Maggie Frappola on the appeal of the new visa for digital nomads in the Spanish realtors' office

In deep winter, the temptation to live in the warm lands of Southern Europe becomes stronger than ever. Anyone who can work online has the freedom to move around and find a new way of life in a more hospitable climate.

Spain has long attracted those looking for a relaxed lifestyle with good value for money, short and mild winters and long sunny days by the beach. Imagine working in such an atmosphere. Perhaps start the day with desk work early in the morning, then swim in the afternoon and have a barbecue on the beach when the sun goes down. Tempting? Read on and see if the life of a digital nomad is right for you.

The idea of digital nomadism has spread strongly since COVID, with more and more people freeing themselves from the traditional constraints of a 9-to-5 work life and embracing the opportunity to escape traditional work environments by doing work from home.

There are currently 3.2 million self-employed people living in the Spanish autonomo (self-employed) status.

The majority of those who have adapted to this new way of working consider it a "millennials dream." Long days mean that Spain offers an excellent work-life balance compared to many other countries. Culturally, it also means that Spaniards stress less, spend a lot of time with family, and place a high value on socializing. Adapting to the Spanish lifestyle is essential!

The flexible lifestyle of the digital nomad allows time for sports and recreation: golf, tennis, padel, soccer, rugby, horseback riding and a host of other sports are well represented on the coast. Whether you're thinking of basing yourself in one place or traveling around the country, Spain offers great opportunities.