
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.
“For years, Spanish cities have been among the most sought-after destinations for those willing to embrace this [digital nomad] lifestyle. Certainly, the introduction of digital nomad visas is a significant factor motivating people to put this country on top of their list,” said Bluepillow experts last year.
Another key “side” advantage is that by becoming a digital nomad in Spain, non-EU citizens can obtain nationality, granted that a number of requirements are met.
Here is also worth mentioning that sentiments against mass tourism and digital nomads have begun to emerge across multiple Spanish cities.
In recent months, residents have taken to the streets to protest against the “touristification” of their country and the threat to their economy, culture and way of life.
As a result, Barcelona has decided not to further extend the operation licenses of all tourist apartments (over 10,000) beyond November 2028.
While this move may calm the waters, ongoing protests suggest that it’s not enough and that further action can be taken against tourism and digital nomads in the city.