Top 15 best countries for remote work

The winning streak continues: after winning the 2024 Euros, Spain has emerged as the best destination for remote workers in a recent report ranking nations across the globe.

A new digital nomad report from Global Citizen Solutions has released rankings for flexible workers looking to expand their horizons and venture overseas. There are various destinations across the globe vying for the top spot as the options continue to grow for digital nomads.

As the competition for foreign talent heats up, businesses across the globe are having an incentive to attempt to lure talent across the globe.

According to the report, the best place to be a remote worker is Spain. Improvements to the country’s entrepreneurial system, affordability, environmental factors, zero taxation, and rapid internet speeds have propelled it as the number one option for remote workers.

The 15 best destinations for remote work, as per Global Citizen Solutions’ findings, are:

1. Spain
2. Netherlands
3. Norway
4. Estonia
5. Romania
6. Malta
7. Portugal
8. Canada
9. Hungary
10. France
11. Germany
12. Taiwan
13. Czechia
14. Latvia
15. Malaysia

In an email statement sent to The Economic Times, Patricia Casaburi, CEO at Global Citizen Solutions, said: “The most notable aspect of the report is the dominance of European countries. Additionally, it’s striking that 91 per cent of the 65 active digital nomad programs were launched after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating a rapid response to the shift towards remote work.”

European countries have dominated the rankings, all having unique and distinct advantages. An affordable lifestyle was a big factor throughout all the differing countries, which naturally offers a big incentive to remote workers looking to move abroad.

Australian workers have fallen in love with remote working over the past couple of years, with it somewhat becoming their desired reality after seeing the opportunities it gave them during COVID-19 for a better work/life balance.

Rodger Cook, general manager of global security services at World Travel Protection, said that Australian employees are yearning for that leisure and work balance, which they can without a doubt achieve in any of the countries listed in the rankings.

“Today’s travellers are increasingly seeking a balance between work and leisure, with a quarter of those surveyed looking to incorporate personal time into their business trips this year. This shift reflects an increased focus on general wellbeing, and possibly environmentally conscious travel,” said Cook.

As Casaburi said: “There is now a broader range of opportunities for [remote workers].” It will be interesting to see if Australians are looking towards these European countries as the ideal landing spot for their remote work, mixed with a bit of leisure.