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CNA
05-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
More digital nomads calling Bali home, but this comes at a price for the island and locals
Remote working is becoming increasingly popular in a post-COVID-19 pandemic world, with more and more people aspiring to travel and become digital nomads like Ivanova. According to a 2023 study by remote working consultancy firm, MBO Partners, there were 35 million digital nomads around the world, a 131 per cent increase compared to before the pandemic. But experts and activists have blamed the influx of digital nomads for over-tourism and soaring property prices in many places around the world. Southeast Asian hotspots like Thailand's Phuket or Malaysia's Langkawi saw an average of 8 per cent and 4 per cent hikes in property values respectively in 2024. But even they pale in comparison to Bali's capital Denpasar which according to several brokerage firms saw a 15.1 per cent rise in property values last year. Property is in such high demand that sleepy agricultural villages are being transformed into boom towns filled with upscale restaurants and modern-looking villas. The steep hike is partly why Ivanova is still hesitant about calling Bali her second home. 'When I first came to Bali, everything was cheap. Now, I spend almost the same amount of money as I do in Moscow,' she said. Despite the development, very few locals are reaping the benefits. And as the influx of digital nomads drives prices up, some Balinese are feeling priced out, fuelling friction between the locals and remote-working expats. 'Houses have become out of reach for us Balinese,' said Bali resident Nyoman Denny. SKYROCKETING PRICES Last year, Bali saw a 40 per cent increase in the number of digital nomads residing on the island compared to 2023. It is estimated that over 3,000 digital nomads now live there, according to the number of digital nomad visas granted annually. While these numbers might not seem overwhelming for an island around eight times the size of Singapore with a population of around 4.4 million, it is possible that this is a gross-underestimation as it is possible to enter for a month on a tourist visa, which can then be renewed for an additional 30 days. Some nationalities are exempt and do not require a visa at all. The first wave of digital nomads came to Bali in the 2010s as high-speed internet was no longer confined to the downtown areas of major cities and began to penetrate smaller towns and suburbs. 'For these digital nomads, it is a lot cheaper to achieve the lifestyle that they want in Bali compared to where they come from,' Hansen Tandiyanto, the owner of Bali-based co-working space chain, Biliq, told CNA. 'Another reason is that Bali already had strong expat communities. It is easy for them to find someone who comes from the same country, speaks the same language and shares the same culture. So for them, Bali feels like a home away from home.' The early wave of digital nomads was dominated by people in the technology industry and stock brokers, Hansen said. 'Then the (COVID-19) pandemic happened and everyone realised that they can work from anywhere,' he said. At the same time, Bali – an island where 80 per cent of its economy is linked to the tourism sector – was completely devastated. According to the Bali manpower agency, at least 78,000 people lost their livelihoods at the height of the pandemic as hundreds of hotels, restaurants and shops had to stop operating temporarily or permanently. With occupancy down to almost zero, hotel and villa owners began offering significant discounts in a bid to generate what little income they could. 'I was seeing villas which would have cost two million rupiah (US$119) a night being offered at two million rupiah per week or even per 15 days,' Febby Ayu, a 34-year-old accountant who moved to Bali from Jakarta told CNA. The offer, made between 2020 and 2021 when countries around the world were still closing their borders, managed to convince hundreds of people from other Indonesian cities to temporarily reside in Bali. 'My office understood that where I work did not affect my productivity,' Febby said. 'Although I have to admit that sometimes when I was at work all I could think about was 'when can I hit the beach?'.' But the massive price cut did not last long. In fact, prices started rising in January 2022 when Indonesia began to loosen its borders and offered a special visa for digital nomads. Known formally as the C1 special visit visa, the pass allows foreigners to stay in the country for up to 60 days, which can be renewed twice. Applicants must among other criteria prove that they are employed at a company based outside of Indonesia and pay a one million rupiah application fee. Holders of the visa are barred from making a living in Indonesia although they can still earn a salary by working remotely for businesses and clients based outside the country. Apart from the C1 visa, other visas available include the tourist visa, valid for 30 days, and the E33G remote work visa, which allows for multiple entries and a stay of up to 12 months, for employees of non-Indonesian companies earning at least US$60,000 a year. 