Best Cities In Europe For Digital Nomads

expat network

Best Cities In Europe For Digital Nomads

Digital nomads seek new locations to experience, explore, work from, and add to their impressive list of “places I’ve been to and worked from”. Mateja of Office Needle has compiled a list of the best 54 cities for digital nomads around the world. Here we list the best cities in Europe for digital nomads.

Criteria That Best Cities For Digital Nomads Should Meet

Digital nomads look for good internet connection and speed in a country with a favourable climate that is not too costly, has reasonable levels of safety. The lifestyle is also a factor with fun things to do and attractive places to see, excellent food and an approachable community. Practical issues can be important like whether there is an easy entry digital nomad visa, convenient workplaces and a lack of language barriers. The cost of living is another factor with accommodation and transportation costs to be considered. These are the factors taken into account when compiling this list.

Budapest, Hungary

Hungarian Parliament building the “Pest” side of Budapest from Castle Hill in Buda.

MONTHLY COST: $1,525
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: no
PLACES TO WORK: cafes and coworking spaces
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 40 Mbps
CLIMATE: cold in winter, warm in summer
POPULATION: 1,756 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Hungarian
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: good
COMMUNITY: okay

Budapest is known for its rich history, a city divided in two by the Danube river. Digital nomads get to enjoy and experience both the old historic city and the new, modern one. Unlike other metropolitan hubs in central and Western Europe, the Hungarian capital is cheaper while offering a wide range of fun activities to do. Different city parts are linked by trams, buses, and the metro.

Digital nomads can work in cafes that offer a WiFi connection throughout the city and there are also affordable coworking spaces available. Budapest will also offer enough cultural upbringing for anyone interested in museums, galleries, and more. There are also many instagrammable and historical sights to visit that light up in the nighttime beautifully. For unwinding, the city is rich in hot springs so that you can spend your afternoon chilling in one of the many baths the city is famous for.

Lisbon, Portugal

Aerial view of Castle of Saint George or Sao Jorge and the centre of Lisbon

MONTHLY COST: $2,109
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: yes
PLACES TO WORK: cafes and coworking spaces
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 26 Mbps
CLIMATE: warm in winter, hot in summer
POPULATION: 0,504 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Portuguese
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: great
COMMUNITY: close-knit

Portugal is a well-known country when it comes to digital nomads. Its appeal lies in natural beauty and relative affordability. Popular among digital nomads, Lisbon is a recognized hotspot with close-knit digital nomad communities. It also offers good weather and delicious food.

The Portugal capital awaits digital nomads with open arms, with more and more coworking spaces available. Whether digital nomads like to work alone, surrounded by others, in cafe shops, or luxurious offices, Lisbon has got them covered. Nightlife, hot beaches, and surfing are also popular, along with history, architecture, and good wine that bring a promise of a good time. Subway lines, buses, and trams will help with transportation in the city.

Barcelona, Spain

Sagrada Familia designed by Antoni Gaudi

MONTHLY COST: $3,110
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: no
PLACES TO WORK: cafes and coworking spaces
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 33 Mbps
CLIMATE: warm in winter, hot in summer
POPULATION: 1,62 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Spanish
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: okay
COMMUNITY: okay

For digital nomads keen on Gaudí’s architecture, Barcelona is the place to be. The weather is okay, even at its worst, while offering long beaches and many opportunities for a good night out. The sunny climate, yummy foods, rich history, and plenty of touristy sights to see make Barcelona one of the most popular Spanish destinations.

Good WiFi connection is available in most cafes, but there are also excellent coworking setups available for those who seek out more. While the cost of this coastal Spanish city is more on the pricey side, it is still a desirable destination for many. However, it is more popular among serious digital nomads who can afford it.

London, England

MONTHLY COST: $4,380
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: no
PLACES TO WORK: cafes and coworking spaces
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 22 Mbps
CLIMATE: cold in winter, warm in summer
POPULATION: 8,982 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: English
COMMUNITY: good

The capital of the UK is a famous destination for tourists and digital nomads globally. While it is a costly destination, it surely offers one of the widest varieties of activities and things to do. The rent and transportation are costly but moving out of Central London could save a lot of money, without sacrificing on the things to do.

