Travel, work and leisure in a new Spanish mix
Canadians looking to escape the winter and work in Spain or other European country now have a chance to do so, as Spain rolls out its Nomad Visa.
Capitalizing on the enormous rise in post-pandemic remote work, Spain has announced a new visa program that will allow non–European Economic Area residents (including British, US and Canadian citizens) working for foreign companies to live in the country without having to obtain a full work visa.
The Ley de Startups (Startups Law), which aims to attract tech companies, remote workers and digital nomads to Spain, is expected to come into force in January 2023.
This will open a new migration route for foreign workers who might fancy a move to the country, including digital nomads. While it doesn’t carry this particular name, the new regulation is, in effect, an equivalent to a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
The visa will initially be valid for one year, with the possibility of extending it afterward for up to five years. To be eligible, you must be employed by a non-Spanish company operating outside Spain, or, if self-employed, earn no more than 20% of your income from Spanish clients.
There will be a minimum monthly income requirement and applicants will need to show some kind of proof of accommodation. Additionally, private health insurance and a higher-education qualification or three years’ worth of work experience are likely to be other prerequisites. Visa holders will benefit from substantial non-resident tax breaks (exact figures are still to come), and have the option to bring along close family members.
Does a life in Spain sound enticing? As you wait the release of all the program’s details, start dreaming in the meantime of the perfect place to live.
Top destination in Spain for working remotely
Some of the top destinations to consider when moving to Spain are:
- Valencia, an often overlooked coastal gem with a growing population of American and British expats
- Gran Canaria and Tenerife, two ‘workcation’ hubs in the Canaries that have partnered with AirBnB recently to attract more digital nomads
- Barcelona, the historical capital of the autonomous Catalonia, where La Sagrada Familia and countless works by Gaudi can be found
- Seville, the largest city in Andalusia and one of Spain’s most culturally-charged, home to La Giralda and the landmark Plaza de Espana
- Formentera, the smaller of the Balearic islands and Ibiza’s smaller, southern neighbor, packed with marine parks and pristine beaches
- Bilbao, a vibrant metropolis in Northern Spain, more specifically Basque Country, famous for its world-class museums and colorful Old Quartet
Joining video calls from a sun-drenched terrace. Spending weekends kicking back by the Mediterranean or hiking through rugged hills. Sound tempting yet? Spain’s much-anticipated new digital-nomad visa could be just the ticket.
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