The Best Remote Work Destinations for Digital Nomads

Are you looking to sample the digital nomad lifestyle in Europe? With its diverse cultures and rich history, the European continent offers many opportunities for remote workers with a taste for adventure. This guide will walk you through the work visas available for popular destinations, along with essential information about living costs, cultural experiences and eligibility requirements.

What is a Digital Nomad?

Noun

A person who earns a living working online in various locations of their choosing (rather than a fixed business location).

"The ability to travel while still earning a living is my favourite thing about being a digital nomad."

Choosing Your Destination

Croatia

Croatia is a good pick for digital nomads who enjoy warm weather, beautiful beaches and a rich cultural heritage. You can indulge in local delicacies and visit historical landmarks dotted along the Adriatic coastline and in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cons for Croatia include limited flexibility with visa extensions and a relatively high minimum monthly income requirement.

Visa name: Digital Nomad Visa (Residence Permit)

Length of stay: One year

Requirements:

• Proof of purpose (remote work contract)

• Valid passport/travel document

• Background check

• Health insurance

Cyprus

Are you looking for a more relaxed lifestyle? Cyprus could be an inspired choice with its buzzing café culture. Explore vineyards and historical sites, and enjoy up to 320 days of sunshine per year! Residents on the ‘Island of Aphrodite’ can also benefit from a large expat community and low taxes.

Drawbacks include a sparsity of long-term accommodations in the peak tourism season and a relatively high monthly income requirement, which may pose challenges for some remote workers.

Visa name: Digital Nomad Visa Scheme

Length of stay: One year

Requirements:

• Passport validity

• Proof of remote work

• Proof of income

• Clean criminal record

• Health insurance

Czechia

Remote workers head to Czechia (also known as the Czech Republic) to discover UNESCO World Heritage sites, affordable living costs and a vibrant nightlife in its major cities. Czechia has a strong economy, cheap dining options and efficient public transport options, all adding to the plus points for this destination.

If you're thinking of travelling to Czechia as a digital nomad, you should read up on the complexity of extending a trading licence for visa renewals. It's also important to be aware that if you only speak English, you may face communication challenges.

Visa name: Czech Digital Nomad Visa

Length of Stay: One year

Requirements:

• Valid passport

• Application form

• Financial proof

• Trade license

• Proof of accommodation

• Health insurance

Estonia

Estonia is an offbeat but astute choice for digital nomads looking for economical living, a tech-focused environment and stunning cities. Residents here enjoy a quiet life with outdoor activities and a friendly, entrepreneurial community.

Unfortunately, Estonia does not currently offer an option to extend a stay without leaving the country to reapply. Tallinn is the popular urban heart and capital city of Estonia, but it has extremely limited housing.

Visa name: Type C and Type D Digital Nomad Visa

Length of stay: Type C 90 days, Type D one year

Requirements:

• Passport validity

• Work contract

• Financial proof

• Accommodation proof

• Health insurance

Germany

British nationals often head to Germany for its efficient public transport, famous traditional cuisine and natural beauty. It's a smart selection for workers looking to embrace an environmentally conscious lifestyle and enjoy the Germans’ punctual culture!

The big disadvantage of moving to Deutschland is the comparably strict visa requirements, which include the need for professional authorisation and a comprehensive portfolio of past work.

Visa name: Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler/Selbständiger)

Length of stay: Three months (with extension)

Requirements:

• Completed visa application

• Passport

• Health insurance

• Financial proof

• Portfolio

Greece

Digital nomads in Greece tend to take advantage of authentic Greek cuisine, world-famous ancient sites and surprisingly low living costs. The Greek mainland and its 227 inhabited islands provide a safe environment, pleasant weather and a vibrant expat community.

As a digital nomad, you must clear several bureaucratic hurdles, including the need for a return flight ticket and medical certificate. Economic uncertainty and occasional political instability in Greece could hinder you if you're planning to work remotely on a long-term basis.

Visa name: Greece Digital Nomad Visa

Length of stay: One year

Requirements:

• Passport validity

• Application form

• Proof of employment

• Clean criminal record

• Accommodation proof

• Health insurance

Hungary

Remote workers often head to Hungary to explore its cultural landmarks like natural thermal springs and popular wine regions. Brits abroad benefit from more affordable living costs, efficient transport and a welcoming community of locals and expats in sprawling cities like Budapest.

A potential sticking point for British workers in Hungary is the limited domestic job opportunities due to many local industries preferring to employ native Hungarian speakers.

