Remote Work in Spain: Complete Guide 2025

Spain has become one of Europe’s top destinations for remote workers, offering excellent infrastructure, vibrant cities, affordable living, and year-round sunshine. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about working remotely from Spain in 2025.

Quick Facts:

• Digital Nomad Visa: Available since January 2023 (€2,334/month income requirement)
• Average Internet Speed: 200-600 Mbps fiber (widely available)
• Coworking Monthly Cost: €100-€350 depending on city
• Time Zones: CET/CEST (6 hours ahead of US East Coast, 1 hour ahead of UK)
• Best Cities for Remote Workers: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, Seville
• Cost of Living: €1,500-€2,500/month for comfortable lifestyle (varies by city)
• Average Coworking Spaces: 50-100+ spaces in major cities

Legal Options for Remote Work in Spain

1. Digital Nomad Visa (Recommended)

Spain’s official visa for remote workers, launched in January 2023.

Key Features:

• Valid for 1 year, renewable up to 5 years
• Legal residence and work authorization
• Family reunification allowed
• Potential tax benefits (Beckham Law - 15% flat rate)

Requirements:

• €2,334/month minimum income (€28,008/year)
• Remote work for non-Spanish companies (max 20% Spanish income)
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record

Processing Time: 1-2 months

Complete Digital Nomad Visa Guide →

2. Tourist Visa (90 Days Only)

Legal Status: You can visit Spain for up to 90 days per 180-day period as a tourist (Schengen rules).

Can You Work Remotely on Tourist Visa? Technically, yes—if you’re working for a non-Spanish company and not providing services to Spanish clients. However:

• No legal residency rights
• Can’t open Spanish bank account
• Can’t register for padrón (municipal registration)
• Can’t access healthcare (need travel insurance)
• Must leave Schengen area after 90 days

Who It’s For: Short “trial runs” in Spain before committing to Digital Nomad Visa.

3. Non-Lucrative Visa (No Work Allowed Officially)

Legal Status: Residence permit without work rights.

Workaround: Some remote workers obtain Non-Lucrative Visas and work remotely “unofficially” for foreign companies. This is a legal gray area—you’re not technically working in Spain; you’re earning foreign income while residing in Spain.

Risk: If authorities discover you’re working, visa could be revoked. Digital Nomad Visa is the safer, legal alternative.

Requirements:

• €600/month passive income (much lower than Digital Nomad Visa)
• Can’t work for any company, Spanish or foreign

Non-Lucrative Visa Guide →

4. EU Citizenship

Legal Status: If you’re an EU citizen, you have automatic right to live and work in Spain indefinitely. No visa needed.

Advantages:

• No visa application
• No income requirements
• Full work rights
• Access to public healthcare
• Permanent residence after 5 years

Comparison Table

Option	Duration	Income Requirement	Legal Work Rights	Healthcare	Cost
Digital Nomad Visa	1 year (renewable to 5)	€2,334/month	Remote work (foreign companies)	Private (year 1), then public	~€1,000 (visa + docs)
Tourist Visa	90 days per 180 days	None	Gray area (foreign work only)	Travel insurance	€0 (no visa needed)
Non-Lucrative Visa	1 year (renewable to 5)	€600/month	None (gray area)	Private (year 1), then public	~€800
EU Citizenship	Indefinite	None	Full work rights	Public immediately	€0

Internet Infrastructure in Spain

Spain has excellent internet infrastructure, making it ideal for remote work.

Fiber Internet (Fibra Óptica)

Availability: Fiber is available in 85%+ of Spanish homes, including most urban and suburban areas.

Typical Speeds:

• Entry-level: 100 Mbps (€25-€35/month)
• Mid-tier: 300 Mbps (€30-€40/month)
• High-speed: 600 Mbps (€35-€45/month)
• Ultra-fast: 1 Gbps (€40-€55/month)

Major Providers:

• Movistar - Largest provider, reliable, good customer service
• Orange - Strong coverage, competitive pricing
• Vodafone - Fast speeds, good bundles (internet + mobile)
• MásMóvil/Yoigo - Budget options, good value
• Digi - Ultra-budget (€25/month for 100 Mbps)

Installation: Usually 1-2 weeks from order to activation. Some apartments have pre-installed fiber.

