When I first started working remotely in Spain, I quickly realized that my “normal” U.S. routine wasn’t going to work anymore. Even though I had the exact same job as I did in the U.S., my day-to-day started to look a bit different. Instead of early mornings packed with meetings and being in bed by 10pm, my days as a remote worker in Spain are shaped by a slower (and later) rhythm. From café culture to late dinners with friends, expat life is about finding the balance between productivity and actually enjoying life abroad.

If you’ve ever wondered what remote work in Spain really looks like, from where digital nomads set up their laptops, to what daily life costs, to how Spain’s culture impacts your workday, this post breaks down exactly what a typical day looks like for me living and working remotely in Madrid.

Whether you’re considering Spain’s new digital nomad visa, or just daydreaming about a move abroad, here’s a peek into expat life in Spain from a remote worker’s perspective.

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Remote Working in Spain: Daily Routine

One of the biggest changes I noticed after moving to Spain was how my daily schedule completely shifted. Back in the U.S., I was up at 5:30am, hitting the gym, walking the dog, grabbing breakfast, and already in meetings by 8am. Life as a remote worker in Spain looks very different. Now I wake up closer to 7:30 or 8am and don’t usually start working until 9am. Since most of my clients and colleagues are in the U.S., my meetings rarely begin before 2pm, which gives me long, quiet mornings to myself.

Like many expats in Spain, I’ve adapted to the Spanish rhythm of eating later in the day. I make coffee at home first thing, and usually don’t eat breakfast until around 10am — typically something simple like toast or eggs (I am still an American, after all).

While many digital nomads in Madrid love coworking spaces like The Social Hub or Impact Hub, I’m more of a homebody and prefer to work from home and take care of my dog. Coworking spaces here are fantastic if you want community, networking, or a change of scenery — and the good news is they offer day passes, so you don’t have to commit to a full membership. I’ll occasionally grab a day pass when I want a little variety.

My home office is nothing fancy, just my kitchen table in a small city-center apartment. But honestly, it works perfectly fine, and that’s the beauty of remote work in Spain: you don’t need much more than a laptop, Wi-Fi, and maybe a good cup of café con leche to get the job done.

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Remote Working Setup & Productivity

One thing I had to adjust to pretty quickly as a remote worker in Spain is that Wi-Fi and electricity aren’t always as reliable as they were in the U.S. Power outages happen from time to time, and while they’re usually short-lived, it’s smart to have a backup plan. My go-to solution is heading to a local café with good internet or keeping a portable travel Wi-Fi router handy. If you’re planning to work remotely in Spain, I’d definitely recommend researching internet providers in your area and having a plan B just in case.

Typical Spanish working hours run from about 9am–6pm, with a long lunch break in the middle of the day. Since my schedule is mostly tied to U.S. time zones, I actually get my most focused, productive work done in the mornings and then have meetings stacked up in the afternoons. This split schedule works well because I can enjoy slower mornings without feeling rushed, and then I shift into “collaboration mode” later in the day.

If you’re setting up your own digital nomad home office in Spain, here are a few essentials I swear by:

• Travel Wi-Fi router — Our Solis router works wonders, and I rarely leave home without it. I like to use this when working on trains or in the airport too.
• Second Monitor — this is a must for productivity!
• Olend bag/laptop bag — while there are dupes on Amazon, I love the Spanish Olend brand for laptop bags. They’re multifunctional, practical, and made of sustainable materials.
• Noise-cancelling headphones — the best are these headphones from Sony, but if you want a more affordable option, these headphones also work great.

The great thing about remote work in Spain is flexibility. Whether you’re working from your kitchen table, a neighborhood café, or one of Madrid’s coworking spaces, it’s easy to create a setup that fits your lifestyle and keeps you productive.

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Midday Lunch Break

If there’s one thing you quickly notice about Spanish work culture, it’s how important the (often long) lunch break is. Many restaurants offer a menú del día — a special weekday lunch menu with multiple courses, often at a very affordable price. As you get to know your neighborhood, you’ll notice groups of people coming from the office to enjoy a long lunch together at most restaurants with this menú del día offering.

Since I work from home, I usually keep lunch simple (a quick meal in my kitchen) and then head to the gym before preparing for my afternoon meetings. But if you’re a freelancer or have flexible hours, this long lunch tradition can be such a fun part of the day. In coworking spaces especially, you’ll often get invited to join colleagues or fellow expats for a proper sit-down meal. It’s not just about convenience, it’s about connection and slowing down in the middle of your workday.

