Extremadura is offering up to €15,000 (£12,651) for people, including Britons, to move to the beautiful Spanish region for two years.
The western Spanish region borders Portugal and has made a name for itself among tourists seeking out the ‘real Spain’. It has also become a destination for nature lovers, as a remote area offering stunning mountains, beautiful lakes and the Monfragüe National Park full of diverse wildlife. Tourists also come to see the capital, Mérida, which is packed with ancient Roman ruins.
However, there is a catch. Potential newcomers must be a ‘digital nomad’ and be able to work completely remotely. The regional government has set aside €2million (£1.68m) to spend on enticing around 200 digital nomads to relocate there in a bid to boost the local area’s economy and battle depopulation.
The potential £12,651 windfall will go a long way in the region, with the cost of living in regional cities like Badajoz around 30 percent lower than the capital Madrid.
Unveiling the ambitious programme, Regional Minister of Economy, Employment and Digital Transformation, Guillermo Santamaria, said: “Extremadura offers a high quality of life. It is a natural paradise with exceptional gastronomy.
“Attracting these high-skilled professionals with international incomes will have a very positive impact on our economy.
“They will boost local consumption, enrich regional talent, and create significant networks and opportunities.”
Crucial for digital nomads, the regional authorities insist its internet coverage is above the national average.
To meet the criteria and apply for the digital nomad grant, people must be able to work completely from home and commit to staying in Extremadura for a minimum of two years.
The only ineligible people are those who have lived in Extremadura in the previous six months.
Those from outside of the EU, including Britons, are welcome to apply, as part of the digital nomad visa programme.
The grant is split up over two years. Those who take up residence in the most depopulated towns – with less than 5,000 inhabitants – receive the most money, around €10,000 (£8,433) the first year and an extra €5,000 (£4,216) the following year.
Those who live in less depopulated areas get up to €8,000 (£6,747) and an extra €4,000 (£3,372) in the second year.
Women and those under 30 are given priority in the application process, which opens in mid-September.
The reason Extremadura is giving away so much money to entice future residents is because the region is also one of Spain’s poorest and most depopulated areas.
The economy in Extremadura used to rely on the construction industry, which has suffered in the past decade.
Extremadura is one of the country’s least-developed regions, where unemployment remains at 17.9 percent – around 6 percent above the national average.
Rural Spanish areas have struggled for years with depopulation as residents migrate to urban centers.