'Suddenly, rent became three to four times what they were during the pandemic,' Febby said, adding that over the last four years she had to move three times because she could no longer afford to live in her property. While Febby can always go back to Jakarta, the same cannot be said for locals in Bali. 'We have to rent houses in the suburbs or another town altogether because we cannot afford to live in Denpasar anymore,' hotel clerk Ni Wayan Laksmi told CNA. 'How are we supposed to compete with foreigners who are paid in dollars?' LOSING ITS CHARM Skyrocketing prices are not the only problem. Around Denpasar, villas, retail spaces, bars and restaurants have sprung up, turning remote villages into boom towns. 'A few years ago, rice fields used to stretch as far as the eye can see. Now, there are only small patches of rice fields left which are completely surrounded by houses and buildings,' Bali resident Wayan Aditya, told CNA. Before the digital nomad craze, Aditya said, tourists largely stuck to hotels and hostels. But most remote workers prefer the privacy and spaciousness offered by rented villas. With the prospect of earning thousands of dollars each month, wealthy landowners began converting their rice fields into villas for rent. Those without capital to build rental homes are selling their vacant plots of land to investors from overseas or other parts of Indonesia. The COVID-19 pandemic added fuel to the fire. 'People were selling their land because they had no choice. Bali is so reliant on tourism we had no other income,' Aditya continued. According to property monitoring company AirDNA, there are currently 83,500 properties available for rent in Bali and the number has been growing by between 20 and 27 per cent every year. Meanwhile, public infrastructure such as roads and drainage systems are struggling to keep up with this massive scale of development, leading to worsening traffic congestion and flooding. 'Bali is getting more crowded but the roads are not getting any bigger. Traffic is so bad, sometimes it takes two hours just to cover a distance of less than 10km,' transportation expert Djoko Setijowarno told CNA. 'Meanwhile, public transportation in Bali is virtually non-existent, forcing tourists to take taxis or rent a vehicle.' Bali is trying to address its crippling traffic by building a 33km light rail transit (LRT) network. The first two lines, which will connect Denpasar's Ngurah Rai Airport with Cemagi beach in the north and Nusa Dua in the south, are expected to open by 2031. Meanwhile, flooding is worsening as more and more land is being converted into settlements and buildings. On Feb 12, several streets and neighbourhoods in the greater Denpasar area were inundated by waist-high water. Dozens of foreigners were trapped inside their villas and had to be evacuated using life rafts. For Christian Moser, a 60-year-old IT consultant from Germany, Bali is slowly losing its charm. 'I have seen a lot of development in Bali which is not sustainable. The quiet life, the view, the lush green rice fields, they are slowly going away or being spoiled by pollution and waste,' Moser, who has lived intermittently in Bali as a digital nomad for the last two years, told CNA. HARD TO STAY AWAY As more foreigners decide to live in Bali as digital nomads, friction with locals becomes unavoidable. In September of 2022, eight months after Indonesia introduced the digital nomad visa, an online petition emerged to repeal the policy. The petitioners argued that some nomads have been disrespectful towards local customs and traditions, including staging late night parties, driving under the influence of alcohol and getting into brawls with locals or other foreigners. At least 8,000 signed the petition. 'The problem is not everyone who claims to be digital nomads are actually professionals working remotely. Many are just influencers looking to create tasteless content,' tourism expert Azril Azhari said. 'The government needs to be more selective in issuing the digital nomad visa.' Tjok Bagus Pemayun, chief of the Bali tourism agency admitted that 'the regulation must be strengthened' so that the visa is issued to those who deserve it. The island is currently in talks with the Immigration Ministry in Jakarta to work out the details of the planned amendment, he said. However, Pemayun disagreed with the petitioners that the policy should be repealed entirely. 'Bali needs long-staying tourists with money to spend. They were the reasons why our economy stayed afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic,' he told CNA. 'The government also feels that working remotely is now becoming the norm. Working while holidaying is no longer the privilege of a few people in certain sectors. We must capitalise on this trend.' Pemayun admitted that the policy has contributed to the over-development of some areas in Bali. 'Which is why we are trying to develop areas which are under-developed, so there won't be an over-concentration of tourism in one part of Bali,' he said. Experts said Indonesia should also look at other areas outside of Bali and see if they too can become hubs for digital nomads. 