And yes, the siesta culture in Spain is still alive, especially in local neighborhoods. Many shops and restaurants close from about 2–5pm, so if you’re a remote worker in Madrid or anywhere in Spain, you’ll quickly adapt by planning errands or coffee runs around this schedule. It may feel inconvenient at first, but over time, you realize it’s all part of the slower, more balanced lifestyle here.

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Afternoon Work & Coffee Breaks

Once lunch is over, an afternoon coffee is a non-negotiable. Spaniards treat their afternoon coffee break the same way Americans treat “water cooler chats” — it’s social, casual, and an essential part of the workday for most people. For me, sometimes that means making a coffee at home, and other times it’s heading out with my laptop to a local café.

If you’re looking for the best cafés for remote workers in Madrid, two of my personal favorites are El Gordito and Café des Arts in La Latina. Both have dedicated spaces for people working remotely, so you don’t feel out of place if you’re pulling out your laptop for a few hours. You’re also surrounded by a community of freelancers, students, and expats who are doing the exact same thing. You meet a lot of really interesting people this way!

Working remotely in Spain isn’t just about productivity, it’s about weaving yourself into the rhythm of daily life. Afternoon coffee breaks are where friendships start, opportunities pop up, and you begin to really feel part of the community.

Evening: Wrapping Up the Workday

One of the biggest differences between the U.S. and working remotely in Spain is how late the day flows. Since most of my calls are with U.S. clients, I often find myself working until 7 or 8pm. And surprisingly, that’s pretty normal here. Many expats and digital nomads in Madrid are on international schedules, so you’ll often see coworking spaces buzzing with people late into the evening.

But here’s where Spanish work-life balance shines. Even after a long day, there’s still time to enjoy life. Dinner in Spain doesn’t usually start until 9 or 10pm, which means you can finish work, head out for an evening walk, and still meet up with friends at your favorite tapas bar.

For me, evenings are my favorite part of expat life in Madrid. My husband and I often meet our friends at our neighborhood bar, Céntrico, where we’ll sit around drinking wine and sharing tapas until midnight on a random Tuesday. Other nights, we’ll stroll through the city or grab a glass of vermouth at a terraza if it’s a particularly nice evening. Unlike the U.S., people don’t just live for the weekend. Spaniards embrace socializing throughout the week, and you’ll see streets buzzing with life any night of the week.

This balance is what makes remote working in Spain so special: your day doesn’t have to end when you close your laptop and go to bed — it flows seamlessly into a vibrant, social evening.

Cost of Living for Remote Workers in Spain

Let’s talk about something every digital nomad and expat wonders about: the cost of living in Spain for remote workers. Good news is it’s generally much more affordable than in the U.S. or Northern Europe, especially if you know how to live like a local and avoid touristy areas.

Here are a few typical daily and monthly costs for remote workers in Madrid:

• Coffee at a café: €1.50–3
• Coworking space membership: €100–250/month (often includes coffee, networking events, and even gym access)
• Menú del día lunch: €10–15
• Public transport pass (Madrid): €30/month
• Shared apartment in Madrid city center: €500–700/month
• One-bedroom apartment in city center: €900–1,300/month

Of course, expenses vary depending on your lifestyle and whether you’re earning in euros or keeping a U.S. salary. If you’re working remotely for a U.S. company while living in Spain, you’ll find your money tends to go much further. But even if you’re on a Spanish salary like me, life here is more affordable thanks to cheap public transportation, lower grocery costs, and Spain’s café culture where eating out won’t drain your bank account.

For digital nomads, coworking memberships and social events can be an investment, but they’re also one of the best ways to meet people, network, and create a community abroad.

Overall, the Spain cost of living for expats is one of the biggest reasons people move here. Life is simply more balanced, and you can enjoy a great quality of life without the same financial stress you may feel back home.

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Challenges of Remote Working in Spain

As much as I love the flexibility of being a remote worker in Spain, I’d be lying if I said it was all smooth sailing. Like anywhere, there are challenges that digital nomads and expats need to adjust to.

