SevilleRemoteWorkers

The Pros and Cons of working remotely in Seville, Spain

SevilleRemoteWorkers · February 20, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Spain is a country with a rich culture and history, attracting millions of tourists every year. Seville, the capital of the Andalusian region in southern Spain, is no exception. However, Seville is not just a great place to visit; it is also a fantastic place to live and work as a remote worker. In this post, we will explore why Seville is an excellent choice for remote workers.

First and foremost, Seville has an excellent quality of life. The city has a warm Mediterranean climate, with over 300 days of sunshine per year. This means that you can enjoy the outdoors, go for a walk, or have a picnic in one of Seville’s beautiful parks almost every day of the year. Additionally, Seville is known for its slow-paced lifestyle, which means that you can take the time to enjoy your work and life without feeling rushed or stressed.

Secondly, Seville has a relatively low cost of living compared to other major European cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Seville is 34.55% lower than in London and 31.79% lower than in New York City. This means that your money can go further in Seville, allowing you to enjoy a higher quality of life for less. You can find affordable housing options, such as renting a spacious apartment in the city centre for around €700-€1000 per month. You can also enjoy delicious meals at local restaurants for a fraction of the price you would pay in other major cities.

Another advantage of Seville for remote workers is the city’s excellent infrastructure. Seville has a modern and reliable public transportation system, including buses, trams, and metro lines, making it easy to get around the city. Additionally, Seville is well-connected to other major cities in Spain and Europe, with its international airport offering direct flights to various destinations in Europe. This makes it easy for remote workers to travel to other cities and countries for work or leisure.

Moreover, Seville is a very safe city. According to the 2021 Safe Cities Index, Seville is ranked as the 47th safest city in the world, making it one of the safest cities in Spain. This means that you can feel secure while living and working in Seville. You can enjoy walking around the city, exploring its neighbourhoods, and experiencing its culture without worrying about your safety. Having said that, it goes without saying that you should stay cautious in any city. After all, Seville is still a city.

Seville is also a place rich in culture and history. It is home to numerous landmarks, such as the Alcazar of Seville, the Cathedral of Seville, and the Giralda Tower. Additionally, Seville has a rich arts scene, with many museums and art galleries showcasing the works of famous artists. The city is also known for its lively nightlife, with numerous bars and clubs offering entertainment until the early hours of the morning. As a remote worker, you can take advantage of Seville’s cultural offerings and experience everything the city has to offer.

Seville is also a super welcoming city. The locals are friendly and open-minded, making it easy to make friends and form connections. The city has a vibrant expat community, with people from all over the world choosing to call Seville their home. This means that you can meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, making your experience in Seville even more enriching. Language exchanges and various other meetups happen all year round in Seville, so you’re never short of things to do and people to meet.

Having covered so many reasons why you should work remotely from Seville, it’s only fair that we cover some cons!

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, not everyone in Seville speaks English fluently. This can make it difficult for non-Spanish speakers to communicate effectively with locals, especially when it comes to business matters. It is recommended to learn some basic Spanish before moving to Seville to make your transition easier.

Seville is also known for its hot summers, with temperatures reaching over 40°C (104°F) in July and August. This can make it difficult to work during the day, especially without air conditioning. While many homes and apartments have air conditioning, it may not be available in all coworking spaces or cafes, which can make it uncomfortable to work. If you do work from a coworking space, the costs can add up as they’re not cheap.

Moreover, while Seville has a great cultural scene, it can be distracting for remote workers who need to focus on their work. With so many museums, galleries, and historic landmarks and of course, Flamenco to experience, it can be tempting to take time off work to immerse yourself in the city’s rich culture! Let the Tinto de Verano flow!

So, what do you think? Would you come to Seville to work remotely? If you’re already here, what do you think are your main challenges?

Let us know in the comments!

Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa

SevilleRemoteWorkers · February 16, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Spain has recently introduced a new digital nomad visa to attract remote workers to the country. The visa is designed to allow remote workers to live and work in Spain for up to a year, without having to obtain a traditional work visa. That means it could now be easier than ever to live and work remotely from Seville!

To be eligible for the digital nomad visa, applicants must be self-employed or employed by a company outside of Spain, have an income between €2000 – €3000 per month, and have health insurance coverage. They must also be able to provide proof of their remote work, such as contracts or invoices from clients. Please note that the exact requirements are still not 100% clear and it’s recommended to contact your nearest Spanish Embassy for up-to-date information.