Mobile Data

Spain has excellent 4G/5G coverage in cities and towns.

Typical Plans:

• Budget: €10-€15/month (10-30 GB)
• Standard: €20-€30/month (unlimited data)
• Premium: €30-€50/month (unlimited data + EU roaming)

Providers:

• Movistar, Orange, Vodafone (major carriers)
• MásMóvil, Yoigo, Digi (budget MVNOs)

5G Availability: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and major cities. Expanding rapidly.

Backup Options

Mobile Hotspot: Reliable backup if home internet fails. Spanish 4G is fast (50-150 Mbps).

Café WiFi: Most cafés offer free WiFi (order a coffee, use for hours—Spain is café-work friendly).

Coworking Spaces: Guaranteed high-speed internet, backup power, professional environment.

Internet Speed by City

City	Average Fiber Speed	Availability	5G Coverage
Madrid	600 Mbps	95%	Excellent
Barcelona	600 Mbps	90%	Excellent
Valencia	300-600 Mbps	90%	Good
Málaga	300-600 Mbps	85%	Good
Seville	300-600 Mbps	85%	Moderate
Bilbao	300-600 Mbps	90%	Good

Rural Areas: Fiber availability drops to 50-70%. Satellite internet (Starlink) is an option for remote rural locations.

Best Cities for Remote Workers

Madrid: The Professional Hub

Why Remote Workers Choose Madrid:

• Largest coworking ecosystem in Spain (100+ spaces)
• Central location (2.5 hours to Barcelona, Seville, Valencia by train)
• Major international airport (easy travel to US, Europe)
• Fastest internet infrastructure
• Large expat and digital nomad community
• Four-season climate

Cons:

• Higher cost of living (€1,200-€1,600 rent for 1-bed)
• No beach (4 hours to coast)
• Hot summers, cold winters
• Can feel crowded

Average Monthly Cost: €1,800-€2,500 (including rent, utilities, coworking, food)

Best Neighborhoods for Remote Workers:

• Malasaña: Hip, creative, young crowd, cafés everywhere
• Chueca: Central, LGBTQ+ friendly, walkable
• Chamberí: Residential, authentic, quieter, excellent restaurants
• Salamanca: Upscale, quiet, professional

Top Coworking Spaces:

• Impact Hub Madrid (multiple locations, community-focused)
• Utopicus (professional, multiple locations)
• MOB Madrid (modern, tech-oriented)
• Talent Garden (startup ecosystem)

Internet: 600 Mbps fiber standard, €35-€45/month

Living in Madrid Guide →

Barcelona: The Creative Capital

Why Remote Workers Choose Barcelona:

• Mediterranean lifestyle with beach access
• Vibrant startup and tech scene
• International community
• Mild climate year-round
• Beautiful architecture and culture
• Strong coworking culture

Cons:

• Expensive (€1,200-€1,600 rent)
• Tourist crowds (especially Ciutat Vella)
• Catalan language (though Spanish widely spoken)
• Competitive for services (popular destination)

Average Monthly Cost: €1,800-€2,600

Best Neighborhoods for Remote Workers:

• Gràcia: Village feel, bohemian, digital nomad favorite
• Poblenou: “Tech district,” near beach, modern
• Eixample: Central, Gaudí architecture, upscale
• Poble Sec: Affordable, trendy, good food scene

Top Coworking Spaces:

• Betahaus Barcelona (Gràcia, strong community)
• MOB Barcelona (near Sagrada Familia, modern)
• OneCoWork (Poblenou, beach proximity)
• Makers of Barcelona (POble Sec, creative focus)

Internet: 600 Mbps fiber, €35-€45/month

Living in Barcelona Guide → Barcelona Apartments for Rent →

Valencia: The Balanced Choice

Why Remote Workers Choose Valencia:

• 30-40% cheaper than Madrid/Barcelona
• Beach city with 320 sunny days/year
• Perfect climate (warm but not extreme)
• Growing digital nomad scene
• Excellent food culture (birthplace of paella)
• Bike-friendly, walkable

