Rick(29)

I worked as a backend developer at an Amsterdam fintech company. Good salary — €5,200 gross per month — but my 42 square meter rental flat in De Pijp cost €1,800. After the pandemic it turned out nobody came to the office anymore. My manager literally said: "Work wherever you want." I chose Valencia.

The Ley de Startups of 2023 introduced the digital nomad visa and a special tax regime for remote workers from abroad. As an EU citizen I didn't need a visa, but the tax regime — similar to the Beckham Law — was interesting: a flat IRPF rate of 24% on income up to €600,000 for a maximum of six years. My tax advisor in Valencia helped me with the application.

The technical setup was important. My employer had to issue a "foreign employment declaration." We arranged for me to be paid through an employer of record (EOR) in Spain, so my social contributions were paid to the Seguridad Social. That cost my employer €300 per month in administration fees, but it was fully legal and transparent.

Valencia is a paradise for remote workers. The city has fast fiber optic internet (300 Mbps for €30/month), dozens of coworking spaces and a tech community that grows every month. I work at Wayco, a coworking in Ruzafa, for €180 per month. After work I cycle to the Turia park or La Malvarrosa beach. The city has 300 days of sunshine per year.

My apartment in Benimaclet — a student neighborhood with lots of character — costs €850 per month for 70 square meters with a balcony. That's €950 less than in Amsterdam for nearly double the space. Groceries at Mercadona cost me €180 per month. Eating out: a menú del día for €11-13 including wine. My total monthly expenses are €1,600 — in Amsterdam that was €3,200.

My advice to IT workers who work remotely: get the taxes right. You can't just "work from Spain" without registering. After 183 days you're a tax resident in Spain and must pay taxes here. Do it correctly through the Ley de Startups or an EOR arrangement. The savings on living costs and tax advantages make Valencia one of the best places in Europe for remote developers.