10 Dreams Destination Around The Globe For Work Remotely.
Leading digital transformation during a pandemic has not been optional. just imagine being on a sun-kissed balcony or a white sand beach instead. Remote working has gone mainstream during the pandemic, with many of us logging on from home as lockdowns limited travel. So tap into some upsides, such as receptivity to new ideas, while avoiding traps, such as sticking to old schedules or trying to be a hero.
There are also some benefits to managing and deploying digital initiatives during this period. “The biggest hurdle has already been crossed, which is doing what previously took months in a couple of weeks. It proves it is possible,” says Iain Fisher, a director in the Northern European Digital Strategy and Solutions Practice at technology research and advisory firm ISG. “So re-engineering business and operating models through the use of digital – when digital is the only way to deliver it – should be much more easily achieved.”
In fact, digital nomad culture is thriving across the globe, with countries like Croatia actively encouraging workers to choose their country as their new base. Choosing a country with good internet access, lots of local cafes and cheap rent should be top priorities. But of course, you need to think about time zones too. While the thought of working from Tokyo might be thrilling, if your company works to London hours, you’ll be working way past your bedtime.
We’ve assembled a list of our ten favorites, packed to the brim with information about living costs, bureaucratic processes and some of the reasons you’ll instantly fall in love with your brand new life. Here are the top 10 countries on the list and a brief look at why they’re ideal places to work remotely.
Portugal
Portugal is a southern European country on the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain. Its location on the Atlantic Ocean has influenced many aspects of its culture: salt cod and grilled sardines are national dishes, the Algarve’s beaches are a major destination and much of the nation’s architecture dates to the 1500s–1800s, when Portugal had a powerful maritime empire.
Portugal. The land of wine, beautiful landscapes, one of the largest coats in Europe, and the ideal place if you are looking to spend a couple of months working remotely. Depending on what you fancy, there are many different spots in Portugal where you can work remotely. There are a number of reasons why Portugal should be on your list if you are looking to escape and work remotely for a couple of months. Although many people argue that the sea, sun, and surf draws in the digital nomads, there are a couple of other reasons why this country is quickly becoming a Digital Nomad hub. Portugal is famous for its quality of living and is known as one of the safest European countries.
The Portuguese are really keen to encourage remote workers too, with the first digital nomad village launching in the Portuguese autonomous region of Madeira in 2021. And with an average monthly temperature of 17C across Portugal, working from the beach (at least some of the time) is a distinct possibility.
Spain
Spain, a country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, includes 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. Capital city Madrid is home to the Royal Palace and Prado museum, housing works by European masters. Segovia has a medieval castle (the Alcázar) and an intact Roman aqueduct. Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, is defined by Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical modernist landmarks like the Sagrada Família church.
Under the recently introduced Startup Act in the Spanish Parliament, people working remotely for foreign companies will be permitted to live in the country without needing a full work visa. The hope is this will boost talent and investment in Spain and improve the country’s credentials as a global business hub. The ever-popular Spain makes it to number two, scoring highly for LGBTQ+ equality. Air pollution is also low here, and a long-term rental apartment will set you back £424 (€507) a month on average. WiFi is fast and there are 807 clubs and bars per 1,000 people, so you’ll never run out of places to work from. If you want to get off the beaten track, here are some of the most beautiful villages you’ve never heard of.
Romania
Romania is a southeastern European country known for the forested region of Transylvania, ringed by the Carpathian Mountains. Its preserved medieval towns include Sighişoara, and there are many fortified churches and castles, notably clifftop Bran Castle, long associated with the Dracula legend. Bucharest, the country’s capital, is the site of the gigantic, Communist-era Palatul Parlamentului government building.
At number three is the southeastern European country of Romania. With an impressive 92 points, the country scores highly in every category but weather. The average monthly temperature here is just 7C, so if you want to work from the beach, it’s not the place for you. If you don’t mind a cooler climate though, rent and food are very cheap and internet speeds are pretty zippy too.
Mauritius
Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The mountainous interior includes Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife like the flying fox. Capital Port Louis has sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka plantation house and 18th-century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.
Mauritius, an East African island nation, announced a Premium Travel Visa, which will allow non-citizens to stay and work remotely for up to one year. According to Mauritius’ Economic Development Board website, the only requirements are that applicants must work for companies and clients outside of Mauritius (aka that their source of income is and remains outside of the island); that they provide proof of their long-term stay plans, such as a rental home; and that they have travel and health insurance.