Although it rains most of the year, this beautiful city is still charming. Digital nomads can enjoy the nightlife, cultural events, go sightseeing, network, and more. The multicultural metropolis bustles with entrepreneurs, self-employed, and thus has not seen a shortage in coworking spaces. Pubs and cafes will also allow you to work there if you buy a drink. As the city is filled with professionals and tourists, digital nomads will fit right in.

Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain

MONTHLY COST: $2,327
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: no
PLACES TO WORK: coworking hubs
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 25 Mbps
CLIMATE: warm in winter, hot in summer
POPULATION: 0,378 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Spanish
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: okay
COMMUNITY: good

Part of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic, Las Palmas is situated just west off the coast of Morocco. It is the capital city of the Canary Islands and has a very good reputation among tourists and expats who are welcoming to the new digital nomads arriving. The living cost is still a bit on the lower side, despite its popularity. Las Palmas is walkable, but also great for biking as an alternative.

This digital nomad hotspot offers many great locations to get work done by sitting down and connecting to the Internet. This city also doesn’t lack places for going out and having an entertaining morning, afternoon, or night. One disadvantage is that it can get rather crowded during the summer holidays in July and August, but the beaches are less empty and great for enjoying the rest of the year.

Belgrade, Serbia

MONTHLY COST: $1,522
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: yes
PLACES TO WORK: coworking hubs and cafes
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 34 Mbps
CLIMATE: cold in winter, hot in summer
POPULATION: 1,374 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Serbian
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: good
COMMUNITY: close-knit

Located in the Balkans, Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and is situated along the rivers Sava and Danube. It is famous for its nightlife adventures and affordable cost. The comfortable European city is very welcoming and offers plenty of affordable living accommodations. Moreover, Belgrade is also walkable if you stay central, but buses and trams can also get you elsewhere. It is also easy to connect to other European cities by train or plane.

A productive atmosphere won’t be impossible to find as digital nomads can choose between different coworking offices. Apart from a good atmosphere, they are likely to find a person to chat to. However, for individuals keen on culture and sightseeing, Belgrade isn’t the best option. Alternatively, the rest of Serbia can offer that.

Prague, Czech Republic

MONTHLY COST: $2,193
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: yes
PLACES TO WORK: coworking hubs and cafes
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 38 Mbps
CLIMATE: cold in winter, warm in summer
POPULATION: 1,309 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Czech
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: good
COMMUNITY: good

Walking down the Charles Bridge across the Vltava river might be on the list of many digital nomads and tourists. The Czech metropolis promises a lot of cultural entertainment and has rising popularity among remote workers. The living cost is slightly on the rise but it can still be quite affordable during off-peak season.

As it is a popular tourist destination filled with good beer and opportunities to have fun, it is also easy to find accommodation. Staying central allows digital nomads to get anywhere nearby on foot, including sights to see and parks to walk and visit. Otherwise, buses, trams, and the subway will come in handy. Alongside the river banks, many cafes and coworking hubs offer a great WiFi connection to get work done.

Krakow, Poland

MONTHLY COST: $1,556
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: yes
PLACES TO WORK: coworking hubs and cafes
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 43 Mbps
CLIMATE: cold in winter, warm in summer
POPULATION: 0,766 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Polish
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: good
COMMUNITY: okay

Compared to Prague which is relatively nearby, Krakow is even cheaper in living costs and located in the neighbouring country, Poland. This West Slavic town is an exciting medieval European location and affordable to live in. It also has impressive Internet speed, along with nightlife, and plenty of coworking spaces to choose from.

Krakow is a great choice for any digital nomad as it offers a diversity of attractions while not going over the budget. One con of this beautiful cultural city, though, is that it can get rather chilly in the winter months. The numerous coworking offices offer really fast internet while not costing a lot of money.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Cathedral of Alexander Nevski. Sofia, Bulgaria

MONTHLY COST: $1,402
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: yes
PLACES TO WORK: coworking offices
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 28 Mbps
CLIMATE: cold in winter, hot in summer
POPULATION: 1,236 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Bulgarian
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: okay
COMMUNITY: good

It will be hard to go cheaper than spending a month working remotely in Sofia. The capital of Bulgaria, situated in the eastern Balkans is an affordable place to live while working remotely. It is developing fast and thus rising as a desirable destination for digital nomads. For digital nomads who want to experience Europe but are a bit tighter on the budget, Sofia is a great place to start.

