Best Place for Digital Nomads: Top 5 Destinations in 2025
- Published: 23 May 2025
- 12 min read
- Starting a Company
Rodney Wong
Author
Rodney helps customers in Hong Kong navigate the details and benefits of our products and services, showing how technology can be a game changer for their business. A strong advocate for the power of the written word, he makes tech topics accessible, relevant, and, above all, practical—empowering entrepreneurs to pursue their big ideas.
Looking for the best destinations for digital nomads? In 2025, the top best countries include Portugal, Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain. These destinations combine affordability, fast internet, community, and visa options. In this blog post, you will discover why each is perfect for your remote work lifestyle.
Key Takeaways
- Digital nomadic lifestyle is booming, with an estimated one billion digital nomads by 2035, driven by the desire for flexibility, adventure, and work-life balance.
- Key factors for choosing a destination include cost of living, internet speeds, visa options, safety, and community engagement.
- Top countries for digital nomads to explore in 2025 are Portugal, Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain, offering unique benefits like affordability, connectivity, and vibrant communities. Other top countries to explore include the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, and cities such as Cape Town.
Understanding the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
Digital nomads lead location-independent lives, working remotely while travelling. This trend has surged, with about 11% of American workers identifying as digital nomads in 2023. Once a niche, digital nomadism is now mainstream, with projections suggesting one billion digital nomads globally by 2035. The flexibility to travel wherever and whenever, coupled with the ability to earn in foreign currency without needing a work permit, makes this lifestyle incredibly appealing to other digital nomads.
Adopting a minimalist lifestyle is often suggested for the digital nomad community to simplify their travels. This minimalism, along with high job satisfaction—around 80% of digital nomads report being highly satisfied with their work—contributes to the allure of this lifestyle. The rise of ‘slowmad travel,’ where nomads stay longer in fewer locations, enhances social interactions and reduces travel-related stress.
If you're a digital nomad looking to formalise your business, Osome offers fast and fully online company registration services. We handle all the paperwork and compliance, so you can run your business from anywhere in the world with ease.
Flexibility, freedom, adventure, cultural immersion, and work-life balance are key priorities for digital nomads. This lifestyle blends professional fulfilment with personal exploration, contributing around $787 billion in money annually to the global economy. It promises adventure and delivers a significant economic impact.
Key Factors in Choosing the Best Place for Digital Nomads
Selecting the ideal place for digital nomads involves various factors affecting both professional and personal lives, such as cost of living, internet connectivity, visa options, safety and health insurance, and community and networking opportunities.
The following factors ensure that the digital nomad community can explore and work efficiently while fully enjoying their chosen destinations.
Cost of living
The cost of living significantly impacts financial sustainability and lifestyle choices for digital nomads. Affordable locations allow for extended travels and more attractions to explore. For example, Thailand’s cost of living index of 34.7 makes it attractive for budget-conscious nomads.
Indonesia, with a cost-of-living index of 33.1, provides a low-cost environment for expatriates. Conversely, destinations like Greece, with a cost of living index of 66.5, may challenge financial sustainability for some nomads. Selecting the right destination based on daily spend can greatly influence a digital nomad’s overall experience.
Internet connectivity
Stable internet connectivity is vital for digital nomads since their productivity heavily relies on it, and not many countries have it. Fast and dependable internet is necessary for maintaining efficiency. Thailand, for instance, offers an impressive average internet speed of 260.54 Mbps, making it ideal for digital work.
Besides speed, reliability is crucial. Malta’s nationwide 5G network ensures high-speed internet for its residents. Similarly, Mexico City offers a reliable average internet speed of 15 Mbps, suitable for most remote work needs.
Reliable internet allows digital nomads to work remotely without interruptions.
Visa options
Visa options are crucial for digital nomads looking to live abroad while working remotely. These digital nomad visas are specifically designed for remote workers and act as work permits. For example, Mexico offers an official digital nomad visa, allowing stays from a few months to 4 years. Spain offers multiple residency options for digital nomads, including a specific digital nomad visa that ensures you don't need a work permit.
Understanding visa regulations and requirements is crucial for planning a transition to digital nomadism. Researching specific requirements and eligibility criteria is the first step in obtaining a digital nomad visa.
Safety and health insurance
Safety is a major factor for digital nomads when choosing destinations, with 15% ranking it as a top consideration. Prioritising valid health insurance is essential for covering potential medical needs while abroad.
Having safety measures and medical insurance in place provides peace of mind, allowing digital nomads to focus on their work and travel experiences.
Community and networking opportunities
A vibrant digital nomad community enhances the overall experience by providing connections, resources, and a sense of belonging. Engaging with locals through events and meet-ups helps build valuable professional networks and prevents isolation.
