The Top 10 Best Places to Live as a Digital Nomad Right Now

An increasing number of working professionals are choosing the digital nomad lifestyle over life in the office. But where are the best places to live as a digital nomad right now? A new report from the Global Intelligence has created a comprehensive 65-country index to highlight the most accommodating destinations for digital nomads. This study underscores the unique benefits and challenges of living and working across different cultures and navigating diverse immigration and tax regulatory frameworks. 

This index comprises 12 indicators taking Visa Costs, Visa Benefits, Quality of Life, Economic Environment, and Tech and Innovation into consideration. Indicators were weighted based on their relevance and impact on digital nomads’ decision-making processes, using data from academic papers, industry expert insights, and publicly available sources. Based on this rigorous approach, here are the top 10 places to live as a digital nomad right now.

1. Spain

Spain leads the list with a score of 89.12, thanks to its attractive visa policies, high quality of life, and vibrant tech scene. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid offer a blend of modern infrastructure, rich cultural experiences, and a dynamic community of digital nomads. However, as we recently reported, Spain is getting fed up with the number of digital nomads, so you may want to take this into account when deciding where to stay as a digital nomad. The country’s digital nomad visa provides long-term stay options with access to public services.

2. Netherlands

With a score of 86.26, the Netherlands is renowned for its excellent quality of life, robust economic environment, and strong tech infrastructure. Amsterdam, in particular, is a hub for innovation and offers numerous coworking spaces, making it ideal for digital nomads. The cold, rainy weather, however, may not be so ideal.

3. Norway

Norway scores 86.20, praised for its high standard of living, stunning natural landscapes, and progressive policies. Oslo offers a thriving tech scene, while the country’s commitment to digital innovation makes it a great place for remote work. On the other hand, Norway’s cost of living is quite high, so it’s worth considering whether getting access to Norway’s incredible nature is worth the extra costs.

4. Estonia

With a score of 85.77, Estonia is a pioneer in digital nomadism with its digital nomad visa and e-residency program. This allows digital nomads to manage their businesses online with ease and makes it a top choice for those looking to live in a society on the cutting edge of digital nomad policy. 

5. Romania

Romania, with a score of 84.89, offers an affordable cost of living, a growing tech sector, and an inviting atmosphere for digital nomads. Cities like Bucharest are becoming increasingly popular for their growing tech communities combined with access to modern amenities. Add in the recent addition of Romania to the Schengen Zone, and it becomes an even more intriguing place to set up your digital nomad home.

6. Malta

Scoring 84.48, Malta is known for its sunny climate, English-speaking population, and favorable tax breaks. The island nation’s welcoming environment and high quality of life make it a perfect destination for digital nomads looking for a balance between work and leisure.

7. Portugal

Portugal, with a score of 84.07, continues to attract digital nomads with its affordable living costs, warm climate, and dynamic expat community. Lisbon, in particular, is a hotspot for its vibrant tech scene and excellent coworking spaces. Like Spain, Portugal has recently protested against the increase in digital nomads due to the rise in the cost of accommodation in Lisbon and Porto. Living in Portugal is not as cheap as the media would lead you to believe. Take this into consideration when looking into the country.  

8. Canada

Canada scored 83.65, offering a high quality of life, diverse cities, and a strong economic environment. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver are popular among digital nomads for their excellent infrastructure and multicultural vibe. Like Norway, Canada’s cost of living is higher than many other countries on this list, but the access to the nature may be worth it. 

9. Hungary

With a score of 83.61, Hungary combines affordability with a rich cultural heritage. Budapest is particularly appealing for digital nomads, providing a mix of historical charm and modern conveniences, along with a thriving community of remote workers. Hungarian is notoriously hard to learn, but luckily English is widely spoken in the bigger cities and among the younger generation. 

10. France

France rounds out the top ten with a score of 83.17. Known for its quality of life, cultural richness, and robust infrastructure, cities like Paris and Lyon offer plenty of coworking spaces and networking opportunities for digital nomads. Just be prepared to speak French to get by in the smaller, more rural cities