The 25 Best Places for Digital Nomads

Digital nomads have been hopping from one destination to the next for as long as laptops have existed. However, the COVID-19 pandemic incited a seismic shift in how (and where) we work.

Estonia unveiled the first digital nomad visa in June 2020, and 66 countries have followed suit. Digital nomad visas are not always necessary for those who like to keep moving, but they signify that remote working is here to stay.

Whether you like to collect memories and move on, or are seeking somewhere to settle for a while, find your next base here.  

The Best Places for Digital Nomads in 2025: Ranking Criteria

Internet speed: You can get good Wi-Fi at home – no one is a digital nomad for Wi-Fi – but slow internet speed can be super frustrating when you’re trying to get work done. Even if you’re in paradise.

Safety index: There are ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ places all around the world, but if you’re moving to a new city, it’s important to be aware of crime levels. 

Co-working spaces: This criterion includes laptop-friendly cafes and co-living spaces. It also evaluates the quality of the co-working spaces – is it affordable? Is there free coffee/water? Are there enough plug sockets?

Cost of living: We looked at the general rent prices and Numbeo’s cost of living index. 

Digital nomad community, events, and meet-ups: While we encourage connecting with locals and the culture, a great digital nomad community can be invaluable for making friends, networking, and curbing loneliness.

Availability of digital nomad visa: Most countries offer a tourist visa length that suits digital nomads, but if you’re looking to shake the ‘nomadic’ aspect and put down roots, digital nomad visas are an excellent resource. 

Digital nomad visa cost, requirements, and acceptance rate: Many digital nomad visas are catered towards high earners, have a low acceptance rate or have complex applications.

Length of tourist visa for shorter-term stays: Not everyone is interested in staying in a place for a year or more, but might like to stay somewhere longer than a few weeks. Tourist visas are also a great option for those who don’t meet the income requirements of digital nomad visas.

25. Queenstown, New Zealand

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €133

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: Up to 1 year

Income requirements: None

Intersperse your working days with adventure, exploring in and around New Zealand's capital of all things adrenaline. A vibrant city with up-and-coming restaurants, trendy bars, and tonnes of cultural activities is appealing enough, but add jaw-droppingly beautiful mountains, lakes, adventure sports, and even vineyards, and you have a wonderfully liveable all-rounder. The only niggle with Queenstown, and New Zealand in general, is the high cost of living. General monthly expenses, including rent, bills, socialising, food, etc. are around €2,000 per month. And that's before the adventure sports and hobbies that come with the territory and are generally expensive. However, if it's in your budget, the quality of life is one of the world's best. 

As of January 2025, New Zealand has announced plans for a digital nomad visa. It's essentially a standard tourist visa that permits remote work. The initial application is for a 90-day stay. This can be extended for another 9 months, totalling to 1 year. Ensure you're aware of the tax implications – if your country of origin does not have a tax treaty with New Zealand, then you must pay tax in New Zealand (and in your home country) if you stay for over 92 days in a 12-month period. However, if you don't extend your visa, or if your country of origin has a tax treaty with New Zealand, then you don't need to pay tax.

24. Istanbul, Turkey

Digital nomad visa: No, but digital nomads can apply for the Short-Term Residence Permit

Cost: Depends on how long you stay – expect to pay around €99 for the first year

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: Between 6 months and 2 years

Income requirements: None

Istanbul is a city that really embodies a ‘vibrant culture’. Between the fishermen on Galata Bridge at sunset and the cobblestone streets lined with tea-drinking, backgammon-playing locals, there are signs of life everywhere you go. It’s busy, but if you want to fill your digital nomad experience with memories, history, culture, endless things to do, and excellent food, Istanbul has it all. However, it’s not as affordable as it used to be, and the cost of living is high for locals.  

With strong Wi-Fi, tonnes of coworking spaces, a huge cafe culture, and good public transport, the infrastructure is there for remote workers. There are weekly digital nomad meet-ups and events – including sunset sailing and games nights – but the city doesn’t have a huge digital nomad community. 

The tourist visa is 90 days, which might be enough for most digital nomads. However, if you want to stay in sunny Turkey longer, you can apply for a Short-Term Residence Permit. It’s 565 TL (€15) for the initial application. Following acceptance, there is a monthly fee.