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north toward the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. If you’re working to a European time schedule, Japan might not be the country for you. But if you can work flexibly there are many things on offer here. The country scores an impressive 94 out of 100 on the social life scale, with a huge 149 cultural centres per 1,000 people and an enormous 1707 bars and clubs per 1,000 inhabitants. While the average temperature is only 14C a month, this means you can enjoy some skiing in your down time.
Yahoo Company Japan is doubling down on remote work, telling its 8,000 employees they can do their jobs from anywhere in the East Asian country, and that it’ll pay for their flights to the office if they ever need to come in.
Malta
Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It’s a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. It has numerous fortresses, megalithic temples and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating to circa 4000 B.C.
If you’re thinking about hitting the road while you work remotely, you might want to add Malta to the consideration list. This Mediterranean island is 122 square miles of pure sunshine and even has two bonus islands, Gozo and Comino. Thanks to Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit, you can stay for a whole year and work remotely as a digital nomad on this European island. Here are the requirements: Have a monthly gross income of 2,700 euros (roughly $3,150) Be a third-country national with valid travel documents.
People searching for peace and quiet should head to Gozo, a tiny island that’s home to beaches, Neolithic temples and famous dive sites; plus its own version of the Blue Lagoon (a distinctly different lagoon experience than what you’d find in Iceland or Cyprus).
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds.
As of now, Costa Rica doesn’t have an official remote work visa. However, remote workers can obtain a digital nomad visa–a permit allowing them to stay for one year in Costa Rica. This can be extended for one additional year. Good news for all you laptop-dependent people. Costa Rica’s internet speed is quite impressive. While working at home or in the coffee shop, you can be sure that your connection to the world won’t suddenly disappear. Furthermore, internet speed has been increasing with the rise of tech companies and expats moving to Costa Rica. This is a result of high demand for high-speed and quality internet options. Costa Rica implemented fiber optic cable networks, bringing speeds between 20-200mbps depending on your location.
Costa Rica is already a favorite for tourists, retirees and location-independent folks, especially North Americans. The country has built an excellent infrastructure and environment over time for digital nomads, so you don’t have to worry too much about anything.
Panama
Panama is a country on the isthmus linking Central and South America. The Panama Canal, a famous feat of human engineering, cuts through its center, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to create an essential shipping route. In the capital, Panama City, modern skyscrapers, casinos and nightclubs contrast with colonial buildings in the Casco Viejo district and the rainforest of Natural Metropolitan Park.
The Panamanian government has introduced a new remote work visa, called the “Short-Term Visa as Remote Worker”, Eligible applicants must have a minimum annual income of USD 36,000 from sources outside of Panama, but do not require company sponsorship. If warmer weather is what you’re really after, things are heating up nicely at number eight. Panama scores a balmy 78 out of 100 on the weather scale and does well on accessibility too, with an average of 234 weekly flights.
This is probably why Panama has carved itself a nomadic niche. It’s still relatively undiscovered as a digital destination, but has long been a centre of commerce, communications and culture. Everything’s coming together now to create an environment for remote working. Here are some of the best reasons.
- It’s inexpensive to live in
- The tax regime is business-friendly
- Hundreds of businesses and banks have a presence there
- It has great communications
- Internet and mobile speeds are very good
- It’s a beautiful part of the world
- It’s vibrant and cosmopolitan
Czechia
The Czech Republic, also known by its short-form name Czechia and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west and northwest, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the east. With one more point than its neighbour, the Czech Republic has great local prices, with long term apartment rental just £325 (€389) per month on average. Transport, food and restaurants are cheap here too, with the cost of a one way train ticket around 80p (€0.96).
Germany
Germany is a Western European country with a landscape of forests, rivers, mountain ranges and North Sea beaches. It has over 2 millennia of history. Berlin, its capital, is home to art and nightlife scenes, the Brandenburg Gate and many sites relating to WWII. Munich is known for its Oktoberfest and beer halls, including the 16th-century Hofbräuhaus. Frankfurt, with its skyscrapers, houses the European Central Bank.
n Germany there is (currently) no legal entitlement to work from home or to mobile work. The employee is therefore only allowed to work from home or remotely if this is permitted either under an employment contract, a company agreement or provided for on a case-by-case basis as approved by the employer. But The western European country makes it into the top 10 with an impressive 83 points out of 100. Germany performed well in the health and safety category, ranking highly when it comes to political stability and LGBTQ+ rights too. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t do so well in the weather category, scoring a damp 16 out of a 100.