Despite pandemic-driven office-return mandates, remote work is here to stay and has helped reshape cities around the world. Still, some countries are more welcoming to digital nomads than others.
Recently, experts at Global Citizen Solutions released their annual Global Digital Nomad Report, ranking the best countries for digital nomads in 2024. The report looked at 65 countries and jurisdictions identified as the most receptive to digital nomads.
The report analyzed 12 core indicators assigned to five sub-indices to rank countries:
- Visa Fee
- Visa benefits
- quality of life
- Economic environment
- Technology and Innovation
Laura Madrid Sartoretto, senior research scientist at the Global Solutions Intelligence Unit, told CNBC Make It that the biggest takeaway from this year’s report is that the highest-ranking countries offer a more direct path to citizenship or at least permanent residency.
“More and more people are using this program to obtain a second citizenship and take advantage of the mobility it provides,” said Madrid Sartoretto.
Nine of the top 10 countries are in Europe. The United States was not included in the report because it does not offer adequate digital nomad visas, Madrid-Sartoretto added.
The most popular country for digital nomads is Spain
Score: 89.12
According to the Global Nomad Digital Report, Spain is the best country for digital nomads, scoring highest for visa benefits and second highest for technological innovation.
The report said Spain is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe and has high-speed internet and an “excellent environment for technology and innovation”.
Madrid Sartoretto says Spain ranks high because of the quality of life it offers digital nomads. The country also had the fastest internet connection speeds of all the countries analyzed.
Spain
Rudy Sulgan | Image Bank | Getty Images
The only downside, says Madrid Sartoretto, is that English is not yet widely spoken across the country.
Spain has breathtaking beaches and dynamic cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville. It also has iconic landmarks like the Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra.
10 Best Countries for Digital Nomads in 2024
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Estonia
- Romania
- Malta
- Portugal
- Canada
- Hungary
- france
The Netherlands is the second-best country for digital nomads, with a score of 86.26 and the highest quality of life score at 98.
The Netherlands ranks highly for quality of life, but the cost of living is higher than, for example, Spain. This is something to consider when considering working in the Netherlands, says Madrid Sartoretto.
According to Numbeo, the estimated monthly cost per person in the Netherlands is $1,088.50 without rent. The cost of living in the country is 4.1% lower than in the United States.
Netherlands
Frans Lemmens | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images
This European country does not have a digital nomad visa, but it does have something similar: a self-employed residence permit. To obtain one, applicants must meet several requirements, including a valid passport or travel document.
The Netherlands is home to the capital city of Amsterdam, beautiful canals, and stunning windmills. The country is also known for its scenic beauty and tranquil countryside.
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