Creators

Amsterdam vs Barcelona for creators: lifestyle and tax compared

Updated: 6 October 2026 Holdwise editorial team

Barcelona has an easy pitch: beach, light, food, a digital-nomad visa and the well-known Beckham regime with its flat rate for newcomers. The fine print catches creators off guard. The regime was built for employees who relocate there, and a founder running an own company matches it awkwardly. At Holdwise, we keep this answer up to date and change it when the rules change.

Advantages of Barcelona

Quality of life for your money: sun, sea, good food and lower living costs than in Amsterdam.
The digital-nomad visa is simple compared with most countries.
A large international creator and startup community, EU membership included.

Advantages of Amsterdam

Founder match: the Beckham regime rewards salaried newcomers. Income from running your own business mostly falls outside it. Once the regime ends, Spanish progressive rates reach the high forties, with regional wealth taxes added on top in Catalonia. The Dutch structure treats founders as the main group it serves: 19% retained profit, the expat ruling for people who relocate here, and dividends paid out by choice.
Wealth tax: in Catalonia, you pay wealth tax every year on a growing investment portfolio. Inside a Dutch company, there is zero yearly wealth tax on the same portfolio.
Selling your business: the Dutch holding receives the proceeds of a sale tax free under the participation exemption. Spain has its own exit tax on large shareholdings.
Administration and banking in English, with fast processing.

A lower customary salary is allowed if comparable work pays less, or for up to three years while a new BV is still unable to pay the full salary. With this alone, you save money. You can also borrow up to €500,000 from your own BV (besloten vennootschap, a Dutch private limited company). The lower salary is what saves tax. At €36,000 in place of €58,000, you keep about €7,100 a year more. After a later dividend, about €2,800 of that remains. The loan gives you access to money, but your tax stays the same. Calculate it with your own figures.

The main factors

Creators who are employed by an agency or media company do well under the Beckham regime. For them, the beach is also a good reason to go. Founders with their own company, retained profit and plans to sell later pay more tax in Barcelona. In both cases, you pay tax where you live. See where your company is taxed.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Beckham law work for creators with their own company? +

Only awkwardly. The regime was built for employees who relocate there, and income from running your own business mostly falls outside it. Founders should plan around ordinary Spanish rates instead.

Is Barcelona cheaper than Amsterdam? +

Yes, for rent and daily life. You pay more in tax: wealth tax in Catalonia, regimes that suit founders poorly and a Spanish exit tax.

Which city suits which creator? +

Barcelona suits employed creators and early-stage creators who put quality of life first. Amsterdam suits founders who keep profit in the company, build a holding and want a tax-free sale later.