The digital nomad lifestyle is becoming widely embraced all over the world. As borders are opening up and the cost of living is going back down, slow vacationers, extended-stay travelers, and digital nomads are on the hunt for their next European getaway.

What makes a country great for digital nomads?

In this post, we will focus on 5 main factors to consider when picking a European country for your next extended-stay digital nomad excursion.

Cost of living - Countries in Europe can vary drastically in their cost of living. It’s essential to strike a balance between quality of life and budget while making all of your travel dreams come true.

Internet speed and accessibility - Boring! But so important. You NEED good connectivity, and you know how frustrating it can be when you don’t have it. Imagine you’ve just settled into your new nomadic home for the next three months, and the signal is weak.

Security - Understanding whether or not a country has any safety issues should play a crucial role in your decision. You need to feel safe and secure while traveling and trust that your belongings are protected.

Visa and tax requirements - Some countries are more digital-nomad-friendly than others. It’s essential to understand how each destination may affect your work.

Community - Being a digital nomad makes you part of a growing community. Consider the number of co-working spaces in the area. Are there any nomad meetups or events? What’s cafe culture? The countries in our top 8 countries already embrace the community.

With these factors in mind, here are the top 8 European countries to live in for remote workers.

Portugal

Known for its delicious food, sunny coastal towns, and rich cultural heritage, Portugal is easily the top option for digital nomads in Europe. Spend your extended stay trying out rooftop restaurants in Lisbon, catching live fado music in Chiado, and relaxing on the beaches of the Algarve.

When it’s time to work, you’ll have no trouble connecting. Portugal’s average provider offers speeds of 350 Mbps and reaches 1 Gbps in some areas. The only safety concerns are petty crime and pickpocketing, which are still considered very low risk. And the digital nomad community is strong, especially on the island of Madeira, where you’ll find a wide range of co-working spaces.

Another thing that makes Portugal perfect for digital nomads is the range of visas. The ‘Temporary Stay Visa’ allows you to stay up to one year without becoming a tax resident. Beyond that, Portugal has a tax loophole that only requires non-residents to pay a 20% tax on income earned in the country and no tax on any external income.

Cost of living - $2,326 - $3,633/month

Broadband speeds - 39 Mbps Average

Spain

Spain is rolling out the red carpet for digital nomads. The Spanish government is currently working on a ‘Digital Nomad vias.’ In the meantime, several other visa options are pretty easy to obtain, and the tax rate is low. For these reasons, Spain already has a solid digital nomad community, especially in the Canary Islands and Valencia. The cost of living can vary drastically depending on whether you're in major cities. Barcelona is the most expensive, but in the rural areas just outside, you’ll be able to find some great deals. Internet speeds aren’t as fast as Portugal, but they’re still among the fastest in Europe. And the country is at low risk for safety concerns, with most crimes being petty, pickpocketing, and generally non-violent.

Cost of living - $1,807 - $4,588/month

Broadband speeds - 134 Mbps download, 100 Mbps upload

Greece

Greece’s star is rising in the digital nomad community because of the country’s low cost of living and relaxing Mediterranean lifestyle. Athens is the place to start your journey, as it already has a vibrant digital nomad scene with many options for co-working spaces. It’s easy to get a work visa in Greece, and you just need to provide evidence that you're working for an entity outside of the country and you’re good to stay for a year. You’ll only be taxed if you stay for more than 183 days, and the rates are reasonably low. During your stay, you should watch out for petty crimes like pickpocketing, but odds are, it won’t be an issue. You’re highly unlikely to encounter violent crimes in Greece. The only downside is the slow and expensive internet. The low cost of living kind of offsets the price, but you’ll want to research the area you plan to live in and ensure decent coverage.

Cost of living - $3,097/month

Broadband speeds - 9 Mbps Average

Croatia

Another great destination, Croatia, is known for its beautiful coastline along the Adriatic, low cost of living and crime rate, and visa program designed to attract digital nomads. The only downside, again, is the internet speeds. If you’re planning on working in Croatia, it’s best to look for a home base in Split or Zagreb, where the community is already thriving, and there are plenty of co-working spaces and cafes to choose from.

Cost of living - $1,626 - $2,873/month

Broadband speeds - 10 Mbps Average

Germany

There are lots of beautiful, digital nomad-friendly cities to consider in Germany, but the one with the most developed community is also the most expensive, and that’s Berlin. That said, Berlin’s cost of living is still pretty reasonable compared to other major European cities. You'll love the co-working scene if you appreciate being surrounded by like-minded travelers. Other cities like Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfort have growing digital nomad communities, and there’s no need for any safety concerns in Germany.

A Business Visa will be sufficient if you plan to stay in Germany for 90 days or less. If you’re planning a more extended trip, the Freelance Visa can be extended up to 3 years. For the first 6 months of your stay, you’ll only be taxed on income sourced from within Germany, and after, you’ll be taxed on your worldwide income.

Shockingly, the internet speed isn’t great in Germany, although they have doubled it over the past decade. You’ll want to make sure you have the right provider.

Cost of living - $3,624 - $4,227/month

Broadband speeds - 19 Mbps Average

Poland

An up-and-comer, Poland is looking more and more attractive to digital nomads every day. For starters, it’s beautiful. Vibrant cities like Warsaw and Krakow have chic flats readily available, co-working spaces are on the rise everywhere, and the cost of living is surprisingly low. There is no digital nomad-specific visa, but it is in the works. For now, several other visa options will work for up to 90 days. Internet speeds aren’t great, but they are on the rise, having doubled in the past decade.

Cost of living - $2,900/month

Broadband speeds - 16 Mbps Average

Serbia

Benefitting from fewer restrictions, Serbia’s Long-Term Visa program makes it easy to live the digital nomad lifestyle. The most accessible city to get you started in Serbia is Belgrade, where you’ll find a bustling nomad and ex-pat community with loads of cafes, co-working spaces, and group meetups. The cost of living is low, even in the bigger cities. The internet speed isn’t amazing, but it’s manageable and improving. You’ll surely fall in love with the Balkan spirit during your stay. Belgrade is known for its safe streets, friendly locals, and vibrant nightlife.

Cost of living - $2,526/month

Broadband speeds - 24 Mbps Average

Georgia

In Georgia, you can stay for a year without a visa, work, start a company, get a bank account, buy property, and do almost anything else without a lot of red tape or heavy taxes. A program called “Work From Georgia” even pairs digital nomads with companies with extra office space. And it’s free! Although it’s still small compared to communities in Spain and Portugal, Georgia’s digital nomad scene is strong and growing rapidly. It’s also a very safe country with beautiful cities and pretty good internet speed unless you’re in the mountains. And Georgia’s cost of living is more comparable to Southeast Asia’s than most European cities.

Cost of living - $1,515 - $2,345/month