Why Everyone Should Move To Spain at Some Point In Their Lives...
A country, that I have longly branded as my favorite one in the world. It may still be my number one to this day. A country whose history is so fascinating that it may take a lifetime to understand it. A country whose language is spoken by more than 486 Million people worldwide. A country whose influence on the history of humankind is undeniable. A country with 17 provinces makes it one of the most unique places in the world. From the Mediterranean's Balearic Islands to the Canary Islands in the Atlantic. Down Costa Brava & Costa Blanca to the Moor-influenced Andalucia. From the gorgeously isolated Basque Country through green Asturias to Celtic Galicia. From the artsy Barcelona to monumental Madrid.
Now - with its recent launch of the digital nomad visa - a destination catering to remote workers and their needs. Spain has opened its doors to people from all around the world.
Cliff view on Bay of Biscay, town hall in Villaviciosa & a stroll through the streets of Barcelona.
How Have I Fallen for Spain?
I visited many of the mentioned provinces in Spain - none failed to amaze me. My first encounter with Spain was a few trips around Barcelona & Madrid. While I immediately fell in love with the place - it wasn't until I moved to Sevilla in 2018 that I fully embraced the Spanish way of life. Tapa culture, siesta and the different approach to life. Why did I move to Sevilla? I've got an internship with Glamping Hub - a travel startup. I wanted to get an internship in Barcelona but couldn't find one. So I moved to Sevilla. Before moving there, I only knew that its football club won many Europa League trophies. Luckily I found out there is so much more to Sevilla than fútbol. Not that that would not have been sufficient. After my time in Andalucía - I knew that Spain was a place where I wanted to live in the future again.
In September 2021 I decided to go for a walk. 830-kilometer walk, to explore the Northern part of Spain. I started on the French border, walking right by the entirety of the northern coast to Galicia.
Hiking along the Northern Coast. The yellow shell represents a mark of Camino. Galician coasts are endless & the fortresses of the coastal towns are majestic.
Every morning, I would wake up at 6 AM. Pack my bag, turn the headlight on and start walking. No social media, no internet, just clear mind. I saw sunrise every day over the Bay of Biscay and watched dozens of surfers catching waves while the sun warms their wetsuits in the cold morning streams of the Atlantic. Meeting people, hearing their stories, exploring places that I didn't know existed. Travelling on foot is so different. Instead of flashy places that you find all over the internet, you end up drinking coffee in a farmer-owned shop with local villagers. Ask yourself what is more authentic.
I liked Northern Spain so much that in 2023 I came back with my business partner, and travelled all around the north coast again. This time by car - looking for a place where we could build a surf-themed nomad co-living/community. Due to many reasons - we realised it was not the right place and not the right time.
Nomad-Friendly Infrastructure And Ease of Settling Down
People often consider Southeast Asia & Latin America as leading nomad destinations. The cost of living presents a strong argument for anyone going nomad. Earn in dollars and spend in pesos. The formula is attractive enough.
Europe can still be an attractive place for nomads. Spain may be the one having the strongest appeal to those living social & active lifestyles. For EU/EEA citizens - moving to Spain has never been easier. You can hop on a plane tomorrow.
For friends from outside the EU, the red carpet has been rolled out last year. Spain introduced a programme attractive for nomads & remote workers from outside of the EU/EEA. As with other countries like Japan, Korea or South Africa, Spain recognized the importance of luring world talent and global thinkers. Their digital nomad program aims to attract foreign capital and talent to the country. Its goal is to establish Spain as a premier destination for international entrepreneurs.
Are you an entrepreneur or a freelancer? Do you work online and think about moving to Europe? Or would you like to keep working for a foreign company while residing in Spain? Getting a digital nomad visa in Spain may be your best bet. You can read more about the process here.
Streets of Sevilla, Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao & Picos de Europa.
Apart from the paperwork - the rest is much more enjoyable. Spain has always attracted tourists. It is the second most visited country in the world, with over 83 million tourists per year (pre-Covid). Tourism contributes to 11.7% of the country's GDP. In the 2010s, Spain was one of the first countries to start attracting digital nomads. Since then, it has consistently ranked amongst the top destinations for digital nomads.