Once approved, digital nomads can live and work in Spain for up to a year, with the option to renew their visa for another year. They can also bring their families with them, and children can attend Spanish schools.

Spain’s digital nomad visa is part of a growing trend of countries trying to attract remote workers, who can contribute to the local economy without requiring traditional employment. The visa is also a way for Spain to capitalize on its warm climate, rich culture, and affordable cost of living, making it an attractive destination for remote workers around the world.

Overall, the digital nomad visa is a great opportunity for remote workers who want to experience life in Spain while continuing to work remotely. With its vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes, and excellent food, Spain has something for everyone, and the new visa makes it easier than ever to live and work here.

How can I apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?

Applying for Spain’s digital nomad visa is a relatively straightforward process. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements and provide the necessary documentation, you should be able to obtain the visa and start living and working in Spain as a remote worker. With its warm climate, rich culture, and excellent food, Spain is an attractive destination for digital nomads, and the new visa makes it easier than ever to experience life in this beautiful country.

Step-by-step instructions will be listed in this post soon – right now the exact details and requirements aren’t 100% clear, so to avoid any incorrect information circulating please visit the official Spanish government website for updates. Alternatively, speak with the Spanish Embassy for details on how to apply: https://www.spainvisa.eu/embassies/

You can also find out more via Euro News here

Photo by GeoJango Maps on Unsplash.

Seville Remote Worker | Story Series

SevilleRemoteWorkers · February 10, 2023 · Leave a Comment

The Seville Remote Worker Story Series gives you an opportunity to get to know some of the members of Seville Remote Workers and learn more about how remote working life is possible, here in Seville. Let’s get stuck in! Want to feature? Email dean@sevilleremoteworkers.com!

Naomi Rustenberg

Hello there, my name is Naomi Rustenberg and I live with my husband and two boys in Seville. We’re from the Netherlands but have been here in Seville since December 2019. We came to Spain so we could spend more time as a family and have a more balanced life. Our first wish was granted very quickly as we faced the lockdown in Spain and spent a lot of time together in our house. Even during the
lockdown, we felt like we belonged in Seville. This is the place we needed to be.

What brought me to Sevilla?

I thought of moving closer to the location where I used to work in the Netherlands, but my husband wasn’t really digging it. When he said, “remember when we first met and immediately said we wouldn’t mind living abroad?” I knew he didn’t want to stay in the Netherlands. We visited different cities in Spain and stopped in Utrera to meet with a longtime friend of my husband. We met another older (not elderly) couple, and they invited us to their home in Montequinto (Dos Hermanas, a city
close to the city of Seville). It was nice to visit them, but I didn’t think we would meet again. My husband and I and our eldest son, who was just a baby back then, explored Sevilla more and we fell in love with this region. We still had another city to visit (as we already planned) in the Netherlands but Sevilla was still on our minds when we returned to the Netherlands. It was helpful that we already knew that couple when we came back to orientate more.

Currently, I work as a freelance and remote Dutch copywriter. So that is my LinkedIn title now, but I feel more like a versatile entrepreneur, focusing on topics such as family life, mom life, startups etc. I love to do several things all at once. So, I do write for other companies and advise them on how to reach different groups in the Netherlands, but I also have my own blog and I sell family planners in the Netherlands and in Belgium.

If I were to give one piece of advice to anyone looking at working from Seville remotely

Don’t try to do and know it all. Find different networks and businesses that can contribute to your establishment and growth for your work and private life. Search for an international community to start with. Get your taxes done by a professional if you’re not sure what to do. It saves you a lot of time, hassle and even money.

One piece of software or tool I cannot live without

Well, I do love my laptop a lot. I’m afraid I just can’t live without that device anymore. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why we moved from the Netherlands to Seville. The blue sky here has a positive effect on me and my creativity. When I’m not looking at my laptop screen while working, I just look outside and I get energized. I enjoy my coffee breaks more when I work from home. Software-wise, I do use Microsoft Office a lot. I feel like a dinosaur now! But of course, I also use online planning and publishing tools, but they are replaceable.

