Top 10 Best Cities To Be a Digital Nomad In

The digital nomad lifestyle has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people seek the freedom to work remotely and travel the world.

With the rise of remote work and the availability of technology, the world has become a playground for those who can work from anywhere.

Whether you’re a seasoned digital nomad or just considering taking the plunge, it’s essential to choose the right destination. Here’s a list of the top 10 best cities to be a digital nomad in, offering a perfect blend of work, life, and adventure.

1. Tbilisi, Georgia

Georgia is one of the countries most open to digital nomads and remote workers, allowing 95 nationalities to live and work there. The best thing? This visa is completely free and lasts for a whole year, it also has a very low necessary income of under £2,000 a month.

Georgia is known for having some of the lowest living costs in Europe, including utility fees, transportation, and other basic needs, making Tbilisi an ideal and budget-friendly haven for digital nomads. With an abundance of well-equipped co-working spaces and high-speed internet connections, digital nomads can seamlessly blend work and travel, taking the option to explore Georgia’s breathtaking landscapes at a reasonable cost.

2. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is relatively affordable compared to many other European cities. The cost of living can be pretty reasonable, so digital nomads can manage their expenses with ease. And, with a sunny climate throughout much of the year, any digital nomad can take advantage of outdoor activities and work from various picturesque locations, meaning an increased number of digital nomads are now moving to relocate to this country.

The city boasts a growing number of co-working spaces and cafes equipped with reliable internet connections, and English is also widely spoken in Lisbon, easing communication for English-speaking digital nomads. To name some other handy features, Lisbon is also a city with low crime rates and a well-connected international airport.

And, as long as you can provide proof of independent income, Portugal’s temporary stay visa is a great option for remote workers.

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand 

Chiang Mai has long established itself as a thriving hub for digital nomads, and for good reason. Boasting an affordable cost of living, estimated at just £700 to £800 per month, along with a respectable internet speed of 25 Mbps (not amazing but certainly sufficient), this city offers excellent value for your investment – a trend common throughout Asia, making it a popular choice for those venturing into the digital nomad lifestyle.

With plenty of coworking spaces as well as fantastic restaurants, and even a night market, to explore, there’s more than enough to keep any digital nomad busy.

4. Mexico City, Mexico 

Mexico City ranks among the top choices for digital nomads due to its thriving tech ecosystem, abundant co-working spaces, affordable living costs, famous cuisine, and a wealth of cultural pursuits. It’s no surprise that this city is a favoured destination for remote workers.

Mexico offers a digital nomad visa that allows you to immerse yourself in Mexico’s rich culture and history while you work. There are two types of visas you can apply for the temporary resident visa, where you can stay for 6 months to 4 years, and the permanent resident visa, where you can stay as long as you like.

5. Barcelona, Spain 

If you’ve visited Barcelona, then you’ll know that its energy is unmatched. So it’s no wonder that it’s a place where digital nomads decide to stay. While its average cost of living is a little higher than some other places on this list, at around £2,500 to £3,500 a month, there are plenty of reasons that make this worth your while. From the numerous cafes and restaurants, to the beaches, to the boutique lanes of shops, Barcelona is a popular destination for tourists and digital nomads alike.

Spain is the latest country to introduce a digital nomad visa program, with applications opening at the beginning of 2023. These visas last one year but can be renewed, with a low necessary income of less than £2,000 a month.

This city also guarantees a top-class nomad scene with plenty of handy coworking spaces and an average internet speed of 35 Mbps.

6. Río De Janeiro, Brazil 

If you’d like to be a digital nomad nestled among breathtaking beauty, Río De Janeiro may just be the destination for you. Sandwiched between the beach and mountains and complete with an electric atmosphere, a yearly carnival, and a great football culture, Río provides the perfect balance between local culture and an entertaining atmosphere.

As a digital nomad, you can expect to around spend £1,200 living in this beautiful city, and have an internet speed of 25 Mbps in most areas.

To top it all off, Brazil launched their digital nomad visa in 2022 to draw more foreign investment into the local economy. These visas last for one year but can be extended for a maximum of 2 years.

7. Athens, Greece

Boasting some of the lowest costs of living in Europe, Greece is a highly popular choice for many digital nomads. And where better to settle down than Athens – full of culture, history, and animated nightlife?

Moreover, there are extended opportunities for those wishing to make a more lasting commitment in Greece. The Digital Nomad visa can be converted into a Digital Nomad residence permit, valid for two years and renewable for an additional two years. To secure a Greek Digital Nomad visa, applicants must demonstrate a monthly income of at least £3000.

8. Seoul, South Korea 

Calling any UK citizens wanting to delve into South Korea, there’s good news. UK citizens can extend the South Korean Digital Nomad Visa for one year to enjoy living and working in this beautiful country. And, if you decide to make this move, there’s no better option than Seoul for your digital nomad life.

Seoul’s thriving tech landscape, high-speed internet, and a plethora of co-working hubs make it a prime destination for digital nomads looking to establish their workspace. Furthermore, the cost of living in Seoul is notably budget-friendly, rendering it an appealing choice for cost-conscious remote workers.

With a world-famous cuisine, great connections to the rest of the world and multiple international airports, a vibrant nightlife, and a high-speed rail line making it easy to get around, Seoul is a great city for digital nomads who want to explore and work in a vibrant, exciting city.

9. Tallinn, Estonia

Estonia was the first European country to launch an e-residency programme for global entrepreneurs. It was also the first country to create a Digital Nomad Visa enabling foreign nationals to work in Estonia and travel across Europe. There are two types: a short-stay visa (C-Visa) or a long-stay visa (D-Visa). Its long championing of digital nomads, and Tallinn, in particular, having a busy startup scene, makes it perfect for anyone wanting to settle their business there.

Beyond this, anyone can enjoy the beautiful scenery and pristine Nordic nature of this digital nomad wonderland.

10. Austin, Texas

Austin is almost always on the top of people’s list when moving to the US to begin their digital nomad adventure. To give just one reason, it surpasses a 100 Mbps download speed – making it perfect for any on-the-go fast-paced digital nomad.

While it costs around £2,800 to live in Austin as a digital nomad, this is a pretty fair price for a US city – especially one as nomad-friendly as Austin.