Cons:

• Smaller expat community than Madrid/Barcelona
• Fewer international flights
• Less English spoken
• Smaller coworking ecosystem

Average Monthly Cost: €1,400-€2,000

Best Neighborhoods:

• Ruzafa: Hip, multicultural, cafés and restaurants
• El Carmen: Historic center, bohemian vibe
• Benimaclet: Neighborhood feel, affordable
• Malvarrosa: Beachfront, relaxed

Top Coworking Spaces:

• Wayco (multiple locations, community-oriented)
• Vortex Coworking (Ruzafa, central)
• Mundo Cowork (city center)
• Spaces Valencia (professional)

Internet: 300-600 Mbps fiber, €30-€40/month

Living in Valencia Guide →

Málaga: The Coastal Contender

Why Remote Workers Choose Málaga:

• Costa del Sol beaches
• Year-round warm weather
• Fast-growing tech hub (Google campus)
• International airport with cheap European flights
• Affordable (cheaper than Madrid/Barcelona)
• Relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle

Cons:

• Very touristy in summer
• Smaller city feel (may lack big-city amenities)
• Hot summers (35°C+)
• Limited public transport compared to Madrid/Barcelona

Average Monthly Cost: €1,500-€2,200

Best Neighborhoods:

• Soho: Artsy, hipster, street art, coworking hubs
• Centro: Historic, walkable, central
• Pedregalejo: Beach neighborhood, local feel
• Teatinos: Modern, residential, near university

Top Coworking Spaces:

• The Living Lab (Soho, strong community)
• La Noria (tech park, Google campus area)
• Cowork Málaga (centro)
• MOB Málaga (Soho)

Internet: 300-600 Mbps fiber, €30-€40/month

Seville: The Affordable Gem

Why Remote Workers Choose Seville:

• Most affordable major Spanish city
• Rich culture and history
• Authentic Spanish experience (less touristy vibe)
• Friendly locals
• Beautiful architecture

Cons:

• Extremely hot summers (35-40°C, July-August unbearable for some)
• No beach (1 hour drive to coast)
• Smaller coworking scene
• Fewer international connections

Average Monthly Cost: €1,200-€1,800

Best Neighborhoods:

• Triana: Riverside, traditional, great tapas
• Alameda de Hércules: Bohemian, artsy, young crowd
• Nervión: Modern, residential, shopping

Top Coworking Spaces:

• La Comunal (city center)
• Coworking Sevilla (Triana)
• Impact Hub Seville

Internet: 300 Mbps fiber, €30-€40/month

Bilbao: The Underrated Choice

Why Remote Workers Choose Bilbao:

• Strong economy (less tourism-dependent)
• Modern, clean city
• Great food (Basque cuisine)
• Less saturated (fewer expats/nomads)
• Excellent quality of life

Cons:

• Rainy climate (not Mediterranean)
• Basque language (though Spanish widely spoken)
• Smaller expat community
• Cooler temperatures

Average Monthly Cost: €1,500-€2,100

Internet: 300-600 Mbps fiber

City Comparison Table

City	Cost of Living	Climate	Beach	Coworking	Expat Community	Internet	Airport
Madrid	High	Continental	No	Excellent	Very Large	Excellent	Major Hub
Barcelona	High	Mediterranean	Yes	Excellent	Very Large	Excellent	Major Hub
Valencia	Medium	Mediterranean	Yes	Good	Large	Excellent	Good
Málaga	Medium	Mediterranean	Yes	Good	Large	Good	Good
Seville	Low	Hot Mediterranean	No (1h)	Moderate	Medium	Good	Good
Bilbao	Medium-High	Oceanic	No	Moderate	Small	Excellent	Good

Our Recommendation:

• Best Value: Valencia (quality of life + affordability)
• Most Opportunities/Networking: Madrid or Barcelona
• Beach Lifestyle: Málaga or Valencia
• Budget-Conscious: Seville
• Underrated: Bilbao

Coworking Spaces in Spain

Types of Coworking Spaces

Community-Focused Coworking: Emphasis on networking, events, collaboration. Examples: Impact Hub, Betahaus, Wayco.

