The Geography of Digital Nomadism: A Comparison of Popular European Countries as Remote Work Destinations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24917/20845456.22.2Keywords:
digital nomadism, remote work, professional mobility, coworking infrastructure, nomad visas, European destinationsAbstract
Digital nomadism is a rapidly growing lifestyle and work model that combines spatial mobility with remote work. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated its development and prompted countries to adapt to the needs of remote professionals. The aim of the article was to identify and compare six European country—Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Montenegro, Estonia, and Georgia—in terms of their attractiveness to digital nomads, due to geographic, cultural, economic factors, and visa programs too. The analysis showed that each of the studied countries offers a unique but valuable set of advantages for digital nomads. Spain and Portugal provide a high quality of life and modern infrastructure, albeit at higher living costs. Georgia, Hungary, and Montenegro offer lower costs and a growing coworking ecosystem. Estonia stands out for its digital infrastructure and environmentally conscious lifestyle. The research objective was achieved. The study demonstrated that digital nomadism is becoming a significant socio‑economic
phenomenon in Europe and has the potential to drive regional development. Key success factors include access to digital infrastructure, visa availability, affordability, and social openness. Further research is needed to understand its long‑term
impact on local communities and economies.
References
ACID SNOW. (2024). Best Co‑working Spaces in Estonia for Digital Nomads. RebelHQ. Pozyskano z: https://www.rebelhq.io/best‑coworking/best‑co‑working‑spaces‑in‑estonia‑for‑digital‑nomads (2025, 22 lipca)
Amaral, M., Rodrigues, A. I. (2024). The potential of digital nomadism for tourism development in Alentejo. Turismo & Desenvolvimento, 47, 163–188. https://doi.org/10.34624/rtd.v47i0.38814
Baptista, C. B. (2022). The digital nomads’ profile and drivers to choose Ericeira [MSc Thesis, ISCTE]. Pozyskano z: https://repositorio.iscte.pt/bitstream/10071/33889/1/master_constanca_boa_baptista.pdf? (2025, 23 lipca)
Beaumont, J. (2019). Digital nomads and sense of place: a case study of Lisbon [MSc Thesis, Wageningen University]. Pozyskano z: https://edepot.wur.nl/508347(2025, 23 lipca)
Best Co‑working Spaces in Estonia for Digital Nomads (2025). Pozyskano z: https://www.rebelhq.io/best‑coworking/best‑co‑working‑spaces‑in‑estonia‑for‑digital‑nomads? (2025, 22 lipca)
Bozzi, A.D. (2024). Digital nomadism from the perspective of places and mobilities:
a literature review. European Transport Research Review, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-024-00663-z
Button, A. (2025, March 26). Embracing the digital nomad lifestyle in coastal Spain. Coworker. Pozyskano z: https://www.coworker.com/mag/embracing‑the‑digital‑nomad‑style‑in‑coastal‑spain(2025, 23 lipca)
Chen, K. (2024, August 30). This rural region in Spain is paying remote workers $16,000 to move there. Condé Nast Traveler. Pozyskano z: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/spain‑paying‑digital‑nomads‑to‑move‑to‑ambroz‑valley (2025, 25 lipca)
Citizen Remote. (2024). Digital Nomad Visa Countries List. Pozyskano z: https://citizenremote.com/blog/digital‑nomad‑visa‑countries/
(2025, 22 lipca)
Condé Nast Traveler. (2025, July 1). In Tbilisi, Georgia, food is a language of resistance. Pozyskano z: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/in‑tbilisi‑georgia‑food‑is‑a‑language‑of‑resistance (2025, 25 lipca)
Cook, D. (2020). The global remote work revolution and the future of work. In The Business of Pandemics (pp. 143–166). Auerbach Publications.
Digital Nomad Exchange. (2024). Best Places for Digital Nomads to Live in Hungary. DigitalNomadExchange.com. Pozyskano z: https://www.digitalnomadexchange.com/ctryguide/25577/52/Hungary/Living‑in‑Hungary‑Best‑Places‑for‑Digital‑Nomads‑to‑Live‑in‑Hungary (2025, 25 lipca)
Digital Nomad Exchange. (2024). Best Places for Digital Nomads to Live in Poland. Pozyskano z: https://www.digitalnomadexchange.com/locations/91/Poland (2025, 28 października)
Digital Nomads World. (2021, February 11). The full digital nomad guide to Budapest, Hungary. Pozyskano z: https://digitalnomads.world/city‑guide/budapest/(2025, 23 lipca)
DreamTours.pl. (2025, 10 kwietnia). Estonia – przewodnik i informacje turystyczne. Pozyskano z: https://dreamtours.pl/opis‑kierunku/
estonia‑przewodnik‑i‑informacje‑turystyczne (2025, 22 lipca)
Ferriss, T. (2011). 4-godzinny tydzień pracy. Mt Biznes.
