Best Places to Live in Europe as a Digital Nomad or an Expat In 2021

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On April 1, 2021

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One of the main perks of being a digital nomad is that you can choose where you want to live and change location as often as you wish due to the flexibility this lifestyle has to offer. Not only that Europe is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world, but offers everything from sun to snow and has a price range for everyone’s pocket. Want to leave on the cheap in a sunny country? Why not try Spain, Bulgaria or Romania?

Or maybe you are in the mood to live in a countrry where you experience a completely different culture and can ski every weekend? Then you might want to try Austria or Slovenia. Are you a foodie? You should spend you digital nomad days in Italy then.

We reviewed the best places to live in Europe for digital nomads and expats based on the following:

Quality of life, especially the Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking and OECD Better Life Index.
Employment rate and income levels.
Cost of living with a focus on the Mercer Cost of Living Survey.
Access to transportation and mobility within Europe.
Digital nomad and expat-friendly environment, work-life balance, safety, and leisure activities.

Many digital nomads and expats consider Europe one of the best places to live in the world due to the standard of living, opportunities, diverse culture, and easy mobility within European countries. We compiled the top 10 best places to live in Europe considering the overall quality of life, cost of living, employment rate, transportation options, and ease of social integration among other factors.

If you are considering where to live in Europe at a lower cost but a good standard of living, we have also listed five alternative places to choose from.

Top 10 best places to live in Europe.

10. Greece

Greece is popular for its natural beauty, history, great weather, and cheap cost of living, not forgetting the food! The country is looking to improve its economy and attract digital nomads, with recent legislation offering a seven-year 50% tax break to self-employed persons and new employees. The government is also developing a digital nomad visa for remote workers.

If you are looking for a family-oriented lifestyle, with English-speaking people, then Greece is one of the good places to live in Europe. The good internet connectivity across the country is attractive for digital nomads, and there’s also a vibrant nightlife.

Greece is one of the best places to live in Europe if you want travel connectivity to both Europe and Asia, including road access. Greece is now offering a digital nomad visa that is pretty affordable and straight forward. We have a full guide to it here.

9. Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has grown as a digital nomad hotspot in recent years, due to the low-cost, central location, and vibrant culture. The country’s employment rate of 74% is high compared to the OECD average.

The Czech Republic is digital nomad friendly with plenty of coworking spaces, high-speed internet, and good transport options. If you are keen to travel, the Czech Republic will be one of the top places to live in Europe for easy access to neighboring countries. There is also plenty of architecture and historic sites to explore within the country.

The Czech Republic has a business visa that suits digital nomads.

8. Estonia

Estonia, popularly known as a digital nation with comprehensive online public services, is welcoming to expats. There is an e-residency for foreigners who want to incorporate companies in the country and access related services, without physical presence. This is ideal if you are pursuing location-independent digital entrepreneurship.

The ease of doing business has created a growing start-up and tech culture, and the country offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers and freelancers. Estonia especially ranks high on employment rate (74%), and community support vs the OECD average, and has a low crime rate.

The capital, Tallinn, ranks 146th in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey, and Tallinn also offers free public transport to residents.

7. Portugal

Portugal is a popular digital nomad destination with vibrant culture, great weather, beautiful architecture, and affordable cost of living. Lisbon and Porto especially are digital nomad hotspots, and Lisbon ranks below the top 100 most expensive cities in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey.

There is a growing start-up and tech industry in Lisbon, and Portugal offers a temporary residency visa that suits freelancers and entrepreneurs. Interestingly, the Portuguese island Madeira has partnered with other parties to create a revolutionary digital nomad village in the future.

Portugal is one of the best places to live in Europe if you want first world living and European culture at cheap costs, sometimes as low as parts of Asia. There is also a good transport system and an extensive road network.

6. Sweden

With one of the best welfare systems in the world, efficient public transport, and overall work-life balance, Sweden is one of the best places to live in Europe. The country ranks especially well on employment rate (77%), and life satisfaction, vs the OECD average. Sweden takes the top spot in the Good Country Index for its contributions to the overall well-being of the world and climate matters, among other criteria.

While many consider Sweden expensive, Stockholm ranks below the top 100 most expensive cities in the Mercer Cost of Living survey. Stockholm also has a growing entrepreneurial and start-up culture, many coworking spaces, and is digital nomad friendly.

5. The Netherlands

The Netherlands especially ranks high for employment rate (76%), community support, and personal income compared to the OECD average. The country is known for its laid-back lifestyle, work-life balance, and vibrant social life, making it one of the top places to live in Europe. The people are friendly, and there’s also good nightlife in the country.

If you are interested in fitness and cycling, the Netherlands has a perfect culture, while there is also a good transport system. The Dutch are the most proficient non-native English speakers out of 100 countries on the EF English Proficiency Index.

4. Denmark

Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world, in the World Happiness Report. The country ranks above the OECD average on many factors, but especially employment rate (74%), life satisfaction, personal income, and community support. The Expat Study by Oxford Research in 2020 noted that eight out of 10 expats in Denmark were satisfied with their jobs and nine out of 10 expats were happy with their lives.

Copenhagen is the 25th most expensive city in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey, but if you are after strong social security and work-life balance, it is one of the top places to live in Europe.

Copenhagen is also a tie for the most liveable location for European expats by ECA International, and Denmark ranks second in the Good Country Index which measures each country’s contributions to humanity.

