Even as a child I always went on summer vacation with my parents and sister to Spain; Mallorca, Menorca, Blanes, Ibiza, Nerja, Alicante, Marbella, Lanzarote, Madrid, Barcelona etc. In Fuengirola, I learned to walk as a 1-year-old on the beach. As an adolescent I also traveled frequently towards Spain (going out, cramming etc. you know it). And in the following years this only increased. With my family we also frequently visited Spain during the (school) vacations. Menorca, ideal with small children. Mallorca; ideal with slightly older children. This lasted for many years.
Bienvenidos, encantado de conocerte
I am Tim, 57 years old and working and living since October 2025 in southern Spain, on the Costa Del Sol. About 900 meters from the beach. In the picturesque San Luis de Sabinillas, near Estepona. A place still free of mass tourism. My 2 children still live in the Netherlands.
Unlike many other remote workers, I chose this permanent home/work location after the orientation phase, so I don’t really travel anymore. But I do travel within Spain because there are many more beautiful cities and places to discover. Andalusia, for example, is alone 5 times the size of the Netherlands and Belgium combined.
Sample remote work on the Costa Del Sol
After my divorce, I only intensified and tried to work from Spain as well. From 3 times a year to 6 times a year, to every month, to 1.5 times a month. I also went to Italy, Turkey, Austria, Portugal, Germany, etc. But Spain always held strong preference. It’s a feeling and hard to describe why. I feel at home here, the weather is better, the food good and life simpler and less hectic. I also really appreciate the traditions, the family feeling and the outdoors.
Gradually I discovered remote working and put it into practice. And working this way went well for me. Arranging your own time (as much as possible) and enjoying it more. From a hotel, bungalow, apartment, terrace, etc. with and/or without wifi. I worked remote from Spain along the Costa Del Sol in the last 4 years. Usually for about 10 days at a time.
Finding a place to live and work in Spain
My orientation to a place to live and work did take 2.5 years. There are many things to consider. I will mention a few that I myself looked at:
- Live low or high? There are still some floods in Spain during heavy rainfall. Tactically, living a little higher can save you a lot of misery in terms of flooding.
- Do you choose to live right by the sea or more in the hinterland? The closer to the coast the more expensive … but also more wind and much higher humidity. Your clothes (outside the summer period) always stay a little clammy after washing.
- Buy or rent? House prices on the Costa Del Sol have risen tremendously in recent years. Renting can be an option, but buying a house as an investment and making it all your own gave the deciding factor for me.
- Spanish houses are generally quite small, with little light (to keep out the heat). It was quite a challenge to find something with enough space and light!
Self-employed in Spain; the autónomo
I am autónomo (self-employed/self-employed) in Spain. I actually do several things: from online marketing to audio productions.
- Online marketing (e-commerce, online media, content/copywriting/editing, SEO, strategic advice, etc.). Mainly for clients and (white label) for some agencies in the Netherlands.
- I produce jingles (audio design) and radio commercials for DJs/radio stations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and soon Spain.
- I also make radio programs for a (Dutch) radio station here on the Costa Del Sol (Jamm FM) as DJ and also do the audio design for this.
- I also occasionally spin as a DJ at parties, such as at the Marbella4dayswalking event in October.
Work fewer hours and enjoy more
I work on average about 3 hours a day on Online Marketing related assignments for clients and about 2 or 3 hours a day on sound productions. The latter is all customized and also does depend on the type and quantity of assignments.
The audio part I do mostly in the evening and from my studio so I can schedule the afternoon differently. Then I go hiking, exercise, drink coffee in the sun, eat outside and socialize. Because 1 of the reasons I live in Spain is that I want to work less, can do a lot of sports, hiking and especially be outside! Of course, the weather also gives a positive boost. I love absorbing vitamin D. And in the end, I also chose to have less to do and more to enjoy.
Spreading your opportunities for remote assignments
Right now I am still in the process of remodeling/refurbishing my house. That also takes quite some time of course. And the weather was unworthy of Spain the first months of my stay here. Leaks and mold in my house… I am also working on small renovations and adjustments and also realizing an office. When you work remotely you try to create a working method that works for you. Flexibility is of course logical and necessary.
Having had a fairly active career in the Netherlands and having worked for several major brands and (media) agencies in various (online) commercial management roles, it is generally fairly easy to get assignments. Even though you might be more out of the picture and working remotely is not suitable for every assignment. Because I undertake various activities, I “spread the risk.” Also, my income here does not have to be at the same level as in the Netherlands.
In addition, I also advertise with my company Jamm FM on the radio here. So that there are also Dutch companies operating in Spain and/or even English companies that know how to find me. As you know, a doctor’s children always have a cold and a cobbler’s children often have broken shoes. I myself also have some overdue maintenance on my websites. There’s some work to be done on that too… It’s very tempting to keep putting this off. That too is a pitfall. But after all the moving, rebuilding and leakage issues, I’m going to work on that too. But work processes and things in terms of automation also need to be optimized. Mañana, mañana.
Tips to make remote working work in Spain
Furthermore, there are always other things that can suddenly demand your attention. So it’s kind of important for your own business to also have an overall plan and keep some structure. Especially for a more creative person not the most fun things, but necessary. My 4 tips for you:
- A work and personal schedule (long and short term).
- A budget statement (and enough financial backup to sing it out for 6 months) + a separate personal and business bank account) plus a realistic revenue forecast.
- Engage a good gestor (cross between a lawyer and accounting firm).
- Create a content/advertising calendar
Paperwork in Spain, such as a NIE number
Support from other people can be nice. On many fronts. A gestor can also help you get, for example, the important NIE number, a kind of citizen service number, but even more important. Without such a number you can actually do nothing here!
If you are still a taxpayer in the Netherlands and officially living there, it is easier. In my case as a resident in Spain, you have to deal with all the specific tax issues that are very different from those in the Netherlands. Also, the bureaucracy here is a thing. Different forms with nice numerical names. Which preferably have to be submitted and paid in the right order, with/after an appointment with the national police. And digital services are about 5 years behind compared to the Netherlands. If anything is wrong or you only have 1 copy instead of 2, you may have to make a whole new appointment. That can be 3 or 4 weeks later. That presents some challenges!
Todavía no hablo bien español
I have not yet mastered the Spanish language, unfortunately. I understand about 45% of what is said. But responding correctly is still a bit tricky. Often the translation app has to help. In any case, I will stay here in Spain for the next few years. And maybe I’ll look into bringing a little more structure to my work. As in more fixed hours/moments. For the rest. Summer is coming… Viva la vida…!
Want to follow me? You can find me here at linkedin.com/in/timdevrind. My website is: https://www.djdrops.nl
More inspiration about people working online:
Anna-Marijn ging van kantoor naar locatie-onafhankelijk leven in Spanje