Visa name: White Card Residence Permit

Length of stay: One year

Requirements:

• Valid passport

• Visa application form

• Remote work proof

• Health insurance

• Accommodation proof

Iceland

Working in Iceland lets wanderers tick the Northern Lights, hot springs, glaciers and volcanoes off their bucket list. Thanks to a very low population density and vibrant culture, digital nomads can enjoy an excellent quality of life on the Nordic island.

The drawbacks of a move north for British workers include the high cost of living and the limited availability of long-term rental accommodation in the capital city of Reykjavik.

Visa name: Long-Term Visa for Remote Work

Length of stay: Six months

Requirements:

• Passport validity

• Visa application form

• Proof of visa payment

• Employment letter

• Health insurance

Malta

Remote workers on the Mediterranean island of Malta enjoy a laid-back lifestyle with café culture and low living costs. As a member of the British Commonwealth, Malta uses English as its official language for legal documents, and most of the population speaks it fluently.

A limited availability of long-term rentals on the island during the holiday season calls for early booking. Malta also has a high minimum income requirement compared to its Mediterranean neighbours.

Visa name: Malta Digital Nomad Visa

Length of stay: One year

Requirements:

• Passport validity

• Application form

• Proof of employment

• Financial proof

• Accommodation proof

Portugal

For good reason, the Iberian peninsula is a hotspot for British expats, with pleasant weather, scenic coastlines and a famously relaxed way of life. Straightforward residency pathways, low living costs and vibrant cities like Lisbon and Porto make Portugal a fantastic choice alongside its Spanish neighbours.

Obtaining a residency visa may be complicated for UK nationals, as proof of employment and financial stability is required. Unfortunately, the aforementioned coastal cities lack affordable accommodation.

Visa name: Residence Visa for Remote Professional Activity

Length of stay: One year (temporary visa)

Requirements:

• Non-EU/EEA nationality

• Self-employed or employed by a foreign company

• Financial proof

Romania

Lush landscapes, cheap transport, and the lowest cost of living in the EU make Romania an attractive option for digital nomads. The capital city of Bucharest offers networking opportunities and a welcoming community despite higher prices than the smaller towns.

Although Romania has a lot to offer, the limited availability of high-speed internet and modern coworking spaces could be a deal-breaker for some digital nomads. Language barriers and cultural differences in rural regions may pose a challenge if you want to integrate into a new community.

Visa name: Long-stay Visa

Length of stay: One year

Requirements:

• Proof of remote work

• Financial proof

• Accommodation proof

• Health insurance

Serbia

Remote workers leaving British shores choose Serbia to indulge in delicious local cuisine and friendly Balkan hospitality. Many entrepreneurs benefit from low startup costs and a high percentage of English speakers in the former Yugoslav nation.

Compared to Western European countries, a relatively low quality of healthcare could be a concern for some Brits. It's also important to note that the popular urban areas of Belgrade, the capital city, suffer from familiar housing shortages.

Visa name: Temporary Residence

Length of stay: Up to one year

Requirements:

• Valid passport

• Financial proof

• Address registration

• Health insurance

Spain

A path well-trodden by British emigrants, Spain is popular for those seeking sun, fun and culture. From the culture-rich Basque Country to the sun-soaked Costa del Sol, digital nomads enjoy a slower pace of life, efficient rail routes and tapas galore on the Iberian peninsula.

Some digital nomads may experience a complex administrative process, which may require professional assistance as a barrier. Major cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Seville have relatively high costs for accommodation and dining out.

Visa name: Remote Work Visa

Length of stay: One year (extendable up to five years)

Requirements:

• International worker status

• Health insurance

• Financial proof

Internet Speeds

We’ve analysed the average web page loading speed for each European country on desktop and mobile devices, using the figure for how long it would take the page to load for a visitor in the domestic market.

We’ve identified the countries with the fastest and slowest speeds and created an average speed across the continent. We assessed factors that can influence loading times, such as the site visitors’ broadband speed and the effect of using a mobile device to browse online.

Your Digital Passport

With the knowledge we've shared in this article, you're ready to embark on the exciting digital nomad lifestyle while seamlessly working remotely in Europe. Whether you're drawn to the bustling streets of Budapest, the charm of the Croatian coast or the serene landscapes of rural Iceland, the European continent offers an abundance of possibilities for the modern worker.

Embrace your freedom to roam as a remote worker, connecting with new cultures and communities along the way!

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