'Other countries have multiple tourism hubs. Meanwhile, for Indonesia, most tourists only know Bali and care little about visiting other places,' tourism expert Azril said. 'This is why the impact of digital nomads on over-tourism is felt more in Bali compared to places like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.' Although there is no official figure, some media outlets and research firms estimated that there could be tens of thousands of digital nomads in Thailand, making it one of the world's most popular destinations for remote workers. These nomads are spread among several popular tourist destinations in the country like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Malaysia attracted some 1,500 digital nomads last year, 73 per cent of whom chose to stay close to the country's bustling capital, Kuala Lumpur. However, there is a growing number of remote workers choosing to stay in tourist favourites like Penang and Langkawi. 'As for Indonesia, tourists only know Bali because Indonesia is not doing enough to promote other destinations,' tourism expert Azril said. Of the almost 14 million international tourists who came to Indonesia last year, 5.5 million arrived via Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport. In contrast, Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta Airport last year welcomed 2.1 million international travellers. Since 2016, Indonesia has been trying to develop and promote 10 tourism destinations which it hopes will become 'the new Bali'. In 2023, the focus narrowed to five 'super priority destinations': North Sumatra's Lake Toba; Central Java's Borobudur; West Nusa Tenggara's Mandalika; East Nusa Tenggara's Labuan Bajo; and North Sulawesi's Likupang. But despite the efforts, their infrastructure and tourism ecosystems are nowhere as developed as Bali. While it is possible to have high-speed internet access in even the remotest part of the globe using technology such as Elon Musk's Starlink satellite-based network, some nomads still find it hard to stay away from Bali and move to these five destinations. Tanay Mishra, an Indian-born digital marketing consultant, has been travelling all over the world as a digital nomad for the past 10 years. However, he kept coming back to Bali over and over again until eventually he decided a few years ago to permanently make the island his home. 'In Bali, you can find quiet beaches and bustling city centres just a few minutes drive from where you live. You will meet some of the friendliest people and have the best food,' the 35-year-old said.
CNA
05-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
As Bali grapples with a boom in digital nomads, does it risk losing its charm?
Remote working is becoming increasingly popular in a post-COVID-19 pandemic world, with more and more people aspiring to travel and become digital nomads like Ivanova. According to a 2023 study by remote working consultancy firm, MBO Partners, there were 35 million digital nomads around the world, a 131 per cent increase compared to before the pandemic. But experts and activists have blamed the influx of digital nomads for over-tourism and soaring property prices in many places around the world. Southeast Asian hotspots like Thailand's Phuket or Malaysia's Langkawi saw an average of 8 per cent and 4 per cent hikes in property values respectively in 2024. But even they pale in comparison to Bali's capital Denpasar which according to several brokerage firms saw a 15.1 per cent rise in property values last year. Property is in such high demand that sleepy agricultural villages are being transformed into boom towns filled with upscale restaurants and modern-looking villas. The steep hike is partly why Ivanova is still hesitant about calling Bali her second home. 'When I first came to Bali, everything was cheap. Now, I spend almost the same amount of money as I do in Moscow,' she said. Despite the development, very few locals are reaping the benefits. And as the influx of digital nomads drives prices up, some Balinese are feeling priced out, fuelling friction between the locals and remote-working expats. 'Houses have become out of reach for us Balinese,' said Bali resident Nyoman Denny. SKYROCKETING PRICES Last year, Bali saw a 40 per cent increase in the number of digital nomads residing on the island compared to 2023. It is estimated that over 3,000 digital nomads now live there, according to the number of digital nomad visas granted annually. While these numbers might not seem overwhelming for an island around eight times the size of Singapore with a population of around 4.4 million, it is possible that this is a gross-underestimation as it is possible to enter for a month on a tourist visa, which can then be renewed for an additional 30 days. Some nationalities are exempt and do not require a visa at all. The first wave of digital nomads came to Bali in the 2010s as high-speed internet was no longer confined to the downtown areas of major cities and began to penetrate smaller towns and suburbs. 'For these digital nomads, it is a lot cheaper to achieve the lifestyle that they want in Bali compared to where they come from,' Hansen Tandiyanto, the owner of Bali-based co-working space chain, Biliq, told CNA. 