Best cities for digital nomads from the UK

More UK workers are choosing to work remotely from abroad, and the number of cities built around that lifestyle is growing fast. Whether you’re a freelancer, a remote employee, or a location-independent professional, the right city can make a huge difference to your day-to-day life.

The best cities for digital nomads tend to share a few things in common: reliable internet, affordable living costs, a welcoming community of remote workers, accessible visa routes and a quality of life that makes it easy to stay productive. This guide covers seven of the top digital nomad hotspots from a UK perspective, including what each city requires to qualify for a visa, how to stay legally and what life actually looks like on the ground.

We’ll also show you a smart way to manage your money across borders. With the Wise account from the money services provider Wise, you can send, spend and convert money in 40+ currencies at mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

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Best cities for digital nomads from the UK

Before diving into each one, here is a quick comparison to help you decide which of the best digital nomad cities might suit you. The cities below are listed in alphabetical order.

Bali

Bali has long been one of the world's most recognised digital nomad hotspots, and for good reason. The cost of living is among the lowest of any destination on this list, with a comfortable single-person lifestyle possible for around £800 to £1,200 per month including rent, food and transport.¹²

The areas of Canggu and Ubud are the main digital nomad hubs, each packed with coworking spaces and cafés with strong Wi-Fi. Internet quality is generally reliable in these areas, though it can vary in more remote parts of the island.

UK citizens can apply for Indonesia's official Remote Worker Visa (E33G), which lasts one year. The minimum income requirement is US$60,000 per year (around £44,600), which may make it better suited to those further along in their remote career.¹

If you stay fewer than 183 days in any calendar year, you won’t be liable for Indonesian income tax.¹³ You can read the full requirements in our guide to the Bali digital nomad visa.

Bali suits freelancers and creatives looking for a low-cost lifestyle with access to a large, active community of fellow remote workers and regular networking events.

Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the best European cities for digital nomads, combining a warm Mediterranean climate, a rich cultural scene and an increasingly strong infrastructure for remote workers. The city has fast, reliable internet, a wide choice of coworking spaces and a large international community.

Costs are higher than the Asian destinations on this list, with a comfortable lifestyle likely to run upwards of £2,000 per month.¹⁴ Rent in particular has risen in recent years due to the city's popularity. That said, Barcelona offers significantly more in terms of culture, cuisine and connectivity to the rest of Europe than many cheaper alternatives.

As a UK citizen, you are limited to 90 days in the Schengen Area without a visa. For longer stays, Spain's Digital Nomad Visa allows you to live and work in the country initially for one year.² The minimum income requirement is double the Spanish national minimum wage, currently around €2,850 per month (approximately £2,470).³

The visa also carries potential access to a 24% flat tax rate under Spain's Beckham Law, which could be worth exploring with a tax adviser.¹⁵

Barcelona works well for experienced digital nomads who want a high-quality European base with good transport links and a ready-made professional network.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is widely regarded as one of the most established digital nomad lifestyle cities in the world. It was one of the first cities to develop a real infrastructure around remote working, and that legacy shows: coworking spaces, fast Wi-Fi cafés and a large community of long-term nomads are all well established here.

The average monthly expenses for a single person are around £600 to £800, making it one of the cheapest cities for digital nomads on this list. Rent is low, local food is excellent value and transport is easy.¹⁶

UK citizens can apply for Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), a five-year visa that allows stays of up to 180 days per entry. The main financial requirement is a savings balance of at least 500,000 Thai baht (roughly £11,000) rather than a monthly income threshold. The visa costs approximately £300 to apply.⁴ You can find a full breakdown in our guide to the Thailand digital nomad visa.

Chiang Mai is ideal for those who want an affordable long-term base with a friendly, well-organised nomad community and easy access to the rest of South East Asia.

Lisbon

Lisbon consistently ranks among the best cities for remote workers globally. It offers a reliable internet infrastructure, a well-established expat and digital nomad community, a warm climate for most of the year, and one of the most straightforward digital nomad visa routes in Europe.