23. Ponta do Sol, Madeira

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €180

How to apply: In person at your nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate 

Length of visa: 1 year (renewable for 2 more years)

Income requirements: €3,280 per month 

If you’re seeking a peaceful digital nomad life, where days start and end with the sun hovering over the Atlantic Ocean, Ponta do Sol could be it. The small town is the base of an initiative forging digital nomad communities and local governments: the Madeira Digital Nomad Village. It’s a community and support network, helping remote workers find accommodation – there are several co-living spaces – and meet people with regular events. There’s also a free co-working space. An area for digital nomads is at risk of being disconnected from local people and the culture – which is something to bear in mind.

Madeira is a fantastic digital nomad hub, but it’s also a lush, dramatically beautiful island. Despite being a speck in the Atlantic, the Island of Eternal Spring offers so much: hikes, waterfalls, beaches, cliffs, rock pools, and misty forests. You can stay in this paradise for up to 3 years (after renewing) with the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa, but the income requirements are quite high. Alternatively, you can max out the 90-day tourist visa. 

22. Santiago, Chile

Digital nomad visa: No, but remote workers can obtain the Temporary Resident Visa

Cost: €100

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: 2 years 

Income requirements: €950 per month

If you’re seeking a real, working city, that does not (solely) cater to tourists, then Santiago could be your perfect digital nomad destination. And that’s before we’ve even got onto the wine, culture, history, and the misty Andes surrounding the city. It’s also one of South America’s more laid-back capital cities, with a big cafe culture and leafy parks – bear in mind there are still busy, traffic-heavy areas – which make for perfect offices for laptop workers. 

The high-speed internet means you can really work from anywhere – but there are lots of co-working spaces to choose from, too. The burgeoning digital nomad scene means there is a small community, but the city isn’t overrun by foreigners – yet. Now’s the time to make roots, plunge into the local culture, and enjoy Santiago for what it is. 

While everything else about Santiago seems perfect for digital nomads, there is no digital nomad visa. Remote workers can apply for the Temporary Resident Visa, but bear in mind that there is an indefinite waiting time and can take several months. If you plan on staying in Santiago for around 6 months, you can obtain the general tourist visa – valid for 90 days – and pay to extend for an extra 90 days. 

21. Zadar, Croatia

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: Up to €158

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: 1 year 

Income requirements: €2,870

With an average income requirement, and the possibility for freelancers, business owners, and employed remote workers to obtain it, Croatia’s Digital Nomad Visa is one of the easiest to get your hands on. It also means you get to live and work in beautiful Croatia, and if you opt for Zadar, you can start your workdays swimming in the cerulean Adriatic Sea. However, processing times vary significantly – some digital nomads told us they received their visa in 8 days, while others said it took around 3 months. 

Not only is Zadar loved for its seaside location, but remote workers also rave about the small but thriving digital nomad community and infrastructure. It’s quieter than other digital nomad destinations. If you prefer a busier lifestyle, Croatian cities like Split or Zagreb might be more suited to your preferences. However, Zadar’s laidback culture combined with conveniences make it great for digital nomads seeking a relaxed lifestyle. 

20. Mauritius 

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: None

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: 1 year

Income requirements: €1,300 per month

When it’s raining and grey outside, and you’re glued to your desk, nothing sounds better than relaxing on a beach. And a Mauritian beach, with white sands, turquoise Indian Ocean, and bending palm trees providing shade from the warm sun, is as good as it gets. It might seem like a pipe dream, but Mauritius’ digital nomad visa makes this pretty picture a reality. 

The Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa – or the Mauritius Premium Visa – is one of the easiest visas for remote workers to get their hands on. It has a considerably lower income requirement than other digital nomad visas, has an easy, online application form, and can be processed in just a couple of days. And best of all – there is no application fee. 

Living and working on one of the world’s most beautiful islands is a dream come true. But it’s not just a tropical paradise, Mauritius is an exciting amalgamation of cultures, with Creole, Indian, Chinese, and French influences. And it’s not all play and no work, there are several co-working spaces and cafes with good Wi-Fi, including Workshop17 in Grand Baie and The Hive in Tamarin. However, not all cafes have strong enough Wi-Fi for working, and access to co-working spaces is expensive.

