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Spain

NEW DIGITAL NOMAD VISA TO ENTER IN PLACE ON AUGUST 1ST

A digital nomad, in the Canary Islands

The Spanish Government has announced the creation of a new type of visa for digital nomads, which will allow freelancers and remote workers from nations with no free movement agreements with Spain to live and work in the country for up to five years, starting August 1st, using exclusively computer telematics and telecommunication media and systems; making it the first country of the European Union to have these types of visas available. According to Minister of Industry, Trade, Tourism and Energy, Thierry Breton; the introduction of this new type of visa will make Spain one of the "most attractive destinations" for nomads.

To apply for this type of visa, interested individuals shall submit their application at their nearest Spanish embassy or consulate. The first step to be able to request this visa is showing that the work you do can be done remotely and working for a company that has been in business for at least one year. When it comes to self-employed citizens willing to become digital nomads in Spain, they have to show that you are well-established and have a steady stream of clients. In addition, they can work with Spain-based companies as long as it doesn't make up more than 20% of your overall workload. The Spanish Government has set other requirements for these nomads, such as holding a bachelor's or master's degree from a legitimate university, college, or business school, or have at least three years of relevant work experience in their current professional field; being financially stable (with an income of 2,280€ per month or 30,840€ per year) and having a clean criminal record. The application fee is 80€ and if they are approved, nomads will have to apply for their NIF and NIE. Taxation for these nomads is also attractive: these non-residents will be subject to a 24% tax rate, applicable up to 600,000€ per year, with any earning above this amount being taxed at a 48%.

Many regions are already expecting a growth in their foreign residents stats, specially the well-known Spanish tourist hotspots, like Andalucía, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands; or some quieter places, like the Spanish Micronesia, Puerto Rico or the islands that belong to Portugalia. In San Juan (Puerto Rico), citizens are not concerned about the arrival of these wealthy workers: «if their arrival contributes to the well-being of our island, and to tackle down housing prices while improving our public services, we will welcome them with open hands», said Juliana, a 30-year old woman with a child. In the Spanish Micronesia, where space is severely limited, the hotels are expected to receive the bigger influx of digital nomads: «we are eager to see if this new visas bring some more dynamism to the local economy, while having higher incomes», says Asou, the owner of a little hostel in the main island of the region.

Spain

BREAKING - MÁLAGA TO HOST EUROVOICE 46

The Andalusian city will host this 'Christmasy' edition

The mystery has been solved. Málaga, located in Andalucía, will host the 46th edition of the EuroVoice Song Contest, after the decision of the European Union Broadcasting Corporation of removing Ineland from hosting and holding the contest, due to inactivity on the preparations that the competition requires. Radio Televisión Española was the selected broadcaster after an internal discussion, with the offer being presented solely to the nation that had been selected by the EUBC, following some strict requirements.

Despite not being one of the typical winter cities -the closest snow resort is 140km away from Málaga, in Sierra Nevada (Granada)-, Málaga has been selected as the host city for its very well known Christmas atmosphere, congregating around 1,200,000 visitors during Christmas. The lights installed around the city, especially those located in the central Calle Larios, atract loads of people from around Spain and Europe, searching not only for good weather, but also for an atmosphere hardly found anywhere else. According to the Mayor of Málaga, Francisco de la Torre, visiting Málaga in Christmas is "a unique experience nobody should miss".

The Palacio de los Deportes Martín Carpena, located in the outskirts of the city, and well-connected with the city centre through buses and underground, has been the elected facility. The venue has a capacity of 11,000 people, and currently serves as the home stadium of the local basketball team, Unicaja de Málaga. During past years, the Martín Carpena has held many prestigious events, including the tennis Davis Cup, which came to an end last weekend.

