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According to an article published by Bloomberg, while opportunities for flexible working are shrinking with the “return to the office” movement, the number of places you can work as a digital nomad is growing thanks to the proliferation of digital nomad visas as similar visas that welcome remote workers.
This article came in response to a new report from Global Citizen Solutions released on July 25 reviewing the prospects for digital nomads in 65 countries. They rated countries based on the following five factors:
- Visa costs: including application costs and income requirements.
- Visa benefits: including duration, extension possibility, and path to citizenship.
- Quality of life: including healthcare, security, pollution, and climate.
- Economics: including cost of living, tax optimization, and coworking desk price.
- Technology/Innovation: including programs designed to support remote working, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation.
As a result of this report, Global Citizen Solutions ranked the countries and came up with recommendations for what different regions of the world could be doing to better attract and serve digital nomads. Let’s deep dive into some of the results.
Top 12 Countries for Digital Nomads
The report came up with a list of the 15 best countries for digital nomads, 12 of which are in Europe. This is perhaps not a big surprise since they have some of the more mature schemes and boast good infrastructure while being more affordable than countries such as the United States.
#1 Spain
It will probably come as no surprise that Spain topped the list, as we have previously suggested that they have one of the best digital nomad visas. The minimum income requirement is low, at less than USD2,300 per month, the cost of living is affordable, and the country and climate are beautiful. There are also benefits such as no tax on foreign-earned income and a clear pathway to citizenship. The country also boasts high-speed internet and new government programs that aim to boost the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
#2 Netherlands & #3 Norway
The Netherlands and Norway came in at number two and three respectively, despite not having specific visas for digital nomads. This is because of the high quality of life and the excellent ecosystem for entrepreneurs and innovators. However, they have relatively high costs of living, which means that life there is only accessible to a select group.
#4 Estonia
Estonia distinguished itself not only because of its accessible digital nomad visa but also because of substantial government investment to make it a digital-first nation. You can apply for the one-year visa if your warn a minimum of EUR4,500 per month, and can reapply each year.
#5 Romania
Romania also combines an affordable cost of living, with an ecosystem ripe to support innovation, and an accessible digital nomad visa, which now provides a gateway to the rest of the Schengen area. The minimum income for the visa is just over EUR1,500 per month.
#6 Malta
The small island nation of Malta offers the Mediterranean experience without the intensity of Italy and Greece. Plus, the digital nomad visa is accessible, with a minimum income requirement of around EUR2,700 per month.
#7 Portugal
Portugal is another country that is regularly on the top of the list of the best countries for digital nomads. It mixes ideal weather, the high quality of life common in Western Europe, and a more affordable cost of living. The biggest problem with Portugal is that it has become too popular and there has been some pushback against over-tourism.
#8 Canada
Canada has made its way onto the list now that it has made it easier for digital and technology workers to move to Canada both to work remotely and look for work. Canada also enjoys a high quality of life but is more affordable than its southern neighbor (the USA). It is mostly the cold winters and the relatively high cost of living that keeps Canada off the radar for many digital nomads.
#9 Hungary
Like neighboring Romania, Hungary offers the European experience with a more affordable cost of living than some of the wealthier European countries (like the next two on this list). The required monthly income to access a renewable on-year visa is just EUR2,000 per month.
#10 France & #11 Germany
Like the Netherlands and Norway, France and Germany are on the list because they offer a very high standard of living and plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs to thrive. But, with a relatively high cost of living and no digital nomad visa, they are less accessible than other countries. But remote workers can find options if they think creatively, for example looking at France’s Passeport Talent.
#12 Taiwan
Taiwan has had options for high-value workers who want to live in the country for years but is set to become an even more popular option with the imminent launch of a digital nomad visa that will let high-earning foreigners stay for up to three years. Taiwan promises to be a popular alternative Asian destination to Hong Kong.
Regional Assessment
The report also gives assessments of different regions of the world to assess what they are doing right, and what changes could make them more attractive destinations for digital nomads.
Europe
Europe seems to be doing a lot right. Most countries (with the exclusion of outliers like Iceland) have set minimum income levels high enough that digital nomads will be able to live comfortably, but not so high as to exclude most mid-level professionals. European countries also tend to be well-developed, safe countries with good infrastructure for technology, and services such as health care, and with a more affordable cost of living than comparable countries such as the United States and Australia. The countries with the most affordable costs of living, such as Spain and Portugal in the West and Romania and Hungary in the East, are the most popular.
The report recommends that countries pay more attention to their tax arrangements for remote workers, which may be preventing some workers from staying for more than six months. They also suggest making a clearer path to citizenship for productive remote workers who are interested in that option. Considering the high number of digital nomads heading to Europe, and the pushback that has been evident in some countries, they also recommend programs to help digital nomad better integrate into and support local communities.
