Tony AdemiRemote work is becoming the new normal and after the global COVID-19 pandemic ended, many companies are starting to understand that work can be done from home just as efficiently as at the office.
Many countries worldwide have come to see the potential digital nomads have and how much they contribute to the economy. However, some countries are more committed to digital nomads than others.
That being said, in this article, you’ll find eight countries that are perfect to work from as a digital nomad.
Best platforms to book your travel as a digital nomad
Before we dive deeper into showing you more about the countries that are best for your travel as a remote worker include:
- TravelPerk: Allows you to book flights, hotels, trains, and car rentals all in one place.
- SAP Concur: Excellent choice for corporate travel and expense management.
- Navan: An AI-driven travel booking and expense automation platform that you can use at all times.
- Expensify: Offers travel and expense management in one tool.
It’s important to always choose the right platform for booking your travel as it does make a difference, especially in costs. Additionally, many digital nomads rely on freelance platforms and creative marketplaces to find remote work opportunities that can be done from anywhere in the world.
8 Top countries for digital nomads
There’s a lot of romanticizing the life of freelancing overseas, but making sure you’re picking the right country can be the difference between a great time and regretting leaving home.
1. Portugal
Portugal is a country located in western Europe, neighboring Spain. You’d be surprised, but it’s a favorite amongst many digital nomads worldwide. Compared to many Western countries, Portugal is much cheaper to live in and has a modern and excellent infrastructure.
During the summertime, Portugal has great weather that gives you the chance to go for a swim on its beaches. Undoubtedly, Portugal’s beaches are some of the best in the world and will give you memories you’ll never forget in your lifetime.
Cities like Porto and Lisbon are the most preferred areas for digital nomads since they have excellent internet connections and a welcoming community. You can even get an eSim card on your phone and have internet throughout Europe without any roaming charges.
Tip: Learn more about eSIM and how it can simplify your travels by keeping you connected wherever you are.
Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (D7 Visa) allows remote workers to stay up to one year and renew their visa each time. This is just the beginning, if you are planning on staying in Portugal longer, you can apply for the D8 visa, which is for the long term and can even grant you permanent residency if you stay in the country for five consecutive years.
Average living costs in Portugal can range anywhere between $1500 to $2500 monthly. This is a good average when you compare it to most Western countries and allows you to live a decent life.
2. Spain
Many people dream about going on vacation to Spain, but did you ever know that it’s one of the friendliest countries in the world for digital nomads? Spain is a country with history and an ideal place to go to for remote workers. It has a great climate, excellent culture, and a good living standard.
There are plenty of historical cities you can visit like Barcelona and Madrid, where you can pay a visit to the seaside during the summertime. Oh, let’s not forget about how good the weather is, and even in the wintertime, the climate is still great.
The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to live and work in Spain for up to one year and has a possibility of an extension. Similar to Portugal, if you stay in Spain for four to five consecutive years and learn the language to some degree, you even have a chance to get a permanent residency.
Average living costs in Spain range anywhere between $1500 to $3000 depending on the lifestyle you want to live.
3. Estonia
You’ve most likely come across hearing about the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia), but let’s face it, Estonia is a popular destination amongst digital nomads. It not only has an advanced digital infrastructure but has also had many nominated business entrepreneurs in the tech industry who have won prizes worldwide.
Estonia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and since then, it has developed much quicker than many other second world countries. Similar to Spain and Portugal, it also offers a Digital Nomad Visa for up to a year.
Keep in mind that Estonia has a cold climate so it’s an attractive destination for people who love cold weather. During winters, temperatures can reach up to -35 degrees Celsius!
Over the past years, Estonia’s living standards have increased, but you can expect your monthly costs to range anywhere between $1500 to $3000.
4. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an excellent place for those who love nature and want to enjoy it from a remote setting. It’s not only an attractive tourist destination, but also has many beautiful beaches, mountains, and a stable political climate that you can enjoy.
The interesting part about Costa Rica is that it offers a Digital Nomad Visa for up to two years. If you’re someone who is planning on changing countries from time to time, the good news is that you get to enjoy your time there for the next two years.
Costa Rica has somewhat similar monthly expenses to Spain and Portugal, ranging from anywhere between $1500 to $2500 monthly.
5. Georgia
If you are someone who wants to enjoy beauty every day you wake up and live in a country that has low expenses, Georgia is the right choice for you. Georgia has excellent landscapes to explore and offers a visa-free stay of up to one year for many nationalities.
Citizens of the 26 EU countries get to enjoy this, meaning they can stay and enjoy living in Georgia for up to one year, free of a visa.
The good side is that Georgia is fairly cheap compared to even all the countries we listed above. Your monthly expense range can go anywhere between $1200 to $2000.
6. Germany
Germany has one of the most powerful economies in the world and has always been a friendly country to foreigners and in this case, does the same for digital nomads. Germany welcomes people of any language, especially those who speak English.
There are many different nationalities living in Germany, and while there are so many places to visit, you have to also know that the standard of living is high, the public transport is excellent, and the country has a great startup ecosystem.
Unlike many other countries, Germany offers you a Freelance Visa for up to three years! However, you need to keep in mind that costs are much higher compared to the other countries we listed. Your monthly expenses can range anywhere between $2000 to $4000.
7. Thailand
Thailand’s warm climate, and established expat communities are a top choice for digital nomads. You’ve most likely heard of its popular cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai that offer fast internet, and many coworking spaces.
Thailand greatly differs from others and offers remote workers a Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa that lasts up to 10 years. If you want to stay less, you can apply for the Special Tourist Visa (STV) that still allows you to stay up to 9 months.
The cost of living in Thailand is relatively low, and you can pass by anywhere between $700 to $1800 per month.
8. Indonesia (Bali)
Bali remains an excellent place for digital nomads, thanks to its affordable living costs, attractive tropical lifestyle, and popular coworking culture. The most recent statistics released showcased that Bali had around 5000 digital nomads living there.
The Bali Digital Nomad Visa offers a 5-year stay for remote workers. This makes it even more possible for remote workers to acquire a permanent residency if they choose to continue living there.
Compared to many other countries across the world, Bali is one of the cheapest. You can live an excellent life with a monthly salary of $800 to $2000 monthly. If you’ve been dreaming of living a luxury lifestyle, you can definitely do so in this place.
The world is becoming more connected than ever for digital nomads
The rise of remote work has made it easier than ever for digital nomads to live and work from almost anywhere in the world. Whether you’re looking for affordability, high-speed internet, vibrant coworking spaces, or even to live a luxurious life, these countries will help you do so.
Each country you visit has a different culture and vibe, and that’s the beauty of it all. Life is too short to not enjoy it and this is your chance to do so.
Vicky