'Another reason is that Bali already had strong expat communities. It is easy for them to find someone who comes from the same country, speaks the same language and shares the same culture. So for them, Bali feels like a home away from home.' The early wave of digital nomads was dominated by people in the technology industry and stock brokers, Hansen said. 'Then the (COVID-19) pandemic happened and everyone realised that they can work from anywhere,' he said. At the same time, Bali – an island where 80 per cent of its economy is linked to the tourism sector – was completely devastated. According to the Bali manpower agency, at least 78,000 people lost their livelihoods at the height of the pandemic as hundreds of hotels, restaurants and shops had to stop operating temporarily or permanently. With occupancy down to almost zero, hotel and villa owners began offering significant discounts in a bid to generate what little income they could. 'I was seeing villas which would have cost two million rupiah (US$119) a night being offered at two million rupiah per week or even per 15 days,' Febby Ayu, a 34-year-old accountant who moved to Bali from Jakarta told CNA. The offer, made between 2020 and 2021 when countries around the world were still closing their borders, managed to convince hundreds of people from other Indonesian cities to temporarily reside in Bali. 'My office understood that where I work did not affect my productivity,' Febby said. 'Although I have to admit that sometimes when I was at work all I could think about was 'when can I hit the beach?'.' But the massive price cut did not last long. In fact, prices started rising in January 2022 when Indonesia began to loosen its borders and offered a special visa for digital nomads. Known formally as the C1 special visit visa, the pass allows foreigners to stay in the country for up to 60 days, which can be renewed twice. Applicants must among others prove that they are employed at a company based outside of Indonesia and pay a one million rupiah application fee. Holders of the visa are barred from making a living in Indonesia although they can still earn a salary by working remotely for businesses and clients based outside the country. Apart from the C1 visa, other visas available include the tourist visa, valid for 30 days, and the E33G remote work visa, which allows for multiple entries and a stay of up to 12 months, for employees of non-Indonesian companies earning US$60,000 a year. 'Suddenly, rent became three to four times what they were during the pandemic,' Febby said, adding that over the last four years she had to move three times because she could no longer afford to live in them. While Febby can always go back to Jakarta, the same cannot be said for locals in Bali. 'We have to rent houses in the suburbs or another town altogether because we cannot afford to live in Denpasar anymore,' hotel clerk Ni Wayan Laksmi told CNA. 'How are we supposed to compete with foreigners who are paid in dollars?' LOSING ITS CHARM Skyrocketing prices are not the only problem. Around Denpasar, villas, retail spaces, bars and restaurants have sprung up, turning remote villages into boom towns. 'A few years ago, rice fields used to stretch as far as the eye can see. Now, there are only small patches of rice fields left which are completely surrounded by houses and buildings,' Bali resident Wayan Aditya, told CNA. Before the digital nomad craze, Aditya said, tourists largely stuck to hotels and hostels. But most remote workers prefer the privacy and spaciousness offered by rented villas. With the prospect of earning thousands of dollars each month, wealthy landowners began converting their rice fields into villas for rent. Those without capital to build rental homes are selling their vacant plots of land to investors from overseas or other parts of Indonesia. The COVID-19 pandemic added fuel to the fire. 'People were selling their land because they had no choice. Bali is so reliant on tourism we had no other income,' Aditya continued. According to property monitoring company AirDNA, there are currently 83,500 properties available for rent in Bali and the number has been growing by between 20 and 27 per cent every year. Meanwhile, public infrastructure such as roads and drainage systems are struggling to keep up with this massive scale of development, leading to worsening traffic congestion and flooding. 'Bali is getting more crowded but the roads are not getting any bigger. Traffic is so bad, sometimes it takes two hours just to cover a distance of less than 10km,' transportation expert Djoko Setijowarno told CNA. 'Meanwhile, public transportation in Bali is virtually non-existent, forcing tourists to take taxis or rent a vehicle.' Bali is trying to address its crippling traffic by building a 33km light rail transit (LRT) network. The first two lines, which will connect Denpasar's Ngurah Rai Airport with Cemagi beach in the north and Nusa Dua in the south, are expected to open by 2031. Meanwhile, flooding is worsening as more and more land is being converted into settlements and buildings. On Feb 12, several streets and neighbourhoods in the greater Denpasar area were inundated by waist-high water. Dozens of foreigners were trapped inside their villas and had to be evacuated using life rafts. For Christian Moser, a 60-year-old IT consultant from Germany, Bali is slowly losing its charm. 