19. Tallinn, Estonia

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €100

How to apply: Fill out an application form online and make an appointment at your closest Estonian embassy

Length of visa: Up to 1 year 

Income requirements: €4,500 per month

Tallinn is a pocket-sized city full of beautiful architecture, colourful streets, and old-world charm. Despite its small size, the city has a thriving digital nomad community. It’s not just Tallinn’s Art Nouveau buildings and medieval old town that appeal to remote workers – the city’s low crime rate, fast internet speed, and co-working spaces are huge factors. It’s also more affordable than other European cities, with an average monthly spend of around €1,500. However, rent prices are increasing.

While going to an in-person appointment at your closest Estonian embassy can be a pain, applicants hear back within 30 days. So, if you’re looking for a quick move, Estonia’s digital nomad visa is a great option. The visa is relatively easy to obtain, too, with clear eligibility requirements and a streamlined process. However, the income requirement is one of the highest. 

18. Bali, Indonesia 

Digital nomad visa: Yes, for remote workers with a foreign employment contract

Cost: €863 per year

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: Up to 5 years

Income requirements: €57,500 per year

Bali is a haven for digital nomads. It’s affordable (although the cost of living has risen in recent years), encourages an active lifestyle, and is full of others following the same path. There are tonnes of co-working spaces, and it’s rare to stop into a cafe without at least one person working on their laptop. If you want to be amongst digital nomads, with a touch of spirituality and surfing, Bali is the place to be.

To cater to the influx of digital nomads, Indonesia has introduced the KITAS Remote Worker Visa E33G. It’s important to note that this is not specifically designed for freelancers or self-employed people – workers are required to have an employment contract outside of Indonesia. Additionally, it can end up being expensive, confusing, and long-winded. Unofficial advice (and what many digital nomads in Bali do) is to take visa runs. 

Indonesia issues a Visa on Arrival (VOA) when entering the country, which is 500,000 IDR (€30) and is valid for 30 days. You can extend this visa for another 30 days. After 60 days in Indonesia, you must leave the country for a couple of days, and restart the 60 days upon your return. While it might not be suitable for long-term living, it does give you an excuse to visit other cities in SEA for a few days!

17. Crete, Greece

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €75

How to apply: Email or post the application to the nearest Greek consulate

Length of visa: Up to 2 years (with the possibility to renew for another 2 years)

Income requirements: €3,500 per month

Life on Crete is pretty idyllic. Aquamarine seas, permanent sunshine, delicious food, and affordable cost of living – around €1,200 a month including rent – are an attractive sell. There’s also good public transport across the island, and regular boats setting sail to Santorini and Mykonos. Known for its friendly locals, the island is also one of our safest digital nomad destinations, with a safety index of 73.99.

Most digital nomads live in Heraklion, and this is the hub of several coworking spaces, including Comeet and Office 12. Many cafes are laptop-friendly, too, and the late-night coffee culture means you can easily adapt your workday to suit your preferences. 

The Greece Digital Nomad Visa is great for those looking to drop anchor for a while. With a visa renewal, digital nomads can stay in the country for up to four years. They can also bring spouses and dependents. However, the income requirements are quite steep. The good news is, digital nomads get a 50% discount on income tax for the first seven years.

16. Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: Around €180

How to apply: Online 

Length of visa: 1 year (renewable for up to 1 more year)

Income requirements: €2,900 per month

Searching for sun, sea, and surf? Tamarindo is a paradise for beach bum remote workers, where work meets play. The dreamy town delivers all the ingredients for an amazing digital nomad destination: beach, active lifestyle, nightlife, good restaurants, convenience, and community. 

Costa Rica is another destination that caters to remote workers with a designated visa. It has a general quick processing time of around 2 weeks, and other than income requirements and generic visa eligibility requirements, the application process is straightforward. However, most foreign nationals can stay in Costa Rica for up to 180 days on a generic tourist visa – ideal for hop-around digital nomads. 

It might all sound a bit too good to be true. While Tamarindo can be a utopia – especially for party-surf-beach-lovers – Costa Rica, in general, is expensive. And being a tourist hotspot, Tamarindo has a higher cost of living than other parts of the country. 

15. Pipa, Brazil

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €288

How to apply: In person at the Brazilian embassy or consulate

Length of visa: 1 year (renewable for 1 more year)

Income requirements: €1,439 per month

Beautiful beaches, great nightlife, co-living spaces, and affordable: life in Pipa as a digital nomad is pretty sweet. Luckily, the Brazil Digital Nomad is relatively easy to get – if you meet the requirements and make an appointment at your nearest Brazilian embassy or consulate, you should get accepted.

