The backlash against work from home policies implemented during the height of COVID-19 could lead us to believe that remote work is on the out.
However, Spain is one country bucking this trend. 1 in 5 job ads in the country now offer remote or hybrid working, putting it well ahead of the UK, France, and even the US.
Despite this, only 15.5% of Spanish workers were actually working remotely in 2024, given the nature of jobs in sectors like retail and hospitality.
The surge in remote work opportunities can be attributed to the spike in international employees flocking to Spain since the country introduced its Digital Nomad visa in 2023.
For the second year in a row, Spain came in at the top of the list of the most popular locations for digital nomads, likely thanks to great climate, metropolitan charm, favorable work-life balance and affordable cost of living.
Companies willing to embrace the future of remote work can tap into the sizeable community of remote workers and digital nomads looking for employment opportunities. And while Spain may top the list, the labor pool stretches across much of Europe.
Portugal, Estonia, Croatia, Greece and Malta are just a few of the popular destinations now open to global recruitment opportunities thanks to the Digital Nomad visa.
While the idea of hiring a fully remote employee in another country may jar with some companies and recruiters, some leaders have found great results from the approach.
When it comes to remote work, Rajat Mishra, CEO of enterprise-grade AI platform Prezent, advises that: “You don’t need to walk the halls to measure performance, trust, or loyalty. You need clear expectations, consistent communication, and the right signals. Responsiveness, proactivity, and accountability matter more than ever in a remote environment.”
Further, according to Mishra: “Remote work is a privilege, not a right, and great remote workers treat it that way. They over-communicate, stay in sync, and lean into collaboration. Smart leaders stop measuring hours in seats and start measuring outcomes, behaviors, and culture contributions.”
“Performance looks like delivering more than expected. And trust? That’s earned over time—through consistency, not proximity”, added the CEO.