15 Charming Towns In Europe To Explore As A Digital Nomad
To scale your hustle as a digital nomad, you should be in environments designed to fuel your ideal lifestyle. The great thing is, there are many towns and cities in Europe that have proven to be charming, inspiring and uplifting.
To borrow the words of Vir Das "Surround yourself with a bunch of like-minded people, and you'll soak up their habits like a starved sponge”.
I have compiled this step-by-step guide to help if you are considering Europe to begin your digital nomad journey. And always remember, where ever you find yourself please always be respectful of the culture and environment.
1. Tbilisi Georgia
Tbilisi is the most popular destination for nomads in Georgia and is currently one of the best digital nomad cities you can think of relocating to. As of today, it presently offers 95 countries visa-free access for one year. Additionally, you can visit Georgia visa-free for shorter periods f you have a valid US or UK visa.
Although it doesn't offer a digital nomad visa, it allows remote workers to reside and work there. However, you must meet the requirement of making at least $2,000 every month for the last 12 months. Once your bank statement can verify that, you're good to go.
Georgia was the place I spent the least when I was there for a month. The cost of living here is quite affordable, with an index of 91/137 and an internet speed of 28.68 Mbps / 42.49 Mbps.
From Tbilisi, you can take road trips to places like Batumi and Kutaisi. There's also so much to do and if you love great wine, Georgia should be high on your list!
2. Zadar Croatia
Zadar, Croatia, is another excellent place if you truly want to live this lifestyle to the fullest as you will be surrounded by loads of Digital Nomads. In 2021, the government launched the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa and it created a massive buzz in the travel industry as Croatia is so gorgeous! The visa gives you access to reside and work in Croatia. To obtain the visa, you must set a budget of €80 - €130. Also, you must show proof of your bank statement to confirm your ability to make at least €2,232 every month for the last 12 months. You can enquire more about it from the Croatia embassy in your current country of residence.
3. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is another choice location for remote workers. Chezh Reoffers a digital nomad visa known as Zivno and the best part, the visa application is free.
Prague Czech ranks 59 out of 137 countries in terms of cost of living. It has an internet speed of 95.23 Mbps / 65.88 Mbps
However, you have to show proof of your bank containing €5,587 in the bank for individuals. The visa is valid for one year and can be extended after the expiry. Some people say obtaining this visa is complicated because it requires showing a business license or certificate of business incorporation. In my opinion living in a place like Prague is definitely worth the little hassle.
4. Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia, is a beautiful cosmopolitan digital nomad city that's one of the headquarters of tech in Europe. It is usually referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Europe” and has an internet speed of 86.56 Mbps 75.21 Mbps and ranks 48137 cities to live in Europe.
Estonia allows entrepreneurs access to the country to work remotely and is welcoming to digital nomads. The applicant must show proof of a monthly income threshold of €3,504.
5. Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland, is the capital city of Iceland and is known for a thriving nightlife. With great weather during the summer months, friendly and courteous people, breathtaking and sights like the northern lights during the winter months. It is Iceland after all, so do not forget to pack some warm clothes no matter the time of the year.
The income requirement is however slightly higher than the average. To apply for the visa, you must make a monthly income of around $7500. This beautiful city has an internet speed pegged at 180 Mbps and ranks 5 out of 137 for the cost of living.
6. Svalbard, Norway
And if you are super adventurous and do not mind the cold, you can check our Svalbard, an island in northern Norway. The cost of rent is relatively low and there are a lot of polar bears around. Fun fact, the polar bear population in the Svalbard area is estimated to be around 3,000 while the region's human population is 3,500.
There's a specific Svalbard digital nomad visa that authorizes foreigners to live in the Svalbard region of Norway while working remotely. You should have a yearly income of around $35,000 to qualify for this visa.
Norway also offers an Independent Contractor Visa but you must have at least one Norwegian client.
7. Madeira Portugal
The stunning islands of Madeira, Portugal, are another fantastic place to live and work as a digital nomad, with stunning beaches, lovely landscapes and rolling hills, affordable housing, quiet and serene atmosphere. This is one of the best places for deep focus on quiet building.
Like other European countries, Portugal has the D7 Visa, which works perfectly well for digital nomads and remote workers who want to explore the rich atmosphere of Portugal. The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for five years. After that, you’re qualified for permanent residence. Some popular places you can enjoy visiting include Lisbon, the Islands of Madeira, the Azores, the stunning beaches of the Algarve, and Porto. The cost of application for the D7 Visa is €83 for the visa and a €72 resident permit fee. Also, you must provide evidence of your monthly earnings for the last 12 months, which must amount to €600 per month. This particular visa is one of my favourite digital nomad visas.
8. Valencia Spain
Valencia has a sizable digital nomad community, a pleasant climate, and is significantly less expensive than living in Barcelona or Madrid.