The surfer town is certainly positioning itself as a digital nomad destination, with several co-living spaces. We love accommodations that are specifically catered towards digital nomads. Meeting people following a similar path has never been easier, and there’s usually fast Wi-Fi and plenty of outlets for working remotely. However, Pipa is a beach town, so the coworking infrastructure is less developed than in cities. If you don’t mind working in an open space – and in fact, would enjoy the tropical views around you – then Pipa could be your perfect digital nomad destination.

Aside from working, surfing, and beaching, there’s lots to do in Pipa. The town comes alive at nighttime, with stretches of live music bars. Grab a caipirinha-to-go for as little as €1, walk the streets, and soak up the energy. For budget-friendly meals, try the sem balança (self-service) restaurants – a cross between a buffet and a churrascaria.

14. Goa, India

Digital nomad visa: No, but India offers 1-year and 5-year tourist visas

Cost: €149 for a 1-year tourist visa and €174 for a 5-year tourist visa (including fees)

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: Up to 5 years

Income requirements: None

India’s hedonistic beach haven is more than just one big party – although there is certainly a lot of it. There are also yoga studios, cultural events, craft markets, art events, quiet bays, live music venues, and much more. And considering the affordable cost of living – rent is jaw-droppingly low, with some 1-bedroom apartments costing just €238 per month – you can live a full life. So, if you want a taste of the susegad lifestyle, Goa could be your next digital nomad destination.

The west coast state is full of towns for digital nomads to lay their hats, including Panjim, Goa’s capital. It might not have the free-love-trance-party-beach-bum appeal of Anjuna, but it has convenience, infrastructure, coworking spaces, and a gorgeous Latin quarter. There are also fewer power outages than in Goa’s rural areas, but bear in mind that they do happen – a good SIM card and hotspot will be your best friend. 

There isn’t a digital nomad visa per se, but there are two long-term tourist visas: 1-year and 5-years. Both visas are multi-entry, meaning there are no restrictions on how many times you leave and re-enter the country. However, the maximum stay is 180 days per calendar year.

13. Quito, Ecuador 

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €383

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: 2 years (renewable for 2 more years)

Income requirements: €1,222 per month

Quito is the world’s second-highest capital city – after La Paz, Bolivia – sitting 9,350ft above sea level in the soaring Andes. It’s the perfect digital nomad destination for adventure-seekers and nature lovers, with weekends spent exploring Ecuador’s diverse landscape. It might take a few days to adjust to the altitude, but then you’re set to explore rugged mountains, volcanoes, wildlife-rich islands, and misty forests.

Downtime is important, but you can prioritise work in Quito, too. It has everything a digital nomad needs – great coffee shops, affordable coworking spaces, and beautiful parks for a mid-day leg stretch. There are lots of affordable apartments available in safe, charming neighbourhoods, too. Quito remote workers told us that most of the city’s activities took place in the evening, encouraging a great work/life balance. 

Obtaining Ecuador’s Rentista Visa – the Digital Nomad Visa – is a straightforward process. It’s all online, has low-income requirements, and takes 7 to 15 days to be accepted. It’s also one of the longest visa lengths, with 2 years in the bag already. If you choose to renew for another 2 years and end up living in Ecuador for 4 years, you can apply for citizenship. 

12. Oaxaca City, Mexico 

Digital nomad visa: No, but the Temporary Resident Visa is suitable for digital nomads

Cost: €248

How to apply: In person at your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate

Length of visa: Up to 4 years

Income requirements: €4,100 per month

There’s a lot to love about Mexico. If the word ‘food’ springs to mind, then Oaxaca City needs to be next on your hit list. Discover a unique cuisine that goes way beyond tacos – although you’ll find the most authentic tacos here – and enjoy lots (and lots) of mezcal varieties. While eating out is cheap, there are vibrant markets, incredible local produce, and cooking classes, that are perfect for those that love to cook. It’s also a hub of art, history, architecture, and culture, with a welcoming, friendly local community. 

Mexico City is often hailed as Mexico’s top digital nomad destination, and while it is undeniably great, we found that Oaxaca has a few key differences. Firstly, it’s one of the safest cities in Mexico. It’s also much more affordable, walkable, and has a thriving but smaller community of digital nomads, which can feel overwhelmingly dispersed in larger cities.