Spain

THE PALACIO DE LOS DEPORTES MARTÍN CARPENA, READY FOR EUROVOICE 46

The stage for the 46th Edition of the EuroVoice Song Contest is ready

Radio Televisión Española has released the first pictures of the 46th Edition of the EuroVoice Song Contest this afternoon alongisde the European Union Broadcasting Corporation. The Palacio de los Deportes Martín Carpena is now a step closer to hosting the song contest, that will take place in Málaga between the 26th and 30th of December. According to sources of the public broadcaster, seven contestants have already confirmed their presence in Málaga, where everything is getting ready and hotels are close to being fully booked for those dates.

The stage has been designed by a stage design studio from Granada, with the aim of reflecting Málaga's essence into the stage, with a Christmas touch. Aurora Domínguez has been in charge of supervising the construction of the stage in the Martín Carpena, and has explained to us why the design has been so important for her studio: «We wanted to make the Palacio de los Deportes look Christmasy, but also to show Europe what Málaga and Andalucía are truly like. There will not be another chance like this for our region to advertise, and the whole thing starts with the stage, which is based on Málaga's Cathedral, moorish architechture in Andalucía and also our Catholic heritage, represented in the polar star over the stage».

María Eizgarre, the Communications Director of Radiotelevisión Española, has also been asked about the hosts and the interval acts that will take place in EuroVoice 46: «I cannot reveal any details yet, my friends, but I can assure you there will be a huge shock when their names are revealed. There are a lot of surprises incoming, and everything I can tell you is that the Martín Carpena will not be the only facility where EuroVoice will take place». Some Eurofans are still trying to decript this statement, with some guessing that the city will have a main role in the celebration of this 46th Edition.

Spain

BREAKING - LUIS MIGUEL AND KELLY CLARKSON NAMED AS HOSTS OF EV46; INTERVAL ACTS REVEALED

Kelly Clarkson and Luis Miguel will be the hosts of the 46th Edition of the EuroVoice Song Contest

There has been, indeed, a great shock, just like the RTVE Communications Director, María Eizgarre, predicted when making a statement about the hosts and the interval acts. Radiotelevisión Española has recently announced that the famous and globally-known Luis Miguel, and one of the faces of Christmas' soundtracks of the 21st Century, Kelly Clarkson; will share the stage of EuroVoice 46 and present the Grand Final, which will take place 26th and 30th of December. The announcement has taken place after voting for this edition of the contest has opened.

Both Clarkson and Luis Miguel have been interviewed by Radiotelevisión Española this morning, prior to the press conference that has taken place in the Palacio de los Deportes Martín Carpena. Luis Miguel has confessed this is the "biggest challenged he has faced" in his entire career: «many could say that singing in front of thousands prepares you for things like this, but the truth is they do not. In this case, millions will be watching, not only on the arena but also abroad; and Kelly and I both want to provide the best entertainment as possible. We have some surprises prepared and I think everyone will have a good time». Kelly Clarkson told the press something about the surprises: «All I can say is that we have a costume change and that something really funny will happen, and that we have to reherse a lot. We hope that nobody is spoiled by the indoor rehersal videos!»

Michael Bublé, Benson Boone, Pablo Alborán and Malmö 040 will be the artists performing in the interval acts

Concerning the interval acts, four artists will take the stage of EuroVoice 46 and perform: Michael Bublé, Benson Boone, Pablo Alborán and Malmö 040. María Eizgarre has confirmed that only Boone's performance will take place on the Martín Carpena, while the others will perform from different sites around Málaga: «We want to show the atmosphere and the magic of Málaga during Christmas and how lovely the nights here are, and we have chosen three different places around the city to share it with the rest of Europe. Pablo's performance will be very special, that is all I can say right now».

In Málaga, people remain excited and some's excitement has grown after the announcement of the hosts and the interval acts. Julia Garrido has been an Eurofan for 10 years, since she was 15, and is a huge fan of Pablo Alborán. She has been able to get tickets for the special rehersal of Pablo Alborán in the secret spot where his performance will take place: «I am so excited that I will be able to watch Pablo Alborán rehersing live, but I do not know where the performance will happen yet! I am nervous, and I cannot wait for the contest to actually begin!»