January 17, 2023
A study conducted by Nebeus, a platform that handles global payments, showed that Britons have a preferred country for remote work, and it is Spain.
This study surveyed 400 professionals from the United Kingdom, which included 10 specific questions, to understand the opinions and perceptions of British professionals, specifically about living and working digitally from another country.
The data revealed that 22% of respondents choose Spain as their favourite country to work in. This is followed by the United States (19%), France (13%), Portugal (6%), Southeast Asia (5%), Latin America (3%), and Eastern Europe (2%). However, 20% of the people indicate that they would not move to another country for remote work. In contrast, 12% would do so but would choose a country other than those mentioned above.
Moreover, within Spain, the British prefer the following cities: Barcelona (14%), Valencia (7%), Alicante (5%), Malaga (4%), Palma de Mallorca (4%), or Marbella (3%), as they seek more coastal cities. However, some inland destinations are also sought after, such as Madrid (5%) or Seville (3%).
Nevertheless, with these results, 46% of Britons are still undecided or do not know which city to choose. Therefore, it is very important to know and understand the cultural differences of each city, as well as the opportunities each one offers.
For British professionals, their preference for Spain is due to its unique tradition and modernity, as well as its incredible culture and great climate. Despite this, the most determining factor is the quality of life, according to 46% of respondents surveyed by Nebeus. Additionally, the possibility of saving money (19%), culture, and various lifestyles (12%) are among the reasons for this preference.
However, there are also significant challenges that make living and working in Spain difficult, such as the language barrier (53%), the need to distance oneself from family and friends (14%), and tax issues (11%). Similarly, 7% express concerns about the country's economic stability, while 5% think that cultural differences could be a problem.
A key finding from the Nebeus study is that 89% of the British respondents are unaware of the digital work visa that Spain has started offering to digital nomads. This visa is a special provision allowing remote professionals to continue with their current employment without the need to change jobs. Despite the limited awareness about this visa, 56% of the respondents are interested in obtaining it, while 33% express the opposite view.
It's also important to note that only 11% were aware of this option for digital nomads, as it presents an incredible alternative for those wanting to live in Spain and maintain their current digital employment. This allows them to enjoy all that the country has to offer, without losing the employment opportunities provided by the United Kingdom.
The financial aspect is one of the most concerning issues for the British respondents. 29% feel that their purchasing power could increase by living in Spain. However, 38% believe that this is not entirely certain. Additionally, 22% think that their finances would remain the same, and 11% comment that they would be lower.
Financial aspects are crucial for Britons, hence their concern about being able to make international transfers easily and economically (27%), having insurance or financial protection (21%), having internationally accepted cards (19%), and having loan facilities available for expatriates (4%).
Respondents also face financial challenges, such as healthcare costs (31%), cost of living (21%), retirement and savings plans (10%). Other challenges include access to accounts and funds (9%), currency exchange (7%), and access to credit and loans (7%). These challenges highlight the importance of having a financial plan.
Overall, according to the study conducted by Nebeus, women between 25 and 30 years old are the professional profile most interested in living and working digitally in Spain, accounting for 23% of the respondents. Thus, Spain is their first choice over other countries.
However, among men, 20% see Spain as their second option, with the United States being the first (22%).