While Mexico doesn’t have a designated digital nomad visa, you can apply for the Temporary Resident Visa. The price starts at 5,570 Mexican pesos (€259) for one year and can be renewed for up to 4 years. However, the income requirement is high, especially given the low cost of living. 

Alternatively, you can obtain the 180-day tourist visa, leave the country for a few days before your 180 days are up, and return to a fresh visa. Bear in mind that the tourist visa is up to 180 days – the immigration officer decides if you get the full amount – so be sure to check to avoid overstaying.

11. Budapest, Hungary

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €110

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: 1 year (renewable for up to 1 more year)

Income requirements: €3,000 per month

Budapest is a much-loved city break, known for its affordability, romantic architecture, and thermal baths. But it’s also an incredibly liveable city, with affordable rent, reliable public transportation, and a flourishing community of remote workers. There are also plenty of cultural activities – as well as MANY bars, including iconic ruin bars – like museums, theatres, and Hungarian tradition classes, such as carvings, embroidery, and pottery, all of which encourage a rich, fulfilling life. 

For non-EU-and-UK nationals, the benefits of Hungary’s Digital Nomad Visa don’t stop at being able to experience the country’s culture, low cost of living, and high quality of life. It also opens them up to the Schengen Area – the Hungary Digital Nomad Visa lets you travel without additional visas – which includes Italy, Croatia, Greece, Iceland, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, and more. 

The income requirement is fairly high, especially considering Budapest’s affordable rent and generic costs. But if you meet those income requirements, you can live extremely comfortably and save a huge chunk of cash monthly – the average cost of living (including rent) is around €1,300 per month. 

10. Tirana, Albania

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €45

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: 1 year (renewable for up to 5 years)

Income requirements: None

Albania’s capital city is much more than a stop-off before heading for the mountainous north or the coastal south. It’s a youthful city buzzing with restaurants, bars, cafes, and co-working spaces – Coolab is a digital nomad favourite. Coolab also hosts digital nomad meet-ups – along with other venues and organisations, including the digital-nomad-favourite, MusicBooks, which hosts regular events.

Spend your downtime bar-hopping in Blloku, perusing the many art galleries, hiking in the surrounding mountains, or day-tripping to nearby beaches. Plus – it’s much more affordable than other European capitals.

Albania’s Type D visa targets several groups: pensioners, investors, self-employed people, remote workers, and more. So, it’s a good choice for those hoping to stay in Albania for up to 5 years. Alternatively, you can stick with the free 90-day tourist visa. 

All major Balkan bus routes stop in Tirana, too. You could begin your Balkan digital nomad journey here, and then spend time in Kosovo or Montenegro – both offer 90-day tourist visas. Albania’s tourist visa permits visitors to stay for 90 days in a 180-day period, so after 90+ days exploring other Balkan countries, you could head back to Albania for a fresh visa.

9. Valencia, Spain

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €80

How to apply: In person at local Spanish embassy or consulate

Length of visa: 1 year (renewable for up to 5 years)

Income requirements: €2,650 per month

Spain is an excellent destination for digital nomads, and Valencia – its third city – is a firm favourite. With super fast internet, affordable cost of living, exciting culture, and co-working spaces, Valencia is well set up for remote workers. The beach and 300 days of sunshine help, too.

With a generally high quality of life, Valencia has a lot going for it. Its appeal extends to digital nomad communities, too, with Facebook groups and regular meet-ups. But it’s also an excellent city for connecting with locals, with an outgoing, friendly population. Bear in mind that English is not as widely spoken as in other European cities, so basic knowledge of Spanish or the intention to learn Spanish is a must.

The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa is highly coveted, and the process can take up to three months. The requirements are fairly straightforward, though – clean criminal record, proof of income, health insurance, and a stable contract. And unlike many other digital nomad visas, freelancers can have Spanish clients, but this must not make up more than 20% of their income. 

8. Da Nang, Vietnam

Digital nomad visa: No

While Vietnam doesn’t currently offer a digital nomad visa, remote workers can get a 90-day e-visa. A single-entry e-visa is €24, while a multi-entry e-visa is €49. To stay longer than 90 days, remote workers take visa (or border) runs. From different points of Vietnam, people often take buses to Laos or Cambodia. However, from Da Nang, the best option is to catch a flight to somewhere outside of Vietnam. Re-apply for the 90-day visa, and then when you return after a few days, you’ll have a fresh 90 days in Vietnam ready to go. 

