Online newspaper The Local reported on 21 October that Spain’s main conservative parties are drafting proposals to expand the Digital Nomad Visa programme from roughly 100,000 new permits a year to 300,000 by 2028. Leaked discussion papers suggest shortening background-check times to ten days and allowing applicants to open Spanish bank accounts remotely before arrival. Party spokespeople argue that attracting high-earning remote workers will offset demographic decline and boost regional economies, citing figures from the Ministry of Inclusion showing more than 300,000 foreign professionals already hold remote-work-related residence permits. Critics, including the left-wing Más País coalition, warn that a rapid scale-up could inflate housing prices in coastal and island regions unless accompanied by rent-control measures. Municipalities such as Málaga and Valencia have already introduced tourism-tax surcharges on stays longer than 30 days to fund affordable-housing schemes. For companies relocating staff, the debate signals potential changes to permit quotas, processing times and local compliance obligations. HR teams should track legislative drafts and budget for tighter municipal requirements, such as digital-nomad registration fees or minimum health-insurance coverage above the national benchmark. Any reform will require amending Spain’s Start-ups Law and Royal Decree 889/2022 on remote-work visas, meaning substantive changes are unlikely before late 2027. Still, the political momentum suggests Spain aims to remain a competitive hub in the global race for location-independent talent.
Source: The Local (Spain)
