Digital Nomads Looking To Leave The US Need To Check Out This Scenic Region Of Spain

How would you like to get paid up to $16,000 to move to Spain? Now that we have your attention, here's the deal. If you're a digital nomad contemplating a move from the United States, Spain might very well already be on your radar. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid always steal the spotlight — leading to overtourism woes, protests, and housing crises — but the underrated destination of Extremadura offers an authentic experience that's hard to find elsewhere. Plus, it just happens to be the scenic region that offers that multi-thousand-dollar incentive to move there.

Located in western Spain, bordering Portugal, Extremadura is one of the country's least explored and least known regions by international tourists. It is also suffering from a severe depopulation problem. This is why Extremadura is welcoming digital nomads with open arms — unlike Barcelona and similar spots with anti-tourist sentiment — to help inject some new life into the region.

Now, let's put the money on the table and cut to the chase: Extremadura is offering 200 digital nomads 15,000 euros — equivalent to roughly $16,000 — to move there for a minimum of two years. The money will be given in two lump sum payments and is intended to help new-coming digital nomads settle in. If you are under 30 years of age, a woman, or are moving to a town in the region with a population of under 5,000, you will receive 10,000 euros, followed by 5,000 euros after at least two years of living there. If you don't check any of these three boxes, you'll still get 8,000 euros on arrival and 4,000 euros if you stay beyond the two years. How does it work?

There are a few critical points to sealing this hot deal. First, your work must be 100% online and remote, and you have to be a highly qualified professional in the tech sector. Second, you must be willing to stay in Extremadura for at least two years — once you learn more about this region, that might not seem like such a big ask. Third, if you've lived in Extremadura within the last six months, you won't qualify. Finally, you must possess American or eligible non-EU citizenship and successfully apply for your Spanish digital nomad visa through the official online portal. Once you have your Spanish digital nomad visa, you can apply for the actual grant through the Extremadura General Electronic Access Point.

Access to the grant should be available by the end of September 2024. For both the visa and the grant, ensure that you read the instructions thoroughly and have all the necessary documents prepared ahead of time; any documents that aren't in Spanish will have to be legally translated by a professional. Within three months, you'll receive an answer about your application for the grant and be on your way to a new life in Extremadura!

Beyond the grant incentive — which is quite generous — there are many reasons to move to Extremadura as a digital nomad. First, affordability. Compared to Madrid, the cost of living in Extremadura is a staggering 30% lower. Housing, food, and entertainment come at a fraction of the price so that digital nomads can enjoy a high quality of life without breaking the bank. For accommodations, you can find an apartment somewhere like Cáceres for just a few hundred dollars a month. Local cuisine is delicious and affordable, especially renowned for its Iberian ham (jamón ibérico), cheeses (especially the famous "Torta del Casar"), and wines (Ribera del Guadiana). While Extremadura might seem remote, its digital infrastructure is anything but. Many towns offer reliable high-speed internet, and coworking spaces are popping up in larger areas like Badajoz and Plasencia.

If you need a break from your screen, Extremadura will not disappoint. For digital nomads interested in culture and history, the region offers endless opportunities to explore museums and archaeological sites that honor its interesting past. The region boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient Roman city of Méride and the medieval town of Cáceres. It's also famous for being the homeland of several Spanish conquistadors. Extremadura is also home to several national parks, such as Monfragüe National Park, a haven for hikers and birdwatchers, as the park has one of the largest populations of black vultures in the world. The mild climate means you can enjoy the great outdoors almost year-round. For an authentic live abroad experience away from the typical tourist trails, this Spanish region might just be the perfect place to call home (for at least two years).