The Best Cities In The World For Digital Nomads

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The Best Cities In The World For Digital Nomads

As part of a wider study on the most productive locations worldwide, Business Name Generator has analysed 52 global destinations to reveal the best cities for digital nomads. There are currently an estimated 35 million digital nomads worldwide. But which cities worldwide are best for those who want to work while on the move?

To find out, Business Name Generator has conducted new research, looking at 52 global cities to determine which are best suited for digital nomads based on liveable metrics such as quality of life as well as WiFi speeds.

These findings were part of a wider study looking at which cities around the world are the best for employee and business productivity. For the full study, please see the blog post here: https://businessnamegenerator.com/worlds-most-productive-cities/

Madrid is the best city in the world for digital nomads, with a high quality of life score (186) and quick WiFi speeds (222 Mbps)
Four of the top five worst cities for digital nomads are located in Southeast Asia
Expert provides top tips for what to consider when adopting a digital nomad lifestyle

Madrid is the best city in the world for digital nomads, with a high quality of life score (186) and quick WiFi speeds (222 Mbps)

Madrid, Spain, has ranked as the best city in the world for digital nomads, with residents enjoying a high quality of life, with a score of 186 out of 240, and one of the best healthcare infrastructures in the world, scoring 80 out of 100. Madrid also boasts quick average WiFi speeds of 222 Mbps — perfect for those working remotely.

For workers interested in moving to the Spanish capital, Spain offers a Digital Nomad Visa that permits non-EU nationals to live and work remotely in the country for up to five years.

In second place is Copenhagen, with a quality of life score of 185 and a relatively high healthcare index score (77/100). While Denmark doesn’t currently offer a specific nomad visa, EU citizens can live and work as digital nomads without restrictions for up to 90 days.

Reykjavik, Iceland rounds off the top three best cities for digital nomads, ranking particularly high for its low noise and light pollution (19/100). Iceland introduced a Long-Term Remote Work Visa in 2020, which allows holders to live in the country for six months.

The top 10 best cities in the world for digital nomads:

Rank	City	Country	Quality of life (out of 240)	Healthcare (out of 100)	Noise and light pollution (out of 100)	WiFi speeds (Mbps)
1	Madrid	Spain	186	80	38	222
2	Copenhagen	Denmark	185	77	34	211
3	Reykjavik	Iceland	184	68	19	196
4	Luxembourg	Luxembourg	203	78	29	128
5	Helsinki	Finland	191	79	23	94
6	Abu Dhabi	UAE	167	68	36	283
7	Amsterdam	Netherlands	196	79	38	155
8	Bern	Switzerland	209	74	38	165
9	Vienna	Austria	189	79	30	108
10	Oslo	Norway	176	79	31	106

Four of the top five worst cities for digital nomads are located in Southeast Asia

According to the study, four of the top five worst cities in the world for digital nomads are located in Southeast Asia.

Phnom Penh in Cambodia has come out as the worst city, thanks to very slow WiFi speeds (22 Mbps) and a low healthcare index score of 50 out of 100. Jakarta, Indonesia, is second, followed by Manila, the Philippines, and Hanoi, Vietnam.

These countries might not be as well-equipped for remote working yet, but for those happy to trade quick WiFi speeds for tropical beaches, there are still plenty of opportunities for digital nomads on this side of the world. For example, remote workers can currently enter Indonesia through the B211a visa, which allows you to stay in the country for up to six months, and The Philippines is set to launch a two-year digital nomad visa in 2024.

Top five worst cities in the world for digital nomads:

Rank	City	Country	Quality of life	Healthcare	Noise and light pollution	WiFi speeds (Mbps)
1	Phnom Penh	Cambodia	68	50	56	22
2	Jakarta	Indonesia	74	57	61	37
3	Manila	Philippines	46	63	67	94
4	Hanoi	Vietnam	100	58	67	108
5	Athens	Greece	117	57	55	49

Jake Pool, Content Creator at Business Name Generator says, “More and more workers are considering taking up the digital nomad lifestyle. It’s a fantastic way to see the world, experience different cultures, and meet new people, all while continuing to make a living.

“For those contemplating it, there are a few things you need to think about before you hit the road. Look into which countries will allow you to stay for an extended period of time, and what type of visas are available to you based on your passport.

“Travelling around the world also requires a minimal lifestyle, so think about reducing the amount of belongings you own, and sort any logistics like ending a tenancy agreement, selling your home, or finding petcare.”

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.