Table of Contents
Do you dream of moving to Europe? If you’ve done your research, you know that jobs in Europe for Americans are not impossible to find, but they can be difficult to come by. One reason for this is the special visas needed to live and work in many places.
But remote work options have revolutionized your prospects for living and working in the city of your dreams. Below, we’ll talk about how to become a digital nomad, as well as the European cities and countries that are waiting to welcome you.
Becoming a Digital Nomad
There are basically two paths to working remotely – freelancing or working for a company that embraces remote work.
If you think you could perform your current job from your laptop, ask! You may be able to work out a remote work schedule with your current employer.
If not, you can search and apply for remote jobs. Many job search sites allow you to filter for remote schedules. You can also set your LinkedIn profile to let recruiters know you are working for remote work opportunities.
The hiring process, including interviews, will likely take place online. Many companies also employ skills tests to determine the fitness of a remote candidate. Then, you might receive on-the-job training remotely, or you may be asked to visit the company’s headquarters for in-person onboarding and orientation.
Once your work is lined up, apply for a digital nomad visa. Typically, these visas don’t have to be renewed as often as tourist visas. Finally, research applicable laws (such as tax laws or minimum income) in your home country and those countries you plan to visit.
Now that your work-from-anywhere plans are set, you can choose one (or many!) of the inexpensive European cities below.
Best Cities for Digital Nomads in Europe
Europe loves digital nomads right now because they bring in tourism income without taking jobs from locals.
When choosing where to live as a digital nomad, there are a few things to consider. What is the average cost of living? How long can I stay? Will I be required to pay taxes or other fees? Can I get good internet there? Are there any incentives for digital nomads to move there?
Below, you can explore our selection of the top digital nomad cities in Europe.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Georgia made our list for two reasons – their 1-year digital nomad visa has no application fee, and the income requirement is waived if you have at least $24,000 USD in the bank. That comes in handy if your freelancing side hustle is a low-earner. Couple that with a low cost of living index (38.9, as opposed to 72.4 in the U.S.), and you should be able to make your freelance income stretch.
Tbilisi offers stunning historic architecture, affordable first-class dining, quality accommodations, and vibrant nightlife. The one drawback is Georgia’s lackluster internet speeds averaging just over 28 Mbps.
Ankara, Turkiye
Less than half the size of Istanbul, Ankara is still a thriving city of 5.8 million. One draw for techpats is the low cost of living. Rent ranges from $140 US per month outside the city to $234 within it. You can get a cheap restaurant meal for about $3, or splurge on dinner for two at a fancy restaurant for about $15 USD.
Turkiye does not have a specific digital nomad visa at this time, but visitors can apply for a 3-month e-visa.
Calabria, Italy
Calabria is one of several regions across Europe that are actually paying digital nomads to move there. If you’re under 40, you can apply to receive a stipend of €1,000 to €8,000 per year for up to eight years.
You will need to obtain an Italian Self-employment Visa and pay self-employment taxes. The cost of living in Italy is fairly close to that of the United States, but many ex-pats subsist on $800 to $900 USD per month – and the stipend is certain to supplement your remote income well!
Dublin, Ireland
There are also major incentives for working in Ireland if you qualify. Ireland is currently piloting the Basic Income for the Arts program, which involves a €325 weekly payment to artists of all kinds. Enterprise Ireland is giving out millions in monetary awards to companies that can create at least 10 jobs and generate €1 million in sales during the first three years. Again, the cost of living in Ireland is roughly the same as in the U.S.
One drawback is that Ireland does not currently offer a digital nomad visa. Unless you wish to apply for residency, applicable visas allow you to stay for only 90 days.
Key Takeaways
Working remotely is a great way to see new parts of the world while still holding down your day job. Selecting European cities with digital nomad incentives and/or a low cost of living – such as Tbilisi, Georgia; Ankara, Turkiye; Calabria, Italy; and Dublin, Ireland – will certainly satisfy your thirst for something different.
Image Credit: Photo by Peggy Anke on Unsplash