The rise of the digital nomads in Spain
Indeed, a lot happened since 1980 when Dolly Parton released the song 9 to 5, and more and more people are trying to avoid the standard 9-5 model of work. In fact, by 2035 there will be an estimated 1 billion of digital nomads roaming the planet.
The only positive outcome of COVID is that it has brought new opportunities and employment types that were not common until recently. The concept of remote working or teleworking has offered an opportunity to many people to work from home, and (hopefully in the near future) combine work and traveling the world.
The term digital nomads refers to this growing group of people. Digital nomads are people that use telecommunications technologies to earn a living and conduct an independent and nomadic lifestyle.
Web developers, travel writers, translators, social media consultants, online marketeers, graphical designers, online tutors, online shopkeepers, etc. are the most obvious professions that allow a nomadic lifestyle. Being a digital nomad nowadays can cover a million different jobs.
There is even a growing number of companies that are run entirely by online workforces. There are plenty of ways to work online that will allow you to live where you want, it is just a matter of finding the right way for you. How to become a digital nomad.
Digital nomads are often called the ambassadors of progress. Their global entrepreneurial spirit is redefining the job market, and even changes complete neighbourhoods. This is what happened for example in Ruzafa, Valencia.
Digital nomads in Spain are choosing Valencia
Working online allows digital nomads to travel the world, meet amazing people and to temporarily settle in their favourite city. More and more digital nomads are choosing Spain. Beyond the obvious reasons such as the great climate, the presence of the beach and the metropolitan charm, most Spanish cities qualify perfectly as a digital nomad destination for the following reasons: easy accommodation, easy living and easy working. In the end, what digital nomads care about is cost of living, climate, fun, and internet speed.
Because of the warm winters, the Canary Islands, and more specifically Las Palmas, already has a well-established digital nomad community, as well as Barcelona, but digital nomad veterans are now choosing Valencia. Valencia these days is one of the favourite places for digital nomads in Spain because Barcelona has become too crowded and expensive. And Las Palmas… let’s face it, the beaches get a bit boring after a while. There are at least 10 reasons why Valencia is the best destination is Spain for teleworkers.
Valencia has everything a digital nomad needs: A great climate, the beach, affordable accommodation, friendly people, great food, and fast internet.
Achieving productivity in Valencia
Achieving productivitiy is the main challenge for a digital nomad, and yes, it is perfectly possible to have a good balance between your work-life and social life in Spain too. Valencia offers the right infrastructure to guarantee a productive stay.
Wifi
Digital nomads need only an internet connection to work and finding decent internet in Valencia is not a problem. Vodafona and Movistar offer reliable high speed internet at reasonable prices, and of course most coffeeshops will offer wifi for free. Fibre-optic internet is some of the fastest in the world with speeds in the centre of Valencia clocking at 220Mbps.
Coworking
Every month new coworking spaces pop up in Valencia offering tailored solutions to digital nomads. Wayco is the most popular coworking company, at the moment with 2 great locations, in El Carmen and Ruzafa/Canovas.
Work-life balance
Digital nomads in Valencia would certainly agree: The city offers a great work-life balance, because it is not too big or too small. The greatest advantage Valencia has is its size. It’s a city of 1 million people. So everything is here, you have shopping centres, cool clubs and all the takeaways you could ever need. But it also has a nice sense of pace. It isn’t fast and hectic like Madrid and Barcelona, so you can take your time and enjoy life, as well as getting your work done.
Valencia inspires
The idea of a nomadic lifestyle is very attractive, but it can be very lonely. While you are not watching your laptop screen, your environent needs to be as inspiring as possible. The inspiration is everywhere, and you will never get bored in Valencia. One of the great benefits of living and working in Valencia is that digital nomads can be surrounded by innovative and inspiring communities of like-minded people. The Facebook group “Expats living and working in Valencia” is the meeting spot for newly arrived and established expats and digital nomads living and working in Valencia.
Health and social life
Taking your business on the road leads to a lot of uncertainty in many aspects. On of them is staying healthy when you put your body under stress by moving around and having your friend far away. Luckily Valencia is not the worst place in the world to fall ill. Health care is very accessible and is completely free. In the last 5 years two new hospitals have been built, one private and one public, both are state of the art costing hundreds of millions, queues are short and the healthcare is great. Spain has an NHS so no more overpriced insurance cover or endless waiting times.
More and more digital nomads discover Valencia.
Digital nomads, Globexs helps you move to Valencia!
At Globexs we understand the daily challenges digital nomads are facing. It is a glamourous lifestyle but flexibility can sometimes overwhelm when any option is available, and few people understand exactly what you’re doing (Your family probably think you are in a “phase”). But we understand exactly what you are doing and we support and admire your nomadic lifestyle!
Rentals for digital nomads
In Spain the concept of temporary rentals is widespread, but still digital nomads find it difficult to find affordable flexible rentals. Globexs is the first relocation company in Spain specialized in providing a flexible housing solution to digital nomads. Accommodation in Valencia is considerably cheaper than in Madrid or Barcelona, as well as the general cost of living. Not all digital nomads travel on the same budget and Globexs offers rental apartments in all price ranges. Of course… with high speed internet included in the rental price. That goes without saying.
Legal immigration assistance
The biggest hurdle of being a digital nomad is understanding visas and basic legal issues that may affect your living conditions and work life. Also in Spain you also need to be familiar with the immigration laws as they might relate to you. Most digital nomads from outside the EU will travel to Spain on a tourist visa. Technically this means that it is illegal for them to do any work in the country. Actually the first country that is trying to tackle this problem is Estonia. They are introducing the world’s first Digital Nomad Visa. A great example for Spain! Meanwhile, Globexs helps you get a clear insight on your legal and tax obligations and how to legalize your situation: NIE, residencies, etc. Read more
Estonia is the first country to tackle the legal and tax problems of digital nomads.
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The Globexs experience
Well at Globexs we all agree that our main job is making people feel welcome. Globexs is, in essence, a people-company: people working for people. Us working for expats.
- We sell trust and confidence.
- We are the little tap on your shoulder and the voice whispering in your ear that everything will be all right.
- That is the Globexs experience, and that is what distinguishes us from traditional rental companies.