Spain has emerged as the world’s top most convenient destination for digital nomads who wish to work while enjoying life in a vibrant and culturally rich environment.
According to the newly released Digital Nomad Visa Index by VisaGuide.World, which analyses and ranks the visas offered to digital nomads by 38 world countries based on several factors, Spain has the best digital nomad visa in the world, though the same was launched only in January this year.
Spain is followed by Argentina in the second position, Romania is listed third, the United Arab Emirates fourth, and Croatia – the newest member of the European Union and Schengen Area – occupies the fifth spot.
Commenting the index results, Lum Kamishi from VisaGuide.World points out that the low-income requirement that applies to get a nomad work visa in this country and the lower costs of living compared to the other countries in this list, are not the only things making Spain the most convenient choice for remote workers.
It’s also simple things that increase the quality of life for a digital nomad, like good internet speed, the possibility to live there for a year without paying taxes, and the low taxes in the second year.
The ranking points out that one can manage to live in Spain with a minimum of €641 per month, which makes it amongst the most budget-friendly choices, though the authorities ask applicants to prove they can gain at least €2,140 monthly, in order to live there.
In addition to the convenient visa rules for digital nomads, Spain is famous in particular amongst tourists, digital nomads, and those wishing to retire there, due to its sunny beaches of the Mediterranean, picturesque landscapes of the Pyrenees, the siesta culture, late-night dining, and numerous festivals.
Moreover, Spain ranks as the happiest country out of the 38 others in this list, and as Kamishi says, happiness, like the flu, can spread from person to person.
The favourable conditions to move to Spain as a digital nomad have not left everyone pleased. A few months after the visa was introduced, residents of Barcelona’s Poblenou neighbourhood had complained that digital nomad influx has provoked an increase in rent prices. Many of them claimed at the time that they have had to leave their apartments due to increased rent, which was aimed at digital nomads.
Currently, 15 European countries offer digital nomad visas, seven of which rank in the top ten – Spain (first), Romania (third), Croatia (fifth), Portugal (sixth), Malta (eighth), Norway (ninth), Andorra (tenth), Montenegro (12th), Czechia (17th), Hungary (18th), Estonia (20th), Georgia (24th), Greece (28th), Iceland (36), and Cyprus (37th).
All of these countries offer unique conditions to digital nomads, to live in their territory whole working for elsewhere. Out of the 15, Iceland has the highest income requirement set at €7,000.
