If you have considered being one of the early digital nomads to explore the limited number of digital nomad communities in Europe, seize the opportunity now as we have fantastic updates for you.
To date, the idea of a digital nomad village has only been embraced by a handful of locations. Yet these places share a common goal of gathering remote employees in a picturesque environment, and catering to their needs with essential facilities such as internet access, designated workspaces, and opportunities for socializing and expanding one’s professional network.
For those who are just starting out as digital nomads, this is an excellent chance to venture into it without feeling daunted by the initial organizational tasks.
Concerns such as visa, paperwork and health insurance can arise when undertaking a digital nomad lifestyle. However, specialized providers and relevant services are available to assist digital nomads. SafetyWing is one example of a travel and health insurance provider that was established by nomads and tailors to the specific necessities of fellow nomads. This means that they’re better equipped to comprehend your requirements and facilitate your journey to commence smoothly.
Living a digital nomad lifestyle in these types of locations can provide you with a network of immediate friends, assistance, and support.
Countries Where You Can Expect to Find Digital Nomad Villages
Several European countries including Portugal, Croatia, and most recently Estonia, have embraced the concept of digital nomadism, much to the delight of those who are already familiar with this lifestyle.
Portugal’s Madeira Island is home to digital nomads.
A collaboration between Startup Madeira, Gonçalo Hall, a digital nomad, and the regional government of Madeira has resulted in the provision of a workspace that comes with free WiFi and networking chances for remote workers.
This destination offers an enjoyable experience to indulge in, with beautiful weather, amazing culinary offerings, and stunning landscapes to discover. It is situated in a picturesque region of the country that is worth exploring.
Digital Nomad Valley Zadar in Croatia
Did you know that locals claim that this translates to “valley for friends”?
No wonder it’s such a favorable place for establishing a concept like the digital nomad village where remote workers can experience the benefits of this lifestyle.
Affordable digital nomad accommodation with Wi-Fi and co-working spaces by the beach can be found in this village. This region, Bokir, situated in Zadar, offers both luxury and coliving accommodations.
The Tallinn Digital Nomad Village Concept
Tallinn’s digital nomad village aims to establish a worldwide network of as-needed workspaces that links remote workers with local service providers. The initiative seeks to construct 100 workstations to cater to 1000 digital nomads, fostering and supporting the worldwide digital nomad community.
This digital nomad village in Tallinn offers excellent opportunities for remote workspaces, social events, and easy access to transportation hubs. Additionally, it is situated just 15 minutes away from the forest, making it an attractive destination for both locals and nomads who appreciate Estonia’s digital proficiency and close proximity to nature.
What is the reason behind Estonia’s allure for digital work?
What Makes Estonia so Attractive to Digital Nomads
Digital nomads and remote workers have always faced difficulties when it comes to working while traveling. Many individuals resort to living and working on a tourist visa in order to bypass legal restrictions. Nevertheless, recent progress has been made within the past few years and countries, such as Estonia, provide numerous advantages for those working remotely.
Estonia has greatly enhanced its global relations through its e-Residency program. By introducing the Digital Nomad Visa, Estonia is revolutionizing the global approach to earning a livelihood, empowering countless self-motivated individuals to pursue their career and personal aspirations.
Were you aware that the number of e-residents all around the globe has surpassed 55,000, with early adopters like Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Pope Francis, and Angela Merkel?
Location-independent entrepreneurs from all over the globe can take heart in the news that they are eligible to reside and conduct business in Estonia for a period of one year. This opportunity is not restricted solely to freelancers, as individuals who have foreign employers or are partners in foreign firms may also work remotely from Estonia.
The e-residency program in Estonia comes with the following benefits:
- You can run a business in the EU without ever having to travel there.
- Cross-border capital movements and access to the EU Single Market.
- Account access to Estonian banks and online payment providers.
- Use of Estonian digital signature on official documents, securing data via encryption, and many more.
For e-Residents, visiting, living, and working in Estonia could be a fantastic opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the digital nation firsthand.
How Can a Digital Nomad Enjoy Estonia to the Fullest?
Free, open, fast internet
Estonia has established itself as a fertile ground for launching startups and transforming them into fully-operational businesses. In order to efficiently carry out their daily processes, it is critical for these businesses to have access to top-notch internet services. Thanks to Estonia’s extensive 4G coverage, entrepreneurs can rely on fast and dependable internet even when remotely located in the forest.
Coworking spaces
Due to Tallinn’s active startup community, there are numerous trendy coworking spaces that can be conveniently found on the internet. These spaces offer various payment plans, such as hourly, daily, or monthly packages, which can be tailored to fit your requirements and financial situation.
Enjoying nature at a walking distance
You can partake in different outdoor activities in Estonia depending on the season. Most of these activities are readily available, ranging from leisurely walks along the beach to more demanding pursuits such as hiking.
Events and festivals
Celebrations and festivals are plentiful in Estonia, and many of them honor important dates in the country’s past, contributing to its rich cultural scene.
Food, drinks, and coffee shops
When searching for dining options, the prevalent choices feature nutritious meals influenced by Scandinavian gastronomy. Estonia is recognized for its artisanal beers and microbreweries in the beverage category.
Nightlife
If you’re a digital nomad, don’t miss out on the vibrant nightlife scene in the city, featuring charming pubs, as a great way to unwind after a busy yet productive day. With a high number of nomads in the area, you could potentially meet other individuals who share your interests.