Monthly living costs are higher than they were a few years ago, generally sitting between £1,500 and £1,900 for a single person. However, Lisbon remains more affordable than London and many other Western European capitals, and the quality of life on offer is high.¹⁷

UK citizens need a visa for stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen Area. Portugal's D8 Digital Nomad Visa allows you to stay longer, as long as you meet certain criteria.⁵ One of them is the minimum monthly income of €3,680 (around £3,190).⁶ Our guide to the Portugal digital nomad visa has everything you need to know about applying from the UK.

Lisbon is a great fit for remote employees and senior freelancers who want a stable European base with good access to the rest of the continent.

Medellin

Medellin has transformed in recent years and is now one of the most popular affordable cities for digital nomads in Latin America. The city's year-round spring-like climate (it sits at around 1,500 metres above sea level) is one of its most-cited selling points. Temperatures rarely drop below 15°C or exceed 28°C.

Monthly costs typically fall between £900 and £1,100, making it competitive with Asian nomad hubs.¹⁸ Neighbourhoods like El Poblado and Laureles are popular for their cafés, coworking spaces and safety record, though it’s worth researching specific areas before committing.

UK citizens can apply for Colombia's Type V Digital Nomad Visa, which allows stays of up to two years (limited to 180 days per year).⁷ The minimum income requirement is low compared with other visas at around US$1,446 per month (approximately £1,076).⁸ See our full guide to the Colombia digital nomad visa for details on how to apply from the UK.

Medellin suits digital nomads looking for cities with strong coworking communities in Latin America, combined with a vibrant social scene and low living costs.

Mexico City

Mexico City offers a compelling mix of world-class culture, excellent food, good infrastructure and relatively low living costs. The city has a thriving digital nomad scene, with a growing number of coliving spaces, coworking hubs and well-equipped cafés spread across popular areas like Roma Norte, Condesa and Polanco.

A comfortable lifestyle in Mexico City typically costs between £1,200 and £1,500 per month, though costs vary depending on neighbourhood.¹⁹ Internet quality is decent across most of the city, though it can be unreliable at times and speeds vary by provider and location.

UK citizens can enter Mexico for up to 180 days without a visa, making it one of the easiest destinations on this list for an initial stay. For longer-term arrangements, Mexico's Temporary Resident Visa allows stays of up to a year.⁹ The minimum income requirement is around £3,425 per month.¹⁰ Read our Mexico digital nomad visa guide to understand the longer-stay options available.

Mexico City is one of the best cities for freelancers who want to experience cultural richness, strong infrastructure and a vibrant environment.

Tallinn

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, stands out as one of the best cities to work remotely in Europe for tech-minded professionals. Estonia is known for its digital-first approach to public services and being one of the first countries to introduce a dedicated digital nomad visa.²⁰ Broadband speeds across the city are fast and reliable, and the administration of day-to-day life is straightforward.

Monthly living costs for a single person range from roughly £1,300 to £1,500, making Tallinn more affordable than most Western European capitals while still offering the conveniences of a developed EU city.²¹ The charming medieval old town, a lively café culture and a growing tech start-up scene give the city a distinct character.

The Estonia Digital Nomad Visa lasts up to one year. It cannot be renewed, but you can apply for a second DNV once your first expires, giving you access to the Schengen Area for travel.

The minimum income requirement is €4,500 per month (around £3,900), one of the higher thresholds on this list.¹¹ Embassy slots can fill quickly, so apply well in advance. Our Estonia digital nomad visa guide covers all the documents and eligibility requirements you will need as a UK citizen.

Tallinn is the right choice for tech-focused remote workers, developers and digital professionals who value speed, efficiency and access to a progressive, digitally connected environment.

A smart way to manage money as a digital nomad

Living and working abroad often means dealing with multiple currencies, paying for everyday expenses overseas, and moving money between countries. Having the right financial tools can make managing your money as a digital nomad much simpler.

With Wise you can send, spend and convert money in 40+ currencies with mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees clearly shown before every transaction.

You can also get the Wise card for a one-time fee of £7 (or the Wise virtual card for £0) to spend like a local in 150+ countries. This clever card automatically converts your pounds to the local currency whenever you spend, only adding a low, upfront currency conversion fee – or it’s fee-free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

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**Investments are not guaranteed, and your capital is at risk.