Offices for working are packed with friendly digital nomads that are happy to help others. When not working, they can also explore the city or visit other parts of Bulgaria, including the coast of the Black Sea, and more. Besides that, it is cheap to get to the neighbouring countries, such as Turkey, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Greece.

Tallinn, Estonia

MONTHLY COST: $3,050
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: yes
PLACES TO WORK: coworking offices and cafes
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 17 Mbps
CLIMATE: cool in winter, hot in summer
POPULATION: 0,426 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Estonian
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: good
COMMUNITY: good

Tallinn is the Estonian capital, known for cooler weather, where anyone loving winter will feel right at home. It is relatively affordable for living and accommodations are plentiful, with both cheaper and more expensive options available. The compact city is easily walkable so saving on transport is possible when staying central. In terms of transport, buses and trams are also available. Finally, it is also well connected with other European cities by air.

Moreover, Tallinn is famous for the technology and finance sectors, thus offering great internet coverage across town. This is why it appeals to entrepreneurs and nomads working in the fintech sector, as it heavily invests in digital infrastructure. One disadvantage of Tallinn, however, is that it is costly compared to some other cities that can offer a warmer climate.

Split, Croatia

MONTHLY COST: $2,108
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: yes
PLACES TO WORK: coworking offices and cafes
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 17 Mbps
CLIMATE: mild in winter, hot in summer
POPULATION: 0,178 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Croatian
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: good
COMMUNITY: good

Situated on the Adriatic Coast of Croatia, Split is its second-largest city in population, after the capital of Zagreb. It offers nice weather, a chilled atmosphere, a rich history, and great hospitality thanks to tourism. Being a popular tourist location on the Mediterranean, it can be a little harder to find cheap accommodation, especially at the peak of the summer season.

Along with a relatively strong Internet connection, getting work done is easy thanks to the new emerging coworking offices. As the Croatian nation enjoys a slow cup of coffee or two every day, there are also plenty of cafes available. Moreover, Split will allow you to get to the other popular Croatian coastal, as well as off-coast cities, as it is connected with most of the country.

Palermo, Italy

MONTHLY COST: $2,467
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: no
PLACES TO WORK: coworking offices and cafes
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 28 Mbps
CLIMATE: mild in winter, hot in summer
POPULATION: 0,673 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Italian
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: okay
COMMUNITY: okay

For digital nomads keen on having an Italian experience, Palermo can offer that while not being as costly as some other cities in Italy. Full of sunny days in the year, Palermo is cheaper in accommodation than many other desirable European destinations. The locals are friendly and the Italian food is amazing.

Although the Internet is fast, there are many spots in the city where it might be hard to connect to it, so this is one downside of Sicily’s main town. Moreover, Palermo has a rich history and offers different markets to explore, as well. As a digital nomad base in Italy, this city has many great bars and restaurants to offer.

Sochi, Russia

MONTHLY COST: $1,396
DIGITAL NOMAD VISA: no
PLACES TO WORK: lacking
INTERNET CONNECTION & SPEED: 13 Mbps
CLIMATE: cold in winter, warm in summer
POPULATION: 0,364 million
LOCAL LANGUAGE: Russian
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: bad
COMMUNITY: okay

The largest Russian resort city, Sochi, is also known as Russia’s summer capital. The vacation city is situated on the Black Sea and unlike other cold spots in Russia, the climate is not that bad and it doesn’t get freezing during the winter months. The average Internet and lack of coworking spaces can be a bit of a problem, though.

The cost of living is low, while Sochi’s population enjoys a higher quality of life. This is what makes it appealing to digital nomads who want to experience living in one of the most powerful countries in the world. While the temperatures hardly drop below zero, Sochi is still an attractive option.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.