While digital nomads have been increasingly viewed with suspicion across many parts of Europe due to concerns over gentrification and the rising cost of living, Spain’s Extremadura region is bucking the trend. The autonomous community, bordering Portugal, is actively encouraging remote workers to relocate by offering financial incentives.
Extremadura, a lesser-known part of Spain known for its stunning natural reserves and Roman ruins, is offering digital nomads grants of up to €15,000 to move there. This initiative aims to boost the local economy and population, as Extremadura remains one of Spain’s least developed regions with high unemployment rates and low GDP per capita.
To attract digital nomads, the regional government has allocated €2 million to support around 200 remote workers. This financial support, combined with the lower cost of living in places like Badajoz, which is 30% cheaper than Madrid for essentials such as dining and transport, makes it an attractive option.
Eligible applicants must be professionals in the tech sector who can work remotely and commit to living in the region for at least two years. Both foreign and Spanish nationals can apply, with additional eligibility for those participating in Spain’s digital nomad visa program.
Grants range from €8,000 to €10,000, with additional payments available after two years for those who continue to stay. Interested applicants will be able to apply once the scheme is published in Extremadura’s Official Gazette, likely around mid-September. Applications can be submitted electronically through the region’s General Electronic Access Point.
This move showcases Extremadura’s dedication to revitalizing its economy by welcoming digital nomads, contrasting the growing resistance they face in other parts of Europe.
