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Spain crowned best country in the world for digital nomads in 2025
A near perfect score put Spain ahead of 63 rival countries for remote working
Spain has officially been crowned the best country in the world for digital nomads in 2025, after topping not one but two major international rankings.
The accolade comes from independent studies released on January 9, 2026, which praised Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, modern infrastructure and quality of life. The Global Digital Nomad Visa Index awarded Spain a near perfect score of 99.67, placing it firmly at the top of the table ahead of 63 other countries.
Spain finished well clear of rivals such as the Netherlands at 92.84 and Uruguay at 91.23, with Canada, France, Portugal and Germany also trailing behind. The rankings assess countries across 15 indicators, including visa conditions, cost of living, internet quality and overall lifestyle.
A big part of Spain’s appeal lies in its Digital Nomad Visa, introduced in 2022. The visa allows non EU professionals earning at least 200% of Spain’s minimum wage, around €2,700 per month in 2026, to live and work in the country for up to 3 years, with the option to renew for another 3.
Holders can earn up to 20% of their income from Spanish clients and may also opt into the so-called Beckham Law, which offers a flat tax rate of 24% for up to 6 years. For many remote workers, this combination of flexibility and tax breaks certainty is a major draw.
Spain also scored highly for its widespread fibre optic coverage, growing number of co-working spaces and strong flight connections across Europe and beyond. Analysts say the availability of more affordable housing outside Madrid and Barcelona has only strengthened its position.
And Spain’s success hasn’t stopped at country level, either. The UK-based real estate firm Savills also published its Executive Nomad Index 2025, ranking the best cities in the world for senior remote workers. Three Spanish cities made the global top 10.
Málaga secured 3rd place, Palma de Mallorca came in at 6th and Barcelona followed closely in 7th. The only cities ahead of Málaga were Dubai and Abu Dhabi, underlining just how competitive Spain has become on the world stage.
Despite the glowing results, Spain’s popularity is beginning to put pressure on the system. Application volumes for the Digital Nomad Visa are up around 40 % year on year, pushing average approval times to roughly 6 weeks. Income thresholds have also risen in line with the 2026 minimum wage increase, meaning some applicants now need to show higher savings.
Cities such as Málaga and Valencia are also seeing double digit rent increases as demand grows, a trend already familiar in other digital nomad hotspots.
Even so, Spain is no stranger to international recognition. In previous years it featured heavily on Forbes remote working lists, with cities including Murcia, Valencia and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria all making the top 20. While Italy’s Genoa claimed the top spot last year, 2025 firmly belongs to Spain.
Image: Freepik