'I have seen a lot of development in Bali which is not sustainable. The quiet life, the view, the lush green rice fields, they are slowly going away or being spoiled by pollution and waste,' Moser, who has lived intermittently in Bali as a digital nomad for the last two years, told CNA. HARD TO STAY AWAY As more foreigners decide to live in Bali as digital nomads, friction with locals becomes unavoidable. In September of 2022, eight months after Indonesia introduced the digital nomad visa, an online petition emerged to repeal the policy. The petitioners argued that some nomads have been disrespectful towards local customs and traditions, including staging late night parties, driving under the influence of alcohol and getting into brawls with locals or other foreigners. At least 8,000 signed the petition. 'The problem is not everyone who claims to be digital nomads are actually professionals working remotely. Many are just influencers looking to create tasteless content,' tourism expert Azril Azhari said. 'The government needs to be more selective in issuing the digital nomad visa.' Tjok Bagus Pemayun, chief of the Bali tourism agency admitted that 'the regulation must be strengthened' so that the visa is issued to those who deserve it. The island is currently in talks with the Immigration Ministry in Jakarta to work out the details of the planned amendment, he said. However, Pemayun disagreed with the petitioners that the policy should be repealed entirely. 'Bali needs long-staying tourists with money to spend. They were the reasons why our economy stayed afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic,' he told CNA. 'The government also feels that working remotely is now becoming the norm. Working while holidaying is no longer the privilege of a few people in certain sectors. We must capitalise on this trend.' Pemayun admitted that the policy has contributed to the over-development of some areas in Bali. 'Which is why we are trying to develop areas which are under-developed, so there won't be an over-concentration of tourism in one part of Bali,' he said. Experts said Indonesia should also look at other areas outside of Bali and see if they too can become hubs for digital nomads. 'Other countries have multiple tourism hubs. Meanwhile, for Indonesia, most tourists only know Bali and care little about visiting other places,' tourism expert Azril said. 'This is why the impact of digital nomads on over-tourism is felt more in Bali compared to places like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.' Although there is no official figure, some media outlets and research firms estimated that there could be tens of thousands of digital nomads in Thailand, making it one of the world's most popular destinations for remote workers. These nomads are spread among several popular tourist destinations in the country like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Malaysia attracted some 1,500 digital nomads last year, 73 per cent of whom chose to stay close to the country's bustling capital, Kuala Lumpur. However, there is a growing number of remote workers choosing to stay in tourist favourites like Penang and Langkawi. 'As for Indonesia, tourists only know Bali because Indonesia is not doing enough to promote other destinations,' tourism expert Azril said. Of the almost 14 million international tourists who came to Indonesia last year, 5.5 million arrived via Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport. In contrast, Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta Airport last year welcomed 2.1 million international travellers. Since 2016, Indonesia has been trying to develop and promote 10 tourism destinations which it hopes will become 'the new Bali'. In 2023, the focus narrowed to five 'super priority destinations': North Sumatra's Lake Toba; Central Java's Borobudur; West Nusa Tenggara's Mandalika; East Nusa Tenggara's Labuan Bajo; and North Sulawesi's Likupang. But despite the efforts, their infrastructure and tourism ecosystems are nowhere as developed as Bali. While it is possible to have high-speed internet access in even the remotest part of the globe using technology such as Elon Musk's Starlink satellite-based network, some nomads still find it hard to stay away from Bali and move to these five destinations. Tanay Mishra, an Indian-born digital marketing consultant, has been travelling all over the world as a digital nomad for the past 10 years. However, he kept coming back to Bali over and over again until eventually he decided a few years ago to permanently make the island his home. 'In Bali, you can find quiet beaches and bustling city centres just a few minutes drive from where you live. You will meet some of the friendliest people and have the best food,' the 35-year-old said. 'Yes, people complain about the traffic and how expensive everything is. But once you look past that, Bali will capture your heart and then you can never leave.'
