Best Digital Nomad Destinations

Last Updated: 

July 18, 2024

 The digital nomad visa has become the best option to be able to telecommute in a country legally while working for foreign companies. Thus, this initiative was designed so that you can take your office anywhere in the world.

Thus, the application for the digital nomad visa Spain has skyrocketed since it was introduced in 2023 as part of the Startups Act. However, there are many destinations that are perfect for living a nomadic life and continuing to work at what you love. Stay to find out what they are!

Key Takeaways on the Best Digital Nomad Destinations

  1. Digital Nomad Visa: The digital nomad visa allows professionals to telecommute legally while residing in a foreign country, providing flexibility and the ability to explore new cultures.
  2. Experience New Cultures: Living abroad offers opportunities to experience different climates, cuisines, cultures, festivals, and points of interest, enriching both personal and professional lives.
  3. Schengen Area Benefits: With a digital nomad visa, you can travel freely across the Schengen Area, facilitating easier movement and exploration within Europe without additional visas.
  4. Internet Reliability: Essential for remote work, destinations like Germany offer excellent digital infrastructure with high internet speeds, ensuring smooth and efficient work performance.
  5. Cost of Living: Consider the affordability of accommodation, food, and transport. Countries like Portugal and Spain offer reasonable living costs, making them popular choices for digital nomads.
  6. Community and Networking: Choosing destinations with vibrant digital nomad communities and networking opportunities can enhance the experience. Cities like Lisbon and Berlin host numerous coworking spaces and events.
  7. Safety and Healthcare: Ensure your destination provides quality healthcare and a safe environment. This is crucial for personal well-being and addressing any potential emergencies.
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Why choose a nomad lifestyle?

Obtaining a digital nomad visa offers a number of benefits that go beyond the simple legality of residing in the country of your choice. This visa is designed to provide an enriching and efficient experience for professionals who telecommute remotely.

Living in a country other than your own will allow you to experience new climates, sample the country's cuisine, culture, festivals, and points of interest, and you will also be able to go to beach destinations such as Spain.

Another advantage of this visa is that you can travel freely through the countries of the Schengen Area, facilitating your movements around Europe without the need to obtain additional visas.

Factors to consider a destination

But before you make a decision and apply for your visa, you need to consider a few factors to choose the country that best suits your needs. Internet reliability

Internet reliability

Realise that you will be working remotely, so the Internet will be your best ally to get the job done quickly and without affecting your performance. Choose countries with a fast, high-quality internet network. In Germany, the digital infrastructure is excellent, with internet speeds ranging from 57 Mbps to 92 Mbps, available in public spaces and coworking areas.

Cost of living

Another thing to consider is the cost of living in the country, as each country has its own cost of living. You can find cheap and expensive destinations. But, that depends on your personal choice and what best suits your needs and salary.

However, it is essential to choose a destination where accommodation, food and transport are affordable, as this way you will be able to make the most of this experience.

Community and networking opportunities

What could be better than sharing an experience like this? So choose a destination popular with digital nomads. This experience is also great to share with someone else. Having access to a community of digital nomads and networking opportunities can enrich the experience of working from abroad.

Don't hesitate to investigate different coworking spaces and networking events in your destination.

Safety and healthcare

Personal safety and access to quality health services are vital. Make sure that your destination has quality public health care in case you ever have to go to a major emergency.

Top destinations for digital nomads in Europe

What are the most popular destinations for digital nomads, and which cities are ready to host them?

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has always topped the rankings of the most popular and easiest destinations for digital nomads. Lisbon has become a hotspot for digital nomads thanks to its pleasant climate, reasonable cost of living and vibrant cultural scene.

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Lisbon is approximately 43% lower than in New York. In addition, there are more than 40 coworking spaces and several events and meetups for digital nomads.

Berlin, Germany

Although the cost of living is higher than in other European destinations, the quality of life and career opportunities make up for this difference. According to statistics from Teleport.org, Berlin has an excellent internet network with average speeds of 50 Mbps, and has more than 80 coworking spaces. The city hosts networking events on an almost weekly basis, making it easy to make professional contacts.

Barcelona, Spain

Spain has been voted the best country in the world for digital nomads in 2024, taking the top spot from Portugal.

Cities such as Barcelona have proven themselves worthy of that position thanks to the city's technological advances and the facilities they provide for digital nomads.

According to the Coworker site, Barcelona has more than 100 coworking spaces, and the cost of living is approximately 35% lower than in cities like London.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn stands out for its innovative approach to remote work, offering special visas for digital nomads. The city has an advanced technological infrastructure, a relatively low cost of living and a growing international community.

In addition, the Estonian government offers an e-Residency that allows entrepreneurs to run an EU-based business online.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is a hidden gem in Europe for digital nomads, with a safe environment, affordable cost of living and easy access to nature. The city is small but offers everything you need for a comfortable and productive life.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, known for its stunning beauty and historical heritage, is becoming a popular destination for remote workers. The city offers a mix of tradition and modernity, with a growing community of digital nomads and a safe and welcoming environment. According to Numbeo data, the cost of living in Dubrovnik is 40% lower than in New York.

These destinations stand out for their infrastructure, cost of living, and vibrant communities, making Europe a very attractive continent for digital nomads.

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