Whether you are a digital nomad with years of experience working from different corners of the globe or only considering going nomad to embrace all of the benefits of remote working, choosing the right destination is essential. As a nomadic lifestyle usually implies working remotely outside of your home country, you might need to obtain a few additional documents, especially if you are planning to stay in a foreign country for longer than an ordinary tourist visa allows you to.
Fortunately, after the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more countries are developing special programs, such as a digital nomad visa in Spain or Portugal, which makes them some of the best countries to work remotely from abroad.
If you want to learn more about the best countries to be a digital nomad today, keep reading. Below, we provide more information about these two and some other destinations, including Estonia, the Cayman Islands, Georgia, Dubai, and Costa Rica. Check them out!
Portugal
Portugal has recently become one of the most attractive countries for digital nomads, as it offers a wide range of benefits, such as a beautiful coastline, tasty food, lovely weather, and, of course, a very reasonable cost of living. Additionally, there is no need to obtain a special visa to work from Portugal as a digital nomad short-term – a Schengen visa will suffice.
However, if you want to stay in Portugal for a longer time, you can apply for a D7 visa, which is a long-stay visa that non-EU citizens can use to live and work in the country for up to one year. The good news is that the application process for this visa is entirely digital, so you can do it from anywhere in the world. And if you are interested in getting a second residency abroad in the long run, keep in mind that Portugal has one of the best Golden Visa programs you can find in the EU.
Spain
Spain is another excellent choice for digital nomads, especially if you want to stay in Europe but do not want to deal with the paperwork associated with obtaining a Schengen visa. Spain offers a special program called the Spanish Golden Visa, which allows non-EU citizens to live and work in the country for up to two years.
To be eligible for this visa, you must have a valid passport, proof of health insurance, and enough money to support yourself during your stay in Spain. You will also need to prove that you have a job offer from a Spanish company or that you are self-employed. The application process for this visa is entirely digital, so you can do it from anywhere in the world.
Estonia
Estonia is a small country located in Northern Europe, and it is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. It is also one of the best countries for digital nomads, as it offers a wide range of benefits, such as a fast and reliable internet connection, a low cost of living, and a friendly community of other digital nomads.
There is no need to obtain a special visa to work remotely from Estonia. Again, a Schengen visa will suffice. However, if you want to stay in Estonia for a longer time, you can apply for a long-stay visa, which allows you to stay in the country for up to one year and also has an entirely digital application process.
The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are a group of three small islands located in the Caribbean Sea. They are well-known for their white sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and luxurious resorts. However, the Cayman Islands are also an excellent destination for digital nomads, as they offer a wide range of benefits, including the ability to live and work there through the Global Citizen Concierge Program.
This program is available for anyone who would like to start a business or invest in the Cayman Islands, or for anyone who has a job offer from a company based in this country. The application process for this visa is entirely digital, so you can do it from anywhere in the world.
Georgia
Georgia is a small country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and it is one of the best countries for digital nomads because of the friendly and welcoming culture of the local people, the beautiful landscapes, and the fantastic food.
The process of obtaining Georgia’s digital nomad visa is fast and easy and, in addition to the country’s low-tax regime and easy banking, make it one of the best places to be a digital nomad today.
Dubai
Dubai is a city located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is home to more than two million people from around the world. It is also one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it is still an excellent destination for digital nomads, as it offers a wide range of benefits, including hot weather, amazing beaches, luxury hotels, and friendly people.
The UAE has several visa programs that make it an ideal place for digital nomads to live and work, including a digital nomad visa. You can now apply for a nomad visa and get entry into Dubai for up to a year for the price of $611.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in Central America, and it is also one of the best countries for digital nomads because of its beautiful nature, friendly people, low cost of living, and amazing weather. Costa Rica also offers a special digital nomad visa, which is perfect for anyone who wants to relocate to Costa Rica, become a resident, and start a business there.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many excellent destinations to go nomad in the world, and they are all suitable for digital nomads from different backgrounds and walks of life. Depending on your needs, you might want to choose an English-speaking country, a Spanish-speaking country, or a Latin-American country.
Additionally, some countries will offer you a more favorable visa than others, so it is up to you to decide which one is the best for you. Good luck!
