Before the Covid-19 pandemic, working from home was something that was reserved for the lucky few. Now, it is a reasonable work perk that many employees are searching for.
However, working from home doesn’t mean staying in your hometown. More and more people are taking advantage of this new opportunity and using it to explore different cultures, new cities and other continents.
If you’d like to start living as a digital nomad this year, here are the best places to visit.
Portugal
Portugal ticks lots of boxes for tech nomads. It’s an expat-friendly country, the internet is excellent, the food is amazing and the weather is sunny and pleasant year-round.
The Portuguese government is actively recruiting remote workers through its Portugal Passive Income Visa (or D7 Visa) and Non-Habitual Residence tax scheme. Perks include 0% tax on foreign income and 0% tax on crypto. There’s also no minimum stay requirement which is appealing if you’d like to keep your options open.
Lisbon is Portugal’s tech capital and one of the most popular cities for remote workers. It’s a surprisingly affordable place to rent with median rents at €600 per month, 63% lower than the median rate in Europe.
Costa Rica
Did you know that Costa Rica recently passed a law aimed at attracting foreign remote workers? The law, which came into force last October, includes income tax exemptions and access to local banking. It also makes driving licenses issued overseas valid in the country.
However, even before this law came into place Costa Rica was a popular choice for digital nomads. Top pull factors include the amazing beaches and natural landscape as well as a growing expat community.
The costs of living in Costa Rica vary depending on the city you decide to live in. As a rough estimate, living costs can run as high as €2,300 per month for living somewhere with better internet speeds and international cuisine such as San José. It can drop down to around €1300 if you’re living outside a major city.
Malta
Boasting one of the world’s highest vaccination rates, Malta is now welcoming back visitors with cash incentives and a recently launched Nomad Residence Permit. This brand new permit enables visitors to keep their current employment in another country and live in Malta for up to a year (with the opportunity for renewal).
Besides having one of the strongest economies, the lowest unemployment rates and one of the world’s best climates, Malta offers excellent schooling, healthcare and an overall safe environment.
The living cost mostly depends on personal lifestyle, but a budget between €1200- €1500 a month guarantees a comfortable life, especially in the post pandemic world as rents decreased across the board.
Spain
The Spanish government is currently working on a Digital Nomad Visa under a draft bill called the Startups Law. Under the proposed law, remote workers can get a visa that allows them to stay and work for 12 months. This can be extended for another 24 months.
Spain’s beaches, mountains and vibrant cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia make it a prime location for digital nomads who want a central European base with excellent transport links.
While Spain’s most expensive cities can be pricey, expats can enjoy a comfortable life in Valencia or Seville for around €1500 per month.
Indonesia
We can’t talk about digital nomad destinations without mentioning Bali. Indonesia has been right at the heart of the movement and it’s not hard to see why. This tropical island is full of gorgeous beaches, lush jungles, picture-perfect cafes, and luxury villas at affordable prices.
Most people simply pick up a month or two month visa on arrival. This means that you will need to leave the country and re-enter when it expires but this usually isn’t a problem for nomads who want to explore on their time off. In 2021, the tourism minister also announced that the government would soon be offering a five-year digital nomad visa with 0% tax on overseas income.
So, how expensive is it to live in paradise? Well, you can expect to spend up to €2300 per month as a single person living in Bali but families and couples sharing rental costs will be able to save quite a bit.
Whether you’re planning a month in Bali or a year in Spain, make sure you do your research. There has never been a better time to take advantage of remote working and explore all the wonderful places that you’ve always wanted to visit.
