Top Nations Ideal for Digital Nomads in the Year 2025

The concept of being a digital nomad, a term coined in 1997, has gained significant traction in recent years, especially with the internet boom in the late 1990s. As more people embrace the freedom to work remotely, the number of digital nomads has seen a remarkable increase. In the United States alone, the number of digital nomads grew from 7.3 million in 2019 to an estimated 18.1 million in 2024, representing a 147% increase.

In this article, we will explore some of the best digital nomad hotspots around the world, taking into account factors such as safety, digital nomad community, immigration policies, tax regime, and investment opportunities.

Europe

Portugal

Lisbon, the heart of Portugal's digital nomad community, offers the D8 visa, allowing digital nomads to work remotely from Portugal for a year. To qualify, one must have a monthly income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage. Under this scheme, digital nomads will be subjected to a flat 15% tax rate instead of the standard 48% income tax. Additionally, Portugal's NHR 2.0 program offers tax incentives to highly qualified professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs who want to live in Portugal and work toward residency or citizenship.

Spain, another popular destination in Europe, introduced its digital nomad visa in 2023. The Spanish digital nomad visa requires a minimum income of around €2,600 for a single applicant and offers special incentives for freelancers during their first year as a tax resident in Spain.

Malta and Barbados

Malta introduced its digital nomad visa, the Nomad Residence Permit (NRP), in 2021, while Barbados offered a tax-free year to eligible applicants with the digital nomad visa it introduced in 2020.

Caribbean

Antigua and Barbuda's Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) program offers eligible remote workers and their families the chance to live tax-free in the country for up to two years. St Kitts and Nevis' Remote Work Stay program offers remote workers the chance to live in the country for up to 12 months, with no local income tax for remote work.

Asia

Indonesia is planning to launch a Bali digital nomad visa that allows remote workers to live and work tax-free in Indonesia for up to five years. Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass allows foreign remote workers to live and work in Malaysia for 3 to 12 months.

Other Notable Mentions

Georgia has a business-friendly environment, tax-friendly regime, and liberal immigration policies, making it a favorite digital nomad destination. Costa Rica consistently ranks as one of the best retirement destinations in the world and offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers, freelancers, and location-independent professionals.

Each of these destinations offers unique advantages for digital nomads, from tax incentives and a thriving digital nomad community to a favourable cost of living and a beautiful environment. It's essential to research each destination thoroughly to find the one that best suits your needs and lifestyle.