The community aspect is strong all around Spain. Cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia have grown a significant population of expats. Vague communities and ease of settling for foreigners. Yet, it proves difficult to bridge the locals and expats - resulting in people being mad at foreigners for driving the prices of services & houses up.
As mentioned in my article here, co-living houses are the best ways to bridge the gap between destination & nomads. It should be in their operator's interest to help promote local business and foster a connection between the destination and the guests.
Here are some of the coliving spaces located in Spain, that are doing just that:
Edu
Nine Coliving
Spain is home to over 5,000 startups and tech companies. That makes it an interesting market to build your business network and partnerships. Spain has a wide network of coworking spaces - over 1000 with the majority of them located in the hub cities. (a blog on the best places to work from in Barcelona is WIP!) Yet, there are some also in the rural part of the country.
Lastly, the cost of living is affordable. Surely, it differs per city, but Spain's cost of living is generally lower than in many other European countries. That makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads on a budget.
Coast of Northern Spain, Santiago de Compostela & a Galician speciality, Pulpo a Feira.
Lifestyle
soy español a que quieres que te gane?!
This saying translates into "I'm Spanish, what do you want me to win?!" "la Furia Roja" a Spanish men's national football team won 3 major trophies on a bounce in a space of 6 years (2x Euro and a World Cup). One of the greatest tennis players ever Rafael Nadal, is from Mallorca, Spain. 2 most famous football clubs are Spanish - FC Barcelona & Real Madrid. Some of the best F1 & MotoGP pilots are from Spain. Basketball, volleyball, cycling, athletics, handball, and many others. Spanish are some of the most competitive sports nations in the world.
That translates into a daily lifestyle. I've never seen a country where pathways and bike lanes are as busy from early AM hours until late PM hours. Where surfing before work and kayaking after work feels normal. The sport and active lifestyle are deeply rooted in Spanish culture. Its mild climate with plenty of sunshine year-round helps.
Being an avid sportsmen and taking pleasure in outdoor activities - Spain is a great place to live in. Whether it's hiking in Picos de Europa, surfing in the Basque Country or the Canary Islands. Rock climbing in Andalucia, sailing around Baleares or playing padel on Barceloneta beach. One will always find people and communities loving their sport.
Spain is so much more than sports. The lifestyle brings perks as such:
- Rich history and culture: home to some of the world's most famous historical landmarks. Including the Alcazar in Sevilla, Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
- Stunning beaches: over 8,000 kilometres of coastline. With beautiful beaches found all along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.
- Vibrant cities: full of life and energy. From museums and art galleries to lively nightlife scenes.
- Cuisine & Tapa Culture: renowned for its variety and flavour. Dishes like paella, gazpacho, albóndigas, or any tapa/pintxos to share. My all-time favourite is "Pulpo a feira" from Galicia. Oh, and the wines like Txakoli or Albariño.
Activities, art & a world-class cuisine.
Get ready to start your days with a jog in the sunshine. Get ready for 3 PM lunches and 10 PM dinners. Get ready to share food and drinks with your friends daily. Get ready for random interactions with strangers.
Most importantly, to understand and embed in the society, LEARN SPANISH.
The Best Time To Move To Spain Was Yesterday, The Second Best Is Right Now
On my adventures around Spain, one thing that stood out was how proud its people are to be Spanish & at the same time - how proud they were to be Basque, to be Andaluz, to be Gallego. The cultural richness makes Spain one of the most diverse destinations in Europe. One negative may be the trend of an extreme heat wave hitting the peninsula every summer.
A fishermen's town Cadaques, working space in Barcelona & San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, which GOT fans may recognise as Dragonstone.
Due to climate change and frequent heat waves in the past decade - scientists believe that the Iberian peninsula and Spain are expected to face these severe heat waves more frequently. That can have a huge impact on a country's economy, environment and society. Especially the country's south. What could benefit are northern, hilly & green provinces - attracting more population.
So what are the prospects of Spain as a nomad destination looking into the future? I don't think there is an answer just yet. Spain has long been an attractive destination for tourists. Now, it seems its government is aware of the growing trend of remote work and digital nomadism around the world and plans on catering to their needs. They certainly are further than the majority of the countries in Europe, at least.
I will be following the updates and will likely be back in 2025 for my annual visit.
In the meantime, follow my stories, travel insights & more on my weekly travel letter.