Professional/Corporate Coworking: Quiet, business-oriented, fewer events. Examples: Utopicus, Spaces, Regus.

Creative/Startup Coworking: Targeted at designers, developers, entrepreneurs. Examples: MOB, Makers of Barcelona, Talent Garden.

Hybrid Cafés: Café + coworking space. Examples: local independent spaces in many cities.

Coworking Membership Costs

Day Pass: €10-€25/day

Part-Time (2-3 days/week): €80-€150/month

Full-Time (unlimited): €150-€350/month

Private Office: €400-€800/month (1-2 person office)

Meeting Room: €20-€60/hour

What’s Included

Standard Amenities:

• High-speed WiFi (100+ Mbps)
• Desks and ergonomic chairs
• Coffee/tea
• Printing/scanning
• Meeting rooms (limited hours)
• Community events
• Air conditioning/heating

Premium Amenities (Higher-End Spaces):

• 24/7 access
• Private phone booths
• Standing desks
• Unlimited meeting room access
• Beer/snacks
• Showers (for cyclists)
• Event space

Top Coworking Chains in Spain

Impact Hub (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga)

• Strong community focus
• Social impact orientation
• Regular networking events
• €180-€280/month

MOB (Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga)

• Modern, tech-oriented
• Excellent design
• Startup ecosystem
• €200-€320/month

Utopicus (Madrid, multiple locations)

• Professional environment
• Corporate-friendly
• Quiet workspaces
• €220-€350/month

Spaces (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia)

• International chain (WeWork competitor)
• Professional, polished
• Meeting rooms included
• €250-€400/month

Wayco (Valencia, multiple locations)

• Community-driven
• Affordable
• Local feel
• €100-€200/month

Working from Cafés

Spain is café-work friendly. Ordering a coffee (€1.50-€3) typically allows you to work for 2-3 hours without issue.

Best Café Chains for Remote Work:

• Federal Café (Barcelona, Madrid) - Expat-friendly, fast WiFi
• Syra Coffee (Madrid) - Third-wave coffee, good WiFi
• Satan’s Coffee Corner (Barcelona) - Hip, spacious
• Misión Café (Madrid) - Good WiFi, power outlets

Café Work Etiquette:

• Order every 2-3 hours
• Take calls outside or in phone booth areas
• Avoid café work during peak lunch (1-3pm)
• Tip small change (€0.50-€1)

Time Zone Considerations

Spain operates on Central European Time (CET) or Central European Summer Time (CEST).

Time Differences

Winter (October-March):

• Spain CET = UTC+1
• 6 hours ahead of US East Coast
• 9 hours ahead of US West Coast
• 1 hour ahead of UK
• 2 hours behind India
• 7 hours behind China
• 8-11 hours behind Australia (varies by city)

Summer (March-October):

• Spain CEST = UTC+2
• 6 hours ahead of US East Coast (both on DST)
• 9 hours ahead of US West Coast
• 1 hour ahead of UK
• 3.5 hours behind India
• 6 hours behind China
• 7-10 hours behind Australia

Working with US Time Zones

Challenge: Spain’s workday (9am-6pm) = 3am-12pm US East Coast.

Solutions:

• Morning Schedule: Work 7am-3pm CET to overlap with US East Coast afternoons (1pm-9pm ET)
• Evening Schedule: Work 2pm-10pm CET to overlap with US East Coast mornings (8am-4pm ET)
• Split Schedule: Morning admin (9am-12pm), siesta, evening calls (6pm-10pm)
• Async Communication: Minimize live meetings, use Slack/email, record Loom videos

West Coast US: Even more challenging (9-hour difference). Most remote workers on West Coast time work evenings in Spain (3pm-11pm CET = 6am-2pm PT).

Working with European Time Zones

Ideal: Spain is 1 hour ahead of UK, aligned with most of Europe (Germany, France, Italy).

Best Overlap: 9am-6pm CET aligns perfectly with 8am-5pm UK, 9am-6pm Germany/France.

