The Board of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura has allocated 2 million euros to sponsor up to 200 national or international digital nomads who want to relocate to this region.
If you don’t remember where it is, Extremadura is a Spanish region bordering Portugal, surrounded by mountains, forests, natural parks and lakes.
With this initiative, this community seeks to boost its economy by attracting high-spending, high-skilled professionals who can contribute to the creation of new local businesses.
But above all, the government wants to attract young people who can -somehow- help stop the population hemorrhage. Currently, Extremadura has the lowest population density in Spain, with 26 inhabitants per square kilometer.
“Extremadura offers a high quality of life. It is a natural paradise with exceptional gastronomy. Attracting these high-skilled professionals with international incomes will have a very positive impact on our economy. They will boost local consumption, enrich regional talent and create significant networks and opportunities,” said the Minister of Economy, Employment and Digital Transformation, Guillermo Santamaría.
Regarding infrastructure, Santamaría says the region has had some transportation issues, but in terms of communications, which is what digital nomads care about the most, the region can compete with major national cities.
“We are above the national average in fiber optic coverage with 93%, 97% in 4G mobile coverage and between 75% and 80% in 5G coverage.”
Requirements
- The first and main requirement is that applicants can carry out their jobs exclusively online.
- Winners must have resided outside of Extremadura for at least six months before the date of their mandatory “registration of residency” in the region, known in Spanish as Empadronamiento.
- Selected individuals must commit to establishing their habitual residence in a community with less than 5,000 inhabitants for a minimum of two years.
- Non-Spanish applicants must hold a legal identification number.
Who Can Participate?
To be considered for the program, participants must prove their expertise as high-skilled professionals in the tech sector.
That being said, the scheme caters to both men and women, but the amount received will depend on their age.
Benefits
Women (in general) and men under 30 years old, will be initially awarded 10,000 euros once they are selected. Men older than 30 years old, will receive 8,000 euros.
Once the first two-year period has been completed, women (in general) and men under 30 years old will receive 5,000 euros, granted that they want to stay in the region for another year.
For their part, men older than 30 years old, who also want to stay in Extremadura for one more year, will get another 4,000 euros.
How to Participate?
The call will remain open until the 2 million euros have been designated to the right participants.
Other Spanish Regions Offering Opportunities to Digital Nomads
Galicia: The Galician government has just allocated 123,800 euros for a pilot program aiming at digital nomads able to create business opportunities in sparsely populated Galician villages.
Andalusia: This community has created “the First Rural Development Strategy of Andalusia, Horizon 2030,” looking to lure digital nomads to rural areas with few inhabitants.