Americas
The Americas is a story of three parts. The United States and Canada represent desirable countries for long-term immigration, but tough choices for remote workers and digital nomads due to the high cost of living. The United States still has not opened up any specific pathways for digital nomads. Meanwhile, Canada has opened its doors and has made sure that visiting remote workers have the right to look for work in Canada and transfer to a work visa, which is what many interested digital nomads want.
Caribbean countries have launched digital nomad visas to welcome sun seekers who chase the idyllic island lifestyle. But access is restricted to the wealthiest digital nomads, mostly from the United States, due to the high cost of living and the high minimum income requirement, between USD50,000-100,000 per year.
Central and South America has copied the European model, with minimum incomes that balance the cost of living and accessibility. The biggest challenges for these countries are safety concerns among travelers and access to the right kind of digital and technological resources. While some digital nomads love the Americas, others struggle to adapt.
Unsurprisingly the report recommends on improving public safety, which will be good for tourism in general, and investing in better technology infrastructure. English-language knowledge also tends to be limited and a barrier to access for travelers, improving teaching in schools would be useful. They also recommend that Caribbean countries reduce their income requirement to widen the pool of applicants.
Asia & the Middle East
Asia stands out as a popular destination with digital nomads. Locations such as Thailand and Bali have long been popular with backpackers and quickly became digital nomad hotspots thanks to their beautiful beaches and affordable cost of living. Wealthier countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea have also been successful in attracting nomads with their fascinating culture and high-tech societies, but minimum income requirements are high (usually at least USD60,000 per year).
A limited number of other Asian countries have managed to capitalize on the hype. Sri Lanka is a success story, but the high cost of living and strict lifestyle in the UAE means that their visas have been of limited success. It is unclear if or how other attractive Asian countries such as India and Vietnam can benefit from this new trend.
The report recommends that countries address issues such as crime and political stability to make them more attractive destinations, and enhance English language communication and internet infrastructure. But it is perhaps more important to consider the types of people who might be interested in visas. Japan and South Korea should extend the length of their visas, with the Japan visa currently limited to just six months.
Oceania
The biggest challenge in Oceania is that there are no digital nomad visas. Young remote workers can visit Australia and New Zealand on a working holiday visa, and you can potentially visit as a tourist for up to one year, but there are no specific pathways for remote workers. Aside from offering clear pathways to access, the biggest challenge is the distance of the region, and the consequent cost of flights and time difference.
The report suggests that the countries in the region could do more to sell themselves to digital nomads, which does not currently seem to be a priority. Clearer visa options and more affordable pathways to move toward residency would also be welcome.
Africa
The report doesn’t provide insights on Africa, despite several African countries offering digital nomad visas. So, what advice would we provide based on our experience?
Like the Americas, Africa needs to improve individual safety to make it more attractive for international travelers. Safety issues, crime, corruption, and language are some of the biggest barriers for all types of travelers.
Africa tends to have quite a different technology infrastructure than other parts of the world, where most things are done on mobile connection and visa mobile phones rather than Wi-Fi. Improving Wi-Fi infrastructure and making the local mobile and banking networks more accessible to foreigners would also help.
The current digital visas, the number of which are limited, are targeted at high-wealth individuals who want to spend six months in “exotic lands”. More accessible long-term visas could attract tech entrepreneurs from across the content and adventurous intercontinental digital nomads keen to be at the front of the next wave of travel and tech development. Regional visas that allow travelers to spend time in a few neighboring countries would also be an attractive prospect for digital nomads.
What Are the Best Destinations for Digital Nomads?
It seems that several times a year new lists of the best spots for digital nomads are being released. We’ve published more than a few on this website too. But what makes a good destination for a digital nomad or remote worker? Everyone is looking for something different so it depends on the person, but we think that the main criteria should be:
- Accessibility: You need to be able to get a visa to spend the time you want there, and flights need to be accessible and affordable.
- Cost of Living: We’re not talking about high-wealth individuals spending time in low-cost countries so that they can live like kings! That can be a source of tension and inequality. But, generally speaking, the cost of living needs to be more affordable than the country you earn in to finance the lifestyle, especially when things like the cost of short-term accommodation pushes the cost up.
- Infrastructure: The basic things that you need like a safe place to live and connectivity to work are non-negotiable.
- Interest: A culture you are interested in immersing yourself in and learning about.
We think that this last criterion should never be underestimated. Digital nomadism gives you a chance to follow your passions, so you should go places that inspire you. Do you have any additional criteria for a good digital nomad destination?
