7 Essential Things We Did Before Leaving the Philippines As Digital Nomads

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We Booked an Airbnb.

If you don’t have anyone in Spain to temporarily host you — like us — it’s important to secure short-term accommodation while you search for a long-term apartment.

Bought an eSim Data Plan.

One of the smartest decisions we made: buying an eSIM from Airalo before we arrived in Spain. The moment we landed, we had data—no hunting for SIM cards, no stress. Get an additional 15% discount for new customer here. For existing customers, get an additional 10% discount here.

Perfect for Google Maps, booking Ubers, and updating family right away!

Subscribed to a Reliable VPN.

Public Wi-Fi is everywhere in Spain — airports, co-working spaces, even some cafes — but we never connect without a VPN. We’ve been using NordVPN to protect our data, access Philippine sites, and even stream local shows abroad. Get 73% off here. Try also NordPass.

This is optional but highly recommended before you even leave the country!

Created a Wise Account.

Banking abroad can be tricky, but Wise saved us. We transferred pesos to euros with real exchange rates (no hidden fees) and got our digital Wise card ready before the flight. Get a free card here.

We use it to pay for out rent!

Created a Digital Copies of our Documents.

Aside from our printed copies, we scanned and backed up everything—passports, visa approval, insurance, flight bookings—on Google Drive and an external hard drive. Having access to these files anywhere gave us peace of mind.

Joined Online Communities.

We joined Facebook groups and Reddit threads for Filipinos in Spain and digital nomad communities.

Learned some Basic Spanish.

We’re not fluent (yet!) but learning essential Spanish phrases helped us settle in faster. Even just greetings, asking for directions, and ordering food made a difference. Tools like Duolingo and YouTube helped a lot.

Dreaming of Moving to Spain?
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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.