From Laguna to Oviedo: Why We Chose Spain Digital Nomad Visa

This is our story

If you’re a Filipino remote worker or freelancer stuck in that cycle of what ifs, you’re not alone. We were there too.

Until we discovered Spain.

This is the story of why we — MJ & Seven — chose Oviedo, Spain, and why the Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) might be the most realistic and powerful pathway Filipinos are overlooking.

The Migration Paths

Growing up, the narrative was clear. If you wanted to migrate, you aimed for Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. These countries promised stability, opportunity, and eventually, a strong passport.

But over the years, those pathways became heavier.

Higher tuition fees. Stricter point systems. Millions of pesos in show money. Long waits with no guarantees. Temporary visas stacked on top of temporary visas.

For us, the problem isn't the skill, it's the cost.

We reached a point where we had to ask ourselves: Is there another way?

Discovering Spain as a Digital Nomad Destination

Spain entered our radar quietly.

Not as a retirement destination. Not as a tourist fantasy. But as a country actively adapting to remote work and global talent through the Spain Digital Nomad Visa.

What stood out wasn’t just the lifestyle — it was the logic.

Spain wasn’t asking us to freeze millions of pesos in a bank. It wasn’t asking us to study again just to stay legally. It wasn’t asking us to abandon our existing careers.

It was simply asking us to prove something we were already doing: working remotely.

The Two-Year Advantage Filipinos Rarely Talk About

Here’s the part most people miss and the reason Spain is uniquely powerful for Filipinos.

As citizens of a former Spanish colony, Filipinos are eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship after just two years of legal residency.

Not ten years. Two.

This is written into Spanish law, yet it’s rarely discussed in Filipino migration circles.

With Spanish citizenship comes one of the strongest passports in the world, consistently ranked among the top globally, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to most countries and the freedom to live and work anywhere in the European Union.

For Filipinos used to planning their lives around visas, this changes everything.

No Show Money, Just Proof of Real Work

One of the biggest shocks for us was how different the Spain Digital Nomad Visa requirements were compared to other countries.

Instead of demanding massive savings, Spain focuses on sustainability.

You need to show that:

You work remotely for a company or clients outside Spain.

You earn a stable monthly income that meets the government threshold.

You have either a degree or at least three years of professional experience in your field.

That’s it.

Just proof that your remote career is real.

Why We Chose Oviedo, Spain

When people imagine Spain, they think of big cities. But we found our home in Oviedo, Asturias, in the north.

Here, Spain feels slower. Quieter. More human.

The cost of living is significantly lower than in Madrid or Barcelona. Rent is reasonable. Groceries and Public transportation are affordable.

But beyond numbers, Oviedo gave us something we didn’t expect: space to breathe.

Clean air. Walkable streets. Green spaces everywhere. A lifestyle where your health improves instead of deteriorates.

Safety is another quiet luxury. Walking at night doesn’t feel like a calculated risk. Infrastructure works. Systems feel designed for people, not against them.

This is what many Filipinos mean when they say they want a “better quality of life.”

Leaving Isn’t About Hating Home

Choosing Spain wasn’t about rejecting the Philippines.

It was about breaking free from the familiar cycle: long commutes, heavy traffic, high taxes with little visible return, and the constant mental fatigue of daily survival.

In Spain, you see where your taxes go. Healthcare works. Public spaces are maintained. Life feels less like a fight.

For digital nomads, that difference matters.

How Filipinos Can Start Their Spain DNV Journey

If you’re a Filipino freelancer, VA, creative, or remote tech professional, Spain is more accessible than you think.

You don’t need to be rich.

You don’t need connections.

You need a legitimate remote income, patience, and a clear plan.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa isn’t a shortcut but it is a smarter path.

And for Filipinos, it comes with a rare advantage: a realistic two-year countdown toward European citizenship.

Why We Share This

We share our story not as immigration consultants, but as people who once stood exactly where you are now — overwhelmed, curious, and unsure where to begin.

Everything we write comes from lived experience: documents submitted, mistakes corrected, approvals received, and a life slowly rebuilt in Oviedo, Spain.

If you’re ready to trade EDSA traffic for cobblestone streets, and endless visa anxiety for long-term clarity, start by understanding your options.

Explore our guides on the Spain Digital Nomad Visa for Filipinos, learn from our journey as a Filipino couple in Asturias, and take the first step toward a future that finally feels within reach.

Sometimes, the best migration path isn’t the loudest one, it’s the one hiding in plain sight.

Dreaming of Moving to Spain? DIY?
Grab Our DNV Starter Kit!

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time applicants — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. This downloadable PDF guide is crafted specifically for Filipinos based on real-world experience and firsthand research.

With this kit, you'll get a simplified, step-by-step roadmap to help you confidently apply, prepare the right documents, and start your digital life in Spain.