Fibingier, E. (2023). Cyfrowy nomadyzm – nowy trend na rynku pracy. Rynek Pracy, nr 1–2/2021.
Flatio. (2024). A Guide for Digital Nomads in Poland. https://www.flatio.com/blog/a‑guide‑for‑digital‑nomads‑in‑poland
(2025, 28 października)
Forbes. (2025). Countries with a Digital Nomad Visa Program for Americans. Pozyskano z: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/ (2025, 23 lipca)
Fritts, R. (2017, October 20). Estonia’s trees: Valued resource or squandered second chance? Mongabay. Pozyskano z: https://news.mongabay.com/2017/10/estonias‑trees‑valued‑resource‑or‑squandered‑second‑chance/ (2025, 22 lipca)
George James Consulting (2023). Digital nomad towns – how did Ericeira become a digital destination? Pozyskano z: https://www.georgejamesconsulting.com/post/digital‑nomad‑town‑ericeira? (2025, 25 lipca)
goZazoo. (2024, October 18). Nomad guide: The complete guide to being a digital nomad in Tbilisi, Georgia. Pozyskano z: https://gozazoo.com/blog/nomad‑guide‑the‑complete‑guide‑to‑being‑a‑digital‑nomad‑in‑tbilisi‑georgia/ (2025, 22 lipca)
Hannonen, O. (2020). In search of a digital nomad: defining the phenomenon. Information Technology & Tourism, 22(3), 335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-020-00177-z
Hannonen, O., Aguiar, T., Lehto, X. (2023). A supplier side view of digital nomadism: The case of destination Gran Canaria. Tourism Management, 97, 104744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2023.104744
Henderson, P. (2025, April 28). Ultimate guide for digital nomads in Spain. Holafly. Pozyskano z: https://esim.holafly.com/digital‑nomad/
digital‑nomad‑spain/ (2025, 23 lipca)
Hermann, I., & Paris, C. M. (2020). Digital Nomadism: the nexus of remote working and travel mobility. Information Technology & Tourism, 22 (3), 329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-020-00188-w
InsureMyTrip. (2025). Best Cities for Digital Nomads. (Cape Town–Budapest ranking). Pozyskano z: https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel‑advice/travel‑inspiration/best‑cities‑for‑digital‑nomads/ (2025, 22 lipca)
Interstride. (2025). Top Digital Nomad Visas in Europe. Pozyskano z: https://interstride.com/blog/ (2025, 28 lipca)
Katie. (2025, March 24). Durmitor National Park, Montenegro: What you need to know. Flip Flops Included. Pozyskano z: https://flipflopsincluded.com/durmitor‑national‑park‑montenegro/ (2025, 25 lipca)
Kruczek, Z. (2008). Europa. Geografia turystyczna, Proksenia.
Kurek W. (red) (2014). Regiony turystyczne świata. Część 1. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.
Lavrishcheva, I. (2020). Cyfrowy nomadyzm – nowe zjawisko społeczno‑kulturowe. Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach, Wydział Sztuki i Nauk o Edukacji w Cieszynie.
MacEacheran, M. (2025, January 17). 17 of the best things to do in Montenegro. The Times. Pozyskano z: https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe‑travel/montenegro/things‑to‑do‑in‑montenegro-500dxqkzx (2025, 23 lipca)
Majewski, M. (2022). Polish Digital Nomads. Ekonomia XXI Wieku, (25).
Makimoto, T., Manners, D. (1997). Digital Nomad. John Wiley & Sons.
Mongabay. (2017, October). Estonia’s trees: Valued resource or squandered second chance? https://news.mongabay.com/2017/10/estonias‑trees‑valued‑resource‑or‑squandered‑second‑chance/ (2025, 23 lipca)
Mouratidis, G. (2018). Digital nomadism: Travel, remote work and alternative lifestyles (Master’s thesis, Lund University, Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences). Supervisor: Lars‑Eric Jönsson.
