Best countries for digital nomads from the UK

Working remotely means your office can be a café in Lisbon, a co-working space in Chiang Mai, or a beachside apartment on the Croatian coast. For UK-based remote workers, freelancers and location-independent professionals, the options have never been broader.

But not every destination works equally well. The best countries for digital nomads offer more than just good weather. You need reliable internet, a clear legal route to stay and work, a cost of living that makes sense for your income, and a lifestyle you can sustain beyond the first few weeks.

This guide compares seven of the most popular destinations for UK remote workers, covering all the factors that matter.

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Best countries for digital nomads from the UK

The table below gives you a quick snapshot of each destination. Countries are listed alphabetically.

Visa income requirements, costs and rules change frequently. Always check official government sources before you apply.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the more accessible digital nomad destinations for UK citizens. It offers a dedicated digital nomad visa that lets eligible remote workers live in the country for up to one year, with the option to renew once, giving a maximum stay of two years.¹

To qualify, you need a minimum monthly income of $3,000 USD (around £2,230) if applying alone, rising to $4,000 USD (~£2,980) if you bring dependants.²

One standout perk of moving to Costa Rica on this visa is the tax treatment: digital nomad visa holders are exempt from local income tax, as long as all of their income comes from outside Costa Rica.³ Bear in mind that UK tax obligations may still apply, so getting advice from a tax professional is important before you make the move.

For lifestyle, Costa Rica has a lot to offer. The country's "pura vida" culture encourages a relaxed pace of life, and remote workers tend to base themselves in Santa Teresa, Nosara or San José depending on whether they want beach, surf or city energy. Internet quality is reliable in urban areas and co-working spaces are increasingly common.

Croatia

Croatia has become one of the most popular choices among the best European countries for digital nomads. Its Digital Nomad Temporary Stay Permit allows non-EU nationals (which includes UK citizens post-Brexit) to live and work remotely in the country for up to eighteen months.⁴

You can apply to extend the permit for up to six months. To qualify, you need a minimum monthly income of €3.622,50 (roughly £3,140), and you must work only for companies or clients based outside Croatia.⁴ The income threshold is one of the higher ones in Europe, but the financial upside is significant: Croatia does not apply local income tax to digital nomad permit holders.⁵

Monthly living costs (excluding rent) are notably lower than in the UK. The Adriatic coastal cities of Dubrovnik and Split are the most popular bases, though they get very busy in summer. Split tends to be the more practical long-term base, with a growing co-working scene, good internet speeds and a manageable cost of living year-round.

Estonia

Estonia was one of the first countries in the world to launch a dedicated digital nomad visa, doing so back in 2020, and it remains a strong choice for tech-focused remote workers.⁷

The digital nomad visa lets you stay for up to one year and work remotely from abroad. To be eligible, you need to earn at least €4,500 per month and have active work for a company or clients based outside Estonia for each of the six months before you apply.⁶

The income requirement is high, making this a better fit for experienced professionals rather than early-career freelancers. In return, you get access to one of the most digitally advanced countries in Europe. Estonia runs almost all of its government services online, has excellent broadband coverage and is home to a thriving start-up ecosystem in Tallinn.

If you are a freelancer or entrepreneur, Estonia's e-Residency programme is also worth exploring. It allows you to register and manage an EU-based company online from anywhere in the world, which is a useful setup for location-independent professionals.⁸

Mexico

Mexico is one of the most affordable countries for remote work, and it consistently appears on lists of the best places for remote workers thanks to its low cost of living, vibrant culture and a large, well-established nomad community. It doesn’t have a visa specifically called a digital nomad visa, but its Temporary Resident Visa is a close fit for UK remote workers.⁹

The visa lets you move to Mexico and live there for one year. You need to show a minimum monthly income of around £3,425 over the previous six months.¹⁰ Working for companies or clients based in Mexico is not permitted on this visa.⁹

Mexico City (CDMX) has emerged as one of the best cities for digital nomads globally, with neighbourhoods like Roma and Condesa packed with co-working spaces, reliable fibre internet and a busy expat social scene. Oaxaca and Playa del Carmen are popular alternatives for those who prefer a slower pace. Time zones are generally US-friendly, but Mexico City (Central Time) is also workable for UK professionals with flexible hours.

Portugal

Portugal has been one of the most-searched destinations for UK digital nomads for several years, and for good reason. It combines a warm climate, low cost of living by Western European standards, high safety scores and an increasingly English-friendly environment.

The D8 digital nomad visa gives non-EU citizens (including UK nationals) a legal route to work remotely and live in Portugal.¹¹ There are two versions: a temporary stay visa (up to one year) and a long-term residency visa (four months, then converted to a residence permit).¹³

The long-term route also offers a path to permanent residency and citizenship. To qualify, you need a minimum monthly income of around €3,680 (roughly £3,190) for the temporary stay option.¹²

Lisbon is the most popular base, with a large expat community and excellent co-working spaces. Porto is a more affordable and quieter alternative, while the island of Madeira has its own Digital Nomads Village in Ponta do Sol, making it a notable hub for those looking for remote work with a scenic backdrop.

Spain

Spain’s digital nomad visa makes it available to non-EU nationals who work remotely for foreign companies or clients to move to Spain.

