The COVID-19 health crisis has changed not only our lives, but also the way we work. Telecommuting has developed, as has the desire to get back to basics and enjoy life. This has led to the emergence of the “digital nomad”.
These discovery-hungry workers have chosen not necessarily to work from France, but to discover the world. On a day-to-day basis, the digital nomad needs only a computer and an Internet connection to work. Many jobs offer the opportunity to work from home. This is the case, for example, for web and digital professions (photographers, developers, community managers…). Perhaps you’ve already thought about taking the plunge and discovering the best digital nomad destinations?
Choosing the right digital nomad destination!
Between quality of life, jet lag, day-to-day expenses and red tape, it’s sometimes hard to choose the ideal digital nomad destination. Here are the 10 best destinations for a digital nomad who wants to leave France and work comfortably from a distance.
1- Digital nomad Thailand
Thailand is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations. Chiang Mai, for example, is one of the first cities where many travelers began to adopt this way of working. You’ll easily find hostels to stay in, as well as a large number of cafés offering coworking spaces.
If Thailand appeals to you, you can also drop your bags on the island of Koh Phangan. This destination appeals to digital nomads in part thanks to its low cost of living. For a latte, for example, the average cost is just 30 BATH, or less than one euro.
To make it easier for digital nomads to enter Thailand, the country is considering developing a specific visa. At present, we advise you to apply for a Smart Visa, which costs around €275.
2- Mexico
Another popular destination for digital nomads is Mexico, especially its capital, Mexico City. The cost of living is low, cultural events are plentiful, and the food and sunshine are attractive.
Some neighborhoods are particularly popular with travelers for their cultural richness and the large number of cafés that can accommodate remote workers: La Roma and Condesa.
Mexico has temporary residency status. This will allow you to reside in the country from 180 days to 4 years: the perfect visa for a digital nomad!
You’ll need to pay around €225 to obtain it.
3- Moving to Dubai as a digital nomad
Dubai has been in the news lately: with its blend of modernity and innovation, the city is increasingly attracting digital nomads. The city has relaxed its procedures to enable these workers of a new kind to obtain a visa without a local contract. This specific visa, which will allow you to stay for up to a year, is called the “Virtual Working” program. You’ll need to pay around €500 for one year (including administrative and processing fees, medical follow-up and the cost of obtaining a UAE identity card). Please note that you will also need to take out appropriate health insurance, a local requirement that can be very costly. Moving to Dubai is becoming increasingly common, making it a popular digital nomad destination for entrepreneurs wishing to set up their own business, although it’s important to note that the cost of living here is quite high.
4- Brazil
Brazil’s lush natural environment, paradisiacal beaches and cheerful people make it an attractive destination. Perfect for adventure-seeking digital nomads. The digital nomad community is still small in Brazil, but growing fast.
If you’re looking for access to coworking spaces, you’ll want to focus on big cities like Rio or Sao Paulo, as cafés or collaborative spaces are almost non-existent in small towns, and it can be difficult to get a stable Internet connection and therefore to telework properly.
There is as yet no specific visa for digital nomads wishing to settle in Brazil for a while. So, to work as a digital nomad in Brazil, you can apply for a one-year PVT (subject to conditions) or a 3-month tourist visa, at a cost of €100.
5- Entry requirements for digital nomads in Mauritius
Mauritius is one of the countries that did the most to attract talent during the COVID-19 health crisis. Between fine sand and coconut palms, the Mauritian government launched its “Premium Travel Visa” in November 2020, making it easier to enter Mauritius. Like Dubai, to obtain your visa, you’ll need to provide proof of health cover. The visa is valid for one year, renewable, and is free to apply for. A great opportunity to discover the mysteries of this volcanic island! It’s a great digital nomad destination if you want to juggle travel and remote work.
6- Iceland
Not a fan of sunshine and sandy beaches? Some countries, like Iceland, have come up with new solutions to attract digital nomads.
So, if the great plains and hot springs attract you, remote work is also possible for you! Iceland offers a specific visa that allows you to stay for up to 180 days. The cost of obtaining this visa is fairly low, at around €50, but don’t forget that the cost of living in Iceland is high.
7- Budapest
For those looking for a change of working environment while remaining in Europe and not too far from France, Budapest is one of the best digital nomad destinations. This city is perfect for young people. With its blend of modernity and relaxed lifestyle, Hungary’s capital is just the place for digital nomads. You’ll benefit from very low rents, particularly pleasant coworking spaces and a welcoming, dynamic community of European digital nomads.
A significant advantage for French residents is that you can go there without a visa: all you need is your passport or national identity card. A good way to find out if this nomadic lifestyle is right for you!
8- Bali
Bali is a dream destination for many, and one of the best digital nomad destinations. A relaxed culture, breathtaking scenery and a very low cost of living attract many digital nomads. You’ll find plenty of cafés in which to work, and dream accommodation at bargain prices.
You can also take advantage of the attractive nightlife. A popular destination not only for the digital nomad community, but also for the avid traveler. What’s more, the price of a visa is very affordable: around €55.
9- Lisbon
Lisbon is one of Europe’s most popular digital nomad destinations. The cost of living is affordable, even low, and there’s a real community of reworkers. Numerous events are organized in Lisbon, making for a pleasant quality of life. You can enjoy a mild climate without having to travel too far from France, and without having to pay for a visa (for French nationals).
10- Taipei – Taiwan
Taipei is a very attractive city for people wishing to experiment with nomadism. It’s one of Asia’s most modern and dynamic cities. To live in Taipei, you need to love the hustle and bustle: it’s not a quiet city, but you’ll never be far from dreamy beaches or more rural mountains.
This rather young city full of start-ups is totally suited to digital nomads, with a large number of coworking spaces and cafés! Initially, you can work with a tourist visa valid for 3 months, accessible for around €37.
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Travel aspirations are constantly on the rise, fueling the growth of digital nomads. Some countries are responding to this trend by introducing specific visas. The aim is to attract these new nomadic workers and facilitate entry conditions.
The opportunity to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle extends to a wide range of destinations. Whether sparkling sunshine or snow-covered expanses appeal to you, there are a variety of choices available. Although we’ve selected the 10 best destinations for a digital nomad, your heart might lean more towards places like Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, or Ho Chi Minh City, the capital of Vietnam. The choice is yours! The flexibility of regularly changing location is also an option to maximize your experiences.
Before venturing out, it’s imperative to find out about visa requirements, which vary considerably from country to country. In most cases, you can apply online, entirely digitally.
It’s important to note that, in most cases, the authorities will require health cover as part of your visa application. In order to live serenely in this new way of life, and to select cover adapted to your profile and your country’s healthcare costs, we recommend that you consult an online travel insurance expert at santexpat.fr. We offerdigital nomad international health insurance solutions that provide coverage wherever you are in the world. This is ideal for those who frequently change destination. To compare international health insurance offers, don’t hesitate to use our online international health insurance comparator.
