The digital nomad life is alluring. In essence, you’re the master of your own work-life; able to live where you please, work from where you want and to easily navigate cities, countries, and time-zones, all whilst earning an income. As the location-independent lifestyle gains popularity, Spain’s capital city of Madrid is quickly becoming a favourite for aspiring and established digital nomads. Offering a creatively energised environment and fantastic quality of living.
In our step-by-step guide, allow us to show you how to become a digital nomad in Madrid.
First things first: How to stay in Spain? As with other Schengen countries, the visa guidelines vary depending on your country of origin. For digital nomads from the US, you can enter Spain on a tourist visa valid for 90 days. After that, you must leave the Schengen zone for at least 180 days before returning for another tourist visa.
5. Why choose Madrid?
The vibrant capital of Spain has long attracted expats to its borders. Between the appeal of the Spanish way of life, and the plethora of opportunities for English-speakers, Madrid is one of the top destinations in Europe for digital nomads.
Weather
Spain is famous for its year-round sunshine and pleasant climate, and this is particularly true for southern cities like Sevilla and Granada. Even Madrid, located in the country’s center and known for cold – although mild – winters, still boasts wonderful weather. Compared to nearby northern European countries, where temperatures can be drastically low, Madrid remains temperate throughout the year. Winter temperatures average between 43-46 F, while summer temperatures peak at a balmy 87-100 F. Although tourists tend to flood the city during certain months, the optimum time to enjoy Madrid’s incredible climate while avoiding crowds is between September-December or March-June. The weather makes being a digital nomad in Madrid a wonderful experience.
Spanish culture
Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world, it recently became the world’s number 2 tourist destination. Spain can charm anyone with its rich history, festivals, and scrumptious food & wine. And in Madrid, the slow way of living is contagious.
Even in a city bursting with 3 million people, the Spanish culture still embraces family values and togetherness. You’ll find many Madrileños enjoying big family meals & a small beer on café-tops in Madrid.
The Spanish indeed work hard, but they know how to unwind and enjoy life, and that’s what makes this country a must-visit destination.
4. Cost of Living
Nikki Ndukwe
Many remote workers choose locations where they can stretch their money. Destinations in Western Europe may not be at the top of your list if you’re looking to stretch your dollar, but compared to countries like Germany and France, Spain is a lot more affordable. While other cities in Spain may be better for those looking to save on the cost of living, they still consider Madrid an affordable European city to live in for expats. If you are on a budget, the life of a digital nomad in Madrid is second to none.
Madrid Rent
Housing in Madrid has been hitting peak prices in the past few years due to the prevalence of Airbnb and tourists. But even with that, rent prices in Madrid will be attractive to many Americans coming from cities in the US where rent can climb over $1000 for a room. If living in the center is important to you, you’re looking at about 400-500 euros per month in a shared apartment. Neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca are popular areas to explore due to the hype and nightlife.
A smarter option for those who wish to save on rent would be heading outside of the center, where you could find a room for as low as 300 euros monthly. Don’t worry about missing out on Madrid’s amazing nightlife either, the city is extremely well-connected by its public transportation system.
Madrid Food
Madrid is filled with several grocery stores that have food prices low enough to keep you spending no more than $20 per week, depending on your eating habits. For fresh fruits and vegetables be sure to visit the local frutería. If you’re looking for good international ingredients, neighborhoods like Lavapiés are filled with food and products from all over the world.
3. CoWorking Spaces & Cafes
The Shed Coworking
Madrid has its fair share of startups, freelancers and digital nomads looking for areas in the city to work at. In Madrid, it won’t be hard to find a good place with a reliable wifi connection and sip on a café con leche at the same time.
Madrid Coworking
Madrid offers a variety of coworking spaces to cater to the needs of professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers. Here are some of the top coworking spaces in Madrid:
- Impact Hub Madrid: Impact Hub is a renowned global coworking network that focuses on social impact and innovation. It offers a vibrant community, flexible workspaces, and access to events and resources for entrepreneurs and changemakers.
- WeWork Madrid: WeWork is a well-known coworking brand with multiple locations in Madrid. They provide stylish and fully equipped workspaces, along with amenities like meeting rooms, lounges, and community events.
- Talent Garden Madrid: Talent Garden is a European coworking network that emphasizes the collaboration between technology and creativity. It offers a vibrant community of digital and tech professionals, along with events and workshops.
Cafes To Work At
La Bicicleta Cafe
Cafes are great places to get work done and also meet other travelers. All of these cafes are cozy, with plenty of table space, wifi and delicious coffee and food.
- Toma Café: Toma Café is a trendy and cozy cafe located in the Malasaña neighborhood. Known for its excellent coffee, relaxed atmosphere, and friendly staff, it’s a favorite spot for freelancers and remote workers. The cafe offers free Wi-Fi and ample seating, including communal tables and comfortable couches.
- Federal Café: Federal Café is a stylish cafe with a welcoming ambiance, located in the Conde Duque neighborhood. It features a modern interior with plenty of natural light and a menu that includes a variety of brunch options, salads, sandwiches, and delicious coffee. The cafe provides Wi-Fi and has both indoor and outdoor seating.
- Café de la Luz: Café de la Luz is a charming cafe situated in the Lavapiés neighborhood. It has a rustic and cozy atmosphere, perfect for focusing on work. The cafe offers a wide range of coffee choices, as well as tasty pastries and light meals. They provide free Wi-Fi and have a mix of small tables and larger communal tables suitable for working.
The availability of power outlets, noise levels, and the peak hours of these cafes may vary. It’s a good idea to check their opening hours and reviews online before visiting to ensure they meet your specific working needs.
2. Cheap Travel
Hello Lightbulb
During your time in Madrid, you’ll probably want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city every once in a while. You’re a digital nomad, so travel is a lifestyle, and you’ve got places to see. Lucky for you, Madrid is located in the center of Spain which provides optimum and cheap travel, both within Spain and out of the country. Spain is quite a big country, with 17 diverse regions and 5 official languages full of their own unique cultures and traditions. If you book them in advance, you can purchase affordable train tickets through Omio. Another convenient and often cheap option is the popular ride-sharing service called Blablacar, (think long distance Uber).
1. Expat and Digital Nomad Community
Once you’ve been to Madrid, you’ll easily fall in love with its infectious energy. The people of Madrid are driven and social, so it’s not hard to find a network of locals and other expats. Seasoned digital nomads, fell in love with the city over 11 years ago and hails Madrid as a digital nomad haven.
“I’ve always felt at home here and being a digital nomad and blogger I have been pleasantly surprised to find so many like-minded people who have inspired and influenced me and have helped me grow professionally.”
An important part of your experience is fostering a community wherever you are. Meeting other digital nomads, expats, those teaching English in Madrid or locals who are in your field can bring you a wealth of support and growth. That’s why seeking groups like Cepee’s Madrid Blogger Network are vital to being a digital nomad in Madrid and any city.
Facebook groups are a good place to start when it comes to questions, resources and meeting people in general. In addition to the Madrid Blogger Network, there are several groups and organizations to join.
- Intercom Spain – For anyone working in communication, marketing, journalism, and translation
- Guiripreneurs – For entrepreneurs in Spain
- Madrid: Girl Gone International – Madrid chapter of the worldwide platform to connect globally minded women around the world.
Check Out: Digital Nomad In The Making? How Volunteering Might Be The Boarding Pass To Your New Life!