€15,000 Grant for Each Digital Nomad in Extremadura
Extremadura, an autonomous community on the border of Spain known for its wild nature reserves and Roman ruins, will offer €15,000 to digital nomads who relocate there for two years.
Digital nomads have often been unwelcome in many European countries due to concerns that they contribute to urbanization and rising living costs. However, some regions in Spain are actively seeking to attract this international group. Extremadura is one such region. This autonomous community bordering Portugal boasts natural reserves, mountain ranges teeming with wildlife, and towns with significant Roman ruins, yet it remains relatively under-visited. Extremadura also has one of the lowest population densities in Spain and is among the least economically developed regions, with the lowest GDP per capita in the country and an unemployment rate of 17.6%, compared to the national average of 11.9%.
To boost the local economy and population, the regional government has allocated two million euros to support 200 digital nomads relocating to the area. In addition to the financial grant, newcomers will benefit from a lower cost of living compared to many other regions in Spain and beautiful natural surroundings. For instance, dining out, public transportation, and other utilities in Extremadura’s town of Badajoz are 30% cheaper than in Madrid. Although Extremadura lacks extensive transportation infrastructure, it has higher-than-average coverage for both fiber optic and mobile networks.
To qualify for the €15,000 grant to move to Extremadura, applicants must meet certain criteria. They must be highly skilled professionals in the technology sector and commit to living in the region for at least two years while working remotely and earning income from that remote work. Spanish residents living elsewhere can also apply for the grant, provided they have not lived in Extremadura for the past six months.
Foreign nationals can apply but must have legal residency in Spain (residence card) and a foreign identification number (NIE). Non-EU citizens can also apply if they possess a Spanish digital nomad visa; those without this visa must obtain it before applying.
Women and individuals under 30 who move to towns in Extremadura with populations under 5,000 will be eligible for a €10,000 grant each, while others will receive €8,000. After two years, those in the first group who choose to stay an additional year will receive a second payment of €5,000, making the maximum total €15,000 for three years. The second group will receive an additional €4,000.
Local officials plan to announce the application period in mid-September in the Extremadura Official Gazette and will accept applications until the 200-person limit is reached. Applicants who do not speak Spanish must include a notarized translation of their documents.
