The term “digital nomad” often stands as a catch-all for work that is mostly or entirely done online. Digital nomads can be self-employed in blogging, coaching, or consulting. Also they can be contracted employees, working as freelance web designers, graphic designers, or marketing strategists.
THAILAND
Thailand has long been a popular destination for backpackers and expats alike, and for good reason. The weather is great, there’s much to explore, and the scenery is amazing. After all, you want plenty to do when you’re not working, and this Southeast Asian country has it all.
The cost of living is roughly 48 percent lower than in the United States, which is why Thailand appeals to digital nomads. This means you don’t have to use as much of your hard-earned money to keep yourself afloat and instead spend it on more interesting things.
One of Thailand’s main draws for digital nomads is the range of places to stay. Generally, you’ll want to stick to larger cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui. These have the largest expat communities and, generally, the best services.
It’s fairly easy to set up a life as a digital nomad in Thailand. The country is familiar with expats, and just over 25 percent of the population speaks English. Moving around the country isn’t difficult, meaning you could jump around hotels and Airbnbs as you please.
Unfortunately, Thailand doesn’t have an appropriate visa category for digital nomads. The best way to deal with this is by getting a multiple-entry Thailand tourist visa and hopping across the border when needed.
Alternatively, you can get an Elite Visa if you have the money. Due to there being a lack of visa categories, there aren’t many local job opportunities for digital nomads.
GEORGIA
Georgia is fast becoming a top choice for digital nomads. It doesn’t pop up on many people’s radars, but it’s made an effort in recent years to attract mobile workers.
or a start, it launched a digital nomad visa. Provided you can earn at least US$2,000 a month, you can stay in the country for a year. Plus, the application is free.
This makes the country especially attractive for digital nomads.
The cost of living in Georgia is also good. Georgia has a 47.83 percent lower cost of living than the U.S. In fact, a rough monthly cost for a single person (excluding rent) is around US$525. Considering your required earnings for the visa is US$2,000, this gives you a lot of money to play with.
Luckily, Georgia has decent amenities in its more populated areas. There’s a growing community of digital nomads in Tbilisi, its capital, thanks to its speedy wifi, cafes, and a range of rental opportunities.
Most expats live in Tbilisi mainly because Georgia doesn’t have the same kind of expat history as somewhere like Thailand. You could also try Batumi, which has warmer weather, or Kutaisi, the former capital.
Setting up a life in Georgia should be fairly easy considering the difference between your required earnings and cost of living.
CROATIA
Croatia is making an effort to get onto many of the Internet’s “best of” lists. It has quickly become a popular European holiday destination thanks to its amazing scenery and weather.
You can apply for a digital nomad visa in Croatia. This permits you to stay in the country for up to a year, but it can be renewed for as many years as you’d like. The monthly income requirement for the visa is US$2,350 a month. You can bring family members with you, but you must have an extra US$90 a month for each.
On the flip side, Croatia is a slightly more expensive country to live in. It’s 39.2 percent cheaper than the U.S., but a monthly budget for a single person is around US$615. So, despite it being more expensive than Georgia, you still have roughly the same amount of spare money.
Most of its digital nomad communities focus on its larger cities such as Zagreb, Split, Zadar, and Pula. These are also its most tourist-heavy cities, which could be a good or bad thing.
Due to the growing tourist industry, English is widely spoken in populated areas. You’ll also find large expat communities here. Better yet, the rental market is easy to get into, and you can even rent properties for as little as two weeks.
You can even rent a property if you’re not a citizen, meaning it’s easy to set up a life as a digital nomad.
INDONESIA
Bali, Indonesia has long been a popular destination for digital nomads because of its competitive cost of living. Its climate and scenery are big draws, and it has decent wifi and services for those working online.
Indonesia is currently in the process of launching a specific digital nomad visa, although its current range isn’t amazing for remote workers. If approved, it’ll be valid for up to five years, which is significantly more than other nomad visas on this list. Better yet, digital nomads won’t have to pay taxes in Bali.
Seminyak is a great choice for settling down if you want a more upmarket feel, but other good choices include Ubud, Sanur, and Canggu. Amenities are decent and you’ll find plenty to do in your spare time. Due to the area’s tourism, most people can speak English.
Looking for somewhere to live could set you back some money, though, and Airbnb will have the greatest selection of rentals. Expect to pay at least US$800 a month or more like US$2,000 if you want somewhere fancy.
PORTUGAL
Portugal has particular draws that make it ideal for digital nomads. First, its weather and culture are interesting and incredibly varied thanks to its European and Arabic influences.
Portugal currently offers a digital nomad visa called the D8 visa. This visa allows remote workers who are employed by a non-Portuguese company or are self-employed to live in the country. The D8 visa has two options: the Temporary D8 visa, valid for 1 year and the Residence D8 visa, valid for 2 years. To qualify for this visa you must 4 times the minimum Portuguese salary, which equates to €3,040 per month.
Previously, many digital nomads applied for the D7 Passive Income visa in Portugal, but as the D8 visa was released in 2022, most digital nomads will NO LONGER qualify for the D7 visa.
The cost of living in Portugal is around 41 percent cheaper than in the U.S., and a single person can live on around US$550 without rent. However, you’ll probably find that it’ll cost more to live in the areas with the best amenities.
Although Portugal is generally good for wifi, you can’t expect the levels of connectivity you need for online work in rural areas. You’ll therefore have to live in a more urban area, which will drastically increase your costs.
MEXICO
Mexico has a specific digital nomad visa, but the entry requirements are the strictest on this list. First, you must have a monthly income of US$2,595 a month, but this is fairly standard.
However, you must also have US$43,000 in a bank account and own Mexican property worth at least US$346,000.
Provided you meet the entry requirements, Mexico has a fairly low cost of living. It’s around 48% cheaper than the US, putting it on par with Thailand. A single person can live on around $490 a month, and you theoretically won’t have to pay rent considering you already own a property!
The best cities in Mexico for digital nomads include Mexico City, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, and Playa del Carmen. They all have sizeable expat communities, meaning it should be easy to make friends.
Remote jobs for nomads in Mexico aren’t difficult to come by, again thanks to its proximity to the U.S. Provided you have the income to meet visa requirements, Mexico is a good choice for digital nomads.
VIETNAM
Vietnam is known for its amazing scenery, great food, and low cost of living. Despite not offering the best range of visas, it’s clear why it’s a popular country for digital nomads.
However, don’t expect to settle down in Vietnam on the same long-term basis as you can elsewhere.
More importantly, it’s cheap to live in Vietnam. Vietnam is around 50.79 percent less expensive than the U.S., making it the most cost-friendly country on our list. A single person can live on around US$445 a month, excluding rent.
Rent will bring this cost up, especially as you’ll need to live in one of the larger cities (such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) to take advantage of wifi, great coffee, and amenities.
The main drawback of Vietnam is that it only offers 30-day visas. However, you can do what’s known as a visa run – leaving and reentering the country – but only up to a maximum of six months.
Due to the visa requirements, you won’t necessarily be able to settle down in the same way as in other countries. As such, Airbnb will be your best option for housing, as you can then move around the country easily.
Along with the cities mentioned above, Da Nang and Nha Trang are good for expat communities, especially if you’re after a quieter lifestyle.
