10 Best Places to Work Remotely Around the World

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While remote work isn’t an entirely new concept, it has become more popular in recent years, mainly due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that forced many people to stay inside and isolate.

Once the situation quieted down, some businesses ordered their employees to come back to the office, but there’s also a growing number of companies that continue to embrace the undeniable benefits of the remote work model.

There’s no doubt that allowing employees to work from home may require their bosses to explore new payment processing solutions or look at other ways to improve the effectiveness of the whole company, but it’s all perfectly achievable. As such, if you’re an employee of an organization that allows their companies to work remotely or consider yourself a true digital nomad, this article will introduce you to the ten best places for remote workers.

Costa Rica

Even though most people associate the stunning country of Costa Rica with fun and year-round vacation, this rainforest republic can also prove to be the perfect location for remote workers. Costa Rica is known for its breathtaking nature and slower pace of life.

From September 2021, digital nomads from all around the world can apply for a Costa Rican digital nomad visa. It allows location-independent professionals, remote workers, and telecommuters to live and work in the country for up to twelve months. Depending on your circumstances, extending the visa for another year is possible.

San José, the nation’s capital city, is an ideal location for digital nomads. However, you should also consider smaller towns such as Santa Teresa, Guanacaste, or Playa Samara, as they all are filled with locations that offer good WiFi and plenty of different accommodation options.

Woman on her back kayaking at the river

Barbados

The beautiful Caribbean country of Barbados is another destination that’s just perfect for all digital nomads who enjoy warm weather, infinite sandy beaches, and a view of azure waters.

Barbados has its own Welcome Stamp program that encourages remote workers to relocate there and work for up to 12 months. However, there’s a small catch – if you want to qualify for it, you need to be employed outside of Barbados and all your income must also come from outside of the island.

Barbados has the highest broadband internet speed in the entire Caribbean, so connecting with your employer and work colleagues shouldn’t be a problem. The island allows you to lead a laid-back lifestyle.

Here, nothing will stop you from spending your free time tanning in the sun, eating delicious fruit and local dishes, or exploring the un-spoilt beauty of the Barbadian tropics.

beach beds with blue umbrella in front of the blue beach

Argentina

While Argentina can’t boast the fastest internet in the whole of South America, it’s definitely a place that’s still worth every bit of your attention. Whether you decide to settle in the beautiful, historic city of Buenos Aires or travel to more remote, yet astonishing places like Ushuaia or Rosario, you won’t regret your decision.

Argentina has a lot to offer to travelers, from thirty-three national parks to vineyards and tall mountains.

If you want to make the most out of your stay in Argentina and avoid spending all days working indoors, consider traveling there in springtime (October to mid-December) or in fall (April to mid-June). This will allow you to avoid crowds of tourists and make your remote working experience much more enjoyable.

Mountain view with community under

Image source: pexels.com

Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular choices among digital nomads as it’s known to be affordable for foreigners, fun, and travelers-friendly. This island paradise is full of lush jungles, mountains formed in the middle of the vast azure seas, and amazing beaches. It’s also home to some of the fastest-growing cities in its region.

There’s something for everyone in Thailand, including remote workers. If you’re a freelancer or work for a company that’s based in another country and allows you to travel, then you can easily apply to the Thai government for a work permit.

Bangkok might be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about being a digital nomad in Thailand, but many people choose the smaller Northern city of Chiang Mai. You can also explore another popular destination known as Koh Phangan, which is a literal paradise island with good internet access.

boat park at the seaside of the beach

Japan

Japan is a perfect destination for digital nomads, regardless of how much experience they have working abroad. The Japanese government has various agreements with many different countries, allowing their citizens to stay in this island country for up to three months.

Whether you decide to stay in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, which are the top destinations for remote workers in Japan, you won’t be disappointed. This technological giant of a country may surprise you with its unique culture as well as incredibly delicious food. History and nature lovers also won’t be disappointed here.

Thanks to a reliable, nationwide transit system, you will be able to travel to every part of this vast Land of the Rising Sun.

