If you have already chosen Andalucía to work remotely, we congratulate you. You are about to start a unique experience in one of the most beautiful, sunny and quality-of-life regions in Europe.
At Telework Andalucía we are in love with this part of the world and we want to help you enjoy it too from the beginning. That is our commitment. For this reason, we will accompany you and guide you in every step you need before, during, and after arrival at your destination in Andalucía.
What type of visa do I need for my stay in Andalucía? How to find a home? What taxes do I have to pay? Where to get a good internet connection? Do i need health insurance? How do I open a bank account? Can I travel with my pet?
We imagine that you will ask yourself a lot of questions. To clear up doubts and facilitate the transfer process, step by step, from your country to Andalucía to work remotely, we have prepared this Practical Guide that we hope will be of great use to you:
Residence and work permit
It depends on your nationality, the process will require different permits and deadlines. In general, there are different types depending on the work to be done: self-employed or employed. Once you have obtained the residence and work permit, you must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
Another necessary document is the NIE, the foreign identity number, which will identify you as a foreigner residing in Spain. There are specific cases in which you do not need a work permit in Spain, such as, among other exceptions, being the son or grandson of Spanish origin or when it comes to filling positions of trust or company managers.
Golden Visa
If you were planning to buy a house in Spain, this is the fastest and easiest way to get a residence permit for you and your family. The Golden Visa is a highly demanded visa that is issued to non-EU citizens who invest in Spain in real estate worth 500,000 euros or more.
This visa authorizes non-EU citizens to travel freely through the Schengen Zone and grants its holder and their family residency in Spain without requiring them to live most of the year in the country.
The authorization is granted for two years and can be renewed for successive periods of five years if the circumstances do not change.
For more details or to answer questions, you can read our detailed post regarding the Golden Visa.
New visa for digital nomads and foreigners teleworking in Spain
The Government of Spain is in the phase of final approval of the ‘Startups Law’, which includes the creation of a special visa for digital nomads and foreigners who telework from Spain.
The objective of this new law is to promote the creation of technology companies, attract foreign talent and facilitate the work of foreign citizens who enjoy geographical mobility so that they can work remotely from Spain.
This law is in the draft law phase. It is expected to be approved and put into operation in the coming months. In addition to a visa for digital nomads and foreign teleworkers, it includes tax incentives for the establishment of companies and entrepreneurship, especially in the field of technologies.
This new visa for digital nomads will facilitate the obtaining of Spanish residency and will authorize to work remotely from Spain for one year with the option of renewing two more years, successively, provided that the requirements are met.
How can I work remotely?
Pending the final approval of the Startups Law, currently in Spain there is a residence permit called a non-profit visa that allows you to work remotely from Spain for foreign companies as well as to carry out work independently. This visa does not authorize you to work in Spain for a Spanish company or to open a branch of your business in Spanish territory.
How can I get a non-profit visa?
You have to prove that you have at least € 26,000 in the bank and take out private health insurance. This visa authorizes you to live one year in Spain with the possibility of renewing it up to five years. After this five-year period, you can apply for permanent residence as long as you have remained in Spain without leaving the country during the five years prior to applying.
Coworking
Shared workspaces or coworking are widely established in the eight provinces of Andalucía. There are more than a hundred. Some seem like authentic offices in paradise due to their modern facilities or their privileged beachfront location.
It is an independent and affordable way to telecommute and allows you to get in touch with professionals in your sector and with local life.
Check our list of coworking offices listed by province.
Government aid to companies and investors
If you want to invest, open a headquarters for your company or transfer technological talent to Andalucía, you should know that the Junta de Andalucía (the regional government) has several public entities aimed at providing services to companies and investors, both Spanish and foreign, interested in invest or establish in Andalucía or in the internationalization of its activity.
It has recently launched ‘Andalucía Trade’, a one-stop shop for this purpose.
If you want more information about assistance to companies and investors in Andalucia, consult this specific section on our website.
Finding a home
They say that home is where you choose and we want you to find yours in Andalucía. Living on the beach or in the mountains? In a monumental city or in a luxurious designer villa next to a golf course? In a small town in the middle of the countryside or in a charming penthouse in the city?
If you have not yet decided in which city to live, you should know that in terms of housing, each Andalusian province has its own characteristics that can influence your decision. Our service specialized in the Andalusian real estate market will inform you and advise you in a personalized way about everything you need to know in your search to rent or buy a home. It will also provide you with a selection of the properties that best suit your priorities and wishes. You will be able to save time and enjoy the comfort and tranquility of carrying out all the procedures with the same team of professionals.
Check our selection of properties for sale to work remotely from Andalucía.
Check our selection of properties for rent.
Property buyer's guide
Once you have the residence permit and your NIE, you will be able to buy a home. Andalucía is one of the regions of Spain most in demand by foreign customers, especially Europeans.