Da Nang has a lot going for it. The weather, low cost of living, delicious (and cheap!) food, and the beach contribute to an excellent quality of life. It’s also one of Vietnam’s more walkable cities, and the nearby Marble Mountains have beautiful hiking paths. The cultural town of Hoi An is just a 30-minute drive away, too.

HCMC and Hanoi might have more to do, and a louder nightlife scene, but remote workers in Da Nang love the city’s relaxed vibe. A welcoming community, fast Wi-Fi, and the many coworking spaces make it a fantastic digital nomad spot.

7. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €200

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: 180 days with the option to renew for another 180 days

Income requirements: €2,395

For that Latin American buzz, Buenos Aires is a firm favourite for digital nomads. The Argentine capital is a mecca of all things steak – it’s one of the world’s best food cities – tango, architecture, museums, and nightlife. But it’s also a hub for remote workers, with excellent co-working spaces – including a WeWork and several HIT Coworks – as well as tonnes of laptop-friendly cafes. Transport is straightforward, too, with extensive bus and metro networks. And if travelling is a priority for you, Buenos Aires’ transport links to other South American destinations make it a fantastic option. 

Despite being one of South America’s major capital cities, Buenos Aires is relatively affordable. You can live comfortably for €1,250 per month, but rent prices vary a lot depending on the area. Safety is another neighbourhood-choosing factor, with a generally low safety index of 36.69.

6. Cape Town, South Africa

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: Unconfirmed, some sources state 425 ZAR (€21)

How to apply: Make an appointment at your nearest South African embassy

Length of visa: 3 years (extendable)

Income requirements: €33,372 per year

No need to choose between the mountains or the beach – you can have both in Cape Town. How many cities can say that? With Table Mountain overlooking the buzzing city, an energetic pull encourages digital nomads to take full advantage of the 3-year visa. Days strike a balance between working in one of the many cafes or co-working spots – Workshop 17 is known for fast Wi-Fi – relaxing on the beach, going for hikes, and lapping up the city’s cool culinary scene. Regular digital nomad meet-ups make it easy to meet other remote workers, and the low cost of living (around €1,300 per month) means you can connect with new friends by going for dinner, drinks, coffee, etc. regularly. 

The South African Digital Nomad Visa is new on the scene, so there isn’t a tonne of information out there. However, expect to wait between 2 and 4 months before you can kickstart your new life in Cape Town – things worth having rarely come easy. Firstly, you’ll need to make an appointment at your nearest South African embassy – depending on availability, this can take a few months. You’ll need to bring your completed visa application and the necessary documents, pay the fees, and then wait for approval – this can take a few weeks. 

5. Bansko, Bulgaria

Digital nomad visa: No, but digital nomads can apply for the Type D visa

Cost: €100

How to apply: In person at your nearest Bulgarian embassy or consulate 

Length of visa: 6 months or 1 year

Income requirements: None

When it comes to finding a digital nomad hub, while also being able to connect with the local culture and people, few places do it better than Bansko. The annual Bansko Nomad Fest brings hundreds of remote workers to the alpine town to connect, share, and celebrate this way of working and living. It’s a popular destination year-round, though, with remote workers taking advantage of the fast Wi-Fi and seasonal outdoor activities. Snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, and hiking the Pirin Mountains are just some of the extracurriculars that make Bansko a magnet for nature-loving nomads. 

Bansko is a wonderful contradiction – locals hold onto heritage and tradition, and the cobblestoned, centuries-old streets echo the town’s history. But there are also tonnes of coworking spaces, co-living accommodations, and an international buzz. It’s a haven for remote workers decamping from cities in search of somewhere with soul, nature, and culture. The mountain town also has a great social scene, with a tight-knit community of digital nomads.

While there is no digital nomad visa, Bulgaria’s Type D visa is suitable for remote workers. However, it’s a complex process, and acceptance is not guaranteed. The 90-day tourist visa is the best option for digital nomads in Bansko.