1. Time zones can be tough.
   If you’re working remotely with U.S. clients, your schedule is often flipped compared to your American coworkers. Afternoon and evening meetings are common, and sometimes you’ll find yourself on late-night calls. It takes some getting used to, but most of us adjust — and the later dinners in Spain actually make it easier to balance.

2. Language barriers are real.
Even in Madrid, where many people speak English, navigating things like apartment hunting, banking, or setting up utilities often requires Spanish. It’s not impossible, but if you don’t speak the language yet, it can add a layer of stress. On the bright side, immersion really does help you learn faster, and most locals are patient when you’re trying.

3. Spanish bureaucracy is… frustrating.
If you ask any expat in Spain about the hardest part of living here, I guarantee they’ll say bureaucracy. From applying for your residency card (TIE) to registering your address (empadronamiento), paperwork can feel endless — and inconsistent. What works at one office might not work at another. My advice? Get a good immigration lawyer. It will save you so many headaches.

4. Finding community can take effort.
If you skip coworking spaces and mostly work from home, it can feel isolating at first. Unlike an office job, you don’t automatically have colleagues to socialize with. Building a circle here requires putting yourself out there — chatting with people at cafés, joining Facebook groups, or trying coworking day passes to meet other remote workers. It takes effort, but once you find “your people,” the expat and local communities are incredibly welcoming.

At the end of the day, these are minor trade-offs compared to the benefits of remote work in Spain. Slower mornings, long lunches, affordable living, and a vibrant social life more than make up for the occasional frustrating paperwork or awkward time zone.

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FAQs: Remote Working & Expat Life in Spain

Is Spain good for digital nomads and remote workers?
Yes! Spain is one of the best destinations for remote workers thanks to its new(ish) digital nomad visa, affordable cost of living, vibrant culture, and strong expat community. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia offer excellent coworking spaces and reliable internet, while smaller towns provide a more relaxed pace of life.

2. Do I need a visa to work remotely in Spain?
Most non-EU citizens will need a visa. Spain’s digital nomad visa is specifically designed for remote workers who earn their income from companies or clients outside Spain. Other options include the non-lucrative visa (for those who don’t plan to work locally) or traditional work visas if employed by a Spanish company. If you’re exploring your options, I’ve broken down the different visa types in Spain in another post.

3. How much does it cost to live in Spain as a remote worker?
The cost of living in Spain is lower than in the U.S. or northern Europe. Expect to spend around €1,200–€2,000/month depending on the city and your lifestyle. Coffee costs about €1.50–3, coworking spaces start at €100/month, and public transport is usually under €40/month. For a more comprehensive look at the cost of living in Spain, I’ve outline what I spend in a month (2025) to give you a holistic look into Spanish life.

4. What’s the work culture like in Spain for expats?
Spanish work culture emphasizes long lunches, late dinners, and a healthy work-life balance. Remote workers often adapt by starting later in the day (especially if working with U.S. time zones) and taking time for social activities in the evenings.

5. Is it easy to find coworking spaces as a remote worker in Spain?
Yes! Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and even smaller cities have thriving coworking communities. Popular coworking spaces in Madrid include The Social Hub, Impact Hub, and Utopicus. Many also offer social events, networking opportunities, and day passes for flexibility.

6. Can I be a remote worker in Spain without speaking Spanish?
Yes, especially in bigger cities where English is widely spoken. However, learning basic Spanish will make your daily life and networking much easier. Many digital nomads and expats take language classes or join conversation exchanges to improve quickly. I share tips for language learning and making connections in my post on how to make friends abroad.

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Final Thoughts

Working remotely in Spain has completely changed the way I see both work and life. The slower mornings, long lunches, and evenings spent outdoors with friends are such a refreshing contrast to the fast-paced, always-on culture I was used to in the U.S. Of course, there are challenges — like navigating time zones or getting used to Spanish bureaucracy — but the trade-offs are more than worth it.

If you’re considering moving abroad or applying for Spain’s digital nomad visa, my biggest advice is this: say yes to the opportunity. Remote work in Spain isn’t just about where you open your laptop each morning — it’s about building a lifestyle that balances productivity with connection, culture, and adventure. And once you experience it, you may never want to go back.

For more practical tips, check out my posts on moving to Spain from the USA, the cost of living in Spain, and my moving abroad checklist — they’ll help you take the first steps toward making your own Spanish remote work dream a reality.

Are you a remote worker in Spain? Tell me about how this compares to your personal experience in the comments!