Remote work has taken the world by storm these last few years. Articles with the best gear to work from home are becoming the norm, hashtag #WFH is still trending, and photos of young professionals on their laptops in paradise are constantly popping up in your feed, am I right?
Now more than ever, people are looking for an alternative to heading back into the office. So, it’s not surprising at all that work culture has shifted to working remotely and countries around the world have incorporated Digital Nomad Visas for longer-term stays. If you’re interested in more information about Digital Nomad Visas, check out my post here.
Whether you’re looking to travel around while working remotely or find a more permanent base, there are so many incredible countries to work from. But which countries are the best and what traits even make a country desirable for a remote worker? Keep reading, I’m spilling all the tea on working remotely below!
Things That Make a Country Remote-Friendly
- low cost of living
- access to healthcare
- safe for women and families
- easily accessible international airport
- reliable internet connection
- desirable climate
- walkable/public transportation
- long-term visa / digital nomad visa
- community of expats
Get a travel insurance quote for your upcoming trip 👇
Finding Remote Work
Remote workers often own their own businesses, are freelancers, or work for a company that doesn’t require them to be physically present at the company’s headquarters or offices. There are endless possibilities for the types of work you can do. Here are just a few options:
- Business Consultant
- Community Manager
- APP/Web Developer
- Coach
- Translator
- Web/Graphic Designer
- Writer/Copywriter
- Social Media Manager
- Virtual Assistant
Check out this post for the best sites to find remote work!
Best Countries to Work Remotely
Portugal
Portugal has recently been named the best country for remote workers! Along with gorgeous views and friendly people, it has great a digital nomad visa as well as great weather, safety, and high English proficiency. Its capital, Lisbon, was named the best city for remote workers.
Pros: Excellent visas for digital nomads
Cons: Need a car and to learn how to drive manual
Indonesia
A day at the office In Indonesia might mean frequent beach breaks, acai bowls, and a mid-afternoon yoga and meditation session. Bali is not only known for its party-going island life but also for the incredible coworking spaces that start at as little as $75 a week.
Pros: Plenty of co-working spaces, low cost of living
Cons: Timezone difference from team, friends, & family
Canada
Mountains calling you? Look no further than Vancouver – especially if you’re interested in the tech scene! If you’re the type who likes to work hard and play hard, you’ll adore it here. Want to ski and go to the beach on the same day? No problem! Just be sure to buy some umbrellas as it frequently rains in Vancouver. One thing to note is that Vancouver has some of the highest costs of living in all of Canada, but if you’re a US citizen, the US dollar will take you farther.
Pros: Very well-established, safe, and great outdoor opportunities
Cons: High cost of living
New Zealand
In Wellington alone, there are 22,050 free Wi-Fi hotspots. So if cafes are your thing, you’ll never want to leave New Zealand. Wellington is an excellent place for 18- to 30-year-olds looking to participate in New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa program. The best part? You’ll work alongside a diverse group of people with the green luscious and mystical hills as your backdrop.
Pros: Very well-established, safe, and great outdoor opportunities
Cons: Far from other countries and you’ll need a car
Malta
Malta is calling all remote employees to work here. With its gorgeous Mediterranean beaches, striking architecture, and walkable cities it’s quite easy to get around. Also, easy to stay with the Nomad Residence Permit. If you don’t want to learn a new language – fear not. English is the official first langue of Malta.
Pros: Everyday life is relatively affordable, compared to most Western countries
Cons: Anything to do with the Internet and mobile is extremely expensive
Costa Rica
Feeling a calling to the tropics? Costa Rica has entered the chat. People often speak of the friendly locals when first visiting Costa Rica. One thing to consider is that the cost of living can be higher here, so keep that in mind while making your decisions! On the plus side, the healthcare system is one of the best among the neighboring countries.
Pros: Good medical support
Cons: Higher cost of living
Spain
Salsa anyone? Spain is a lovely destination for those wishing to work remotely. With notably large co-working spaces and a unique visa for self-employed people, you’ll be saying hola in no time. A bustling nomad scene makes it easy to meet fellow digital nomads who have chosen to reject the old nine-to-five.
Pros: Plenty of co-working spaces
Cons: Language barrier
Germany
Germany takes the top spot for remote work with its high levels of cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and high network speeds. However, I will caution you that Germany is a relatively expensive destination for remote work compared with other countries on this list. Berlin’s booming start-up culture has also attracted many young professionals. No worries if you don’t speak German! It’s very easy to get by with English.
Pros: Very well-established
Cons: High cost of living
Panama
Missing a little vitamin D? Consider moving to Panama! With a gorgeous climate and relatively low cost of living, it’s attracted many people looking to work abroad remotely. In recent years, Panama has developed substantially improved internet infrastructure and even created a specific digital nomad visa for remote workers!
Pros: Low cost of living
Cons: Language barrier
Japan
Japan is one of the best countries to work remotely in the Asia-Pacific. Why do you ask? Well, for one, it has the fastest internet speed in the world. Japan also has an impressive range of cultural activities. And those who have moved there boast about the high quality of life, low inequality, and kindness of locals.
Pros: Top 10 safest countries in the world
Cons: Cultural and language barriers along with huge timezone difference