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In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets, the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 839689).

We do not provide investment advice, and taxes may apply. If unsure, seek qualified financial advice. Full fund information is available on our website.

Frequently asked questions about the best cities for digital nomads

Which city is cheapest for digital nomads?

Chiang Mai and Bali are consistently among the most affordable options, with monthly costs potentially as low as £600 to £1,200 for a single person. Medellin in Colombia also offers competitive costs at roughly £900 to £1,100 per month. The actual figure will depend heavily on your accommodation choices and lifestyle.

Which cities have the best coworking spaces?

Chiang Mai, Bali (particularly Canggu and Ubud), and Lisbon have some of the most developed coworking scenes on this list. Tallinn also has excellent coworking options, with spaces like LIFT99 in the Telliskivi Creative City area, popular with the city's tech and start-up community. Mexico City and Medellin have seen rapid growth in coliving and coworking options in recent years.

Which cities offer digital nomad visas?

All seven cities in this guide have formal routes for digital nomads. The Estonia Digital Nomad Visa, Portugal D8 Visa, Spain Digital Nomad Visa, Thailand Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), Indonesia Remote Worker Visa (E33G) and Colombia Type V Visa are all dedicated programmes. Mexico doesn’t have a specific digital nomad visa, but its Temporary Resident Visa is a practical long-term option for remote workers.

Can UK citizens work remotely abroad legally?

Yes, but the rules vary by country. Working on a standard tourist visa is technically not permitted in most destinations, even if you’re employed by a UK company.

Digital nomad visas exist precisely to give remote workers a legal framework for longer stays. Always check the specific requirements of the country you plan to visit. For EU countries like Spain, Portugal and Estonia, the 90-day Schengen limit applies to UK citizens, so a dedicated visa is essential for stays beyond that.

Which city has the fastest internet for remote workers?

Tallinn stands out for internet reliability in Europe, with Estonia consistently ranking among the most digitally connected countries in the world. Lisbon and Barcelona also have fast, reliable broadband speeds well suited to video calls and cloud-based work. In Asia, Chiang Mai and Bali have solid internet in central nomad areas, though speeds can vary outside of coworking spaces.

Key takeaways

• Income requirements vary widely, so consider this before choosing a destination.
• The 90-day Schengen rule is the main barrier for European stays. If you want to base yourself in a European city, a dedicated digital nomad visa is essential.
• Cheapest is not always the simplest. Some visas require higher annual income or savings balance, despite low day-to-day costs in those countries and cities.
• Tax rules follow you, not just the visa. Always check the rules in your destination country, and consider any double taxation agreements with the UK before committing to a long stay.
• Managing money across currencies adds up. Using a multi-currency account like Wise can help you avoid excessive conversion fees and exchange rate markups on everyday spending, rent payments and visa fee transfers.

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Sources used:

1. Indonesia Directorate General of Immigration - General information & FAQ
2. Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación- Digital Nomad Visa
3. La Moncloa - SMI 2026
4. Royal Thai Embassy in London - Destination Thailand Visa
5. Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros - Digital Nomad Visa
6. Diário da República - Decree-Law no. 139/2025
7. Cancillería - Visa V Digital Nomads
8. Salario Mínimo Colombia - Minimum wage in Colombia
9. Consulado De México - Temporary Resident Visa
10. Consulado De México - UMA chart
11. E-Residency Estonia - Digital Nomad Visa
12. Numbeo - cost of living in Bali
13. PwC - Taxes on personal income in Indonesia
14. Numbeo - cost of living in Barcelona
15. Lawants - Beckham Law
16. Numbeo - cost of living in Chiang Mai
17. Numbeo - cost of living in Lisbon
18. Numbeo - cost of living in Medellin
19. Numbeo - cost of living in Mexico City
20. Siseministeerium - Estonia is one of the first countries with a digital nomad visa
21. Numbeo – cost of living in Tallinn

Sources last checked on date: 29-May-2026