A growing number of people in the workforce are opting for a digital nomad lifestyle rather than working in an office. However, which are the top locations at the moment for digital nomad living? The most hospitable locations for digital nomads are highlighted in a thorough 65-country ranking developed by a recent report from Global Intelligence. The advantages and difficulties of living and working in varied cultures and negotiating various immigration and tax regulatory systems are highlighted by this study.
There are twelve factors in this index that take into account Visa Costs, Visa Benefits, Quality of Life, Economic Environment, and Tech and Innovation. An analysis was conducted utilizing data from academic articles, industry expert views, and publically available sources to determine the impact and significance of the indicators on the decision-making processes of digital nomads.
Someone who travels frequently and typically doesn’t have a permanent residence is called a nomad. A modern version on this would be someone who works remotely and travels frequently, thus a digital nomad.
To reside abroad, you are no longer required to be an expat employed by a foreign corporation. The notion that you have to reside in the same nation as your client or company has been completely disproven by digital nomads. They work remotely, carrying their work with them and accessing it from any location using WiFi.
These are the top 10 locations in the world right now to live as a digital nomad, based on this strict methodology.
- Spain
Spain leads the list with a score of 89.12, thanks to its attractive visa policies, high quality of life, and vibrant tech scene. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid offer a blend of modern infrastructure, rich cultural experiences, and a dynamic community of digital nomads. However, as we recently reported, Spain is getting fed up with the number of digital nomads, so you may want to take this into account when deciding where to stay as a digital nomad. The country’s digital nomad visa provides long-term stay options with access to public services.
- Netherlands
With a score of 86.26, the Netherlands is renowned for its excellent quality of life, robust economic environment, and strong tech infrastructure. Amsterdam, in particular, is a hub for innovation and offers numerous coworking spaces, making it ideal for digital nomads. The cold, rainy weather, however, may not be so ideal.
- Norway
Norway scores 86.20, praised for its high standard of living, stunning natural landscapes, and progressive policies. Oslo offers a thriving tech scene, while the country’s commitment to digital innovation makes it a great place for remote work. On the other hand, Norway’s cost of living is quite high, so it’s worth considering whether getting access to Norway’s incredible nature is worth the extra costs.
- Estonia
With a score of 85.77, Estonia is a pioneer in digital nomadism with its digital nomad visa and e-residency program. This allows digital nomads to manage their businesses online with ease and makes it a top choice for those looking to live in a society on the cutting edge of digital nomad policy.
- Romania
Romania, with a score of 84.89, offers an affordable cost of living, a growing tech sector, and an inviting atmosphere for digital nomads. Cities like Bucharest are becoming increasingly popular for their growing tech communities combined with access to modern amenities. Add in the recent addition of Romania to the Schengen Zone, and it becomes an even more intriguing place to set up your digital nomad home.
- Malta
Scoring 84.48, Malta is known for its sunny climate, English-speaking population, and favorable tax breaks. The island nation’s welcoming environment and high quality of life make it a perfect destination for digital nomads looking for a balance between work and leisure.
- Portugal
Portugal, with a score of 84.07, continues to attract digital nomads with its affordable living costs, warm climate, and dynamic expat community. Lisbon, in particular, is a hotspot for its vibrant tech scene and excellent coworking spaces. Like Spain, Portugal has recently protested against the increase in digital nomads due to the rise in the cost of accommodation in Lisbon and Porto. Living in Portugal is not as cheap as the media would lead you to believe. Take this into consideration when looking into the country.
- Canada
Canada scored 83.65, offering a high quality of life, diverse cities, and a strong economic environment. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver are popular among digital nomads for their excellent infrastructure and multicultural vibe. Like Norway, Canada’s cost of living is higher than many other countries on this list, but the access to the nature may be worth it.
- Hungary
With a score of 83.61, Hungary combines affordability with a rich cultural heritage. Budapest is particularly appealing for digital nomads, providing a mix of historical charm and modern conveniences, along with a thriving community of remote workers. Hungarian is notoriously hard to learn, but luckily English is widely spoken in the bigger cities and among the younger generation.
- France
France rounds out the top ten with a score of 83.17. Known for its quality of life, cultural richness, and robust infrastructure, cities like Paris and Lyon offer plenty of coworking spaces and networking opportunities for digital nomads. Just be prepared to speak French to get by in the smaller, more rural cities
Factors to Consider When Choosing a City
What, therefore, truly qualifies a city for a digital nomad? Globally, there are several cities that are ideal for remote workers. But what aspects, if you’re new to the game, need to you take into account before deciding which place to work from as your base for being a digital nomad?
Read Also: How to be A Digital Nomad in 7 Steps
We have put together a list of items to think about when making your decision. You might not give a damn about some of these factors, while you might find others to be more significant. Based on your interests and priorities, make a choice.
