Spain Leads the World for Remote Workers—But Is It Becoming Less Welcoming?
Remote workers love Spain—but Spain might be starting to love them a little less.
A recent report by Global Citizen Solutions has crowned Spain as the best country in the world for remote workers, highlighting a remarkable blend of lifestyle, affordability, and innovation-friendly policies. But as digital nomadism becomes a mainstream lifestyle, even top destinations like Spain are showing signs of resistance—especially when it comes to residential availability and local cost-of-living pressures.
Why Spain Tops the List
Global Citizen Solutions, an advisory firm specializing in citizenship and residency programs, assessed 65 countries based on five pillars: visa accessibility, benefits and duration, quality of life, economic environment, and technology infrastructure. Spain emerged at the top thanks to its relatively low cost of living, warm climate, strong healthcare system, and attractive digital nomad visa.
The report also highlights Spain’s new startup law, which aims to boost its tech ecosystem by offering zero tax on foreign-earned income for digital nomads and entrepreneurs, making it an even more compelling choice for knowledge workers on the move.
Europe Dominates, But Spain Stands Out
European nations dominate the top 10, with the Netherlands and Norway closely following Spain in second and third place. Estonia, Romania, and other lower-cost European destinations also performed strongly, particularly for remote workers prioritizing nature, culture, and community over cosmopolitan buzz.
Canada was the only non-European country to crack the top 10, thanks to its recent focus on attracting global tech talent.
“The most notable aspect of the report is the dominance of European countries,” said Patricia Casaburi, CEO at Global Citizen Solutions. “It’s also worth noting that over 90% of digital nomad visa programs have been introduced since COVID-19, showing just how fast governments have pivoted to this new workforce.”
A Shifting Mood in Spain
While the report paints an appealing picture, the on-the-ground reality is becoming more complex.
Spain’s major cities and tourist hotspots are increasingly experiencing what locals call “nomad fatigue.” Rising rental prices, housing shortages, and community pushback against overtourism are prompting national and regional governments to introduce more restrictive policies—particularly in the short-term rental sector.
Cities like Barcelona and Valencia have already announced stricter rules for short-term rentals, with licenses becoming harder to obtain and tourist rental properties being converted back into long-term housing. For digital nomads—who often rely on platforms like Airbnb for medium-term stays—this translates into fewer options and rising prices.
A Fork in the Road?
Spain still offers an unmatched lifestyle for remote professionals, with excellent infrastructure, world-class culture, and year-round sunshine. But the tension between attracting digital nomads and protecting housing access for locals is becoming harder to ignore.
As the world of remote work matures, destinations like Spain may need to balance their attractiveness to global talent with sustainable urban and housing policies. For now, the country holds the crown—but the kingdom may be getting harder to enter, and even harder to afford.