Natera, L. N., Deritei, D., Vancsó, A., & Vásárhelyi, O. (2019). Quantifying life quality as walkability on urban networks: The case of Budapest. arXiv. Pozyskano z: https://arxiv.org/abs/1912.00893 (2025, 22 lipca)
NomadGirl. (2023). How to Meet Other Digital Nomads in Estonia. Pozyskano z: https://nomadgirl.co/how‑to‑meet‑other‑digital‑nomads‑in‑estonia/ (2025, 28 lipca)
Nomad Watch. (2024). Tallinn Nomad Scores & Quality of Life. Pozyskano z: https://nomad.watch/cities/EE/tallinn/scores (2025, 22 lipca)
Reichenberger, I. (2017). Digital nomads – a quest for holistic freedom in work and leisure. Annals of Leisure Research, 21(3), 364. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2017.1358098
Rosmanowska, M. (2023). Festiwale na Węgrzech. Jak można się bawić w kraju nad Dunajem. FunHungary. Pozyskano z: https://funhungary.com/inspiracje/festiwale‑na‑wegrzech‑jak‑mozna‑sie‑bawic‑w‑kraju‑nad‑dunajem (2025, 25 lipca)
Schlagwein, D., Jarrahi, M. H. (2020). The Mobilities of Digital Work: The Case of Digital Nomadism, 28 European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2020), Marrakesh, Morocco, 1–7.
Sciuva, E. (2025). Geographies of digital nomadism: A research agenda. Geography Compass, 19(2), e70016. https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.70016
Sørensen, C. (2002). Digital Nomads and Mobile Services. Receiver Magazine, 6.
Spain.info. (n.d.). Destinations for working remotely in Spain. Pozyskano z: https://www.spain.info/en/top/workation‑destinations‑remote‑working‑spain/ (2025, 22 lipca)
Sztuk, I. (2023). Cyfrowi nomadzi a transformacja rynku pracy – pokolenie Z wobec mobilności zawodowej. Optimum. Studia Ekonomiczne, 2(112), 279–295.
The Golden Partners. (n.d.). Why digital nomads are flocking to Spain: Key benefits. Pozyskano z: https://thegoldenpartners.com/en/blog‑en/
digital‑nomads/ (2025, 25 lipca)
UNESCO. (n.d.). Durmitor National Park. Pozyskano z: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/100/ (2025, 22 lipca)
US First Exchange. (2025). Top digital nomad destinations in 2025: A complete guide. Pozyskano z: https://usfirstexchange.com/top‑digital‑nomad‑destinations‑in-2025
Waters‑Lynch, J., Potts, J., Butcher, T., Dodson, J., Hurley, J. (2016). Coworking: a transdisciplinary overview (Working Paper). RMIT University.
Visit Estonia. (2025). South Estonia – the ultimate destination for digital nomads, retreats and workations. Pozyskano z: https://visitestonia.com/en/south‑estonia‑the‑ultimate‑destination‑for‑digital‑nomad‑retreats‑and‑workations (2025, 23 lipca)
Węgry dla ciebie, (n.d.). Pozyskano z: https://visithungary.com/documents/4/42/424/42406a54f6cc8422bbfdfff7e965a0055074826.pdf) (2025, 22 lipca)
Woldoff, R. A., & Litchfield, R. C. (2021). Digital Nomads: In Search of Meaningful Work in the New Economy. Oxford University Press.
Zhong, W. (2022). Digital nomadism in Southeast Asia: its cultural identities and the new labor model. Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD). 6045. Pozyskano z: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/chulaetd/6045 (2025, 22 lipca)
Strony internetowe:
https://www.currencytransfer.com/blog/expert‑analysis/top-10-countries‑for‑digital‑nomads‑in-2025? (2025, 22 lipca)
https://www.globalcitizensolutions.com/portugal‑digital‑nomad‑visa/ (2025, 22 lipca)
https://medium.com/global‑citizen‑solutions/discover‑the‑top-15-countries‑for‑digital‑nomads‑in-2024-03786968f1a5 (2025, 22 lipca)
https://www.nomads.com/ (2025, 22 lipca)
https://www.nomadsembassy.com/montenegro‑digital‑nomad‑visa/? (2025, 22 lipca)
https://www.numbeo.com/cost‑of‑living/ (2025, 22 lipca)
https://visaguide.world/digital‑nomad‑visa/digital‑nomad‑index/ (2025, 22 lipca)
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis Studia Geographica
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The submission of a paper to be published is synonymous with an agreement to transfer the copyright free of charge from the author to the publisher. The author also agrees to permit the publisher to publish the paper in printed form, open access online form, digital library form and other digital platforms with which the publisher has or will have a publishing agreement. Furthermore, the author agrees to not limit the number of copies that may be printed or issued by the publisher. In the case of co-authored papers, it is assumed that the corresponding author is authorized to represent the remaining co-authors in this respect. Authors are requested to sign a copyright declaration.
