With more and more European countries offering digital nomad visas, the continent’s popularity among remote workers is rising. But what are the best places? The following are some of the best countries for digital nomads in Europe.
The Best Countries for Digital Nomads in Europe
Many places in Europe are suitable for digital nomads, but the following offer the best combination of some of the most relevant remote working criteria. These include:
- a great price/quality relationship;
- lots of intriguing sites for all times of the year;
- an ample offer of co-working spaces, coffee shops, and other remote working locations;
- top-notch infrastructure, safety, and fast Wifi; and
- thriving digital nomad communities.
With all of these factors in mind, let’s explore 12 of the best countries for digital nomads in Europe.
Portugal
Portugal is undoubtedly one of the favorites when it comes to the best digital nomad locations in Europe.
The small country on the western edge of the continent scores points with its highly livable cities, low cost of living, and charming southern coastline. In this context, Lisbon and Porto are among the best cities in Europe for digital nomads thanks to their laidback vibes, vast cultural offer, and developed remote working hubs.
With a mix of sleepy beach towns and popular party hotspots, the Algarve region is an excellent spot to work remotely in summer. Aside from that, the northern wine regions and the historic towns of Coimbra and Braga are also favorable choices.
As of 2022, Portugal has introduced a digital nomad visa aimed at remote workers and freelancers.
Prior to this, most digital nomads applied via the D7 visa, and this may continue to be an avenue for digital nomads.
Another option, open to those with cash to invest, is the golden visa. This offers several investment routes, such as buying a residential property or investing in a hotel redevelopment project. The main appeal to digital nomads is that it only requires you to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal to maintain your residency.
The Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal / Shutterstock
Croatia
Croatia is another popular destination among tourists and remote workers alike.
The country offers a breathtaking combination of medieval cities, striking natural parks, and pristine Adriatic beaches.
The cities of Split, Zadar, and Zagreb are great digital nomad bases, but there are also smaller alternatives. Croatia has a lot going for it, and its brand-new digital nomad visa will help boost its popularity among remote workers from all over the world.
Turkey
Next, even though it’s only partly European, Turkey undoubtedly belongs on this list.
The 15 million-plus megacity of Istanbul is an excellent digital nomad base with its diverse cultural heritage, first-rate infrastructure, and low cost of living.
Aside from Istanbul, the laidback region of Izmir, southern beach towns, and other beautiful places in Turkey offer everything digital nomads want.
Hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey / Shutterstock
Poland
In Central and Eastern Europe, Poland is definitely among the best countries for digital nomads in Europe.
Home to picturesque medieval cities like Kraków, Wroclaw, and Poznan, Poland is well-established on most digital nomads’ radars. Its relative affordability, high livability, and unique culture are other plus points.
Hungary
Hungary doesn’t have as many nomad-friendly cities – but its capital is without a doubt one of the best cities in Europe for digital nomads.
Budapest has it all: cultural might, a vibrant nightlife scene, incredible architecture – and a thriving digital nomad community.
As such, if you’re looking for a great all-around destination in Central Europe, Budapest should rank high.
The House of Parliament in Budapest by Mark Maraz / Unsplash
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is another popular destination in Central Europe. Aside from Prague – the obvious choice, Czechia has various alternatives like Karlovy Vary, Plzeň, and Brno.
Apart from the main cities, the Czech Republic is home to some of the prettiest towns in all of Europe – like Cesky Krumlov, and also lots of stunning nature parks.
To sum up, Czechia’s low cost of living, highly livable cities, and central location make it a recommendable country for digital nomads.
Estonia
If you’re into tech startups, you’ll have heard of Estonia.
Looking to start a company online in 20 minutes? Easy. Searching for a country with universally available high-speed Wifi? Estonia’s got you covered.
Aside from Estonia’s world-renowned tech-savviness, the country is also one of the best places for digital nomads in Europe. In this context, the capital city of Tallinn is a charming medieval town with lots of cultural sites and a bustling nightlife scene.
Since 2020, Estonia offers a digital nomad visa to location-independent workers. At 3,500€ per month, the minimum income threshold is quite substantial. Nevertheless, Estonia’s new nomad visa is a great argument for remote workers searching for a base in Northern Europe.
- Read our Complete Tallinn Digital Nomad Guide
Tallinn, Estonia in winter by Ilya Orehov / Unsplash
Greece
Greece is famous all over the world for its stunning islands, ancient temples, and culinary delights. Aside from tourism, Greece is also one of the best countries in Europe for digital nomads.
It’s more expensive than other places in the Balkans, and the remote working culture isn’t as prevalent, but Greece is nonetheless a great country to base yourself during the summer months.
With hundreds of picture-perfect islands to choose from if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Athens, Greece has something for everyone.
- Read our Complete Digital Nomad Greece Guide
Little Venice in Mykonos, Greece / Shutterstock
Romania
Romania is one of the more underrated choices when it comes to European digital nomad destinations.
Its capital city Bucharest offers a unique mix of brutalism, historic grandeur, and modern embellishments. Aside from the capital, Romania is home to the gorgeous Carpathian mountain range and several picturesque beach towns on the Black Sea.
Like other Eastern European countries, Romania will soon offer a digital nomad visa. With a minimum income requirement of 1,100 euros per month, Romania’s remote working visa might be the most accessible in all of Europe.
Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina / Unsplash
The underdogs: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Ukraine, and Bulgaria
Finally, after discussing some of the most popular countries for digital nomads in Europe, let’s discuss a few underdogs.
Bordering Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most underrated destinations for tourists and remote workers alike. Sarajevo is a uniquely diverse city and nicknamed “Jerusalem of Europe.” Apart from its fascinating capital, Bosnia has some of the most incredible nature parks in the region.
Ukraine gets a lot of bad press, but its capital Kyiv is an excellent digital nomad base. With a rich history and a highly-developed remote working culture, Kyiv has a lot going for it. Likewise, the coastal city of Odessa is a recommendable choice on the Black Sea.
- Read my Complete Ukraine Digital Nomad Guide.
Bulgaria cannot compete with Romania in terms of digital nomad infrastructure, but its two largest cities – Sofia and Plovdiv – score points with their charming historical sites and low cost of living. Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast is another strong point, with cities like Burgas and Varna offering relaxing getaways for the summer.
