Best places in Europe for digital nomads
){kind=small}
Nadia Dardón
Freelance writer
Last update
)
Best places in Europe for digital nomads
Europe has long been a haven for digital nomads and tourists alike. There are centuries of rich culture and history, great food, and affordable prices. For digital nomads, Europe provides the amenities and comforts of home while still experiencing an entirely new culture. Some places in Europe are better suited for digital nomads than others. So, if you’re a digital nomad interested in moving there, we’ve rounded up the best places in Europe for digital nomads to help you choose the best destination.
We used the following factors to put together this list:
Availability of a digital nomad visa: Arguably, one of the most important factors in determining whether or not a location is suitable for nomads is the availability of a visa. Each digital nomad has its preference, but generally, settling down somewhere for a few months before moving on to the next location is nice. Digital nomad visas allow remote workers longer stays than regular tourist visas.
Cost of living: There are cities in Europe with quite a high cost of living, but there are also plenty of cities where living is quite affordable. The cost of living can change over time and throughout the year, depending on the season.
Nomadic Community: An important way to not feel lonely while on the road is to find the local nomadic community at each destination. Although almost any city is likely to have some nomads, you might prefer going somewhere where the scene is thriving.
Internet: As digital nomads, we must have reliable and fast internet to do our jobs. Some remote workers still have to log in to their job time zones, while others just need the internet to get work done on their own schedule. Whatever the case, reliable internet is crucial.
Access to amenities: Each nomad has their preference of what kinds of amenities they are looking for. Some people want numerous coworking spaces, cafes, gyms, great food, easy day trips, or warm weather.
We love every moment spent in Europe, and we know you will too, which is why we have put together this list of the best places in Europe for digital nomads.
Croatia
First on our list is Croatia, which is across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. Most people go to Croatia for the beaches in Dubrovnik or Split, but the capital city of Zagreb is also a popular digital nomad destination. Luckily for you, Croatia has a relatively new Digital Nomad Residence Permit that allows remote workers to stay for six months to a year, with the option to renew when it expires. It’s important to note that Croatia is not currently in the Schengen Zone, so this visa will not grant you access to unlimited travel within the zone. You do not get charged income tax, so this is a great visa for those wanting to enjoy the country’s beautiful weather and culture without becoming a tax resident.
Where will your next adventure lead you?
Complete a short quiz to know all your options!
Hungary
Bordering Croatia is Hungary, another great option for digital nomads wanting to spend time in Eastern Europe. Hungary has a fantastic digital nomad visa known as the White Card Visa, tailored to people that want to stay in Hungary for a year while working for a company outside of Hungary. Budapest is Hungary’s hub for digital nomads, with tons of quality co-working spaces and cafes catering to nomads. There are also many nomad events around the city, so it will be easy for you to find a community.
Portugal
Another beautiful country with a rich culture and affordable cost of living in Portugal. The country has long been a hotspot for digital nomads, not only because of their visas but because of the affordable and luxurious lifestyle. Lisbon frequently tops the list of the best cities in the entire world for digital nomads. The country is very laid back, the people are friendly, and your money goes a long way. Accommodation can get pricey depending on the time of the year, but food and drinks are very reasonable. If you want to live in Portugal for a year or more, you are lucky – they offer an entrepreneur visa for those with location-independent income.
Greece
If you dream of having your own Mama Mia life, head to Greece. Widely known for world-class beaches and great food, Greece is an excellent option for freelancers and remote workers to spend so much needed time in the sun. A relatively new digital nomad visa entering Grecian territory allows remote workers to live and work for companies or clients outside of Greece for up to 12 months. The best part is that they have fast-tracked the process – you will hear back within 10 days if approved. Many nomads find themselves in Athens since it’s the biggest city, but the beautiful Greek islands also attract many nomads. Check out Crete, Rhodes, and Mykonos.
Where will your next adventure lead you?
Complete a short quiz to know all your options!
Germany
Arguably the best-situated country in Europe for visiting other countries, Germany. It’s a central hub that makes accessing other countries around Europe easy. The culture in Germany is unlike anywhere else. Germany is perfect for you if you love football and beer and have tons to do. If you’re a freelancer, you can take advantage of Germany’s freelance visa, which allows you to stay and work remotely in the country for up to a year. You’ll need to qualify as a freelancer under German tax law, which you can learn here and include careers like accountants, translators, writers, and engineers. It takes about five weeks to get approval for the visa, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time before booking your flight.
Malta
Malta is a small country in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and Northern Africa. The country features fantastic weather and lots of outdoor activities, but you can expect North American cost of living, so it is a little less common for digital nomads to spend extended time here. If it is within your budget, you will not regret spending a few months in the beautiful country. They now have a digital nomad visa where you can stay for up to one year as long as you meet the minimum income requirement of at least €2,700.
Estonia
Estonia borders Russia and Latvia, just across the Baltic Sea from Finland. It is one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world, so you will not have to worry about internet access while visiting. The digital nomad visa allows you to stay in the country for up to a year. You get a decision in just 30 days, which is not surprising for a country that is so technologically advanced. The cost of living is about 25% lower than in the United States, so Estonia is a great option for those exploring Eastern Europe. They have low tax opportunities for non-resident businesses, meaning that many residents choose to register their businesses in Estonia.
Where will your next adventure lead you?
Complete a short quiz to know all your options!
Czech Republic
Tucked in the middle of Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia is the Czech Republic, also known as Czechia. The visa is not the easiest to get, but it is definitely worth the trouble, as spending a year in the Czech Republic is time well spent. Prague is one of the best areas for digital nomads because of its affordability and public transportation. The country is extremely rich in culture, including Prague. Depending on the season, you can find all sorts of hikes or other outdoor activities to enjoy. The visa requires physical submission of your documents and an interview, so you must visit your local Czech Republic consulate to do this.
Romania
On the other side of Hungary is Romania. One of the newest digital nomad visas has been launched in Romania, which allows remote workers to live in the country for up to 12 months, with the option to extend another 12. The cost of living is low, and the desire to get nomads into the country is high, meaning there are many perks to going. Romania has recently ranked 3rd of the most desirable countries for digital nomads, so you will easily find your community while staying.
Iceland
Although the cost of living in Iceland is relatively high compared to other countries on this list, they have a great digital nomad visa. Although Iceland is outside of continental Europe, it is still part of the Schengen Zone, so your visa will give you access to the rest of the zone, which is a plus. Applicants and families can stay in Iceland for up to 180 days with the digital nomad visa, which is plenty of time to explore the gorgeous surroundings.
Best places in Europe for digital nomads
You cannot go wrong no matter where you choose to spend time in Europe. You will find many different languages, cultures, and experiences throughout the continent. It all comes down to personal preference and which features of a country you are looking for. The digital nomad visa options available in the country vary; some are easier to obtain than others. If you are struggling to choose a location to stay, put your details into our visa wizard to see which digital nomad visas you qualify for.
Author
Nadia Dardón is a freelance writer from Guatemala. In early 2022 she embarked as a digital nomad, traveling through Europe, focusing mostly on the literary history of each country. She has worked fully remotely for the past four years as a reader, writer, and content creator with experience creating pieces for different industries. She also has a personal blog where she writes about her cultural and literary travels.
