Ancient cities and Mediterranean islands provide just a taste of the best places to work remotely in Europe.
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, remote working has risen exponentially. Companies have moved working models to be hybrid or fully remote, while some people have decided that starting their own business or becoming a freelancer is the way forward. With Europe’s Schengen agreement, which allows visitors to work remote in many countries for up to 90 days, it has never been easier to work from another country.
On top of this, many European countries have introduced ‘digital nomad visas’ which allow foreigners to work remotely in their country for a certain length of time. Becoming a digital nomad is now extremely popular, both because of the opportunities it presents to travel and live abroad, but also due to the rising cost of living crisis. Many European countries remain very affordable and therefore make an ideal base from which to work. Here’s just a few of the best cities to work from in 2022…
Zagreb is Croatia’s buzzing capital and along with many other Croatian cities, tops the list for the best place to work as a digital nomad in Europe. The city was already well developed for remote working, with cafes and restaurants offering fast WiFi, however now there are many dedicated co-working spaces such as Hub385 and Wespa Spaces, which are designed for remote workers and also give people the change to network. Croatia was one of the first countries to offer a digital nomad visa, which allows you to work in the country for up to one year.
Unlike the cities of Split and Dubrovnik, which welcome hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, Zagreb has a more local feel and features the same great history, culture and attractions you can find across the country. Popular attractions include the Cathedral of Zagreb and the Museum of Broken Relationships. The cost of living is also low, with food prices being low and the average apartment costing just €500 per month.
Malta has quickly become known as a top dig spot in Europe, both for individuals and companies offering remote work. This tiny island country is home to thousands of expats, particularly from the UK, Germany and nearby Italy. The city of Sliema, just a five-minute ferry from the capital Valletta has popped up as the centre of the blossoming digital nomad boom, with lots of well-connected cafes, co-working spaces, bars, restaurants and more.
Malta’s famous historical sites, such as St. John’s Co Cathedral and the Barrakka Gardens are close by in the capital, while the size of the country means other regions, such as Mdina and the islands of Gozo and Comino are quickly reached. The cost of living is low in Sliema, compared to the capital where many wealthy expats have made their base, and accommodation often caters specifically to foreign workers. It is also conveniently located just a ferry ride from Sicily and has direct flights to other major European cities such as Rome, Paris and London.
With its fairy-tale architecture, excellent cuisine and extremely affordable living costs, it is unsurprising that Tallin is one of Europe’s most popular cities for digital nomads. Estonia was also the first country to launch an e-residence program; essentially a digital nomad visa, which has encouraged even more people to consider working from the capital. To aid this, internet cafes, co-working spaces and hotels have all been set up with nomads in mind, meaning fast WiFi, great coffee and a chance to collaborate with workers from around the world. Lift99 and Spring Hub are two of the best.
As with many eastern European countries, living costs are inexpensive and the country is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with many diverse things to see and do, from hiking in the mountains, to skiing or camping by one of Estonia’s many lakes.
Greece makes the list both for its reasonable digital nomad visa and as a country that is the ideal hot weather option for those who prefer to work in the sunshine. Athens is the most popular place to work remotely in Greece, however many of the country’s islands are also well equipped for remote workers, although are often more expensive. There are a variety of co-working spaces in Athens such as Impact Hub and Found.ation, however working in cafes and restaurants is also well accepted. Greece introduced their own digital nomad visa which allows people to work there for up to a year, which has led to a surge in remote workers.
Cost of living in the capital is slightly more expensive than in cities such as Tallin, but still remains affordable. When combined with Greece’s fresh, Mediterranean cuisine and the city’s wealth of historical sites such as the Acropolis, Parthenon and museums, plus the possibility of exploring the country’s beautiful islands, it is clear why Athens is a popular spot for digital nomads.
