5 Best European Countries to be a Digital Nomad
Posted by Sophie Grosvenor on March 15th, 2023.
More people are realising they can work just as productively away from the office, ensuring the work/life balance is finally, well, in balance. Not just opening up the opportunity to work from home, remote working is now presenting the prospect of travelling and setting up base in other countries too.
With over 30 countries now encouraging the opportunity to work remotely, digital nomad visas are becoming increasingly popular. With Estonia becoming the first country to welcome remote workers with a specific Digital Nomad Visa, more European countries are following suit.
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, but still wish to work within manageable time zones of Europe, here are the 5 best European countries to be a digital nomad. We take into consideration a time zone that is close to UTC, relatively low living costs, and a reliable, fast internet connection.
Portugal
Portugal regularly takes top spot in most favourable destinations for a digital nomad, and with good reason. A year-round warm climate with an average monthly temperature of 17 degrees Celsius, and a low cost of living.
With a growing number of co-working spaces, cheap living options, and of course laptop-friendly bars and cafes, Portugal is an ideal country to set up base camp if you want to escape the colder northern European winters. The very first digital nomad village was also established in 2021 in Madeira, the Portuguese autonomous region situated off the African coast.
To meet the 12-month digital nomad visa requirements, you must earn at least four times the minimum wage of Portugal; €2800 a month, and work for a company based outside of Portugal.
Croatia
One of the first countries to introduce a specific digital nomad visa, Croatia has been welcoming remote workers since January 2021. Situated along on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia boasts beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, and some of the most geographically-diverse terrain in Europe.
With a low cost of living, and a number of charming towns and villages to experience, Croatia makes for a perfect digital nomad destination. The capital Zagreb offers a vibrant city experience, nestled in the heart of Croatia. Split, located in southern Croatia, is the largest city in Dalmatia, and serves as a gateway to the many idyllic islands in the Adriatic Sea.
The digital nomad visa, which is available for up to a maximum of 12 months, allows any non-EU nationality to stay and work in Croatia on a residence permit. The only requirements are that you must earn a minimum of €2300 a month, and not work for a Croatian company. At present, there isn’t a limit on the digital nomad visa, and you can extend your stay. However, you must leave Croatia for 90 days after your visa expires before applying for another residence permit.
Estonia
The first country to offer a digital nomad visa to remote workers and freelancers, Estonia is one of the best countries to visit and work from. The capital of Talinn has all the old world charm of Europe, mixed with a plethora of co-working spaces and a thriving digital nomad scene.
Estonia first opened the country up to foreign workers when they created an e-residency program to encourage entrepreneurs to set up EU-based online businesses within Estonia. Then in June 2020, the digital nomad visa was formed to allow any non-EU nationality to live and work in the country remotely.
Estonia offers two digital nomad visas. A short-term option allows non-EU members to stay up to 90 days working remotely. The second is aimed for those wanting to stay for up to a year. And much like most of these visas, the only requirements are that you have the financial means to stay (a minimum €3,500 monthly salary), and you must work for a non-Estonian company.
Hungary
Boasting cheap living costs and high-speed internet, Hungary is fast becoming one of the best destinations for freelancers and remote workers. Hungary’s capital Budapest is far cheaper than its Western cousins, including its neighbour the Czech Republic, making it perfect for those starting their digital nomad careers.
Boasting work-friendly cafes and bars with a flourishing digital nomad community, Hungary also has excellent public transport links to surrounding areas. The bonus of numerous green spaces and its famous thermal spas throughout the city of Budapest make the city a far more attractive prospect than many European capitals.
The White Card is the digital nomad visa for Hungary, allowing remote workers to stay and work in Hungary for up to one year. A minimum monthly salary of €2000 and an employee of a non-Hungarian company are the main requirements.
Malta
Just an hour ahead of London, but an average temperature far higher, Malta is both perfectly positioned and well-suited for the digital nomad looking for warmer climates. As one of the first countries to offer its own digital nomad visa, Malta has long been welcoming to remote workers.
The Mediterranean island boasts year-round sunshine, one of the warmest in Europe, and incredibly fast internet infrastructure. Including recently rolled out nationwide 5G service.
Located close to mainland Europe, Malta also has excellent access to North Africa and the Middle East, making it a perfect location to explore neighbouring countries.
To be eligible for Malta’s 12-month Nomad Residence Permit, applicants must simply prove they work for a non-Maltese company. The visa can also be renewed for up to three years, making Malta one of the best options for long-term stays.
Saving Money When Transferring Wages to Europe
If you are seriously considering becoming a digital nomad you will want to explore your currency options to ensure your wages go as far as possible.
TorFX not only offers more competitive exchange rates than most high-street banks but we also don’t tack on any additional transfer fees. This can save you a lot of money if you are regularly transferring your wages.
Get in touch with our team to find out how you could save money when living as a digital nomad.
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