Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant >> Get Paid €15K to Live in Spain

We were very excited when the Extremadura tourism board reached out and offered to show us around and to explain how you can get paid up to €10,000 to move there (with an additional €5,000 after two years). This Autonomous community in western Spain, bordering Portugal, remains one of the country’s best-kept secrets, a land of unspoiled landscapes, rich history, and authentic Spanish living. Often overlooked in favour of coastal hotspots or cosmopolitan cities, Extremadura offers a compelling alternative for Expats seeking a slower pace of life, lower cost of living, and deep cultural immersion. So, what did we discover on our trip, and would you move there for the €15,000 Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant?

IMPORTANT >> The initial funding for this program has run out, and so the program is not accepting new entrants at present.

We asked Alejandro about the next steps and when the program will accept new participants.

Starting on October 8th 2025, we will amend the decree regulating the grants to improve some aspects, and then we will publish a new one-year call. I hope we can finalize all of this before the end of 2025. Alejandro Mateos – Servicio de Fomento del Empleo,

Can You Really Get Paid To Move To Extremadura?

Yup – and you can move from abroad or from any other autonomous community in Spain. The program is the Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant. There’s no big catch – commit to living in the region for at least two years as a remote worker. And what makes a remote worker? You are an employee or self-employed person who is authorised to work remotely from Extremadura, regardless of where the employer or clients are based. If you love life in Extremadura and commit to a third year, you could receive an additional €5,000 for Phase 2 of the program.

We spoke with Alejandro Mateos from the Servicio de Fomento del Empleo, who is overseeing the Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant, to clarify the qualification criteria. He explained that there are two criteria you need to meet.

1. Reside and remain registered in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura continuously for 24 months.
2. Show your employment record
   • For Digital Nomads who are employed:
     “Maintain a remote employment relationship, using only computer, telematic, and information systems and resources, with the company or companies for which they work during the mandatory periods of each program.”
   • For Digital Nomads who are self-employed:
     “Maintain their self-employed economic or professional activity remotely, using only computer, telematic, and information systems and resources during the mandatory periods of each program.”

Who gets the €10,000 Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant?

• People under 30 years old
• Women
• Anyone choosing an Extremadura town of fewer than 5,000 residents.

Who gets the €8,000 Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant?

• Everyone else!

Alejandro explained that there is a Phase 2 of the program.

Stay for the full two years, and you could be eligible for an additional €5,000 (if you received €10,000) or €4,000 (if you received €8,000).

Program II: Aid for digital nomads benefiting from Program I who remain registered and established in Extremadura for an additional period of 12 months, in addition to the mandatory 24-month maintenance period established for Program I.

Program II Requirements:

• Have been a beneficiary of Program I aid.
• Have resided and remained registered continuously in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura for twenty-four months since becoming registered.
• Have fulfilled the remaining obligations of Program I.

Alejandro also shared some statistics.

• There have been 449 applications to date, with approximately 60% of employees and 40% of autonomous workers.
• The program has already paid out €1,834,000, and Extremadura has committed to keeping the program open as long as it continues to attract remote workers.

We were surprised that just 30 people have moved directly from outside of Spain. However, Alejandro explained that the primary promotion of the program was within Spain, and with its success, they hope to broaden the appeal to attract more Expatriates.

How To Apply For The Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant?

You’ll apply online for the Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant

There are two things everyone must show.

1. Proof that you are not already living in Extremadura.
2. Permission or evidence that you can work remotely from Extremadura (for an employer, clients, or self-employed).

Then, if you are not an EU citizen

• A visa or residence permit that allows you to live and work in Spain.

Finally, anyone moving from another Autonomous community in Spain

• Proof that your social security and tax liabilities are all paid in full before you move.

And the steps to payment?

Alejandro shared the official outline with us.

1. Application for the aid
2. Verification of compliance with the requirements
3. Granting of the aid. The nomad is notified of the decision (You will receive an email to the email address you provided in your application, providing instructions on how to download the decision document)
4. Relocation and registration (Padron) in Extremadura: This can be done from the day after applying for the aid and up to a maximum of three months from the date of notification of the decision.
5. Payment Request: The nomad must request payment of the aid within a maximum of three months from the date of receiving the decision. On the website where the grants are processed, there is a self-fillable PDF annex that must be submitted to request payment.
6. Payment of the grant: If the documentation is correct, payment is processed. There is no exact deadline, but it should not take more than two months from the date of the request.

How Can Expats Work Remotely From Extremadura?

You do need the legal right ot work in Spain. For non-EU citizens, you’ll need to obtain a visa, and for most people, the Spanish Digital Nomad visa is the obvious choice. Remember, the Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant doesn’t count towards qualification for the visa. You must already have a visa (or another right to work in Spain) and a remote job to apply for the grant.

Read Also >> How to Work Remotely From Spain

What Is Your Reception Likely To Be?

There are no tourism protests in Extremadura! Everyone we met was delighted that we would visit and excited about the prospect of people moving to Extremadura.

