Digital nomads can live and work in the most exotic and exciting places worldwide. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or remote employee, plenty of cities cater to digital nomads’ needs. A nomadic lifestyle is possible with a digital nomad seeking freedom and telecommunication technologies allowing them to live and work from anywhere. However, which remote location is the best for a digital nomad? This article will show you some places to enjoy a productive day’s work while living comfortably on an affordable budget.
Thailand
It’s no secret that Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads. With the low cost of living, abundant work-from-home jobs, and a relatively relaxed culture, Thailand is perfect for those who want to live and work on a budget. Bangkok has long been considered the birthplace of digital nomadism; however, Bangkok is not the cheapest place to live in Thailand. If you want to save money, consider moving to Chiang Mai instead!
Thailand also offers a long-term resident visa, the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa. With this visa program, which started in 2022, you can stay in Thailand for five years, and it has a 10-year renewable visa option.
In terms of taxation, the country applies a progressive tax rate. As a digital nomad in Thailand, you will find that the higher your taxable income is, the higher your tax rate will be. However, the country has a lenient approach toward digital nomads as long as remote workers do not replace local employment. Moreover, the remittance tax scheme has not been strictly implemented. The change will come once the government starts issuing tax identification numbers to tourists staying longer than 180 days. However, to avoid exceeding the 180-day mark, you can permanently or temporarily relocate to Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, or Malaysia. However, staying longer will have the same implications as expats with foreign-sourced income.
South Africa
South Africa is a country with many opportunities for digital nomads. The cost of living is low, and there are abundant career opportunities in various industries, including technology. Also, the weather is good, too. South Africans are friendly and welcoming people who enjoy meeting new people from all over the world. There are many exciting things to see and do during your downtime! Not to mention the breathtaking landscape that draws thousands of tourists to the country yearly.
Also, great news is that South Africa recently introduced a digital nomad program. It is not the most attractive, even though the location is. However, in terms of taxes, South Africa follows a pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax system. Based on this tax system, foreign companies must register and comply with the tax regulations. There are also some challenges for digital nomads operating in the software development space, as amendments to the country’s copyright bill could jeopardize copyright protection.
Colombia
Colombia is one of the best places in the world to live and work as a digital nomad. It has a great climate, beautiful beaches, delicious food, friendly people, and excellent infrastructure. The capital city of Bogota has excellent internet access with fast speeds and affordable rates (compared to many other countries). There are plenty of cafes where you can spend hours working online with your laptop or tablet. Colombia also has some incredible travel opportunities within its borders: from coffee farms in the Cordillera de Los Andes mountains to hiking trails in the La Guajira desert; from jungle villages along the Amazon river to coral reefs off Colombia’s Caribbean coast; from colonial cities such as Cartagena de Indias, or Santa Marta on Colombia’s northern coast south through Medellin − once known as Colombia’s murder capital − down into Barranquilla. You can use Colombia’s excellent healthcare system for less than $100 monthly, including dental care! A haven for those seeking a digital nomad lifestyle.
More so, as a foreign remote worker in the country, meaning as a non-resident, you will be classified as a tax exemption. You will not need to pay local taxes. However, you must pay taxes if you earn an income within the country’s borders.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most popular places for digital nomads to live and work. The climate is excellent; the beaches and mountains are beautiful, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. Also, the cost of living is low, but the internet price can be high (a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi may set you back $5-$10/day).
You’ll find a good coffee shop with free Wi-Fi just about anywhere in Costa Rica – the major cities have many options, but even smaller towns usually have at least one or two places to get online. The good thing is that if you need to drive around looking for a spot, you can use your car by having the vehicle shipped to Costa Rica.
Regarding visa requirements, you can apply for a renewable digital nomad visa. The great thing about Costa Rica is that you are exempt from profit tax during your visa period. You also benefit from tax-free import of any technological equipment needed for your work.
Spain
Spain is an excellent place for digital nomads to live and work. It has a high quality of life, good weather, cheap living costs, and a sound healthcare system. Also, it’s easy to get around with excellent transport links, including trains, planes, and buses. There are also many beautiful beaches! The food is delicious – especially the seafood! You can quickly get by speaking English as most young Spaniards speak some English. You can still manage to communicate if you don’t speak Spanish. Spain is also in the European Union. This makes doing business very easy here. Everything is standardized across Europe at no extra cost (like when we had to pay for our visas).
The new digital nomad visa is available if you work remotely for a foreign company. Moreover, you can work for a local company if not more than 20% of your income comes from that source. Additionally, to apply for a digital nomad visa, you will need an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a university or college or at least three years of work experience in your current field of activity.