The best countries for digital nomads often have coworking spaces often serve as hubs for digital nomads, offering reliable internet, comfortable workstations, and opportunities for networking, boosting productivity. These co-working spaces foster a sense of community, providing essential support and networking prospects, enhancing the overall experience for digital nomads.
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Top Destinations for Digital Nomads in 2025
By 2025, several digital nomad destinations will stand out for digital nomads:
- Portugal
- Thailand
- Mexico
- Indonesia
- Spain
Country 🌍 | Highlights ✨ | Visa & Internet 💼🌐 |
|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Rich culture, low cost of living, strong nomad community (Lisbon, Madeira) | D8 visa ➡️ PR in 5 years; Fast internet (avg 205 Mbps) |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | Nature, stunning beaches, street food, budget-friendly lifestyle, great community (Chiang Mai) | Good connectivity; Plenty of coworking spaces |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Affordable (index 58.5), vibrant cities (CDMX, Tulum), cultural richness | Internet avg ~77 Mbps; Digital nomad-friendly locations |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Bali hotspot, stunning beaches, 350k+ expats, strong networking (Canggu) | Bali visa up to 5 years; Proof of foreign income; Many coworking hubs |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Culture, architecture, food, strong freelancer support | Digital nomad visa (1–5 yrs), Income ≥ €2,600/month, Internet avg 248 Mbps |
These places offer unique advantages catering to the digital nomad lifestyle. They blend affordability, connectivity, vibrant communities, and favourable visa options, making them ideal digital nomad hotspots for digital nomads seeking new adventures.
Portugal
Portugal’s rich history and diverse climate make it attractive for digital nomads, thanks to its being visa-free for European Union countries. The cost of living is relatively low, with affordable options in cities like Lisbon and Madeira. Lisbon, in particular, is the hub of Portugal’s digital nomad community, offering a vibrant chance of networking. Besides the pleasant climate is a laid-back lifestyle that's not available in many countries.
Portugal’s digital nomad visa, also known as the D8 visa, can lead to permanent residency after five years. The country also boasts an average internet speed of 205.11 Mbps, providing strong connectivity for digital nomads, and is a visa-free destination for many.
Thailand
Renowned for its natural beauty and delicious food, this is the first country in Southeast Asia that is a favourite among digital nomads. The city of Chiang Mai stands out as one of the best digital nomad destinations, thanks to its mix of tradition and modern amenities, providing a welcoming environment. The country’s affordability and high internet speeds make it attractive for remote workers.
This destination offers impressive average internet speeds, which are ideal for digital work. Additionally, the country’s vibrant culture and numerous coworking spaces provide the world’s ample opportunities for networking and community engagement.
These factors make this country one of the best countries for digital nomads in 2025.
Mexico
Mexico’s affordable cost of living index of 58.5 makes it budget-friendly for digital nomads. Cities like Mexico City are known for their vibrant nightlife, live music, and affordability, appealing to remote workers. Besides the capital city, other popular cities for digital nomads include Tulum and Puerto Escondido, which offer vibrant environments for remote work.
Mexico’s average internet speed of 77.07 Mbps provides good connectivity for work. Mexico City, one of the most popular digital nomad hotspots, has an average internet speed of around 25 Mbps. It offers excellent remote work opportunities and cultural experiences. These features make Mexico a top choice for digital nomads in 2025.
Indonesia
Popular for its stunning beaches, Bali is a popular destination for digital nomads in Indonesia, offering a vibrant beach lifestyle and numerous coworking spaces on the island. Canggu, a popular area in Bali with natural beauty, is ideal for networking. Nearly 350,000 expats live in Indonesia, contributing to an active digital nomad community.
The Bali digital nomad visa requires proof of foreign income and allows stays of up to five years. Additionally, Indonesia offers various coworking spaces for digital nomads. These features make Indonesia a favourite for remote workers in 2025.
Spain
Spain offers a vibrant cultural experience with historic architecture and culinary delights, making it ideal for digital nomads to explore. The Spanish digital nomad visa, introduced in 2023, is valid for one year and renewable for up to five years, requiring a minimum monthly income of €2,600 for a single applicant. This minimum monthly income is ideal for many, especially those in the EU.
Digital nomads can expect average internet speeds of 248.25 Mbps in co-working spaces in Spain, with the city of Málaga providing around 50 Mbps. Spain has a cost of living index of 73.0, and freelancers may benefit from tax incentives, such as a potential flat tax rate of 24% under the Beckham Law.
These features position Spain as a top country for digital nomads in 2025.
