It is estimated that there are already 300,000 digital nomads established in Spain, at least for a time, to work remotely. This is the reference number for analyzing the potential of different regions to attract these workers. No … There is a record as such, we don’t even know where they are installed, but we are aware that there are already destinations, big cities, very tense. At the same time, rural areas need new populations and more and more autonomous communities are launching programs to establish this type of profile among some of their populations.
José Almansa has just launched NomadIA Digital, a platform created for digital nomads through which it aims to connect their talents with territories that seek to reinvent themselves through innovation, sustainability and community. This entrepreneur is convinced that this project will have an impact on rural Spain and will help promote areas that are still quite uninhabited today. It chose to establish the central headquarters in Segovia, which is generating a lot of interest throughout the province.
Indicates the three elements that help articulate the value proposition for digital nomads. On the one hand, what he calls “magical spaces” that serve to relax, live, work… “and here there is a great value of emptied Spain, with lots of space and incredible places. It can be a place with the sea, or where you can see the stars… places where you don’t intend to work there, but you put in a satellite, wifi… and you find a great work space,” explains the founder of NomadIA. On the other hand see the key plan activities well which can be proposed. “We think they only need technology, but they want to experience a lot of things and rural Spain has a lot to offer them,” Almansa recalls. And he gives examples, such as an iron or ceramic forging course, because “the important thing is to offer a unique value proposition and to remember that they do not compete with each other, but complement each other.” Finally, “understand what you want, plan activities in cities well to avoid them being saturated”.
In Extremadura, for example, in October 2024, an innovative grant program was launched to attract digital nomads to its territory, offering aid of between 4,000 and 10.00 euros. The Government of Extremadura considers that the attraction of these highly qualified professionals will have very positive effects on the region’s economy “as it increases local consumption, enriches regional talents and generates valuable networks and opportunities.” In addition, its presence in rural areas helps to combat depopulation.
After living in London and Madrid, Tadej Magdic and his girlfriend Belén decide to settle in Malpartida (Cáceres), his homeland. Originally from Slovenia, Tajed, 34, works remotely for an English technology company in the food distribution sector. A job he managed to keep when he moved to the Spanish capital and which he now keeps in the small town of Extremadura. According to INE data, Malpartida has 4,030 inhabitants, a reality very different from that of Madrid, where it resided for seven years.
“Property prices in Madrid are very high and we decided to come to Malpartida. My daughter’s family and her friends are here, so it was easier,” says Tadej. Before leaving the capital, he studied a master’s degree in filmmaking and started doing some production and cinema projects. The young Slovenian shows himself delighted to be surrounded by nature. “We have a dog and it’s a wonderful environment,” he emphasizes. On a professional level, “I can do my job well, there is fiber, a good Internet connection, we have no problems”. In the field of cinema, it’s a little more difficult, “the world of production is more in Madrid, but when something presents itself, I travel”, he emphasizes. And he assures that “we have a much better quality of life, we can save and travel a lot more. When we go to Madrid, we do more things there,” he adds. Last year, he and his partner, who works remotely for a pharmaceutical company, sought help from the Digital Nomads Council. Being a municipality of less than 5,000 inhabitants, they each received 10,000 euros to invest in their professional project.
After living in London and Madrid, Slovenian Tadej Magdi and his girlfriend Belén decided to settle in his hometown, Malpartida (Cáceres).
La Xunta de Galicia, in collaboration with the Sende Cultural Association, launched Fixa project aimed at attracting digital nomads to rural Galicia and establishing a population, particularly young people. “Two editions of this initiative have been carried out so far, in the first 60 people participated and in the second 80, with bi-weekly stays in the co-living spaces involved in this project, which are Sende (Lobeira, Ourense), Anceu (Ponte Caldelas) and iSlow, Laxe (A Coruña)”, explains the Department of Employment, Commerce and Emigration of the Xunta de Galicia. “The idea is that they find in these cities a stable place to live and work, thus contributing to the maintenance and reactivation of economic and social life,” they add.
They recall that in 2026 the third edition of Fixar will take place and that thanks to the program around fifty people have already stayed in the Sende coliving. “Among them, 60% have created a new project or a new business after this experience and more than 90% remain linked to Galicia,” they emphasize. Very diverse profiles have participated in the editions carried out so far, with the presence of returning Galicians, city dwellers and foreigners already settled in the region.
A different world
Jorge Teixeira Crespo, 25 years old, originally from Redondela (Pontevedra) now lives and works in Anceu. The INE estimates that there are 100 inhabitants of this small Galician town. He studied computer engineering in A Coruña and after living in different places and participating in the Fixar project, in Anceu, this winter he decided to settle there with his girlfriend. “I work at a technology consultancy, Hiberus, and before that I built a startup and was self-employed. I have always evolved in the world of entrepreneurship”, explains Jorge. It was during a technological conference in Madrid that he heard about the Sende project, he started to get involved and thanks to the Fixar program, he spent 15 days in Anceu in the co-living where entrepreneurs, creatives and digital nomads coexist. “It’s a way of showing that things can be done from rural areas. In the past, those who are my bosses, if they wanted to go to abroad, had to go to Madrid to a big city and today the world is different,” he says.
During these two weeks, the participants benefited from support and exchanged ideas, “it was something very enriching,” he emphasizes. All the young people who have completed the program have brought this city to life with different activities and some of them are open to all residents, creating an enriching cultural experience. “More and more people are choosing this lifestyle. Three families have already settled in this town since the start of the program. It’s an opportunity to open your eyes, the first step in deciding to live in a rural area,” says Teixiera.
For every corner
We have another example of this type of initiative in the town of Benarrabá, in Malaga, which has 462 inhabitants. This summer, the Provincial Delegation of Málaga announced its project promoted by its Social Innovation Center La Noria thanks to which they achieved 73 teleworkers and digital nomads of 36 nationalities in the Serranía de Ronda with the “Benarrabá WorkValley” project. Another association for coexistence and joint work, Rooral, in collaboration with the town hall of this town, brought in 52 teleworkers from 19 countries in 2025.
In addition to the specific programs that are emerging, there are various tax deductions. Among the most attractive is that of Castilla-La Mancha, whose incentive is 15% of the total regional quota if the person establishes their habitual residence in rural areas at risk of depopulation. Or in La Rioja, where the self-employed who establish themselves in areas with low population density can deduct 20% of the costs up to a maximum of 400 euros.