10 Fun Facts About Being a Digital Nomad in Spain
Spain has become one of the most popular destinations for Brazilian digital nomads, and it's no wonder! With a specific visa and exclusive benefits, the country offers a unique experience. Discover 10 fascinating curiosities about digital nomadic life in the land of Flamenco and Paella.
1. The fastest visa in Europe
Yes, you read that right! The Spanish digital nomadic visa can be approved in just 20 business days - an absolute record in Europe. While many European countries take 2 to 6 months to process work visas, Spain has created an agile and efficient system. The entire process is digital, with no need to attend in person most of the time. The answer comes via email, and you can plan your move with much more peace of mind. If you want Work legally from Spain, this agility makes all the difference and allows you to anticipate your plans!
2. You can bring the family
Here's a good surprise: the Spanish digital nomad visa isn't just for you. The program includes dependents as a spouse, children under 18, and in special cases, even parents and in-laws. And even better - your partner automatically gains authorization to work in the country, without having to process a separate visa! This means that you can keep your family structure intact while building a new life abroad. Can you imagine being able to explore Barcelona with your children on weekends or having your parents visit you more easily? It's as if Spain understood that remote work and family go together on the international journey.
3. The secret of the “daily menus”
While you're calculating your budget, here's a fun fact that will make you smile: Spanish restaurants offer “daily menu” for lunch - full meals with starter, main course, dessert, and sometimes even a drink for €12-15. It's a centuries-old tradition that began with workers' meals and became the best friend of the economic digital nomad! On normal days, a restaurant lunch in Spain costs the same as a single dish in Brazil. It means that you can vary between different cuisines and quality restaurants while keeping a healthy budget. A meal that would cost €30-40 in the evening costs half at lunchtime!
4. Faster internet than in São Paulo
With average speeds of over 100 Mbps and 5G coverage in large cities, the Internet in Spain surpasses many Brazilian capitals. The country invested heavily in digital infrastructure, with optical fiber reaching the smallest streets. That important Zoom meeting will never crash because of the connection - you can join 4K video calls without worry. What about in cafés and coworkings? Speeds of up to 500 Mbps are common! In addition, the stability is impressive: power outages that lasted hours in Brazil rarely exceed minutes in Spain.
5. 300 days of sunshine a year
Imagine working from the balcony overlooking the sea in the middle of December! In cities like Malaga and Alicante, the sun shines 300 days a year, creating a naturally inspiring work environment. As Brazil braves the cold of July, you'll be at the short-sleeved beach. The Spanish climate has this peculiarity: even in winter, it is common to have sunny days with pleasant temperatures of 15-20°C. It's almost impossible not to feel more productive with this extra dose of vitamin D. And knowing that you can work outdoors almost all year round completely changes the perception of what it is to be productive in a remote environment.
6. Surprising cost-benefit
Find out how much it costs to live in Spain it will surprise you positively. In cities like Valencia, it's possible to live comfortably on €1,500-2,000 a month - amounts similar to what you would spend in a large Brazilian capital, but with a higher quality of life. This includes a one-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood, quality food, unlimited transportation, and leisure. Compared to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, you'll find that purchasing power is significantly higher. A couple can live very well with €3,000-3,500, including holidays in Europe! And remember: Spanish public health is among the best in the world, reducing concerns about medical expenses.
7. Portal to Europe
With air tickets starting at €10, you can visit 26 countries in the Schengen Area during the weekends. From Madrid to Paris it's just a 2-hour flight. Barcelona is 1 hour from Toulouse, 2 hours from Marseille. Working from Monday to Friday and discovering a different European country every weekend? In Spain, that's possible! Companies like Ryanair, Vueling, and EasyJet connect major Spanish cities to destinations across Europe at prices that often cost less than an Uber in São Paulo. It's common for digital nomads living in Spain to spend their summer exploring different cities without spending a fortune.
8. Vibrant international community
Barcelona is home to more than 7,000 startups and was voted the best city for startups in Europe in 2023. Madrid hosts weekly technology events, with meetups of developers, designers, and digital entrepreneurs. Valencia is becoming the new hub for digital nomads, with 150% growth in the international community over the past two years. The Brazilian community is especially active - there are WhatsApp groups with thousands of members, monthly networking events, and even Brazilian soccer teams. You will find everything from reading groups in Portuguese to yoga and meditation communities composed mostly of Latin Americans.
9. Special tax regime
Here is a secret that few know: in the first years of residence, digital nomads can benefit from a special tax regime with reduced rates of up to 24% in the first few years (instead of the 47% in the standard table). It's a way for Spain to attract and retain international talent. In addition, there are several contribution models depending on your regime (self-employed or remote salaried), allowing you to choose the structure that best suits your financial reality. Many nomads save between 30-40% in taxes compared to living in large Brazilian capitals. Accounting for foreigners is well simplified, with specific services for expatriates.
10. Automatic validation throughout the Schengen Area
After the first two years in Spain, your residence is automatically recognized in all countries in the Schengen zone. In other words, you gain the flexibility to work from anywhere in Europe without additional red tape. This means that if you decide to spend a season in the south of France, on the Portuguese coast or in the Austrian mountains, you can do so legally. The Spanish residence document becomes a passport for 26 countries! In addition, after 5 uninterrupted years, you can apply for permanent residence or even Spanish citizenship, which gives you access to all the rights of a European citizen. It's essentially three views in one!
Be Easy
A Be Easy is your ideal partner to transform these curiosities into your new reality. With proven experience in processes of digital nomadic visa in Spain, we offer full support from documentation to your arrival in the country. Our specialized team understands every detail of the process and is ready to guide you through this life transformation. Contact us and discover how we can facilitate your journey to become a digital nomad in Spain!
