The pandemic has completely changed the labour market. More and more people want to and can work remotely, from anywhere. That’s why they are opting for places like the Costa del Sol, where the sun shines more than 320 days a year. In Marbella, among others, there are two luxury coworking spaces.
Digital nomads” love Spain
Spain is one of the most popular countries for “digital nomads”. This term is used to describe people who can work remotely, from anywhere in the world, and who are not tied to a single location. The Resume.io portal estimates that there are more than 125,000 people in Spain. Only the United States has more.
Under Spanish law, telecommuters wishing to move to the country can obtain a special visa after fulfilling several requirements. Initially valid for 12 months, it can be renewed for up to five years. From 2023, citizens of non-EU countries will also be able to apply for such a visa.
There is no shortage of attractive destinations on the Iberian Peninsula, but it is clear that “digital nomads” are more likely to go to the south coast than to Galicia or the centre of the country (excluding Madrid). Among the most popular destinations in Spain is the Costa del Sol, with Malaga leading the way.
Marbella is also catering to the needs of the “digital nomads” who are flocking to it in droves. More and more coworking offices are opening here, and two of them stand out from the competition in terms of standard and style.
Centro House, or the premium coworking in Marbella
On the outskirts of Marbella, right next to the luxury marina of Puerto Banús, is Centro House. This state-of-the-art building was awarded the European Property Awards 2022-23 in the category of best office space in Spain. The coworking centre attracts ‘digital nomads’ and companies based in the area not only for its luxurious working conditions, but also for its swimming pool, wellness area and hotel rooms.
Centro House highlights the advantages of working remotely in a coworking space. It cites studies showing that 70% of people who work in a coworking model notice an improvement in their health, 68% have fewer concentration problems and 64% work more efficiently.
You will pay 39 euros for a one-time use of Centro House. A much cheaper option is to purchase unlimited monthly access, which costs 364 euros. Renting an office for two people costs more than €1,000 per month. Meeting room rentals start at 55 euros per hour.
Coworking at The Pool
Closer to the old town, in the El Capricho de El Corte Inglés shopping centre building, there is a coworking centre called The Pool, founded by a group of Scandinavian entrepreneurs. It is another such space in Marbella whose design is impressive. It has a minimalist style and the glass roof with its rounded domes is reminiscent of old train stations in European cities.
The creators of Pool highlight the advantages of the location they have chosen for their business. They point out that Marbella offers excellent infrastructure, a cosmopolitan and multicultural environment and a vibrant atmosphere. In addition, the city boasts exceptional gastronomy and relaxing beaches. Numerous sports are available here, including golf, sailing and water sports. The proximity of two airports – Malaga and Gibraltar – and nearby cities worth visiting, such as Granada and Cordoba, is also an important advantage.
For those not yet established in Spain, The Pool offers one-day coworking passes for 30 euros per day, as well as 5- and 10-day packages valid for one year from the date of purchase. Unlimited monthly access to a private desk (known as FixedDesk) at The Pool costs around 450 euros. It includes 24-hour access to the desktop, the possibility to receive mail and company registration.
For much less, 250 euros per month, you can access a coworking space. This gives you access to a coworking space from Monday to Friday between 9am and 8pm, with desks located in a dedicated room called FlexDesk, as well as access to an open space with plenty of natural light and adjustable standing desks, plus a 400 m2 private terrace equipped with Wi-Fi and furniture suitable for working.
They also offer meeting rooms that can be rented by the hour. The largest of these, the “Aquarium”, can accommodate up to 20 people in meeting room format.
Coworking in Malaga
The two coworking spaces mentioned above are premium offerings. A cheaper option is the centre next door to The Pool, which belongs to the international company Regus, a mogul in the world of coworking. There, access to a shared office space in the basic version costs less than 200 euros per month.
Regus also has a coworking centre in neighbouring Málaga (Málaga Regus Plaza de la Solidaridad). It is located near the main train station and the Larios shopping centre.
The office spaces of La Aduana Coworking are located in a particularly attractive area of Malaga. One of the centres is located in the old town, next to the cathedral. The company has a second branch in the maritime district of La Malagueta, close to the famous beach. Just as close to the sea, but in the artistic Soho district, is another popular coworking office: The Living Room Coworking.
These are just a few suggestions, and Malaga has plenty of places to sit at a desk in a shared space, confirming the huge interest of the Costa del Sol’s ‘digital nomads’. Visitors to the Spanish coast want to combine work with tourist values, so coworking centres tend to open in good locations.
