Being a digital nomad is the ultimate form of remote work. You work any time, from any place you want. That means anywhere in the world. You can work where other people vacation and then explore the destinations during your free time. And this lifestyle is no longer exclusive to freelancers and the self-employed. Over the last decade, thanks to the digitalization of the working world and especially since COVID introduced many more people to working from home, many other jobs can now be done from anywhere, from a laptop or phone. As a result, the digital nomad lifestyle has gained significant popularity. So why not work from anywhere?
While theoretically, you can work and live anywhere, there are some places better suited for the digital nomad style than others. You should factor in the infrastructure, availability of fast internet, as well as the cost and quality of living. Especially for women, safety is also an important factor. Also, the country should ideally be catering to digital nomads, e.g., through a dedicated digital nomad visa (“DNV”), allowing you to stay and work there for some time without any problems. Already established networks for digital nomads, like co-working spaces, allow for a much smoother transition into working remotely. Another thing you should definitely factor in, if you work for or with other people, is the time difference. If there is a significant time difference, you have to figure out strategies so there are no problems in coordinating projects. Last but not least, you should consider the climate: A tropical climate with hot, wet weather can be fun for a two-week holiday, but can you see yourself working and living in these conditions for prolonged periods of time? If not, you should look into places with a milder or even cold climate.
In this blog entry, we’ll introduce you to some of our favorite destinations for digital nomads. We’ll focus on countries in Europe and Asia, but of course, there are many more places to visit outside of these continents. Read on if you are interested in living and working in some of the most beautiful places on earth!
Digital Nomad Destinations in Europe
Europe is hugely popular with digital nomads for different reasons. One is its diversity. There is such a big variety of cultures and landscapes you’ll encounter across the various countries. For digital nomads originating from Europe, one huge advantage is less traveling time, as well as the fact that there won’t be a big time difference from the people back home. And another thing: if you are originally from an EU country, this will massively help you because you don’t need a visa to stay in other EU countries.
Portugal
Our first destination in Europe is Portugal. Located on the Iberian Peninsula, it has the westernmost point of continental Europe. Portugal has all the things one can want in a country: beautiful beaches, gorgeous cities, good food, and a mild, warm climate all year round. The country is rather safe and has a modern infrastructure. Outside the bigger cities, you can also expect a rather low cost of living. For non-EU citizens, Portugal offers a special digital nomad visa that can be extended up to five years and can even be transformed into a permanent residence.
Spain
Next up is Spain, the neighboring country to Portugal. After Mandarin, Spanish is the language with the second most native speakers. Considering both native and non-native speakers, it is the fourth-most-spoken language overall. So if you are one of the over 500 million people who speak Spanish, you may feel right at home in the country where the language originated – and if you are not, what better place to learn the language? Like Portugal, Spain is rich in culture, historic architecture, and beautiful landscapes, which make it a well-loved tourist destination overall. With an affordable cost of living, a relatively low minimum income for the digital nomad visa (for non-EU nationals), and a good, modern infrastructure, it is considered one of the best destinations for digital nomads in Europe.
Georgia
For the next destination, we move far away from southwestern Europe to the border between Asia and Europe. Here lies Georgia, up and coming on the list of best countries for digital nomads. Unlike Spain and Portugal, Georgia is not an EU country, though it has applied to join. However, Georgia has a long list of countries from which citizens are allowed to stay up to a year without a visa, making it a great place to stay without going through a ton of bureaucracy. Georgia is located in the lower Caucasus mountain range, which makes for some gorgeous mountain landscapes that offer beautiful hiking opportunities. Besides that, Georgia is rich with culture and history, living is rather affordable, and overall, the country is considered safe.
Estonia
The next destination lies in yet another corner of Europe. Far north, next to the Baltic Sea, lies the little country of Estonia. The country offers a unique blend of a rich history with an extremely modern, digitally advanced state. The old town of its capital Tallin, has one of the most well-preserved medieval towns worldwide. During its history, the Estonians have been influenced by many different cultures. They have been Vikings, then conquered by Christian crusaders, and later they were under Swedish and Russian rule. Only in the 19th and 20th centuries did they come to find their own national identity. Today, Estonia is quite digitally advanced. They are one of the countries embracing digital nomadism with a dedicated digital nomad visa. Same as Georgia, Estonia is also more suited to those who prefer colder climates. Its Baltic landscape is characterized by rocky cliffs, moors, and winding rivers, as well as vast pine forests.