Recommendation: If working primarily with European teams, Spain’s time zone is perfect.

Working with Asian Time Zones

Challenge: Significant time differences (6-8 hours ahead of Spain).

China/Singapore: 6-7 hours ahead. China’s 9am = 2-3am Spain.

India: 3.5-4.5 hours ahead. India’s 9am = 5:30-6:30am Spain.

Solutions:

• Early morning calls (7-9am Spain = 12:30-2pm India, 1-3pm China)
• Asynchronous work (documentation, recorded videos)

Working with Australian Time Zones

Challenge: 7-11 hours ahead depending on Australian city.

Sydney: 10 hours ahead in summer, 9 in winter.

Overlap: Very limited. Australia’s morning = Spain’s late night.

Solution: Async communication essential, occasional late-night calls.

Remote Work Communities in Spain

Online Communities

Facebook Groups:

• Digital Nomads Spain (10k+ members) - Job leads, housing, events
• Remote Workers Barcelona/Madrid/Valencia - City-specific groups
• Expats in Spain (50k+ members) - General expat community

Slack/Discord:

• Nomad List Spain - Community for vetted remote workers
• Tech Spain - Tech industry professionals
• Remote Year - Organized remote work travel program community

Meetup.com:

• Search “Digital Nomads [city]” for regular meetups
• “Tech Meetups [city]” for networking
• “Language Exchange” to meet locals and practice Spanish

In-Person Communities

Coworking Events: Most coworking spaces host weekly/monthly events:

• Networking drinks
• Skill-sharing workshops
• Lunch & learns
• Weekend activities

Networking Events:

• Startup Grind (Madrid, Barcelona) - Monthly entrepreneur meetups
• Nomad City - Digital nomad meetups in major cities
• Tech Events - Check eventbrite.es for tech meetups

Sports & Social:

• Hash House Harriers - Running/drinking clubs in most cities
• Meetup Sports - Football, basketball, volleyball groups
• Expat Social Events - Regular meetups organized via Facebook

Remote Work Programs

Remote Year (remoteyear.com)

• Organized 4-month or 12-month programs
• Spain is one rotation (often Barcelona, Seville, or Valencia)
• Community of 30-50 remote workers
• Accommodation, coworking, activities included
• Cost: $2,000-$3,500/month

WiFi Tribe (wifitribe.co)

• 1-month remote work retreats
• Spain destinations vary (Barcelona, Valencia common)
• Cost: $1,500-$2,500/month

Hacker Paradise (hackerparadise.org)

• Tech-focused remote work retreats
• 3-month programs
• Occasional Spain locations

Cost of Living for Remote Workers

Sample Monthly Budget (Barcelona, Solo Remote Worker)

Expense	Cost
Rent (1-bedroom apartment, central)	€1,200-€1,600
Utilities (electricity, water, gas)	€80-€120
Internet (300 Mbps fiber)	€40
Mobile phone	€20-€40
Groceries	€250-€350
Eating out (5-7 times/week)	€200-€300
Coworking membership	€200-€300
Transport (metro pass)	€40
Gym	€30-€60
Entertainment	€100-€200
Total	€2,160-€3,010

Sample Monthly Budget (Valencia, Solo Remote Worker)

Expense	Cost
Rent (1-bedroom apartment, central)	€800-€1,100
Utilities	€70-€100
Internet	€35
Mobile phone	€20-€30
Groceries	€220-€300
Eating out	€150-€250
Coworking membership	€150-€250
Transport (metro/bike)	€40
Gym	€25-€50
Entertainment	€100-€150
Total	€1,610-€2,260

Recommendation: Budget €2,000-€2,500/month for comfortable lifestyle in major Spanish cities. Valencia offers best value.