In the province of Malaga, the Costa del Sol - especially the triangle formed by the cities of Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís - is the best known area worldwide, one of the most coveted to live in and the one that offers real estate with standards of design and construction of greater luxury. The city of Malaga represents the technological hub of Andalucía.
The Costa de La Luz, in the province of Cádiz, is another of the most attractive areas to live. The cities of Cádiz, Vejer, Conil, Zahara de los Atunes, Tarifa and Chiclana have some of the most impressive beaches in southern Europe and charming towns in which to connect with peace.
The capitals of Sevilla, Granada and Córdoba as well as the Costa Tropical and the Cabo de Gata area are other privileged geographical enclaves for those who want to settle in Andalucía. For their part, the nature and tranquility of Jaén and Huelva are possibilities for those who decide to settle in different provinces.
You probably have doubts before buying a home in a different country. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
- What real price will I pay to buy my home?
The sale price of the house and the total amount you will pay are different. The sale price is approximate. To this must be added taxes and expenses, which represent approximately 10-15% more on the sale price.In our post on taxes and expenses for the purchase of a home in Andalucía you have extensive and detailed information.
- Are the purchase procedures long?
It depends on aspects such as the purchase audit. This process is very important because it will guarantee the success of the purchase of your house and will avoid future disappointments. A purchase audit includes work such as a face-to-face Technical Audit to check the status of electrical systems, pipes, enclosures, humidity, etc; and a Legal Audit to study potential litigation, pending payments, payment of taxes that may imply charges against the new owner, etc.
The audit can take several weeks - Can I request a mortgage in Spain?
The house price for the bank is not the actual sale price. They do a home appraisal to calculate its price. Based on this price they grant the loan. - I am not going to live the whole year in the house. Can I rent it?
Yes. Depending on the duration of the rental, you can take advantage of several different types of contract.
Read the Telework Andalucía Home Buying Guide.
Local life: wifi, bank account, doctors, transportation
Do I have to register at the Town Hall? What do I need to open a bank account? With which company can I contract internet and mobile phone service? Do I have the right to public health or do I need private health insurance? What school do I take my children to? Can I drive with my license?
Day-to-day life involves a routine of activities for which we need to have certain services and practical information: from having a family doctor to opening a bank account or hiring the best Wi-Fi to telework.
Contact us and with our support and adaptation service we will help you start your life as a local citizen. We want your new stage in Andalucía to be a unique experience and you enjoy it from the beginning. We offer you 5 useful tips to achieve it.
Behind the wheel: Is my driver's license good?
Whether you decide to bring your vehicle or rent or buy one upon arrival in Andalucía, you must know what the legal requirements are to drive.
Tourists and resident citizens with less than 6 months of residence can drive with an international permit or with the national permits of other countries.
If you are a citizen of the European Union or the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), your European license is used to drive during the first two years of your residence in Andalucía. After this time, you will have to exchange it for a Spanish permit.
For drivers with a UK driving license, from January 1, 2021 (start of Brexit) they are only able to drive in Spain for 6 months from entering the country or from the date of obtaining legal residence.
On the other hand, if you are in Andalucía as a tourist and you want to rent a vehicle, you must be over 23 years old and have a valid driving license with at least two years old. You must previously process the international card in your country.
You can find more detailed information in this post.
Health insurance
Do I have the right to public health care or do I have to take out private health insurance? It is logical that you ask yourself this question so we are going to explain the possible situations.
Health care for non-resident citizens can be private or public. However, even if you have the right to public health, the procedure will never be immediate or automatic. Therefore, it is always important to take out private travel medical insurance that you can cancel when the other one takes effect.
In many circumstances, having private health insurance is a mandatory requirement for foreigners to obtain an entry visa to the country or a residence permit, among other procedures. Regardless of your case, you should know that public health in Spain and Andalucía is excellent and free.
Am I obliged to take out private insurance?
It depends on your country of origin and how long you are going to spend in your destination.
- Stays up to 3 months: Non-EU citizens whose stay does not exceed three months will only need travel insurance. On the other hand, EU residents are entitled to free Spanish assistance for the first 90 days of their stay by presenting the European Health Card (TSE).
- Stays of more than 3 months: it is necessary to have a private health insurance contract, whether you are from the Community or outside the Community.
Be careful with the offers. There are as many prices as insurance companies but not just any insurance is worth it. The cheapest insurance does not always meet the requirements to obtain a residence permit. Insurance coverage should be similar to that of public health. For example, it should cover hospitalizations, medical transfers, repatriation expenses, etc.
Can I opt for public health?
The Andalusian Health Law provides that the following have the right to public health service:
- Spaniards and foreigners residing in any municipality in Andalucía.
- Spaniards and foreigners not resident in Andalucía with residence in Spanish territory.