Cost of living and affordability
Your income and your budget will be huge factors when it comes to deciding where to live. Digital nomads are often attracted to places with a low cost of living because even if you’re on a modest income, it allows you the opportunity to grow your business without spending much on living expenses.
Consider your lifestyle and expenses to get an idea of your ongoing costs. Ultimately, you may want to pick a city where you can live your ideal lifestyle comfortably without blowing the budget every month.
Check out the information on Nomad List or Numbeo as a starting point for your research. Asking in city-specific or digital nomad Facebook groups or Reddit threads can also be helpful.
Reliable internet
It goes without saying that you must have fast and reliable internet wherever you choose to set up base as a digital nomad. If a country or a place is known to have poor internet speeds, then don’t even consider it. You don’t want to get there and not be able to work. It’s awful for business, and if you get cranky like me when the internet goes down, it’s also bad for your personal well-being!
Thankfully, it eventually returned to its usual high speeds, and we had no issues for the rest of our time there. But it was certainly a unique reason for the internet to be down!
Visa regulations
Look up your visa options for the country you plan to head to. For example, a 14-day visa for one country may be too limiting to set up base whereas a generous six-month allowance may be much more inviting.
Many countries now also offer digital nomad visas, designed to provide digital nomads with residency permits. These permits vary and can offer stays from 90 days to a year. Visa regulations vary depending on what passport you hold and what country you’re heading to, so do your research before you book any flights.
Availability of accommodation
The availability of affordable, comfortable, and often short-term accommodations is a huge factor in choosing a place to live. In popular digital nomad cities like Chiang Mai, for example, finding accommodations is significantly easier, and there’s often something to suit every budget and need.
Some destinations also offer co-living spaces; these shared living and working spaces can be a great way to get acquainted with a new city while meeting other digital nomads and expats. Selina offers a co-living program for digital nomads in various locations worldwide.
Places to work from
Working from home is great but can also make meeting people difficult and feeling lonely all too easy—especially if you’re in a new city alone. If a city has excellent coworking spaces or Wi-Fi-enabled cafes, it’s a great bonus. Working from these spaces can help with productivity and focus. They can also be a great place to meet people and make connections.
Social life and community
Cities that have an active expat community are a good choice. It can be a great way to make friends if you’re struggling to meet or connect with locals.
Coworking spaces can be useful for connecting with the digital nomad community in the city. Also check out city-specific digital nomad Facebook groups, Facebook events, and Meetup groups, and participate in language exchanges or other local events for more opportunities.
Overall quality of life
Finally, consider the overall quality of life you’ll be able to have at this location and if it matches your expectations. This can be highly subjective and your priorities may be completely different to other nomads’. Remember, you’re not on vacation and if you’re planning to stay a few months, certain things may be important to you.
Other factors to consider could include the climate, nightlife, healthcare, whether you prefer a cityscape or an ocean view, the arts and culture scene, and anything else that may seem essential to you.
Tips for the Nomadic Lifestyle
Have a source of income before you go
The digital nomad lifestyle sounds fun—and it is—but it’s also work. My advice is to get your remote-work ducks in line before you head abroad. If you’re a freelancer, make sure you have some clients before you leave. If you’re selling something online, have a sales pipeline in place. This will be much less stressful than trying to get something up and running while you chew through your savings abroad.
Do your research
It goes without saying, but don’t just head out into your digital nomad journey without doing any research. Read blogs, research on social media and join local groups to find out everything you need to know about basic logistics such as visa, accommodation, coworking spaces and other local regulations that may be relevant. You’re likely to have a much better experience at your new destination if you arrive informed, not ignorant.
Travel slow
The digital nomad life is about traveling but it isn’t a vacation. Base yourself in a place for a while instead of trying to jump around between cities too often. Slow travel will allow you to get to know a place well, make some friends locally, and most importantly, get productive work done.
Immerse yourself in community
If you’re choosing to go to a digital nomad hotspot, make sure you take advantage of that by actually meeting people like you. If the opportunity presents itself, also make an effort to get to know locals as there’s no better way to understand a culture. Immersing yourself in a local community will make you feel less lonely when you live abroad. Plus, making friends while abroad is one of the best things about travel.
Don’t forget to have fun
Finally, don’t forget why you’re doing this—to travel, see the world and experience other cultures. Don’t get so immersed in work that you forget to do that.
Conclusion
Being a digital nomad and being able to work from anywhere is an exciting way of life that gives you the chance to travel and see different cultures and cities. The globe is your office, whether you’re drawn to the energetic streets of Medellín, the peace and quiet of Chiang Mai, or the classic European elegance of Lisbon. You can start an enriching adventure in the top cities for digital nomads, balancing work, exploration, and personal growth, with the correct preparation, tools, and mindset.