Complete Cost of Living Guide →

Practical Tips for Remote Workers in Spain

Set Up Essentials

1. Get a Spanish SIM Card (Day 1):

• Buy at airport (Vodafone, Orange kiosks) or city phone shops
• €10-€30/month for 10-50 GB data
• Necessary for banking, registrations, 2FA

2. Open a Spanish Bank Account (Week 1-2):

• Required for apartment rentals, utility bills
• Bring: Passport, proof of address (rental contract), NIE (if you have it)
• Recommended banks for expats: N26, Revolut (digital), BBVA, Santander (traditional)

3. Register for NIE (Week 1-2 if on Digital Nomad Visa):

• Spanish tax ID number
• Required for contracts, bank accounts, official procedures
• Apply at police station (cita previa appointment required)

NIE Application Guide →

4. Set Up Internet (Week 1):

• Contact Movistar, Orange, or Vodafone
• Installation: 1-2 weeks
• Negotiate: First 6 months often discounted (€20-€30/month)

Work-Life Balance Tips

Embrace the Spanish Schedule:

• Lunch 2-4pm (many restaurants closed mornings, open late)
• Dinner 9-11pm (10pm is normal)
• Shops close 2-5pm for siesta
• Late nightlife (bars packed midnight-2am)

Adapt Your Work Schedule:

• If working with Europe: Standard 9am-6pm works great
• If working with US: Consider split schedule (morning work, siesta, evening calls)

Take Advantage of Flexibility:

• Work from cafés, parks (many have WiFi), beach clubs
• Take long weekends (AVE trains make travel easy)
• Explore Spain during low season (cheaper, fewer tourists)

Avoid Common Pitfalls

Don’t Isolate: Join coworking spaces or communities to meet people. Solo remote work can be lonely.

Don’t Overspend: Barcelona/Madrid are expensive; budget carefully or choose Valencia/Seville.

Don’t Ignore Visa Requirements: Working on tourist visa long-term is risky. Get proper Digital Nomad Visa.

Don’t Neglect Spanish: Learn basic Spanish; most Spaniards don’t speak fluent English (except in tourist zones).

Don’t Forget Taxes: If staying 183+ days/year, you become Spanish tax resident. Consult a tax advisor.

Get Expert Help

Remote work in Spain involves legal, tax, and logistical considerations.

Recommended Services:

• Immigration Lawyers → - Digital Nomad Visa applications, visa renewals (€500-€1,500)
• Tax Advisors → - Tax residency, Beckham Law, annual returns (€300-€800/year)
• Accountants → - If registered as autónomo for freelance work (€100-€250/month)

Related Guides

• Digital Nomad Visa Complete Guide → - Visa requirements and application
• Cost of Living in Spain → - Detailed budget breakdowns by city
• Living in Madrid → - Complete Madrid guide
• Living in Barcelona → - Complete Barcelona guide
• Living in Valencia → - Complete Valencia guide
• Barcelona Apartments for Rent → - Finding housing in Barcelona
• Spanish Taxes for Expats → - Understanding tax obligations
• NIE Number Application → - Getting your Spanish tax ID

FAQs About Remote Work in Spain

Can I work remotely in Spain on a tourist visa?

Technically, yes for up to 90 days—if you’re working for a non-Spanish company and not providing services to Spanish clients, you’re not violating visa terms. However, you lack legal residency rights, can’t open a bank account, access healthcare, or register for padrón. For stays beyond 90 days or legitimate residency, apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (€2,334/month income requirement). Tourist visa “digital nomading” is common but limited and legally gray; proper visa is safer and provides benefits.

How much does it cost to live and work remotely in Spain?

Budget €1,500-€2,500/month for comfortable solo remote worker lifestyle. Breakdown: Rent €800-€1,600 (1-bed apartment, varies by city), utilities €70-€120, coworking €100-€300, groceries €220-€350, eating out €150-€300, transport €40, entertainment €100-€200. Valencia is cheapest (€1,600-€2,200), Barcelona/Madrid most expensive (€2,200-€3,000). Shared apartments reduce costs significantly (€400-€700 for private room).

Is internet reliable in Spain for remote work?

Yes, Spain has excellent internet infrastructure. Fiber (fibra óptica) is available in 85%+ of homes with speeds of 300-600 Mbps standard (€30-€45/month). Major cities offer 1 Gbps options. Providers: Movistar, Orange, Vodafone (reliable), Digi/MásMóvil (budget). 4G/5G mobile data is fast (50-150 Mbps) as backup. Coworking spaces guarantee high-speed connections. Rural areas have lower availability but improving. Overall, Spain is excellent for remote work connectivity.

