Maybe you’d like to relocate to a warmer climate for the winter months, to a city you always wanted to see or to a country that offers a little more peace and quiet. But, how would you make this happen? Well, becoming a digital nomad is probably more straightforward than you think.

For example one of the Google PPC consultants we work with at A2Z Cloud, David Rothwell, recently announced he is moving to Barbados for a year! Or take the case of our very own Nick Bird, who is packing up and going back to Spain despite the recently announced lock down.

A great way to move abroad could be to become a ‘digital nomad’. If you’re a remote worker who already works outside of the office, in theory, you could work from anywhere! This may sound like a pipe dream, but it’s easier than you think. Many countries are now offering incentives, such as special visas, for people wishing to relocate whilst working remotely.

Depending on where you choose to relocate to, there could also be financial benefits. For example, you could be on a London salary whilst enjoying a low cost of living in, say, Costa Rica. Becoming a digital nomad could also give you the chance to see places that you hadn’t had the chance to visit previously because of money, time or work commitments.

In other words, the world is your oyster. But which countries are offering these special visas and where are the best places to work remotely?

Christopher Nye, Senior Editor at overseas homes and relocation website Property Guides, gives his pick of the best countries for remote working.

Apparently, one third of the readers at Property Guides have said that the coronavirus pandemic has made them even more likely to move abroad once normality returns. 

Antigua and Barbuda

How about working remotely from a Caribbean island? Surely it doesn’t get much better than that! Antigua and Barbuda have announced a programme to attract digital nomads, offering a two-year stay with an application fee of US$1,500 for an individual and US$2,000 for a couple, if applicants jointly have an income of US$50,000 or more. It goes without saying that both islands are stunningly beautiful. Barbuda is still undergoing reconstruction following Storm Irma in 2017. However, Antigua was not affected. The island has plenty of white sandy beaches, beautiful weather and it’s also a popular spot for sailing – you can sail around the island in a day!

Portugal

Portugal is, perhaps, a prime choice for any digital nomad. With great links to the rest of Europe and no time difference with the UK, it’s a brilliant place to work remotely. You can enjoy the beautiful beaches, explore the cultural delights of Lisbon or enjoy the nightlife in buzzing Porto. Portugal offers the perfect balance between enjoying activities and relaxation. The Portuguese government have released a range of temporary and permanent visas, that can you can apply for as both a freelancer or an entrepreneur. The non-habitual residency scheme also means you could pay a low or even no tax on foreign income for your first ten years! If you’re a European Citizen, it’s even better news, as you won’t need a visa at all.

Estonia

Estonia may not be the first place that springs to mind when you’re thinking about working remotely. However, it has previously been named as ‘the most advanced digital society in the world’ and has been coined a ‘digital republic’, so lends itself perfectly to remote working. Being so digitally focussed, it’s no surprise that you can get hold of a one-year digital nomad visa to live there.

In contrast to its tech-focussed culture, Estonia is full of beautiful historic architecture. The capital city, Tallinn, boasts picture-perfect buildings and cobbled streets – a great place to explore at any time of year.
As well as the countries mentioned, the likes of Germany, Barbados, the Czech Republic, and Norway also offer visas and schemes for digital nomads.

There has already been a huge shift in how we work and where we work, with remote working becoming the ‘new normal’ over the past 6 months. So, it’s likely that more countries will start to introduce similar incentives. Where will remote working take you?

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