Spain currently offers a Non-Lucrative Visa. Though the visa doesn’t allow the carrier to work, it’s mostly for people who want to go to Spain to relax and unwind. However, the country has proposed a law to allow remote workers to obtain visas that will enable them to stay and work in Spain for up to 12 months. Until the bill is passed, the Non-Lucrative Visa remains one reliable method to enjoy the richness of Spain's atmosphere.
Costs Visa: $140 (Non-Lucrative Visa )
Duration: 1 year and can be renewed (Non-Lucrative Visa )
Income to prove: €2151 per month (Non-Lucrative Visa )
Cost of living index: 53 out of 137
Internet speed fixed: 207.62 Mbps / mobile: 64.44 Mbps
9. Sliema Malta
The beautiful Island of Malta offers remote workers access to a visa known as Nomad Residency Permit. Sliema is located on the northeast coast of Malta and a great base to explore Malta as it has great transportation connectivity.
The Malta digital nomad visa is relatively new and targets NON-European remote workers to stay and work in Malta for one year. You can renew the permit. Malta has a strong network with 5G and the official language is English.
Costs Visa: €300 includes family
For Non-EU remote workers
Length: 1 year and can be renewed
Income to prove: €2700 per month plus rental contract or property purchase.
Cost of living index: 36 out of 137
Internet speed fixed: 150.52 Mbps / mobile: 61.74 Mbps
10. Crete Greece
Crete, Greece's largest island, is a central digital nomad hub. Greece has something for everyone, whether in Heraklion or Chania. Excellent internet, water sports, hiking, diving, beautiful weather all year, and the best Greek cuisine. Chania is a more touristy destination with an active digital nomad community.
Greece is rich in food and culture and very accommodating. It offers remote workers a 1-year visa known as Greece digital nomad visa for non-EU/EEA citizens. This visa is targeted at NON-EU/EEA citizens and can be extended to 3 years for digital nomads who want to reside there to work. The visa application costs €75, and the applicant must show proof of her business generating about €3,500 per month. And if you desire to move in with your spouse, an additional 20% for spouse/partner and 15% for each child. The indexed cost of living is 46 out of 137
11. Mamaia România
Mamaia is ideal for short-term Digital Nomads who want to live their best life by the beach. Mamaia is Romania's largest resort, both crowded and expensive during the summer. It is popular among Bucharest residents because it is a short drive away. So even if you aren't based here, you can choose to live in the capital and make Mamaia a weekend getaway spot.
Romania is always at the forefront whenever you think of any European country with the fastest-growing broadband internet speed.
To qualify for a Digital Nomad visa in Romania, you must be making 3x the gross monthly average salary in Romania, which comes to around €3,700 per month.
Length: 1 year can be extended for one extra year
Cost of living index: 90 out of 137
Internet speed fixed: 241.35 Mbps / mobile: 61.70 Mbps
12. Budapest Hungary
Budapest is a dream city for me and Hungary now offers a digital nomad visa known as White Card. It’s one of the most accessible digital nomad to obtain in Europe as it requires an income threshold of €2,000 monthly. The cost for the application per individual is pegged at €110 and has a duration of 1 year which you can extend for another year. The indexed cost of living is rated 94 out of 137, with a high internet speed of 213.92 Mbps / 71.21 Mbps.
Hungary has a relatively low cost of living and the visa allows you access to the Schengen Area. Score!
13. Limassol Cyprus
Okay technically Cyprus is geographically in Western Asia but culturally it is considered Southeastern European. Limassol has a rich history, loads of museums to explore and amazing ocean views.
Cyprus now offers United Kingdom citizens and other NON-EU citizens a work permit to work remotely. The visa comes with a 12 months duration which can be extended for another two years by the holder. The registration and issuance fee for the visa is €70. And before you can do this, the applicant must prove that they can earn €3,500 monthly. The cost of living index is rated 42/137 with an internet speed of 51.81 Mbps / 168.72 Mbps
14. Riga Latvia
Riga is the capital of Latvia and is home so some of the coolest architecture in Europe.
Latvia offers a digital nomad visa with a 1-year duration that can be renewed for another year. Unlike other visas, this one is only available for foreigners working for companies registered in an Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) country. The cost of processing the visa is around €60 to €120 and you must show that you have an income €2,857.
15. Tirana Albania
Finally, Albania. See, I saved this for last because Albania is one of my favourite countries in the world. I keep going back over and over again. Albania is beautiful, has great weather for most of the year, has incredible people, delicious food and is relatively affordable. What more do you need?
Digital nomads in Albania will need a visa called "Unique Permit" and it is a new introduction that streamlined the process of living and working remotely in Albania. The permit is renewable for two years, then for another five years, and can then can ultimately be upgraded to permanent residency. As of writing this, the process to apply is not yet publicly available but it is expected to be up and running in a few months.
Tirana is the capital city and a great base to explore the rest of the country. I felt so safe doing road trips across Albania and some of my favourite beach towns are Vlore, Himare and Ksamil.
Tirana has a bubbling nightlife and you would be in familiar company while in Tirana as there are many digital nomads working from cafes all over the city.
Which of these towns is speaking to you?