Spain's High Taxes: A Digital Nomad's Struggle

Spain's Tax System for Digital Nomads: A Personal Account Barcelona, Spain – May 17, 2025 – Christina Davis, an American entrepreneur who relocated to Barcelona under the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, recently shared her experience with the Spanish tax system for the self-employed. Davis's video highlights the significant financial challenges faced by those working autonomously in Spain. "Spain takes you as an entrepreneur and just squeezes every penny out of you," Davis stated in her video. She explained that while she appreciates the free healthcare system, the high tax rates make it difficult to save money. She contrasted her situation with a friend employed in Spain, who benefits from a much lower tax rate. Davis's video also includes a graph projecting future increases in Social Security payments, further emphasizing the financial strain on self-employed individuals. She notes a stark difference between her current Social Security payments and the projected amounts in the coming years. While acknowledging the lower cost of living in Spain compared to the US, she points out the substantial tax burden that significantly offsets this advantage. Davis's video serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring digital nomads and entrepreneurs considering relocating to Spain. It underscores the importance of thorough research and realistic financial planning before making such a significant life change.