4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €211

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: Up to 1 year (with the possibility to renew)

Income requirements: €23,000 per year

The once-stop-over destination has become one of Southeast Asia’s most livable cities, rivalling Singapore. And it has the best bits of Singapore – flashy high-rises, incredible food, well-connected to other parts of SEA, multicultural identities, and the presence of many international companies – without the price tag. While rent in Singapore is higher than in London, digital nomads can – including rent, bills, etc. – live on €1,100 per month in Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur is a hub of creative, tech, and finance industries, with many coworking spaces kitted out with meeting rooms, cafes, and mod-cons. Some spaces – like Alpha Works – specifically support startups and growing businesses, 3. and others – like WORQ KL Sentral – boast fantastic citywide views. 

The Malaysian capital has so much going for it, that you’re probably going to want to be able to stay for as long as possible. Fortunately, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) offers a great digital nomad visa. The visa is a great source of information and support, with networking events, accommodation guidance, and other tips that help make the move a bit easier.

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand 

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €357

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: 5 years

Income requirements: At least €13,000 in your bank account

It’s not just Chiang Mai’s beloved coffee scene that makes it such a hit with digital nomads. The city is a beguiling mix of tradition and modernity, where sacred temples sit across co-working spaces. There are thriving digital nomad communities, but the warmth and support of the locals make Chiang Mai such a favourite among laptop-yielding migrants. It’s safe, the food is incredible, it’s surrounded by mountains and hiking trails, and it’s walkable – a rarity for Southeast Asian cities. 

If you like to blend work with play, there are several co-living and co-working arrangements, which make it easier than ever to connect with other digital nomads. The Social Club, for example, also arranges group trips, yoga classes, Muay Thai lessons, and more. Even if you don’t opt for a co-living space, there are meet-ups, events, classes, and more, every week. 

The only downside is the income requirements for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) geared towards digital nomads – not everyone has €13,000 in their bank account. However, if you can prove your income and prove that you work remotely, it’s a quick process. 

Alternatively, you can stay in Thailand for up to 6 months with a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. The visas are valid for 6 months, you can enter as many times as you like, but each stay is capped at 60 days – you can pay for an extension of 30 days. The Multiple Entry Visa costs €150 plus a €10 processing fee, and you can apply at any Thai embassy or consulate. 

2. Medellín, Colombia

Digital nomad visa: Yes

Cost: €170

How to apply: Online

Length of visa: Up to 2 years

Income requirements: €655 per month

With a straightforward online application process, low-income requirements, affordable application fees, and relatively fast processing time, Colombia offers one of the world’s most coveted digital nomad visas. That’s before we even get onto what makes Colombia so great: the lifestyle, lively culture, friendly people, eclectic music scene, coffee, food, weather – the list goes on. Really, it’s the overall joyful energy that keeps people coming back – or staying for 2 years. 

Most Colombian cities have the infrastructure to support remote workers, but Medellín is a digital nomad’s dream. It has a thriving digital nomad community, excellent coworking spaces, plenty of coffee shops with fast Wi-Fi, and low cost of living. It’s also constantly buzzing with things to do, including cultural events, classes, live music, regular digital nomad meet-ups (Facebook is your best friend for this), and so much more.

Safety has historically been a concern in Medellín. However, the safety index is currently 46.41, higher than other popular digital nomad destinations, including Kuala Lumpur, Cape Town, Quito, Buenos Aires, and more. Essentially, while feeling safe is paramount, there will always be areas that are less safe than others – particularly in large, exciting, buzzing cities. 

1. Tbilisi, Georgia

Digital nomad visa: Not required

Cost: Free

How to apply: None

Length of visa: Up to 1 year 

Income requirements: None

When it comes to making things easy for digital nomads, Georgia sets the precedent for how it’s done. UK citizens start their one-year visas as soon as they step into the country – if you’re not a UK citizen, you can check your visa eligibility here. No applications, waiting for approval, or income requirements needed. 

With the mighty Caucasus Mountains on your doorstep, Tbilisi is the perfect city for nature-loving remote workers. With all the amenities of a big city and all the charm of a historic town, Tbilisi is liveable and convenient without the hustle and bustle. No one’s in a rush here, and there’s always time to stop for a chat with a welcoming local. Despite a history that dates back to the 5th century and sustained traditions, Tbilisi is a decidedly young city, with wine bars (did you know Georgia is the birthplace of wine?), trendy restaurants, run clubs, and digital nomad meet-ups.