In their quest to tackle the depopulation crisis devastating Europe, local communities are getting creative. One such example is Oliete, a rural Spanish village aiming to attract digital nomads through its innovative “Adopt-an-Olive-Tree” program and cutting-edge coworking space.
For those unfamiliar with Oliete, this is a picturesque, landlocked village in Teruel, in the autonomous community of Aragón in northeastern Spain, located 64 miles (110 kilometers) south of Zaragoza.
The town is surrounded by striking mountainous landscapes, dotted with olive groves, pine forests, and the stunning Martín River Canyon—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Over the last few years, the community of Oliete has worked to preserve its ancient olive trees—many of them older than 1,000 years old—while also tackling depopulation by attracting digital nomads, remote workers and their children.
To achieve this, local authorities launched the “Adopt-an-Olive-Tree” initiative, which has gained international recognition for combining sustainability with community-driven rural development.
The intiative enabled people worldwide to sponsor or adopt an olive tree for just €60 a year. The program proved to be a massive success. The community raised €71,000, which they used to build a modern co-working space to attract digital nomads and remote workers, killing two birds with one stone.
Authorities also made a juicy contribution of €75,000 to support the project and hire 43 workers, giving it an even greater boost.

So far, remote workers from over 10 nationalities have visited Oliete to meet the olive trees they sponsor, enjoy a few days or an entire season surrounded by nature, or even relocate permanently, thanks to the village’s affordable cost of living and tranquil atmosphere.
“Property and the cost of living is very reasonable here. We come here most of the year and go to Ireland in the summer,” said Mark Rawdon in Euronews interview, an Irish ship captain who lives part-time within the village with his girlfriend.
Nowadays, the town has “about 8,000 sponsors,” according to Teresa Sancho, a local employee. “They’ve come from all over Europe, Britain and America. Most of them come and visit their trees.”
Each sponsor has the privilege of naming their tree and receiving up to two liters of olive oil per year for their generous contribution.
Oliete is also an ideal escape for residents of Barcelona seeking a calmer retreat, as it’s only a 3-hour drive from the Catalan capital.
Sandra Mairal, a Barcelona native, comes to Oliete to take a break from her demanding job in Catalonia.
“I just love the slower pace of life. You can just change your chip. I can work in the co-working place and look out across the village, which is always so much more peaceful,” she told reporters.
In Barcelona, you can get most things straight away. In this place, you might need to wait and learn patience, she concludes.
Thanks to the new arrivals, the town’s population of just 249 has increased by nearly 8%. The local school, once on the brink of closure, now has 27 kids, up from only three.
Other Towns Welcoming Digital Nomads in Spain

According to a recent report by the Autonomous University of Barcelona, 1,840 Spanish towns are about to disappear due to depopulation. This has prompted governments to introduce incentives to encourage digital nomads to move in and contribute to the revitalizations of these communities.
Some Spanish regions offering benefits to remote workers include:
Extremadura
This autonomous community is providing up to €15,000 to 200 digital nomads to relocate. To qualify, candidates must work in the tech sector and commit to living in the area for a minimum of two years.
Ponga, Asturias
This stunning community is offering up to €3,000 for families who relocate to Ponga. Those who decide to have children will receive €3,000 more for every child born in the town.
Aragón
Aragón is another region offering grants and tech support to help digital nomads start businesses within the community.
Other regions luring digital nomads include the Canary Islands, Rubí, Catalonia, Galicia and Andalusia.