Get paid to $17000 to move and live in Spain

Spain pays you $17,000 to live there and work remotely (2025 – 2026)

This is true. Extremadura (province in western Spain) pays remote workers up to $17,487 (€15,000) to move, register (empadronarse), and live there while working online.

The province of Extremadura has recently launched a program to help attract digital nomads and self-employed individuals to live in the province.

Below we break down the raw numbers and how the program works in plain English.

What the grant actually pays

Program I

  • $11,658 (€10,000) if you’re under 30, a woman, or you register in a town <5,000 residents (first 24 months).
  • $9,326 (€8,000) for everyone else (first 24 months).

Program II

  • +$5,829 (€5,000) or +$4,663 (€4,000) if you complete a third year .

Maximum total: $17,487 (€15,000)

If remain a third year and apply for Program II

Payout timing:

Program I is paid as a single lump sum after approval and proof of municipal registration (empadronamiento).

Who qualifies

  1. You must be a digital nomad – an employee or self-employed professional working fully remote using the computer.
  2. You must live outside Extremadura when you apply and not have lived there in the previous 6 months;
  3. You must have a NIE

After approval, you must reside and remain registered for 24 months (Program I). A third year unlocks the top-up (Program II).

Legal status

  • Non-EU nationals: Spain’s International Telework (Digital Nomad) residence/visa under Law 14/2013, as amended by Law 28/2022, is required at the payment stage.

How to apply

  • Apply online via the regional electronic registry (“Tramitar en línea”).
  • Upload ID/NIE, proof you lived outside Extremadura, employer letter or freelancer memo, and tax/social-security compliance docs.

Full list of requirements on the official website

Best places to live in Extremadura (by lifestyle)

Best places to live in Extremadura

Best amenities, digital community (Main Cities)

Mérida — Capital of Extremadura and a UNESCO-listed Roman archaeological ensemble (theatre, amphitheatre, aqueduct). Walkable, safe, cultural, solid internet. Connected by Renfe services to Madrid and Seville. Downsides: hotter summers and a smaller expat scene than Spain’s mega-cities.

Cáceres — UNESCO-listed medieval old town; lively student presence thanks to the University of Extremaduracampus. Great food/history and a growing digital infrastructure; housing often more affordable than in Mérida.

Badajoz — Largest city in Extremadura and right on the Portuguese border with UNESCO-listed Elvas next door. Modern amenities (shopping, healthcare). Slightly less “storybook” than Cáceres/Trujillo, but very functional—and useful if you want frequent Portugal access. 

Balance of Quality & Calm (Medium-Sized Towns)

Plasencia — Gateway to Monfragüe National Park (raptors, hiking, viewpoints). Good services, walkable historic center, and quick access to nature. 

Trujillo — Stone-built skyline with a castle and a lively plaza mayor; long history and strong identity. Popular with artists/remote workers seeking inspiration; quieter nights than big cities.

Zafra — Nicknamed “Sevilla la Chica” (“Little Seville”) for its whitewashed streets and Andalusian vibe; charming old quarter and active cultural calendar.

Maximum profit path to the $17,487 (Small villages )

If you want the higher Program I bracket ($11,658 (€10,000))—one route is settling in a municipality under 5,000 residents, and then completing year 3 for the top-up (+$4,663–$5,829 (€4,000–€5,000)), reaching $17,487 (€15,000) total. Picks to consider:

  • Guadalupe — Home to the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe (UNESCO). Extremely picturesque; steady tourist flow keeps it lively. 
  • Jarandilla de la Vera — Chestnut forests, natural gorges and pools; outdoor life, routes (including the Carlos Vtrail), and a Parador in a historic castle. 
  • Valverde de la Vera — Famous vernacular architecture (stone, timber balconies, arcaded squares) and slower pace of life. 
  • Hervás — Beautiful Jewish quarter (judería) and mountain setting near Ambroz Valley.
  • Alcántara — Quiet border village dominated by its monumental Roman bridge over the Tagus.

Program amounts and the <5,000 residents criterion are set in the official decree and the Junta’s application page. doe.juntaex.esJuntaex

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