Moreover, you will be subject to tax. You can qualify for tax benefits, such as a reduced tax rate as a non-resident. It is best to consult with a tax professional to understand Spain’s tax regime better and how it will impact you as a digital nomad living and working in the country, especially since you will need a tax identification number while on the digital nomad program.
India
India is a very diverse country. It has every climate, from the snow-capped Himalayas to the tropical south. There are many different places to live, from beach towns and desert cities to mountain villages with little electricity or running water. The cost of living in India is quite reasonable compared to other developed countries, although it’s more expensive than most Asian countries. Plus, the food is delicious (mainly vegetarian), and plenty of it—you’ll never go hungry here! The people are friendly once you get over your initial culture shock; they love talking about themselves and don’t mind being interrupted mid-sentence (but try listening anyway). If you’re staying long enough in one place, you’ll probably make friends with some locals at an internet cafe or coworking space. The weather can be hot and humid during summertime but cools off nicely by fall; this may not appeal to those who prefer warmer climates or want year-round sunshine. Winters here tend towards chilly rather than cold weather. You may require winter clothes from December through February (although no polar bears are roaming around, so there is no need for fur coats).
If you want to globetrotting through India, it is a digital nomad’s dream. Only people from these countries can’t apply for the digital nomads visa: Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, United Kingdom, or Uzbekistan. However, if you are from the United States or Japan, you can apply for a 10-year visa.
Mexico
Mexico is a great place to live and work as a digital nomad. Mexican culture is amiable, so getting involved in the local community is easy. The food is also delicious. Numerous cultural events happen throughout the year. As far as business goes, Mexico is one of the best countries for starting your own business because of its low cost of living and high standard of living. It has low tax rates (especially compared with other Latin American countries).
This means that you can keep more money if you choose not to hire employees or rent an office space; however, if you do opt for hiring employees or renting an office space, this will increase your costs slightly, depending on how much staff/space you need.
You must obtain a digital nomad visa to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days, six months to 4 years. Commonly referred to as Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa, this visa gives you the right to stay and work remotely in Mexico. One of the benefits of this visa is that you can import your household and personal items without incurring tax charges, primarily if you are based in the U.S. You will also have access to healthcare via Mexico’s IMSS. You will be eligible to obtain a Mexican driver’s license.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is the cheapest place to live in Europe. Also, Bulgaria has good weather, several cafes and restaurants, and excellent transport links to other countries. Bulgaria is a great place for families. It has a unique digital infrastructure with fast internet connections in most areas. Many coworking spaces offer free or cheap desks from which digital nomads can work.
However, the country does not offer a digital nomad visa. You will need to apply for a long-stay Type D visa. With this work visa, you can stay in the country for six to twelve months. Also, if you are American, you can enter the country without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days.
Israel
Israel is an exciting place to live and work. It’s home to many of the world’s most innovative companies, constantly looking for new talent in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Plus, living in Israel gives you access to some of the best beaches in the world! There are many reasons for digital nomads to consider making Israel their home: a strong tech community, a high-tech hub, a good quality of life, an excellent work-life balance, and a low cost of living.
Turkey
Turkey is a country that offers many opportunities for digital nomads and entrepreneurs. It’s one of the most popular countries for digital nomads to live and work in due to its low cost, high standard of living, and great weather. The country has an active start-up culture with many coworking spaces catering to digital nomads worldwide. Many online resources are also available on Facebook groups like Digital Nomad Hub Istanbul. Here, you can connect with other like-minded people who want to work remotely while exploring Turkey’s rich history, cuisine, and culture!
Unique places to live and work as a digital nomad!
There are many places around the world where you can work and live comfortably on a budget. The best places to live and work in terms of cost are Chiang Mai, Thailand; Budapest, Hungary; Bali, Indonesia; Lisbon, Portugal; Bangkok, and Thailand.
The Best Places to Live and Work in Terms of Quality of Life:
- Reykjavik, Iceland (best place for cold weather)
- Albury/Wodonga, New South Wales, Australia (best place for warm weather)
- Wellington, New Zealand (best place for great food); Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (best place for safety).
Conclusion: Best Places for Digital Nomads to Live & Work
We hope this list has given you a better idea of where to go for your next adventure. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution; it’s up to you how much you want to spend on living expenses and how much time you dedicate to finding remote work. We know from experience that it can take some research and patience before finding the right place for you, but we promise it will be worth it!