3. Switzerland

Switzerland’s employment rate of 80% is one of the highest in the OECD, and the country ranks well above the OECD average on many criteria, notably, personal income, community support, personal security, and life satisfaction. Zurich, Geneva, and Basel are some of the best places to live in Europe in the Mercer Qualify of Living City ranking, and Bern is a tie for the most liveable location for European Expats by ECA International. Switzerland also has a low crime rate.

The natural beauty of lakes, mountains, and green landscapes is a key highlight, and the country is a winter sports hotspot. There is an efficient transport system across regions, and you’ll not tire of the scenic travel through stunning landscapes.

Switzerland is, however, one of the most expensive places to live in the world.

2. Austria

Austria ranks high on quality-of-life indices, and Vienna ranked top in the Mercer Quality of Living City ranking. High personal income and a community-oriented lifestyle with a low crime rate, make it one of the best places to live in Europe.

Austria’s central location is great for travel to neighbouring countries, and there is an advanced transportation system within the country. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, the scenic landscapes and mountains offer plenty of leisure activities, and 24/7 Wall St ranked Austria the most tourist-friendly country in Europe.

While Vienna is the 54th most expensive city in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey, the costs can vary depending on the area.

1. Germany

Germany is an expat hotspot, and Munich, Dusseldorf, and Frankfurt are some of the top places to live in Europe in the Mercer Quality of Living City ranking. The high employment rate of 75% vs the OECD average of 68%, good public services, and vibrant culture of food and art, make Germany one of the best places to live in Europe. The country is widely known for its “efficiency”, including the efficient transport system that allows you to live without a car in any urban area.

Berlin is a digital nomad hotspot with many coworking spaces, start-ups, and a lively atmosphere. Digital nomads can apply for the German freelancer visa, and creative professionals can also apply for the artist visa sub-category especially for Berlin.

Germany is also attractive in cost-of-living terms, with none of the cities in the top 70 most expensive in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey.

Why Europe is probably the most interesting place in the world to live.

A traveler’s haven.

Europe has the best mobility within a continent and a range of low-cost transport options to choose from. You can even take day trips or weekend trips to different countries. Europe also has great connectivity to other continents, especially the Americas, Asia, and Africa.

Best place for language learning.

There are 24 official languages and over 200 languages in total, and many Europeans are bilingual or multilingual. If you are looking to master a language or a few, then Europe is one of the best places to live.

Diverse cultures and history.

Every country has a unique culture, with its traditions, festivals, and lifestyle. There’s plenty to experience within the continent, including magnificent art, architecture, and cultural events. If you are a history and architecture enthusiast, you’ll never be short of museums, monuments, castles, and other historic places to visit. The European cuisine and the variety of delicious traditional food options are also a key highlight.

Europe is a vibrant mix of the developed world with extremely advanced living conditions, and the developing world. In some places, you can have first world living at developing world prices.

Diverse natural landscapes and beauty.

Europe is home to some stunning landscapes in the world and 27 natural wonders. If you love hiking, adventure travel, skiing, and winter sports, or you simply want to experience the northern lights, pristine lakes, or seasonal changes, you’ve found paradise.

Alternatives – The Cheapest places to live in Europe with good quality of life

If you are considering where to live in Europe on a budget but with a good standard of living, consider one of the below alternatives.

1. Hungary

Hungary, and especially Budapest with its fast internet and free wi-fi across the city, is growing in popularity among digital nomads. You can live in Budapest for around $1,200 a month, and Budapest ranks 170th out of 209 cities in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey. The country also ranks above the OECD average in work-life balance.

There are beautiful art and historic sites to explore, in addition to outdoor activity options, a variety of festivals, and nightlife. If you are a travel enthusiast, then Hungary is one of the good places to live in Europe due to its central location and cheap travel options to other countries. There is also a good low-cost transport system within the country.

2. Poland

3. Slovakia

While not well known as one of the good places to live in Europe, Slovakia has much to offer at reasonable prices including fast internet and its central location. You can live in the capital, Bratislava, for around $1,500 per month. The country ranks above the OECD average for work-life balance, and community support, among other factors.

There are many leisure activities to choose from including hiking, adventure sports, water sports, and skiing, as well as over 100 castles and historic sites. There is also a good transport system in the country.

4. Slovenia

Slovenia is another not-so-widely known low-cost location in Europe, ranking the second highest in the OECD for personal security, and well above average in community support. The country also ranks above average for work-life balance, among other factors, and has a low crime rate. You can live for around $1,700 a month in the capital, Ljubljana, a city with notably fast internet.

There are stunning natural landscapes and a variety of outdoor activity options including skiing. There is also a good and efficient transport system.

5. Bulgaria

Bulgaria, which isn’t a typical tourist destination, is gaining popularity among expats and digital nomads due to the low cost of living, good internet, leisure activities, and relaxed lifestyle. The capital, Sofia, ranks 180th in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey, where you can live for less than $1,500 a month.

Bulgaria has low tax rates for companies and individuals.

What is your choice?

We’ve presented our list of the top places to live in Europe considering the key requirements of digital nomads and expats, but there are plenty more to choose from based on your specific needs.

We hope our list will help in your search for where to live in Europe, and we’d love to hear your choice.

Best Places to Live in Europe as a Digital Nomad or an Expat In 2021