An old building with bike parks outside

New Zealand

While the whole of Oceania is without a doubt a region that’s worth visiting, New Zealand may be a particularly good spot for digital nomads. A touch cooler than nearby Australia, this mountainous country is full of lush green forests, rolling pasture lands, crystal clear lakes, and steep fiords.

As long as you state that the primary reason behind your visit to New Zealand is “holidaying”, you should experience no issues working remotely from there.

Besides Wellington, the country’s capital, you can also consider settling for a while in places like Kāpiti Coast, which is often compared to Silicon Valley, or Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand.

Famous hobbit house in NZ

Croatia

Moving on to Europe, Croatia is certainly a country that’s worth visiting whether you’re only going on vacation or planning to stay there for a longer time as a digital nomad. This country is slowly but surely becoming a hotspot among the community of traveling remote workers.

In the summer months, Croatia is bustling with tourists from the whole world. Summer is also the perfect time to lay on the country’s rocky beaches, explore popular tourist attractions, and throw yourself in the middle of the busy nightlife. Things slow down significantly in the winter, so you won’t have to worry about being tempted to work on your tan instead of working for the whole year.

Since January 2021, Croatia has been offering temporary residence to digital nomads — therefore, instead of a visa, you need to apply for a residence permit to stay there legally for more than 90 days. Some of Croatia’s most popular destinations for remote workers include cities such as Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Split, and Rijeka.

breath taking view of the ocean with white houses beside in Croatia

Denmark

Denmark is another place in Europe that’s worth the attention of digital nomads. This small Scandinavian country can offer you a high quality of life, good wages, and all the amenities of a modern environment that continues to develop.

Digital nomads often praise Denmark for good internet speed, a significant amount of co-working spaces available, as well as the sheer amount of things to do and see there.

Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital city, is the most popular destination among remote workers who decide to settle in this country for a while. EU citizens will find it easy to stay in Denmark, thanks to the Schengen area making things much easier for them, but may need to apply for residency after 3 months.

If you’re planning to come from outside of Europe, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa, valid for either 90 or 180 days. To stay longer, a long-term visa is necessary.

boat park at the side of the river with colorful houses in Denmark

Image source: pexels.com

Germany

Germany is incredibly friendly to digital nomads, but it also has a few strict requirements for people who want to work remotely from there. To begin with, digital nomads are obliged to register with the German tax office and provide various documents, such as their portfolios and bank statements. Freelancers must work with clients who are already based in Germany and all working expats need to apply for freiberufler – a German visa for freelancers.

Germany is considered to be Europe’s economic powerhouse and for all good reasons. It’s a vast country and once you get there, you will be able to enjoy its lively cities and modern business areas or even explore the charming German countryside.

Some of the most popular destinations among digital nomads include cities like Berlin, Munich, or Cologne, but you also shouldn’t shy away from staying in places like Hamburg or Dresden.

train in a railway also shows building beside it with big clock on top in Germany

Estonia

Recently, Estonia, which is a small yet mighty Northern European country, launched its own digital nomad visa that you can apply for in order to stay there for up to 12 months. With this visa, you’ll also be able to travel freely across the countries in the EU Schengen zone.

Tallinn, Estonia’s seaside capital, is a city that’s definitely worth your attention. Besides good and accessible internet, it also can boast numerous cultural institutions such as art galleries and museums.

If you’re a foodie, there’s no shortage of little cafes and charming restaurants, perfect for remote workers. While in Tallinn, you can also enjoy different nightclubs or simply take strolls and explore historic parts of the city.

Red roof houses in Estonia

Best Places to Work Remotely Conclusion

As you can see, being a digital nomad isn’t as hard as it might seem, especially if you do your research and learn which locations might be the best choice. While there are many more places you can consider, this article lists ten popular options. After all, it’s important that besides working, you also find a sense of community, especially when you’re staying somewhere for longer.

If you want to enjoy warm weather all year round but at the same time prefer to stay relatively close to some of the best states to live in the US, you can travel to Costa Rica. If you don’t mind a longer trip, Thailand is another interesting destination, but you need to be ready for its tropical and humid climate.

History and sunbathing enthusiasts who don’t mind experiencing all four seasons should do well in Europe, especially if they decide to stay in Croatia.

Good luck!