The year 2023 has been one of the top years for digital nomad visas. More and more countries are joining this initiative.
Portugal, Croatia, Colombia, Bulgaria and Panama are some of the countries that offer this type of visa programs for digital nomads. Before deciding on your destination, it’s important to check visa requirements and consult with the corresponding consulates and embassies to avoid any legal inconvenience.
Useful tips for digital nomads
Tips for finding accommodation as a digital nomad
Finding suitable accommodation is crucial for any digital nomad. A good option is to use specialized accommodation sites for digital nomads, such as NomadX or Roam, which have accommodation options available all over the world.
Another alternative is to opt for short-term apartment rental services such as Airbnb or Booking.
Always make sure that they are reliable accommodation sites. If necessary, you can call the host to make sure.
Secure platforms to receive payments anywhere in the world
One of the biggest concerns digital nomads have is finding out how to receive secure payments. It’s not so easy to set up a bank account and direct debits, especially if you’re only planning on spending a few months in any given country. That’s why there are many online payment options, but it’s important to choose secure and reliable platforms.
Some of these options include TransferWise, PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill and Stripe. We recommend that you research the fees and find out which one is the best fit for you.
Best cities for digital nomads
Being a digital nomad involves constant traveling and working remotely from anywhere in the world. With this in mind, there are some cities that stand out for their low cost of living, fast internet connection, coworking spaces and events for digital nomads.
Factors to bear in mind when choosing a city as a digital nomad
When choosing a city to live in as a digital nomad, it’s important to take into account a few key factors. Climate, safety, culture and red tape, such as obtaining visas and opening a bank account, are crucial in choosing your destination.
Likewise, the digital nomads community living in the city is another fundamental factor that will allow you to connect with other professionals and share experiences.
Trends and projections for digital nomadism in 2023
The number of people working as digital nomads around the world is expected to rocket in 2023. In addition, demand for destinations that offer an authentic experience and a connection to local culture is expected to increase.
- Chiang Mai—Thailand
- Lisbon—Portugal
- Barcelona—Spain
- Berlin—Germany
- Budapest—Hungary
Recommended cities for digital nomads
There are cities that stand out from the crowd for being exceptionally welcoming to digital nomads. Here are some to name a few:
- London—UK
- San Francisco—USA
- Ciudad Ho Chi Minh—Vietnam
- Taipei—Taiwan
- Wellington—New Zealand
- Sliema—Malta
- Split—Croatia
- Panama City—Panama
Chiang Mai– Thailand
Why Chiang Mai is a top destination among digital nomads
Chiang Mai has become one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads in recent years.
- The cost of living is low
- Internet connections are fast and reliable
- There’s a distinctive culture and a large community of digital nomads.
These all add up to make it one of the best options for those looking to work and live in a quiet and relaxed environment.
What’s more, it offers a pleasant climate during most of the year, allowing you to get out and about all year round.
Chiang Mai’s main strengths for digital nomadism
- Different coworking spaces, coffee shops and libraries which offer fast and reliable internet connection, as well as comfortable and quiet spaces to work.
- The cost of living is quite low, making it possible to live comfortably on a tight budget.
- Public transportation is efficient and inexpensive, with plenty of transportation options for getting around the city.
- Access to health care and basic services is also good.
Chiang Mai is a city full of culture and traditions, making it an intriguing place to discover new aspects of Thai life.
Digital nomad community and events in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has a bustling community of digital nomads with different groups and associations, as well as events that are regularly put on.
The digital nomad community in Chiang Mai has been growing over time, and today it’s both sizeable and diverse. Members often get together to organize both business and social meetups where ideas are shared.
At these events, new job opportunities crop up and friendships strike up. The city also has tons of coworking spaces and coffee shops to work in, which makes it easy to meet other digital nomads and become part of the community.
In addition, there are events and festivals throughout the year that allow you to get to know the local culture and celebrate together with other digital nomads.
Lisbon – Portugal
Why Lisbon is an ideal destination for digital nomads
- Lisbon is an increasingly popular city for digital nomads thanks to its low cost of living and pleasant climate all year round.
- Plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with free Wi-Fi.
- Lisbon is a safe and quiet city that offers an excellent quality of life at a very affordable price for digital nomads.
Advantages of living in Lisbon as a remote worker or digital nomad
- Lisbon has a rich culture and there’s lots to do, which means you’ll never be bored in your free time.
- Digital nomads who choose Lisbon as their home enjoy an unbeatable quality of life, access to a wide range of outdoor activities, and incredible gastronomy
- The city is located in a convenient time zone for international business and is only a few hours’ flight from other major European cities such as Madrid, Paris, or London.
Events for digital nomads in Lisbon
- Lisbon hosts loads of events designed for digital nomads, such as meetups and conferences on entrepreneurship, software development and digital marketing.
