In rural Spain, remote workers are being paid $16,000 to relocate and run their businesses in a lush valley just under three hours from Madrid.
And it’s not the only country offering migration funds to workers and entrepreneurs. The list of countries seeking “digital nomads” is growing.
Last month, the government of Extremadura, an autonomous community located in the central-western part of the Iberian Peninsula, announced a new “Live in Ambrose” program designed to attract remote workers. The program provides approximately $16,620 in grants if you commit to living and working there. For at least two years.
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“This phenomenon is going to change where people live and change the spatial distribution of talent,” Prithwiraj Chowdhury, a professor at Harvard Business School in Boston, told Fox News Digital.
Prithwiraj Chowdhury, a professor at Harvard Business School in Boston, has been researching innovation, remote work, and the concept of “work from anywhere” for more than a decade. (Prithwiraj Chowdhury)
Choudhury has been researching innovation, remote work, and the concept of “work from anywhere” for over a decade.
“Many economists thought that all the talent would go to big cities and that big cities were the future of the world,” Chaudhry said.
“I think that is now changing to some extent. So, of course, big cities will continue to be important, but some people will live in communities outside of cities, especially if they can work remotely. “The places where human resources can play an active role will become more diverse.” ”
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People who, in addition to their talent, have the ability to work remotely and the desire to see the world are called digital nomads.


This table, created by Prithwiraj Chaudhary, summarizes the various “digital nomad” visa programs that exist in various countries for people looking to immigrate while working remotely. (Prithwiraj Chowdhury)
Since the coronavirus pandemic, they have forged a kind of symbiotic relationship with countries around the world, exchanging the consumption of goods and services for a lower cost of living in new and often beautiful environments.
Surrounded by mountains, the Ambrose Valley is made up of charming villages with lush pastures, diverse accommodation options and local artisan cuisine.
However, the largest village, Elbaz, has a population of only 3,907, and some municipalities have fewer than 200 residents.
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This is a problem known as “Empty Spain,” and “Live in Ambroz” aims to combat it.


The aim of remote workers moving to rural Spain is to prevent depopulation in struggling areas. (St. Petersburg)
According to a press release from the Extremadura government, the main objective is to prevent the depopulation of rural areas, and the Ambros Valley is one of the regions suffering from a continued decline in population and services.
“The obvious benefit to the community is that digital nomads can come and spend time in the community and spend their spending money,” Chaudhry said.
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“They go to restaurants, stay in hotels and () Airbnbs. But the bigger benefit is that it facilitates connections between locals and nomads, where communities gain knowledge and even opportunities to start businesses. I think it’s about being able to do that.”


Digital nomads are on the rise both economically and experientially. (St. Petersburg)
Digital nomads are getting their fair share, whether it’s financially or experientially, Choudhary added.
“Some people are looking for a place to move and live that is cheaper than where they are (currently) living,” he said.
“You can move to a cheaper location, and if you are allowed to work remotely, you can earn the same income but spend much less on housing and other expenses, resulting in more savings.”
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Some people join to see the world, he says.


These participants live in a variety of locations, but primarily outside the city. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
“There are a lot of people who like to connect in different communities and gain experiences and life experiences in different places,” Chaudhry said.
“In terms of culture, you can create a diverse portfolio of connections and experiences.”
For Dave Williams, an entrepreneur from Atlanta, it’s a little bit of both, he says.
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“It’s not too far to come here from the U.S., the time zone is nice, the weather is great, and the prices are very reasonable,” Williams told Fox News Digital about living in Portugal.


Dave Williams, an entrepreneur from Atlanta, and his wife moved to Portugal in 2017 and now run a business called NomadX. (Dave Williams)
“But it also relates to the concept of regional arbitrage, the idea that you can take your wealth and income and live in a country where it’s much cheaper. For example, health insurance premiums are only $1,000 a year. On the other hand, the cost of living in the United States, which is about $1,000 a month, may be half or less than in the United States.
He and his wife moved to Portugal in 2017 and currently run a business called NomadX. The business works with local governments to boost the economy while building communities for remote workers.
Chaudhry said that before the pandemic, only two countries, Estonia and Barbados, offered specific visas for remote workers.
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Since the pandemic, that number has increased to more than 60, a point Chaudhry highlighted in an article for Harvard Business Review.


The Ambrose Valley program will award 200 grants for housing and land. (St. Petersburg)
Up to 200 digital nomad grants will be awarded under the Ambrose Valley program and can be used for “available housing, arable land, and anything needed to facilitate their arrival,” according to a press release.
Candidates must first obtain a Spanish digital nomad visa and right of residence before applying to the Live in Ambroz program. Applications open this month and can be submitted online through the Extremadura General Electronic Access Point.
Many other countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, and Chile, offer financial incentives to workers looking to migrate or start businesses around the world.
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“Chile has had a program called Startup Chile for over 10 years,” Chaudhry said.


Other nomadic programs exist in various countries that have created “digital nomadic villages.” (St. Petersburg)
“It was announced much more recently as a digital nomad program, but what Chile offered and still offers is a one-year visa for foreign entrepreneurs to come and start a company. Chile is also offering $20,000 in free equity capital to each foreign entrepreneur. ”
Chaudhry cited Williams’ program on the Portuguese island of Madeira as one example of success.
“They even created a digital nomad village,” Chaudhry said.
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“The increased geographic mobility of remote workers is creating communities and potentially reversing brain drain in places that may have been losing talent for decades.”


Remote workers with a desire to experience life in different cultures and countries can consider what it means to be a “digital nomad.” (St. Petersburg)
Williams said the digital nomad experience was life-changing.
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“When we moved here to Portugal, or whenever I went through a life transition or a move, it really helped me kind of innovate and break through to the next level,” Williams said. spoke.
“I think it’s easy in a way to continue to live in the same place, where you work and where your family is.The government may not always get along, but the people generally do well.” It looks like we can move forward.” We get along well with each other and are very cooperative. It really gives you faith in humanity,” he added.