- Citizens of the European Union enjoy the rights that result from applying European Community law.
- Citizens of States not belonging to the European Union have the rights recognized by the laws, treaties and agreements signed by the Spanish State.
- All people in Andalucía are guaranteed public assistance for emergencies.
Citizens residing in Andalucía with the right to public health need to have the Andalusian Health Card. It is requested in the Health Centers of your city and gives the right to choose your own family doctor and pediatrician.
Special Agreement
If you do not meet the requirements for any type of public health care, there is a special payment scheme: the Special Agreement.
They are agreements so that you can enjoy public health care in exchange for a monthly fee.
Access more information on private health insurance for expats in this comprehensive guide.
For more information regarding public health check our post on public health for expatriates.
Finding a school for my children
Finding a school for your children is probably one of your priorities. You can be calm. Public education in Andalucía is good and the offer of international schools is wide.
There are three educational models: public, concerted and private education. Each one has its own characteristics.
In general, public schools provide quality education. They are free and secular and are funded by the national government or regional governments. Some are bilingual but that only means that a percentage of some subjects are taught in a second language.
The subsidized schools are financed with public money and private entities. Many are religious. Parents pay a monthly fee that usually ranges between €100 and €250.
They have the autonomy to offer extracurricular activities and invest in educational tools. The subsidized centers promote sports activities a little more, the teaching of a second language and invest more in new technologies in the classrooms.
Private schools represent the most expensive option but also the most exquisite from the educational point of view and the academic achievement of the students. It costs on average about € 1,000 per month (it depends on each center). They have modern facilities, use advanced technological tools for classroom teaching, offer a multitude of extracurricular activities as well as a more personalized education.
They are unbeatable in bilingual (and trilingual) teaching. The student body is mostly international, children of an expatriate father or mother residing in Andalucía. The largest offer of international schools in Andalucía is on the Costa del Sol. They follow the British, French, German or North American educational curriculum and enjoy great prestige.
For more information and details, you can read our post on Education.
You can also research using the digital school search engine to find the one that best suits your preferences.
Travelling with pets
That very special member of the family also moves to Andalucía. In order for him to travel with you from abroad, he must meet several requirements and have certain legal documentation.
Restrictions
- Dogs, cats and ferrets less than 3 months old cannot travel
- Pets from Latin America cannot enter Spain if they are less than 7 months old. This limitation applies depending on the country of origin of the pet.
Requirements and documentation
- The pet must have an identification microchip that allows it to be read at the place of entry into Spain.
- The rabies vaccine is mandatory and must be in force at the time of travel. To be valid it must have passed at least 21 days.
- The pet owner must provide a pet vaccination certificate, an international health certificate and a pet export sanitary permit.
- If the transfer takes place from a country of the European Union, the pet must have a European passport for the movement of pets.
- If it comes from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Finland or Norway and it is a dog, it must be treated against E. multilocularis.
In this link you can check the details to travel with your pet in the EU.
More information about traveling with pets from abroad, in this post.
10 reasons to go to Andalucía and work from there
In addition to what has been said so far in this guide, we want to share with you that what is most valued by professionals and foreign companies based in Andalucía is the quality of life, the hospitality of the people, health and international schools.
After the end of the state of Covid emergency on 9th May 2021, Andalucía is one of the safest and most interesting destinations in the world to visit and stay and live working remotely.
We have prepared for you our ten reasons to make the leap:
- The quality of life
- The weather: 300 days of sunshine a year
- Excellent gastronomy
- Almost 1,000 kilometers of coastline and beaches of various styles
- Rich history and local culture
- Quality of public health
- Cheap housing
- Hospitality and friendliness of Andalusians
- Wide range of leisure activities for all ages
- Services (internet), facilities (variety of coworking spaces in attractive places at very affordable prices) and an entrepreneurial atmosphere favorable for professional activity
Lifestyle
For the ‘soft landing’ in Andalucía to be pleasant and for a quick adaptation, it is important that you know that working hours and daily activities are different from those of most European countries.
Meals take place later, lunch is long and copious, and split work hours are common.
Banks are closed on Sundays and shops are usually only open in large or highly touristy cities.
The 'siesta' is not as common as many people think.
Talking loudly in places like public transportation may not be the most pleasant thing to do, but it is common and culturally accepted.
Andalusians are friendly, hospitable and very close people. Before Covid-19, giving two kisses is the normal greeting when you are introduced to another person. In a work environment, shaking hands is just as common and sometimes even more advisable.
The good weather most of the year explains why Andalusians like to spend as much time as possible outdoors on the street.
Photo gallery
If you have not yet decided on your favorite place in Andalucía, get inspired by this photo gallery of the eight provinces: Málaga, Cádiz, Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Almería, Jaén and Huelva.