There are reasons for the incentives and the warm welcome. Outside of the five major cities, there are tiny villages and a lot of nothing. Extramdura’s population density is ~25 people/km², which is less than 10% of the UK’s and considerably less than the US’s. Additionally, the aging population presents a significant challenge.

The upside of this for you is red carpet treatment!

Even small towns have a department to help you get settled. Public investment in Tech hubs, co-working spaces, and incubators is significant.

Housing is still very affordable in most places (a fraction of the cost of Barcelona or Madrid), and so these rising prices are not a flashpoint. How cheap – we saw a 12-bedroom, 950 m² Masia (with a fair bit of work required) for €175,000 in Malpartida de Placencia. More realistic for us were beautiful 4-bedroom houses in Caceres for under €450,000.

There are excellent schools, hospitals, and a university. You will need to learn Spanish – there is very little English spoken anywhere in Extremadura. However, the people are exceptionally kind and patient with butchered Spanglish, so it’s a great place to learn!

Would We Live In Extremadura?

For us, it was a “yes, but…”. We were pleasantly surprised by the scenery, friendliness, cuisine, culture, and dynamic cities. We can’t wait to come back and explore more of the nature, heritage, culture, food, and wine.

Aliosn and I both love the sea, and the rivers, lakes, and swimming holes (while attractive) don’t quite make up for this.

We spent less than a week in Extremadura, so we only scratched the surface of the region. However, we did have the opportunity to chat with people who had relocated to Extremadura from other parts of Spain, as well as those who had moved away and then returned. With the caveat that the tourism board wouldn’t introduce us to too many people who dislike the place, there is a lot of love for the region.

Alison chatted to Luis Pijol (not the footballer!), a Barcelona native who moved to a tiny town of 92 people in Extremadura. He moved from a 55 m² apartment in Barcelona and is now living in a two-story house surrounded by nature for just €200 per month, considerably less than he paid before.

But his most significant takeaway is one of connection. The slower pace of life and lower stress levels allow people to connect as they are intended to.

“I love my neighbors, they bring me food, saying, ” I cooked this, do you want some?” or they say, “I’m going to the city, do you want something?” This is the human connection, everyone helps each other where they can.”

Extremadura offers an authentic Spanish experience at a very low cost of living and is home to welcoming people. That is a pretty compelling package, even without the €15,000 Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant.

Getting In And Out

We caught the Express train from Madrid to Cáceres in just over 3 hours on a comfortable train ride through spectacular countryside. Our departure from Badajoz was a 90-minute flight direct to Barcelona.

This connectedness was one of my big surprises. I had always thought of Extremadura as very remote, but the infrastructure and transport options are fantastic.

By Train:

Extremadura has direct rail connections to Madrid, with routes that link the capital to cities such as Cáceres, Mérida, and Badajoz. Travel times have improved significantly in recent years, particularly with the introduction of the new high-speed Alvia service, which connects Madrid to Cáceres in under 3 hours and 30 minutes. Although not yet as fast or frequent as trains to coastal regions, services are reliable and steadily improving.

By Road:

For those driving, the A-5 (Autovía del Suroeste) is the main artery connecting Madrid to Badajoz, continuing onward into Portugal. These highways make it easy to reach Extremadura from both central Spain and Lisbon (around 3 hours by car). Secondary roads within the region are quiet and scenic, ideal for exploring towns and countryside without the traffic found elsewhere in Spain.

By Air:

Extremadura has a small regional airport in Badajoz (BJZ), with domestic flights to Madrid and Barcelona. However, many Expats and visitors use larger nearby airports such as Madrid-Barajas (approx. 3–4 hours by car or train) or Lisbon Airport in Portugal, which is about 2.5–3 hours from major cities in northern and central Extremadura. Both offer extensive international flight connections.

Coastal Access:

While Extremadura is landlocked, it’s easy to reach the Spanish coast in a few hours. The Costa de la Luz in Andalusia and the Valencian coast are both around 4–5 hours by car, depending on your starting point. For long weekends or beach holidays, the drive is very manageable.

Geography of Extremadura

We started in Caceres, this stunning town of 97,000, which is in the heart of Extremadura. We ate amazing tapas in the old town square, watching swallows dart around the ancient battlements. The UNESCO World Heritage site status extends to the Old Town, which features Roman, Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance influences (as well as being a filming site for Game of Thrones, like many parts of Extremadura). There is a vibrant and well-supported arts and cultural scene.

A quick drive took us next to Placencia, a smaller city further north with around 40,000 residents. We visited several cool co-working spaces and the neighboring town (and hilariously named Malpartida de Placencia), which features an exciting publicly funded technology and skills incubator.

Our final stop was Badajoz, a walk away from the Portuguese border and home to around 151,000 residents. The vast Guadiana River, running through the heart of the historic city, is spectacular. The food and wine were not far behind!

Outside of these historic cities, Extremadura is beginning to attract attention from those who value space, tranquility, and a truly traditional way of life. As Spain becomes increasingly popular among digital nomads, retirees, and families seeking a fresh start, Extremadura presents a unique and affordable opportunity to experience authentic Spain without the crowds. And you’ll get a warm welcome to go with it (and maybe €15,000)!

FAQ >> Extremadura Digital Nomad Grant