The Rise of the Digital Nomad in Barcelona

If you have seen someone immersed in his laptop in Starbucks, you will likely have seen a digital nomad.

They are called so because they do not have a single and permanent area to do their work. Barcelona is one of the fastest-growing hubs for these freelancers. It currently holds the third spot in Europe as a city with the most freelancers.

But why work here?

Digital Nomads Origins

For centuries, we had to work in brick-and-mortar businesses. An accountant must go to an office, file his documents in a cabinet, and repeat this cycle daily for the rest of his life.

But the internet changed all this. Today, the digital highway is everyone’s playground. Anyone who has a skill can peddle his wares online.

Employers also realized that they would significantly save on labor costs if they hired freelancers instead of full-time employees.

An employer must pay an employee’s:

Minimum salary
Health benefits
Taxes
Other statutory financial obligations

Add to that the cost of the office space, and you’ve got an employer who is probably close to just breaking even.

With freelancers, the employer only has to pay for the work done. And because there are millions of freelancers worldwide, there will never be a shortage of workers, and the employer is not bound to select from talents in his area only.

A guy from Hong Kong can hire someone from Barcelona. And the freelancer from Barcelona can service people from the top economies in the world and get paid better rates.

The Rise of the Digital Nomads

Because of the internet, freelancers realized that they could cut the costs of their services and yet enjoy a similar or better lifestyle than that of an office-wage earner.

Freelancers in Barcelona do not have to pay for transportation. They do not have to buy new clothes just to keep up with the trend. They do not have to eat out in fast food chains or make do with the horrible food in the office pantry.

They can work from home, from Starbucks, or even under a shed. For as long as there is WIFI, they can get something done. Coworking is the only reasonable solution if these places are not conducive to work.

Fewer Dependencies from Employers

Coworking is a situation where several freelancers team up to rent a space. Typically, they have an equal share of the rent and the bills. Nobody occupies more space than the others because a person only needs a table and a chair.

In Barcelona, at least 100 coworking spaces are available for rent to any freelancer. Single people can even rent an apartment together and work from there. Nothing is more convenient than a lifestyle where your home is your workspace.

You can work before you even brush your teeth. Storm? No problem. Come hell and come high water, you can get your job done.

Cost Effective Lifestyle

And because Barcelona is cost-friendly, many start-up companies choose this city to put up their companies. At €350 per month, one can rent an office space, including utilities. If you want an apartment with a toilet and bath, look for a partner and split €600 per month between you.

Most families in Barcelona can live decently at €1,200 per month. The minimum salary in Barcelona is €707. But remember that this salary is based on the city’s economic conditions.

This salary factors into the expenses of an employer. But with the whole world at your fingertips, €1,200 shouldn’t be that difficult to earn, especially if you offer high-level skills like digital marketing, coding, and app development.

Fast and Reliable Internet

Barcelona is a thriving city with millions of tourists every year. The government and business establishments know this. The city built the right infrastructure to support its connectivity in response to its tourism industry requirements.

In Barcelona, you can expect free WIFI everywhere—from bars to beaches, hotels, and restaurants. On average, you can enjoy speeds up to 300MBPS. This makes it one of the best places to be in a world of freelancing where you need to participate in Skype calls and get your online work done.

Unlimited Work Options for a Digital Nomad

As a digital nomad, your only limitation is your skill. For as long as the job is required on a computer, you can get that work and do it remotely. Examples are:

App Development – if you are great at coding, you can find clients who want to develop mobile applications but have no skill or considerable resources to build a team.
Copywriting – look for clients who need to sell their products online. Write their sales material for them.
E-Commerce Store Management – there are at least 500,000 online stores out there. Find one you can manage daily, including the company’s social media presence and advertising efforts.
Bookkeeping – people worldwide have to pay their taxes and file them annually. Look for clients who need this kind of service and help them manage their legal obligations.
Virtual Assistant – take phone calls, sales orders, and answer customer inquiries, all in the comfort of your workspace.

Digital Nomad: Living in the Future’s Past

What is the future of being an “autonomo”—a digital nomad—in Barcelona?

It is bright and promising.

The city has a great climate that can accommodate even the most sensitive person. The weather makes it conducive to work outside the house, right on the street, where you enjoy your morning coffee. Renting a decent coworking space is cheap if you just spend the time to find a good deal.

Getting around the world for physical travel is also easy. The airport is just 20 minutes from downtown. It is also close to neighboring areas where you can enjoy outdoor activities if you want to unwind.

The internet opened a floodgate. Freelancers came rushing into the online workspace like water, and employers welcomed this opportunity with open arms. The freelancing industry is not going away. If at all, it will become the standard. So, are you ready to live your life here?

Your work. Your rate. Your lifestyle.

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