Is Spain Welcoming to Digital Nomads?

If you're on a digital nomad visa and calling Spain your new home, you’ve likely noticed a growing backlash against tourism. From water-gun protests targeting visitors to graffiti condemning excessive tourism, these incidents may make you question just how welcoming Spain is to foreigners like yourself.

The truth is that while Spain grapples with issues like overtourism and housing affordability, the frustration has largely been directed at short-term tourists and problematic tourism practices—not long-term contributors like digital nomads. However, as the number of remote workers grows, it’s worth asking whether this sentiment might shift in the future.

Here’s a closer look at why anti-tourism sentiment is rising, what can be learnt from neighboring Portugal’s experience, and how remote workers can avoid being part of the problem.

Why Is Anti-tourism Sentiment Growing?

Protests have intensified and swept across various regions of Spain, driven by a complex web of interconnected issues. The housing crisis sits at the heart of these frustrations, made worse by factors such as overtourism, speculative real estate practices, and slow public investment in affordable housing. Here’s what’s driving the unrest:

• Rising Housing Costs: Tourism increased the demand for short-term Airbnb-type accommodation, reducing the availability of long-term housing and driving up prices. Rent in Spain rose by 14% in 2024, while wages only grew by 3.1%, leaving residents spending over 47% of their income on housing.
• Displacement of Locals: Many locals are being forced out of their neighborhoods as housing becomes increasingly unaffordable, leading to a loss of cultural and community identity.
• Environmental Strain: Large amounts of tourists stretch infrastructure, overwhelm public services, and contribute to environmental degradation.
• Cultural Erosion: Popular tourist destinations are seeing historic neighborhoods transformed into commercial zones, losing their authentic charm.

These simmering tensions have been worsened by systemic issues like Spain’s low public housing investment, which accounts for only 0.6% of GDP compared to the EU average of 1.2%. While the government plans to boost affordable housing investments to €7 billion by 2030, the gap remains a point of friction, particularly in tourist-heavy cities like Barcelona and Malaga.

What Has Happened so Far?

Anti-tourism protests in Spain have taken many forms. Activists have targeted tourist buses, sprayed graffiti with messages like "Tourists Go Home," and voiced frustration at short-term rental practices. The main targets have been the tourism infrastructure and behaviors seen as disruptive, like the excessive influx of cruise ships and Airbnb properties dominating residential areas.

For now, long-term visitors like digital nomads haven’t been singled out, but as they grow in numbers, future reactions are worth considering.

A Lesson From Portugal’s Experience

Digital nomads are still a relatively new phenomenon in Spain. The Spanish digital nomad visa was introduced just 2.5 years ago, so its impact remains limited for now. However, by looking at Portugal's experience, we can gain valuable insights into what the future might hold as more digital nomads choose Spain as their base.

Portugal has long been a favorite destination for digital nomads and foreign professionals, thanks to its appealing tax incentives and benefits. The Portuguese digital nomad visa requires a minimum income of €2,800 per month and has attracted thousands of remote workers, particularly in Lisbon. These salaries far exceed the local average, with over half of Portuguese workers earning less than €1,000 per month. This income disparity has helped push housing costs to unsustainable levels, with property prices doubling since 2015. The increased demand for both short- and long-term rentals has displaced many locals, exacerbating an already critical housing shortage.

The influx of foreign workers has profoundly reshaped the character of many neighborhoods. Family-run stores and local grocers have been replaced by trendy coffee shops, upscale restaurants, and co-working spaces. While these changes have revitalized certain urban areas, they have also eroded the cultural identity and tight-knit communities that once defined them.

Take Lisbon, for example—a city of just over half a million residents that now hosts nearly 17,000 digital nomads. This surge in remote workers has transformed urban hubs like Lisbon, contributing to skyrocketing housing prices and rapid gentrification. Protest signs reading “1 digital nomad = many forced nomads” underscore the growing discontent with the sweeping changes that have reshaped these communities.

Spain is rapidly becoming a top destination for digital nomads. With a larger population of approximately 49 million compared to Portugal's 10.6 million, and a more distributed presence of nomads across the country, Spain avoids the concentrated impact seen in Portugal. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Malaga are popular hubs, allowing the nomad community to disperse more evenly and easing the burden on any one location.

Why Digital Nomads Can Be Good for Spain

Ironically, digital nomads could play a part in solving the overtourism problem. By attracting remote workers who contribute to local economies year-round, Spain has the opportunity to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on short-term, seasonal tourism (currently around 12% of its GDP).

It's true that digital nomads, much like tourists, can impact rent prices due to their higher purchasing power. However, unlike tourists, they contribute consistently to the local economy by paying taxes and social security without competing for local jobs. This makes them a valuable asset in creating a balanced, forward-thinking economy that benefits both locals and remote workers alike.

With an aging population and low birth rates, Spain is predicted to need an additional two million workers by 2030 to sustain its economy and social systems. Digital nomads inject spending power and innovation while encouraging the development of a knowledge-based economy. By introducing fresh perspectives and global expertise, they bring dynamism to Spanish communities and play a critical role in filling workforce gaps. 

What Can Digital Nomads Do to Help?

You might be wondering how to ensure your time in Spain leaves a positive impact. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Choose Where You Live Responsibly: The best way to avoid contributing to the displacement of local residents is to avoid staying in heavily gentrified areas, particularly in major cities. Have you thought about moving to a place that genuinely welcomes new residents? Around 70% of Spain's territory falls under "Empty Spain" (España Vaciada), characterized by sparse populations and low population density. Areas like Extremadura even offer tax incentives to attract newcomers.
2. Support Local Businesses: Why not swap Starbucks for a local "Paco" bar and shop in a local frutería instead of a chain supermarket? These choices not only enrich your experience by immersing you in the local culture but also help sustain small businesses. 
3. Get Involved: Don’t be the “guiri” who insists on speaking only English or labels everything they don't like as “Spanish.” Take the time to learn the language, respect the culture, and genuinely integrate with the locals. By immersing yourself in the Spanish way of life, you help to dispel the perception of digital nomads as outsiders and build meaningful connections with your host community.

Conclusion

Spain is a country of stunning contrasts, from its buzzing city streets to its serene, unspoiled villages. And as a digital nomad, you’re right at the heart of it all. Yes, there are real challenges like overtourism and housing pressures—but your presence doesn’t have to be part of the problem. By taking a few notes from Portugal’s cautionary tale, recognizing the unique role you play in Spain’s economy, and making the effort to integrate responsibly, you can be part of the solution. Whether it’s choosing a home in a less-touristy area, learning the local lingo, or swapping global chains for a cozy corner bar, every small choice you make can ripple into a bigger, brighter impact. Remember, you’re not just working remotely; you’re living locally.