++More Cities in Europe for Digital Nomads in 2023
Most digital nomads acknowledge that the most significant and exceptional perk of their lifestyle is the opportunity to travel extensively. Although, it’s not solely about travelling; to succeed as a digital nomad, you must select destinations that cater to your digital nomadism requirements.
Digital nomads can find the most suitable cities worldwide by taking into account factors such as lenient visa requirements, high-speed internet access, reasonable living expenses, and diverse leisure activities.
Lisbon, Portugal
If you were to spend some time in Lisbon, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that specific areas of the city were intended for remote workers.
Over the past few years, Lisbon has gained a reputation as the ideal location for remote workers to settle down, and with its increasing popularity, more and more wanderers have flocked to the city.
It’s easy to meet and socialize with other people who work remotely in Lisbon, as there are many hipster cafes filled with digital nomads, co-working spaces in almost every neighborhood, and frequent meet-ups for online entrepreneurs held in sunny parks.
What is the reason behind the large influx of remote workers in Lisbon? To put it simply, it’s due to the abundance of attractions such as over 300 days of sunny weather annually, an outstanding culinary industry, numerous breathtaking parks and gardens, cost-effective flights to all parts of Europe, and an extensive range of history and culture to explore.
Compared to other destinations in Western Europe, Portugal is relatively inexpensive, and you can save a significant amount of money on accommodation and food.
Rome, Italy
Without a doubt, Rome is among the most ideal cities for digital nomads, providing an abundance of options from delectable cuisine to historical splendor, making it an enthralling location that never ceases to entertain. Despite the high cost of living in Rome, there are viable low-cost alternatives for digital nomads to explore and enjoy the city.
If you’re a digital nomad looking for a place to stay in Rome, Testaccio and San Lorenzo are among the top areas. Staying in these neighborhoods allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture of Rome while providing convenient proximity to the must-see tourist attractions in the historic center.
Accessing the internet is a breeze in Rome, as it’s widely available in various locations such as hotels, cafes, and co-working spaces. Cafe Letterario and Coaster Coworking are both excellent options to consider since they offer a pleasant ambiance and an opportunity to engage with other digital nomads.
Although exploring the renowned Colosseum and Vatican Museums are among the top activities to do in Rome, make sure not to overlook lesser-known attractions like Galleria Doria Pamphilj and the Baths of Caracalla.
Belgrade, Serbia
Despite its neighbor Croatia being a more popular travel destination, Serbia remains underrated especially among digital nomads. Nonetheless, Serbia provides numerous travel opportunities and remote work options, making Belgrade an unparalleled destination for digital nomads.
Despite not currently having a digital nomad visa like certain European nations, Serbia is a favorable option for digital nomads due to its affordable cost of living.
If you’re a remote worker, Belgrade is the ideal location to settle in Serbia. The city boasts superb working conditions for digital nomads, along with notably consistent internet connectivity. Additionally, there’s a wide array of coworking spaces available in Belgrade.
Allocate some time to work at one of Belgrade’s coworking spaces to network with other digital nomads or even local startup employees.
Compared to other Serbian cities, Belgrade boasts the superior infrastructure typical of a national capital. The extensive network of public transportation in Belgrade is seamlessly integrated, enabling visitors to easily access noteworthy sites such as St. Sava Church, the Museum of Yugoslavia, Kalemegdan, and Belgrade Fortress.
Berlin, Germany
For digital nomads, Berlin is a top-notch city. Thanks to its international population, English is widely spoken in this city. However, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up some basic German skills.
Working remotely in Berlin is quite prevalent and there are numerous options for leasing office spaces and coworking areas. If you only require a desk, you can easily locate a shared office or a suitable coworking space to become part of.
Several cafes with free wifi are within walking distance from your apartment in case you prefer working from a cafe.
In case you want to socialize or network during your stay in Berlin, there are countless meetup groups catering to different preferences. You will come across groups tailored to expats, freelancers, various activities, and more. Conduct a quick search on Facebook or Meetup, and you will undoubtedly stumble upon groups that align with your interests.
Despite being a large city, navigating Berlin is made convenient by its vast network of public transportation. If you don’t have a vehicle, you can opt to rent a bicycle or scooter for easy mobility.
Tblisi, Georgia
Although Georgia is small and not widely known, it is quickly becoming a sought-after destination in Europe for digital nomads and telecommuters. Tbilisi, its capital, has transformed into a sanctuary for both innovators and artists.
With a population slightly above one million individuals, Tbilisi is a small city situated in the South Caucasus region, where Europe and Asia intersect. It has always been a vibrant and diverse center of various cultures.
The attractiveness of Georgia is greatly contributed by its visa-free policy, which permits individuals from over 98 nations to reside and be employed in the country for a full year without any necessity of a visa or unique authorizations.
Small business owners who are eligible to register as individual entrepreneurs get the added benefit of low taxes (1%) and a reasonably low cost of living.
The internet infrastructure has progressed and there is consistent 4G connectivity available throughout the country, which is great if you plan to organize a business excursion in the Greater Caucasus Mountains.
The digital nomad community in Tbilisi is on a continuous rise which is leading to an increase in the number of coworking spaces and meet-ups. Due to the city’s compact size, it is effortless to combine and interact with people, including native inhabitants. While English is widely used, acquiring some knowledge of Georgian language can be beneficial.
Leave a Reply