Forbes
30-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Philippines Is Launching A Digital Nomad Visa—Here's What Remote Workers Need To Know
The Philippines is the latest country offering self-employed and remote salaried workers from around the world the opportunity to stay longer—and spend more—as part of a visa program that became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has approved a digital nomad visa to allow foreign remote workers to stay in the Philippines for up to a year, with the option to renew for another year. Applications will begin within 60 days, the Philippines News Agency reported. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be able to prove sufficient income generated outside the Philippines and have no criminal record and health insurance. Last year, the Philippines welcomed around 5.6 million international tourists, falling 23% short of its annual target of 7.7 million. In 2024, a number of Asian countries launched digital nomad visas, including Japan, Thailand, and South Korea. Last year, more than 18 million American workers described themselves as digital nomads—representing 11% of all U.S. workers and a jump of more than 147% since 2019, according to the MBO Partners 2024 State of Independence report. Over the past five years, travelers have encountered looser rules and less friction when visiting for extended periods in destinations around the world. Digital nomad visas—a modern alternative to traditional paper visas affixed in a passport—have become a popular economic tool for countries around the world to attract self-employed or remote salaried workers who are allowed to live in the country for a set amount of time, spending money and boosting the local economy without threatening the jobs of citizens. As of 2023, roughly half of the world's countries offered digital nomad visas for up to one year, according to a UN Tourism report that found roughly 40% of destinations exempt digital nomads from tax payments and 17% do not have minimum income requirements. There's less red tape, too—three quarters of destinations offering DNVs have online applications with processing times of less than one month. English is widely recognized as a second language in the Philippines, with the majority of Filipino adults able to speak and understand it. The cost of living is relatively low, even in cities, and internet penetration of around 90% as well as easy access to beaches. 'With our unparalleled natural beauty, vibrant culture, and the warmth of the Filipino people, the Philippines stands ready to welcome digital nomads to travel, work, and thrive across our islands,' Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco told the Philippines News Agency. 90 million. That's how many remote digital jobs there will be in the world by 2030, according to a World Economic Forum white paper published last year. In January, the United States slid to the 9th spot on the Henley Passport Index, a ranking of the world's passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. America's ranking is suppressed by its lack of reciprocity. While American passport holders can access 186 out of 227 destinations visa-free, the U.S. itself allows only 46 other nationalities to pass through its borders visa-free, putting it way down the Henley Openness Index in 84th place according to the number of nationalities permitted entry without a prior visa. South Korea Is Launching A Visa Just For K-Pop Fans (Forbes) One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space. In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's Terms of Service. We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil. Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain: User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in: So, how can you be a power user? Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's Terms of Service.
Forbes
21-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Countries With A Digital Nomad Visa Program For Americans
Villajoyosa, in Alicante, Spain - a city and country that consistently ranks highly on digital nomad visa lists getty There are many ways to judge which countries have the best digital nomad schemes. Is it essential that they're an English-speaking country, or do you want to be there to learn a new language immersively? Another criterion might be the minimum monthly income requirement. What's clear, though, is that with 66 countries offering digital nomad visas globally, they'll be one that suits everyone. A digital nomad visa allows someone visiting a country to work there for a set period provided, in most cases, they earn an income from clients outside of the country—the key aim is to bring in people who will spend money in the economy but not take jobs from locals. Sometimes, countries give digital nomad visas to industry professionals they are looking to attract—notably technology professionals—and applicants must have proof of rent and health insurance. The Netherlands created the first scheme in 2000, recognizing the growing requirement by some professionals for flexible working arrangements overseas. The financial crisis of 2008 and the pandemic in the 2020s accelerated the trend—indeed, most existing global digital nomad visas (91%) were launched after COVID-19. Indeed, according to a report by MBO Partners, between 2020 and 2024, the global digital nomad population grew from 10.9 million to 35 million individuals, a 224% increase. Most of the 66 countries offering digital nomad visas are in Europe or the Americas—23 and 25, respectively. Many countries, such as Germany, the Bahamas, Uruguay, and Seychelles, have schemes that do not require minimum monthly income requirements. New Zealand has also recently launched one. This is not the only consideration, however, particularly when countries like Germany have a high cost of living and others such as New Zealand offer a fantastic quality of life but are likely more remote to your home country than other options. Most of the countries with digital nomad visas with minimum monthly income requirements lower than $2,000 are outside of Europe, with three exceptions—Albania ($815), Montenegro ($1,440) and the Czech Republic ($1,670). For the past couple of years, Albania has