What are the best cities in Spain for digital nomads?

Valencia offers the best overall value: beach city, 30-40% cheaper than Madrid/Barcelona, excellent internet, growing nomad community, perfect climate. Madrid has most opportunities (100+ coworking spaces, largest expat network, best infrastructure) but higher costs. Barcelona combines beach lifestyle, startup scene, and international community but is expensive and touristy. Málaga is growing fast (tech hub, year-round sun, Costa del Sol beaches, affordable). Seville is cheapest but extremely hot summers. Choose based on priorities: value (Valencia), opportunities (Madrid), beach+culture (Barcelona).

How do I handle time zones working remotely from Spain?

Spain is CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2). For US teams: Significant challenge—6 hours ahead of East Coast, 9 hours ahead of West Coast. Solutions: work split schedule (morning admin, evening calls 6-10pm Spain time), embrace async communication (Slack, Loom videos, documentation), negotiate flexible hours. For European teams: Perfect alignment—1 hour ahead of UK, same as Germany/France/Italy. For Asian teams: Early morning calls (7-9am Spain = afternoon Asia). Remote work from Spain is easiest with European or async-first companies.

Do I need to speak Spanish to work remotely in Spain?

Not required for your remote job (you’ll work in English), but highly recommended for daily life. English proficiency in Spain is moderate—fluent in tourist areas (Barcelona, Madrid city center), limited elsewhere. You’ll need Spanish for: apartment hunting, bank accounts, doctor visits, government offices, social interactions. Most coworking spaces have English-speaking staff. Expat communities exist in major cities, but learning basic Spanish (A2-B1 level) dramatically improves quality of life and integration.

What coworking spaces do remote workers use in Spain?

Popular chains: Impact Hub (community-focused, €180-€280/month), MOB (tech-oriented, modern, €200-€320/month), Utopicus (professional, corporate, €220-€350/month), Spaces (international chain, polished, €250-€400/month), Wayco (Valencia, affordable, €100-€200/month). Day passes cost €10-€25. Benefits: high-speed WiFi, meeting rooms, networking events, coffee/tea, professional environment. Many remote workers combine coworking (3 days/week) with home work or cafés to save money. Café work is socially acceptable in Spain (order coffee, work 2-3 hours).

Will I pay taxes in Spain as a remote worker?

If you spend 183+ days per year in Spain, you become a Spanish tax resident and must pay taxes on worldwide income. Rates: 19-47% progressive. However, Digital Nomad Visa holders may qualify for Beckham Law, taxing only Spanish-sourced income at 15% flat rate (24% above €600k). Since your remote work income is foreign-sourced, Beckham Law can mean zero or minimal Spanish taxes. Apply within 6 months of obtaining residence permit. Consult a Spanish tax advisor familiar with Beckham Law. Tax Guide →

Can I stay in Spain permanently as a remote worker?

Yes, through the Digital Nomad Visa pathway. Initial visa: 1 year. Renew for 2-year periods up to 5 years total. After 5 years of legal residence, apply for permanent residence (residencia de larga duración-UE), which no longer requires proving income or remote work. After 10 years total (5 for Latin Americans), apply for Spanish citizenship. Requirements: maintain legal residence, pass Spanish language/culture exam (for citizenship), no extended absences (stay 183+ days/year in Spain).

Is Spain better than Portugal for remote workers?

Both excellent, different advantages. Spain pros: Larger cities, more diverse destinations, better public transport, stronger job market (if seeking local work later), lower Beckham Law taxes (15% vs Portugal’s 20% NHR). Portugal pros: Slightly cheaper overall, easier visa process, strong nomad community (Lisbon), milder year-round climate, better English proficiency. Verdict: Spain for big-city lifestyle, career opportunities, diverse regions; Portugal for mellow beach life, tighter nomad community, ease. Both offer digital nomad visas with similar requirements.