- There are also a lot of social events for digital nomads, such as networking parties and dinners, which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people in the city.
- In addition, Lisbon offers a whole host of free-time activities to explore and enjoy, such as bike tours, hiking in the mountains and wine tasting on the outskirts of the city.
Barcelona – Spain
Barcelona’s advantages for digital nomads
- Barcelona is a vibrant city full of culture that has become a popular destination for digital nomads.
- This city located in the northeast of Spain, has fantastic public transportation and a wide variety of accommodations at varying prices.
- Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, stunning architecture and first-class gastronomy.
- It has a large community of digital nomads.
- Many coworking spaces are available for those who want to work in a welcoming and collaborative environment.
- There are also numerous groups and events for the digital nomad community in the city.
Lifestyle and culture in Barcelona for digital nomads
Barcelona is a city with a cosmopolitan lifestyle, seamlessly blending Spanish culture with influences from other parts of the world.
The city is also known for its creative energy and artistic quality. If you are a digital nomad interested in art, museums, theater or music, Barcelona is the place to be. The city has numerous festivals and events throughout the year, from art exhibitions and concerts to food and film festivals.
Events and community for digital nomads in Barcelona
The digital nomad community in Barcelona is welcoming and collaborative, with many coworking spaces and opportunities to network with other remote professionals.
Events and meetups are regularly organized for the digital nomad community. Some of the most popular events for digital nomads in Barcelona include:
- Freelance Mastermind
- Coworking Day Barcelona
- Barcelona Digital Nomads Meetup.
There are also Facebook and Meetup groups for the digital nomad community in Barcelona.
Berlin – Germany and Budapest – Hungary
Central Europe as a great destination for digital nomads
Europe is fast becoming the destination of choice for all digital nomads because of its transportation facilities and low taxation for non-European nationals.
In addition, Berlin and Budapest are two of the most interesting cities to live in as a digital nomad. Due to their historical charm, cultural diversity, and facilities to work remotely. This makes them the most attractive option for those looking for a city in Central Europe to move to.
Why Berlin and Budapest are ideal cities for digital nomads(h3)
Berlin is one of the most vibrant, young, and creative cities in the world. All of this makes it magnet for digital nomads. The city has a wide range of coworking spaces, cafes, and spaces to work remotely.
In addition, it’s full of culture, it’s a stunning city, and there’s always something going on with plenty of activities to do in your free time.
On the other hand, Budapest is also an interesting option for digital nomads. The city has an excellent transportation network and high-speed internet access.
It has an interesting community of digital nomads and regular events for the sector.
Community and events for digital nomads in Berlin and Budapest(h3)
Berlin has heaps of coworking spaces and events for the remote working community.
- Factory Berlin
- Mindspace
- WeWork
In addition, the city has a series of events aimed at the digital nomad community.
- Meetup
- Tech Open Air
- Berlin Geekettes
In Budapest, there are coworking spaces such as:
- Kaptár
- Loffice
- Impact HUB
The city has events for the digital nomad community:
- Budapest Remote Workers Meetup
- Startup Safary Budapest
Central Europe is a perfect place for digital nomads and Berlin and Budapest are two of the most attractive cities in the region for this growing community.
Both have a culture and events that are hard to resist. This makes them two fantastic options within Central Europe.
OTHER CITIES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DIGITAL NOMADS(h2)
London – UK(h3)
London is one of the most fascinating cities not just in Europe but the world. For digital nomads it offers a plethora of coworking spaces, events, and networking opportunities.
It’s true that the cost of living is high, but there are accommodation and restaurant options to suit all tastes and budgets.
San Francisco – USA (h3)
San Francisco is known as the tech capital of the world, making it a key city for digital nomads. It has more than 100 coworking spaces, an impressive range of events, a vibrant community and a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
San Francisco is an ideal city for those looking for opportunities in the tech world. However, life in San Francisco is expensive.
Sliema – Malta (h3)
Sliema is a small city on the Mediterranean island of Malta. It offers a wealth of coworking spaces, events, and activities for digital nomads.
Malta has a warm climate year-round, as well as a unique culture.
The spending power you need for Malta is moderate compared to other European cities, which makes it an attractive destination for digital nomads.
Split – Croatia (h3)
Split is a coastal city in Croatia that offers an excellent quality of life and a growing network of coworking spaces for digital nomads.
In the post @The 3 easiest-to-get Digital Nomad visas, we explain why Croatia is one of the places nomads should choose.
The city boasts stunning historic architecture, beautiful beaches, and a warm Mediterranean climate. Plus, the cost of living in Split is reasonable compared to other coastal cities in Europe and it offers one of the easiest visas to get.
So, there you have it! We’ve told you all the best destinations to be a digital nomad, now you just need to choose the one you like the most.
So tell us, which one is your favorite?