Tips for Thriving as a Digital Nomad
Thriving as a digital nomad involves more than just picking the right destination to explore; it requires thorough research, balancing routine, reliable technology, and digital nomad community engagement.
Prioritising health and well-being, understanding social and family cultural norms, and practising effective time management are crucial for successfully balancing work and world travel.
Establish a routine
Having a routine is key for maintaining productivity as a digital nomad. A morning ritual can help set a productive tone for the day.
Productivity apps can further help digital nomads stay organised and manage their tasks effectively.
Invest in reliable technology
Reliable technology is crucial for digital nomads to ensure productivity and seamless connectivity while working remotely. Essential investments include a laptop, a stable internet connection, backup tools, a reliable VPN, and a portable WiFi router.
Backup tools prevent data loss and ensure access to important information. A reliable VPN secures internet usage and provides access to geo-restricted websites and services. A portable WiFi router enables internet access in locations where WiFi might be unavailable or unreliable.
Choosing the right technology can significantly enhance the digital nomad experience by ensuring higher quality, reliability, and efficiency in work.
Engage with local communities
Engaging with the local people can greatly enhance the digital nomad experience by providing opportunities for networking and a sense of belonging. Austin, a city in Texas, has co-working spaces that offer chances to interact with other nomads. Dubai and Cape Town boast a vibrant and inclusive community that facilitates connections among digital nomads.
Regular networking events and coworking spaces in Ko Pha Ngan offer valuable opportunities to connect with families. Sofia, Bulgaria, has plenty of cafes and places that encourage interactions with other nomads, enhancing the community feel.
Digital nomads in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, can find a welcoming community, making it easier to engage and connect with the locals. Connecting with the local people not only improves social interactions but also enriches the overall travel and work experience for the digital nomad community.
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How Osome Can Help Digital Nomads?
Osome offers a suite of services tailored specifically for digital nomads, helping them navigate the complexities of incorporation, accounting, and compliance while they traverse the globe. Their incorporation services assist digital nomads in establishing their businesses legally in various jurisdictions, providing a solid foundation for their entrepreneurial ventures. This ensures that digital nomads can focus on their work without worrying about legal hurdles.
The company’s accounting services are designed to assist digital nomads in managing their finances efficiently while travelling. Osome offers tools for record-keeping and generating financial reports, aiding digital nomads in maintaining organised business operations. By providing a comprehensive view of their financial status, including cash balances, accounts payable and receivable, Osome ensures that digital nomads can make informed financial decisions.
Osome employs a transparent pricing model with a flat fee that includes various accounting services such as financial statements and tax filings, helping clients avoid unexpected costs. Additionally, Osome digitises and stores all documents in the cloud, ensuring they are accessible at any time and from any location via its mobile app or desktop platform. This combination of services simplifies business operations for digital nomads, allowing them to thrive in their chosen lifestyle.
Summary
The digital nomad lifestyle offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility, allowing individuals to explore the world while working remotely. In 2025, top countries like Portugal, Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain will cater to the unique needs of digital nomads, providing affordable living, strong internet connection, favourable visa options, minimal work permit restrictions, and vibrant communities.
By considering key factors such as cost of living, internet connection, visa options, safety, and community, digital nomads can choose the best places to thrive. With the right routine, reliable technology, and community engagement, digital nomads can enjoy a fulfilling and productive lifestyle.
Osome’s comprehensive services further support digital nomads in managing their businesses efficiently, ensuring they can focus on their adventures and work. Embrace the digital nomad lifestyle and discover the world like never before. Contact us today!
FAQ
What are the key factors in choosing a destination for digital nomads?
When choosing a destination as a digital nomad, focus on the cost of living, reliable internet, visa options, safety, and the chance to connect with like-minded people. These factors will make your experience much more enjoyable and productive.
What are the top destinations for digital nomads in 2025?
In 2025, the top countries for digital nomads are Portugal, Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain. These places offer a great mix of culture, community, and connectivity!
How can digital nomads maintain productivity while travelling?
To stay productive while travelling, it's crucial to establish a routine, invest in reliable tech, and connect with local communities. These strategies can help you stay focused and make the most of your journey wherever you are in the world.
What services does Osome offer to digital nomads?
Osome provides essential services for digital nomads, including company incorporation, accounting, record-keeping tools, and cloud storage for documents. These services help keep your business running smoothly, no matter where you are!
Why is internet connectivity important for digital nomads?
Internet availability is essential for digital nomads because it allows them to stay productive and complete tasks efficiently, no matter where they are in the world. Without reliable internet, their ability to work remotely would be severely hampered.
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