This article is in partnership with Day Translations.

CNBC reported that Spain has introduced a new initiative to lure digital nomads and remote workers. What’s not to like?

$17,000 Up for Grabs

“Free” money is a great incentive to move to a new country and, let’s face it, it doesn’t take a lot of convincing to pack your bags and move to Spain. The advertised sum of $17,000 or 15,000 euro in your pocket is not to be sniffed at, plus in Spain this amount of money can potentially give you good buying power. Not everybody will get the full amount as the funds are allocated according specific criteria listed by the government.

Here are a few more details about this enticing opportunity to relocate.

First of all, not all digital nomads and remote workers are eligible to apply. The requirement is that you need to be specialised in the tech industry.

The other main requirement that you need to meet as a digital nomad or remote worker is that you must be willing to relocate in a rural area of Spain.

The local government in Extremadura is planning to revive the region and attract more people to live and work there.

The target is to get 200 digital nomads and remote workers to come to Extremadura, one of the least populated regions in Spain. The budget for this initiative is 2 million euro.

Jumping Through Hoops

Like most things in life that promise “free” money, you need to jump through some hoops in order to receive the cash.

The sum on offer from the Extremadura local government is a grant and there are some restrictions on how to use the money. The grant is only applicable to housing and land.

Then, the applicant must not have lived in Extremadura, at least not in the previous six months from applying for the grant. The applicant must also be a legal resident in Spain, which rules out many foreign workers who haven’t lived in Spain before. Before you can event think about applying for the grant you must regularise your position as a foreign resident, getting all your paperwork ready.

Finally, applicants must commit to stay in Extremadura for at least two years and keep working while living there.

What Are the Benefits of Moving to Extremadura for Digital Nomads?

If the thought of moving to a rural area is not appealing at first if, say, you are an urbanite who thrives on convenience and a constant supply of caffeine on tap, then there are some positive factors to consider.

The most important thing to bear in mind about Extremadura is that the cost of living is far lower than in the rest of Spain, particularly compared to the capital city Madrid. It has been reported that housing and public transport is approximately 30% cheaper than average.

The Economy Minister also highlighted that this part of Spain boasts amazing landscapes and high quality restaurants, which would cater well for international visitors.