Best countries for digital nomads in 2024 with Spain leading

As opportunities for flexible work decrease, the options for digital nomads are expanding. This year, countries like Greece, Italy, Japan, and Thailand have introduced digital nomad programs to attract foreign talent. But which country is the best for remote workers?

A new report by Global Citizen Solutions, released on July 25, evaluates relocation programs from 65 countries worldwide. The company, which specializes in citizenship and residency by investment programs, assessed options based on enacted legislation and expert opinions. It considered five main categories: visa costs (application fees, income requirements), visa benefits (duration, extension possibility, path to citizenship), quality of life (healthcare, security, pollution, climate), economics (cost of living, tax optimization, coworking desk price), and technology/innovation.

According to the report, Spain is the best place to be a digital nomad, thanks to a new startup law fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem, zero taxation on foreign earned income, affordability, high-speed internet, and a supportive environment for technology and innovation.

Nine of the top ten countries are in Europe, including the Netherlands and Norway, ranked second and third. While these countries offer a high standard of living and robust healthcare, education, and social services, high living costs pose a challenge. Estonia and Romania also performed well, offering affordable lifestyles, excellent access to nature, and rich cultural scenes. Canada, the only non-European country in the top ten, ranked eighth and has announced a strategy to attract tech workers.

Patricia Casaburi, CEO at Global Citizen Solutions, noted the dominance of European countries in the report. She highlighted that 91% of the 65 active digital nomad programs were launched post-COVID-19, indicating a quick response to the shift towards remote work.

Spain and the Netherlands are notable for offering digital nomad visa holders a path to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. (The report doesn’t consider the growing pushback against tourists in parts of Spain, which may affect temporary remote workers.)

Each country offers unique strengths. Estonia and Romania have invested heavily in technology, including top-tier infrastructure for high-speed internet. Other Eastern European countries in the top 20, like Hungary, Latvia, and Czechia, offer lower living costs compared to Western Europe.

Taiwan ranked 12th, offering a straightforward digital nomad visa system for up to three years for specific sectors like technology and finance. Japan, which launched its program on April 1, ranked 16th.

High visa costs and required salary levels mean that the Middle East, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the Caribbean ranked lower. The bottom of the list included Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, and Grenada. Europe accounts for 35% of all digital nomad visas, the Americas 38%, and Africa just 8%.

The 15 Best Destinations for Remote Work: 1. Spain, 2. Netherlands, 3. Norway, 4. Estonia, 5. Romania, 6. Malta, 7. Portugal, 8. Canada, 9. Hungary, 10. France, 11. Germany, 12. Taiwan, 13. Czechia, 14. Latvia, 15. Malaysia.

The report also noted that almost 60% of remote work visas are impartial to nationality or profession, with an increasing number of digital nomads from countries with weaker passports leveraging these programs for better global mobility.