13/07/2023
If you’ve been considering moving to Spain to study at IE University but haven’t taken the plunge because of the effect it would have on your career or because your family couldn’t join you, the Digital Nomad Visa provides the solution you’ve been waiting for.
Dating back to 2019, the World Bank produced a report on how digitalization, among other factors, was changing the nature of the workplace. Those changes have only accelerated recently with advancements in technology and the challenges brought on by COVID-19. The global pandemic is thankfully behind us, but it left a permanent mark on the way organizations do business, and emerging technology is constantly redefining the paradigm too.
Spain is the latest in a long list of countries to have introduced a visa that reflects the borderless realities of today’s digital world of work. The Digital Nomad Visa is a sure sign of the increasing irrelevance of geographical boundaries for people who want to work and study abroad.
What is a digital nomad?
First appearing in 1997, the term digital nomad was initially defined as a “location-independent, technology-enabled lifestyle.” Since then, the number of people who are working while studying abroad has skyrocketed, and with good reason; a digital nomad student can keep their family with them while they work in other locations, and they might even enjoy more favorable tax conditions. And with technology making “face-to-face” meetings possible while everybody’s spread around the globe, there’s no need to travel to be successful in the world of work or in the classroom.
If you think these visa options for work and studying abroad in a blended program are just for freelancers, think again.
In companies with innovative and flexible mindsets, entrepreneurs and even employees can work remotely very effectively nowadays.
Although digital-first sectors such as marketing, design, IT, content creation, media, tutoring and consulting are the most common roles, digital nomadism works extremely well in a wide range of professional roles and sectors.
Reflecting modern realities
As a hub for tech startups that’s attracting students, investment, and therefore professionals, from all over the world, it makes sense that Spain has now introduced their own Digital Nomad Visa. As one of the newest visa options for work and study abroad, it’s a solution aimed at encouraging top talent from overseas to come to live and study in Madrid or any of the country’s other great cities.
Anybody with a Digital Nomad Visa can stay for a year—with the option to renew at the end of that time—during which time they’ll be economically active within Spain, so it benefits everybody all round.
Perhaps most importantly, the new visa opens doors for people wanting to come to Spain and study without interrupting their career.
And even if you want to carry out some professional activities within Spain itself, that’s not a problem; up to 20% of your income can be earned within the country under the Digital Nomad Visa. You’ll be able to work remotely for your company in your home country Monday to Friday while enjoying the Spanish lifestyle with your family and be able to complete your online program from any Spanish city.
Sound like what you need? There’s a lot more information on the Spanish government’s own document here. It’s important to remember that this is a new law, so it’s essential you contact your corresponding Spanish consulate for more detailed information on how it might apply to your individual circumstances, eligibility and so on. You may also consult the following websites for the Social Security office and the government of Spain for more information in Spanish regarding the digital nomad visa.
Programs that fit with your professional responsibilities
At IE University, the Digital Nomad Visa makes studying a number of our wide range of programs much easier for anybody from outside the EU. With the permit, our part-time and blended programs—including a dozen master’s—become accessible without you having to stop the career you’ve already invested time and effort in building.
IE University’s programs are designed not only to push the boundaries of education, but also to track emerging trends and current needs in the working world, which they’re constantly modified and updated to reflect.
Many of our programs reflect ideal possible professional paths for digital nomads, as well as being set up to accommodate them during their educational careers.
Whichever of our many programs appeals to you, the Digital Nomad Visa has made it much easier to push your educational and working boundaries by coming to study in Spain with IE University. There has never been a better time to get working on the next best you.