been touted as the European Must-See destination because of its affordability and sublime beaches on the Adriatic and the Ionion sea. CNTraveler and the U.K.'s Telegraph both listed Albania as one best value destination in 2024. Further afield from Europe, Colombia's digital nomad visa is very accessible at $750, while Ecuador ($1,350) and Brazil ($1,500) are two other options. There are three countries in the EU (as opposed to wider Europe) where the minimum monthly income requirement is under $3,000—Croatia has a minimum monthly income requirement of $2,750 (€2,540), the Czech Republic has a minimum monthly requirement of $1,808 ($1,670) and Italy's minimum monthly income requirement is $2,923 (€2,700) for its digital nomad visa. A Global Citizens Solutions report lists what it believes to be the seven best European countries offering digital nomad visas. The application process is similar in that applicants must provide proof of valid health insurance for the duration of their stay. Most visas are initially granted for one year with the possibility of renewal, except the Netherlands, which offers a three-year visa upfront but also requires a business plan. Some allow online applications (Romania), some are in person (Malta and Estonia), and some are via an embassy or consulate. Internations Expat Insider report has asked expats worldwide for the past 11 years about which cities are the best and worst for digital nomads. In 2023 and 2024, Spanish cities topped the list because of their affordability combined with the quality of life (Malaga, Alicante, and Valencia). Likewise, Spain topped the Global Citizens Solution list for the best place to live and work, as it was in the top ten in all five sub-indexes and led the overall ranking. In addition to its culture and landscapes, it has high-speed internet and a favorable tax environment. In 2025, the minimum monthly income requirement for a digital nomad visa is now at least $2,853 (€2,763), slightly higher than in previous years as Spain's minimum wage has risen to €1,381.33 per month. Applicants must demonstrate that their earnings are at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage (about $35,000 annually). The visa lasts one year but can be renewed. The Netherlands does not have a formal digital nomad visa but allows remote workers to apply as self-employed individuals under the MVV visa. The visa is valid for three years, with extensions possible, and applicants must meet experience, business, and economic contribution criteria. Holders are required to pay taxes and adhere to Dutch regulatory laws as legal residents. Norway's digital nomad visa requires applicants to have a valid two-year passport and proof of self-employment or employment with a non-Norwegian company. A unique requirement is that applicants must have a contract with a Norwegian client and earn at least $38,162 annually. The application fee is $641; proof of residence and health insurance are also required. Ranking 4th in Global Solutions Report, Estonia offers short-term (C) and long-term (D) digital nomad visas, costing around $100. Applicants must earn at least $4,884 monthly and provide proof of health insurance, a clean background check, and an in-person application submission. Ranking 5th, Romania's digital nomad visa allows remote workers to stay for one year, with the option to renew for another. Applicants must have a valid passport, health insurance, accommodation proof, a clear criminal record, and earn at least $4,000 monthly. Romania's isn't the cheapest digital nomad visa in the EU but it does offer additional tax benefits. Malta's digital nomad visa is open to remote workers who can perform their jobs online and earn at least $45,233 annually. Requirements include a clean background check, health insurance, and proof of accommodation. For anglophones, one benefit is that everyone speaks English, the sun shines 300 days every year, and it has some of the best diving in the Mediterranean. Portugal's digital nomad visa has a minimum monthly income requirement of $3,511. The application fee is $89, plus $78 for a residence card, and applicants must provide health insurance, a clean criminal record, and proof of accommodation. CNTraveler's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards recently placed Portugal in second place for The 20 Best Countries In The World (after Japan) and there are an increasing amount of flight options to Lisbon and Porto, the country's second city. The criticism of such visas is that many digital nomads choose to work in a country where the cost of living is often considerably lower than in their own country. They can usually pay more for local services, so costs for locals rise too, including rent and other living expenses. Many digital nomad visas also have a period where applicants are exempt from paying taxes in the new country, and many 'nomads' can access local healthcare and education systems. Becoming a digital nomad is also considerably more straightforward if you hold a powerful passport, which allows visa-free or visa-upon-arrival travel to more countries. The ability to arrive in a country and apply for a digital nomad visa can, therefore, further skew the power of certain individuals to travel more freely than others. The Global Citizens Solution report on Digital Nomads states that in 2024, 63% of digital nomads came from the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. This can often lead to what the report calls 'slomadism' where digital nomads live and work in new countries for an extended period and then request permanent residency or citizenship. As per CNTraveler, these are the territories and countries currently offering digital nomad visas, listed alphabetically: Digital nomad visas reflect a shift in how and where we work, offering exciting opportunities for those seeking flexibility and adventure and a good work-life balance. With schemes available across Europe, the Americas, and beyond, remote workers can now choose locations that suit their budgets, lifestyles, and professional goals. For someone seeking a digital nomad visa, careful consideration of each destination's requirements, culture, and cost of living remains key to making the most of this modern way of working.
