`Laptop squatters`: Cafes in Europe are fed up with space-hogging digital nomads

2024-05-16 -

Some cafes have banned laptops completely while others charge an hourly rate for the privilege of using them. One of the perks of being a digital nomad is swapping a dreary office for a rotation of trendy cafes in destinations around the world. But in some places in Spain, remote workers and their laptops are becoming undesirable customers. Bars and cafes in Valencia, Santiago and Barcelona are cracking down on digital nomads who overstay their welcome. Owners say teleworkers hog tables for hours, sometimes for the price of a single coffee

Fed up, they are now taking action. And they are not the only ones in Europe. Coffee shops and snack bars from Paris to Berlin have already established rules for so-called `laptop squatters`. Cafes in Spain crack down on remote working Remote working continues to be a popular lifestyle choice, encouraged by the increasing list of digital nomad visa and accommodation schemes. With plenty of sunshine, reasonable prices and culture-rich cities, Spain is a top choice for digital nomads. But their way of working is not always compatible with a destination`s lifestyle