One piece of advice I would give someone when they’re looking to meet new people in the city

It can be tricky, and it doesn’t get easier when you’re a mom with young
children. Luckily, I have a loving husband as well but to stay married you need to spend time just as a couple. You really need to discuss everything even more, while back at home in the Netherlands that wasn’t the case because a lot of things, in time, were set in stone. We came to Seville to spend more time together and I am happy we’re experiencing that. Because of family life, there seems to be less time for other relationships. But even so, it is also good to have other connections. You still must make that a priority for your family and personal life. I recommend IT’s July to make new family friends. Don’t get isolated, not as a family, not as an individual. Get to know other internationals but connect also with locals. Be part of a community. My Spanish sucks but I am still working on it. I’m not giving up. Spaniards appreciate it.

My biggest challenges working remotely, and how I got through them

One of the biggest challenges – still – is to get information as an autonóma. As I said before, my Spanish isn’t great now, hopefully, that will be different soon. But a lot of information, meetings about entrepreneurship, being a freelancer etc. is all in Spanish and not in English. I feel like I’m missing out on valuable information. That is a problem, so that is why I’m in different Facebook groups to know what people are talking about. I also ask my gestoría a lot of questions because I don’t know how the tax system really works here. I’m getting to know other autonómos. Did I get through the challenge called information bias? No, not yet.

My one piece of wisdom for anyone reading this who is considering taking the
leap to work remotely from Seville

Do it. Just do it. But please be realistic. Spain is a European country but sometimes it feels like another continent to me (e.g., weatherwise, culture-wise, doing business). But even in Spain, there are huge differences in the way people behave and talk. The culture in Sevilla is very different than for instance Madrid. If you don’t try to integrate, it can be lonely. Take Spanish classes, meet up with other internationals or expats but also connect with Sevillians.

Where can people connect with me?

If you are looking for a Dutch copywriter and Dutch market advisor, please reach out to me through LinkedIn. Information about my services can also be found through Ellen Mae. Ellen Mae is my company name. If you want to meet with me and my family, let us match via It’s July. I love to network!

Opening a savings account in Spain

SevilleRemoteWorkers · November 16, 2022 · Leave a Comment

Once you’re settled in Seville and you’ve got your ‘Spanish Admin’ in order, you’ll probably want to start looking at your savings account options. If you already have a Spanish bank account, you could check out their savings account options but they don’t always give you the best interest rate, plus, being remote workers we love things digital! Below are two great options for saving in Spain, and each can be opened and fully managed online.

Save with MyInvestor

MyInvestor is an easy option if you’re looking for a hassle-free, interest savings account. At the time of writing this post, they offer a 1% interest account for the first 12 months. Once you’ve got some savings with them, they offer multiple other products if you need them.

Everything is handled online, from opening the account to making transactions and you can order a bank card with your account, too. So, if you want to use your account as a savings account but also need access to it quickly, you can use your bank card as you would any other, in cash points and in stores. The 1% interest is paid monthly depending on how much you’ve saved.

The sign-up process is super user-friendly and fairly straightforward. Head over to the MyInvestor website and then click on “Hazte cliente” to get started. Answer the questions depending on your situation and then upload photos of your documents when requested. They’ll be reviewed and then you’ll be alerted when your account is open.

The great thing about MyInvestor is that even if you don’t speak Spanish, it’s super easy to get started since everything is online.

MyInvestor also offers other products, like credit cards, loans and even mortgages. They also have index funds and private pension options, all in one place. Just be sure to do your own research when opening any bank account or applying for any credit – this post is not financial advice!

MyInvestor is a product of AndBank Spain and your money is protected. Check out more on their website.

Save with Plum

Plum has got to be on the top of the list for “must haves” when it comes to managing money and saving, no matter where you live!

Plum is an intelligent saving App, moving small amounts of money into your account automatically based on your spending habits, so you really don’t notice your savings leaving your bank account.

Firstly, download the Plum App. Once you’ve downloaded the App, begin the signup process which is super quick and easy. You can start saving from €1.

Plum has many options for saving, depending on how ambitious you want to get! The basic version is to allow Plum to do its thing (once you’ve linked your bank account) and have it move money from your bank account to your Plum saving account intelligently so that you don’t notice the money moving. Everything is entirely automated and it’s designed to get you saving without leaving you short.

Some extra options you can switch on are ‘Rainy Days’, where Plum will add a set amount of money into your savings account anytime it rains, and ‘Spare Change’ which rounds up any amount you spend to the nearest Euro and adds that difference to your savings.

There are a few more options for saving with Plum, and it’s got to be a firm favourite for its ease of use and the ability to help you save without even knowing it.