Country Guide

Spain

Southern Europe's most vibrant country with incredible food, culture, and weather. Spain offers a growing digital nomad scene, affordable living, and Mediterranean lifestyle. Barcelona and Madrid are the main hubs.

Monthly Cost of Living
$1,300-1,900
Primary Language
Spanish (+ Catalan/Basque in regions)
Time Zone (UTC)
UTC+1

Visa Options

Digital Nomad Visa (Visa de Nomada Digital)

Requires €2,300+/month income for individuals. Valid for 1 year, renewable. New in 2023.

Self-Employment Visa (Autónomo)

For freelancers/entrepreneurs. Must register as self-employed. Can lead to residence permit.

Golden Visa

Investment-based: €500,000+ property or business investment.

Healthcare

Public Healthcare Access

Spain's public healthcare (SNS) is excellent and available to residents. Coordination with social security required. Private alternatives are high-quality and affordable.

International Insurance

Public healthcare is strong for residents. Private insurance: €40-100/month. Medications are affordable. Dental not always covered by public system.

Taxes & Income

Tax Residency

Tax residency triggered after 183 days in year. Residents taxed on worldwide income. Non-residents taxed on Spanish-source income only (25% rate). Digital Nomad visa holders may have favorable tax treatment.

Remote Work Options

Digital Nomad Visa explicitly permits remote work for foreign companies. Self-employed visa also viable but requires formal registration.

Cost Breakdown

Housing

$700-1,200 in Barcelona/Madrid central areas. €500-800 outside city centers. €400-600 in smaller cities.

Food & Dining

$350-450/month for groceries. Tapas culture makes dining out cheap ($5-12 per meal).

Transportation

$0.50-1.50 per ticket. Monthly pass: €50-60. Excellent metro systems in major cities.

Utilities & Internet

$50-80/month electricity/water/internet. High-speed fiber: €30-40/month.

Pro Tips

  • Spain has a strong tax authority - get professional advice if you're self-employed or have income
  • Barcelona is expensive and crowded; Valencia, Seville, and smaller cities offer better value
  • Spanish bureaucracy (gestorías) is complex; hire a gestor (business manager) to handle registration and taxes
  • Siesta culture is real; many businesses close 2-5pm, plan accordingly
  • Learn Spanish to navigate bureaucracy, healthcare, and social integration
  • Public healthcare requires registration after 90 days as a resident

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