Many digital nomads are choosing Spain as their remote working destination of choice.
Ideal destinations for remote working in Spain
Ideal destinations for remote working in Spain Unsplash

Working from home rather than commuting to the office began to increase with the pandemic, and now that things are slowly getting back to normal, remote working seems to be here to stay. And if you're in a position where you're able to work from wherever you want, moving to Spain as a digital nomad is a great option. While Madrid is the city preferred by the British for remote working, Barcelona has been chosen as one of the best cities in the world for digital nomads in 2022 who want to work remotely from Spain. 

The best city in the world for remote workers

Real estate consultancy Savills has compiled a list of the cities with the best prime residential market for those who work from home, focusing on internet speed, quality of life, climate, air connectivity, and rent. Topping the ranking is Lisbon, which thanks to its warm climate and low cost of living, coupled with its good broadband connection, has become one of the most sought-after destinations for remote working.

According to Paul Tostevin, research director at Savills: "Lisbon offers the advantages of city living and the benefits of being in the European Union".

The National Institute of Statistics in Portugal has already pointed out that foreign buyers are willing to pay more than twice as much as nationals. In the last three months of last year, foreigners paid 4,283 euro2/m2, while Portuguese only averaged at 1,858 euro/m2. As demand increased, prices rose by 11.4 per cent and some local buyers were forced to buy outside Lisbon.

Another Portuguese destination popular with foreign teleworkers is the Algarve area, which has always been a major tourist attraction thanks to its beaches and good connections to the rest of Europe, but is now becoming a popular residence for many executives.

Remote working in Spain: why choose Barcelona? 

When it comes to remote working in Spain, Barcelona comes in 6th place in the ranking. The Catalan capital scores well when it comes to internet speed, a key aspect for remote workers, as well as its air connectivity and quality of life. It's also important to note that Barcelona has long been popular with digital nomads and that this isn't a new trend. Thanks to the city's vibrant start-up ecosystem and tech culture, Barcelona has the potential to attract remote workers from across the world. 

Remote workers in Barcelona also highlight the work-life balance that can be enjoyed in the city. The pleasant climate adds to this, as well as a lively culture and sport scene in the city. 

Property for digital nomads Barcelona

Digital nomads have a range of options when it comes to the real estate market in Barcelona. While some remote workers choose to use second homes and holiday homes for working, most will choose long-term rentals, with few remote workers choosing to buy property.

The priority for most digital nomads is to have a furnished apartment with good internet connection. In Barcelona, the areas of Poblenou and Eixample are particularly popular due to their central location and wide range of rental properties on the market. 

The best places in the world to be a digital nomad in 2022

 PlaceTotal scoreInternet speedQuality of lifeClimateAirport connectionsRent
1Lisbon32.477.49.995.685.493.91
2Miami31.6111.004.498.057.120.95
3Dubai31.425.318.453.6311.003.03
4The Algarve30.548.119.456.062.334.59
5Barbados30.246.615.5711.002.124.93
6Barcelona30.058.916.534.156.513.95
7Dubrovnik25.303.3111.002.573.145.27
8Santa Lucia25.043.305.3810.601.004.76
9Malta23.457.172.875.603.963.85
10Antigua and Barbuda22.361.003.3110.631.925.50
11Mauritius21.451.003.249.292.435.40
12Côte d'Azur (French Riviera)20.676.904.973.724.570.50
13Cyprus19.702.056.782.133.964.70
14Tuscany17.543.577.001.001.714.25
15The Bahamas17.401.951.008.611.314.53