Best Countries for Digital Nomads in Asia
When people think of working from all over the world, they probably think of Asia, and for good reason. The continent is hugely popular with digital nomads. People come here to encounter all kinds of different experiences. There is a big variety of cultures, cities, and landscapes unlike any you’ll find in Europe or North America. You’ll encounter bustling nightlife, amazing historical and cultural sites, as well as gorgeous nature. Since many cities have been a destination for digital nomadism for years, you can expect many places that’ll cater specifically to your needs, as well as an established community where you’ll be able to meet other nomads.
Thailand
A top destination for digital nomads in Asia is Thailand. The country has all the things tourists and nomads alike love: beautiful weather and nature, stunning beaches, affordability, safety, and convenience, as it has been long established among tourists, expats, and now remote workers. The digital nomad visa for Thailand was introduced in 2024 and is called “Destination Visa Thailand”, often shortened to “DTV”. This visa if great if you are looking to travel all over and don’t want to immediately commit to one country. It is valid for up to five years for multiple entries. Each time you enter the country, you are allowed to stay 180 days (roughly six months), which can be extended another 180 days, so up to about a year per entry into the country. It is also great for the fact that there is no high monthly-income threshold like many other DNVs have: to prove your financial stability stability you need to have savings of THB 500,000, which converts to about 15,000 USD or 13,000 €.
Bali (Indonesia)
Not a country but a province of Indonesia, this list definitely has to include Bali individually. The tropical island in the Indian Ocean is probably one of the most well-known and popular destinations among digital nomads. Not only is it a tropical paradise with beautiful nature and beaches, but as it’s been a destination for digital nomads for some time now, it’s also a paradise for us remote workers. There are many businesses, such as hostels and co-working spaces, that cater specifically to this lifestyle. That means there is a well-established network of digital nomads that will enable you to easily make new contacts and friends. Staying on the island for prolonged periods of time is also easily possible, as there are different types of visas accessible to digital nomads, like the C-type visa that can be extended up to half a year, the remote worker visa that can be extended up to one year, and the D-type visa that allows for multiple shorter stays throughout one year.
Japan
Many dream of vacationing in Japan. To explore and live in its big, modern cities and ride on the bullet trains to all kinds of iconic destinations. Japan’s culture is unique and revered all around the world. Modern and fast-paced, but also mindful of its historical roots. Many digital nomads are attracted to these big modern cities, which are so well-suited to the nomad lifestyle. Japan is one of the countries with a dedicated DNV. To qualify, you need to earn at least 10 Mil. JPY in a year, which converts to just under 60.000€ and just over 60.000 USD. With this visa, you can stay and work in the country for about half a year.
Vietnam
Unlike some other Asian countries, where prices are steadily rising, the cost of living in Vietnam remains affordable. Especially eating out is rather inexpensive – perfect if you are looking to experience the local cuisine in all its glory. The culture in Vietnamese cities is perfectly suited to remote jobs. There are many great coffee shops to work from, as well as dedicated co-working spaces, so you are destined to find a great spot to work with reliable internet. As of right now, there is no specific digital nomad visa; however, there is a tourist e-visa with a rather simple application process, which is valid up to 90 days. Also, the Vietnamese government seems to be currently working on a new type of visa that will cater to digital nomads.
Conclusion
There are so many awesome spots to live and work from around the world. We could only cover 8 of them in this article, and there are many more we could have included. If you still can’t decide where the road shall take you, we recommend that you get clear on what your priorities are. Realistically, how much money can you spend? What places and cultures have you always wanted to see? How far away are you willing to travel from home? What climate and culture suit you best? In the end, there is no one perfect place for digital nomads. It really comes down to personal preferences. This experience should and will be a very personal one, and you’ll create your own unique memories and experiences. Hopefully, our entry has introduced you to some places to consider for this adventure!