USA Today
05-03-2025
- Business
- USA Today
From affordability to safety: The 10 best cities for digital nomads 2025
From affordability to safety: The 10 best cities for digital nomads 2025 Show Caption Hide Caption Want to move abroad? These are the best countries for remote workers. Here are seven countries with digital nomad visas if you're looking to move abroad. When the digital nomad life calls your name, the big question becomes: Where to? Having the freedom and flexibility of remote work helps people turn their travel dreams into their everyday reality, even though it comes with its fair share of challenges. This live-work-play lifestyle has surged in popularity over recent years, with one in 10 U.S. workers now calling themselves a digital nomad, according to a 2024 study by MBO Partners. More destinations around the world – from Taiwan to Portugal – have started to introduce digital nomad visa offerings, creating an overwhelming array of options to choose from for a home base. When choosing where to go, remote workers need to take several things into consideration, like safety, Wi-Fi access, costs of living and even the logistics of obtaining one of those digital nomad visas. "The freedom of digital nomadism comes with unique challenges," said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip. "Having the right travel insurance acts as a safety net, protecting against unexpected medical emergencies, theft, trip disruptions, and more." To help decide on a destination, InsureMyTrip ranked the best cities for digital nomads based on factors such as each country's happiness score, average cost of living, U.S. State Department travel advisories, things to do and safety index using data gathered in September. Each ranked destination offers some form of a digital nomad visa, allowing remote workers to legally live and work there for a certain amount of time. Here are the top 10 cities for digital nomads in 2025: 10. San Jose, Costa Rica For digital nomads who want to experience "pura vida" – the country's feel-good slogan – the capital of Costa Rica makes an ideal home base. Travelers can post up in the city, where cafes and workspaces abound – and make weekend getaways to the coast for surfing and relaxing on the beach. 9. Podgorica, Montenegro Set along the Adriatic coastline, Montenegro is an under-the-radar Baltic destination with a multifaceted history spanning empires. This small yet diverse country boasts an array of natural beauty, from mountain ranges to lakes. Its capital, Podgorica, is known to be highly walkable and blends the old with the new to offer modern cafes near Ottoman-era mosques in its old town. 8. Buenos Aires, Argentina Buenos Aires has become a top destination for digital nomads, who are drawn to its vibrant culture and nightlife, warm climate and affordable cost of living. There's always something to do in the city's diverse neighborhoods, from tango dancing to wandering the various markets or museums or escaping to nature for a quick day trip to a beach or national park. 7. Nicosia, Cyprus As the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia boasts a high score for happiness, according to InsureMyTrip. A relatively low cost of living, English being widely spoken, and a temperate Mediterranean climate also make it an attractive choice for digital nomads. 6. Madrid, Spain Madrid is a top destination for both tourists and expats, however, locals across Spain have expressed concerns over overtourism. With an array of nightlife, restaurants and museums, the city is rich in culture, from historic neighborhoods such as La Latin and colorful murals of Coyoacan. 5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia As an emerging destination for remote workers, Kuala Lumpur boasts affordability when it comes to food and accommodations while still offering modern infrastructure, like a metro system and dependable Wi-Fi. This is the ideal destination for those who want to spend most of their time outside, with nearby beaches for an easy day trip, a warm tropical climate and hiking trails through rainforests. 4. Lisbon, Portugal Portugal's welcoming culture, slow-paced lifestyle, and affordable cost of living have made it a rising destination for expats. In 2022, the country launched its digital nomad visa, making it easier for remote workers to enjoy the beaches, parks and pastel-colored streets. 3. Montevideo, Uruguay As Uruguay's largest city, Montevideo has a laid-back yet modern atmosphere, perfect for digital nomads seeking out a more balanced lifestyle. This South American city boasts a low crime rate and cost of living, but also a thriving arts and culture scene and proximity to gorgeous beaches. 2. Budapest, Hungary As an underrated European destination, Budapest scored the title of the second-best city for digital nomads for its wide range of attractions to explore, from natural landscapes to thermal baths and historical churches. Other perks include a high safety ranking and a low cost of living. 1. Brasilia, Brazil Brasília earned InsureMyTrip's top spot as the best city for digital nomads, thanks to its visa option available since January 2022. The city stands out for its affordability compared to the U.S. and relative safety. Digital nomads can enjoy year-round sunshine, warm weather and plenty of green spaces, making it an ideal place to live and work.