The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed, with a path to longer-term residency. You need a minimum monthly income of around €3,024 per month gross (roughly £2,621)¹⁶ and proof of remote employment for the three months before you apply.¹⁴

One of the most appealing features is the tax treatment, also known as Beckham’s Law. Digital nomad visa holders can benefit from a 24% flat income tax cap under Spain's special expat tax regime for up to 6 years, as long as they earn less than €600,000. This compares very favourably with standard Spanish income tax rates, which can reach 47% for higher earners.¹⁶

Spain also consistently scores well on quality of life. Barcelona and Madrid are among the best cities for digital nomads in Europe, each with large co-working ecosystems, strong transport links and well-developed expat communities. The Canary Islands (particularly Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) are also a growing nomad hub, offering year-round mild weather and a noticeably lower cost of living than mainland Spain.

Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular affordable countries for remote work worldwide, and the city of Chiang Mai in particular has long been recognised as one of the top digital nomad hubs globally. Monthly living costs in Thailand can be well below £1,000, making it one of the cheapest countries for digital nomads who want a warm climate and a well-developed co-working culture.¹⁸

Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) allows multiple stays of up to 180 days over the course of five years. However, instead of a monthly income requirement, applicants need to have at least 500,000 THB in savings (roughly £11,000).¹⁷

Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui are the most popular bases for digital nomads moving to Thailand. Chiang Mai combines very low costs with high-speed internet and a well-developed network of co-working spaces. If you stay in Thailand for fewer than 180 days in a calendar year, you are generally not considered a Thai tax resident, though UK tax rules still apply regardless of where you live.

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.

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Frequently asked questions about the best countries for digital nomads

Which country is cheapest for digital nomads?

Thailand consistently offers the lowest overall cost of living on this list, with an average monthly cost of living of around £450 per month (excluding rent).¹⁸ Mexico is an affordable option in the Americas for UK nomads. Both countries offer a strong quality of life at a fraction of the cost of living in the UK.

Which countries offer digital nomad visas?

A growing number of countries now offer dedicated digital nomad visas or remote work permits. Among those covered in this guide, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Portugal, Spain and Thailand all have formal digital nomad visa programmes for non-EU citizens. Mexico offers a Temporary Resident Visa that works well for remote workers. Various countries now have some form of digital nomad or remote work visa.

Can UK citizens work remotely abroad legally?

Yes, UK citizens can work remotely abroad legally, but you generally need the right visa to do so. Working on a tourist visa is not permitted in most countries, even if your employer is based outside that country. Each destination has its own rules, income thresholds and documentation requirements. Always check the requirements of the specific country you plan to work from and get professional advice on your tax position before you go.

What is the best European country for digital nomads?

It depends on your priorities. Portugal is the most popular choice overall, offering a good combination of low costs, warm climate, friendliness and a clear long-term residency path. Estonia is the standout choice for tech professionals. Croatia is well-suited to those who want coastal living at low cost without paying local income tax on foreign earnings. Spain appeals most to those who want city infrastructure, a large expat community and a competitive tax structure.

Which country has the fastest internet for remote work?

Estonia consistently ranks among the world's leaders in digital infrastructure and broadband speed, making it an excellent choice for tech-heavy roles that need reliable connectivity. Within the other destinations on this list, Portugal's larger cities (Lisbon and Porto) and Mexico City generally offer good fibre coverage. Internet quality in Thailand varies more by location, with Chiang Mai and Bangkok offering solid speeds, particularly in co-working spaces.

Do digital nomads pay tax in two countries?

This is one of the most important practical questions to get right.

In general, you pay tax based on where you are considered a tax resident, which usually depends on how many days per year you spend in a country (often 183 days is the threshold). The UK also has its own residency rules, and simply leaving the UK does not automatically make you a non-UK taxpayer.

Many countries have double tax treaties with the UK to prevent you being taxed on the same income twice, but the rules are complex. Always take advice from a qualified tax professional before committing to a long-term stay abroad.

What should digital nomads look for before moving abroad?

Start with the visa: does the country have a clear legal route for remote workers, and can you meet the income requirements? Then consider internet reliability, cost of living versus your actual income, safety, healthcare access and time zone compatibility with your clients or employer. It is also worth thinking about the community around you. Destinations with established nomad hubs tend to have better co-working infrastructure and make it easier to build a social life as a newcomer.

Key takeaways

• Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Croatia and Estonia all offer formal digital nomad visas for UK citizens, each with different income requirements, tax treatments and lifestyles.
• Thailand and Mexico are the most affordable options, but require careful management of visa lengths and tax residency rules.
• Staying abroad for more than 183 days typically triggers tax residency in your host country, and UK tax obligations may continue regardless. Always get professional advice.
• Internet quality, co-working infrastructure and local nomad communities vary significantly. Established hubs like Chiang Mai, Lisbon and Mexico City make the digital nomad lifestyle abroad much easier to sustain.
• Visa rules and income thresholds change regularly. Always check official government sources before applying.

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Sources used:

1. Visit Costa Rica - Digital nomads
2. Visit Costa Rica - Requirements for digital nomads
3. Visit Costa Rica - Digital nomad benefits
4. MUP.hr - Temporary stay of digital nomads
5. Lexology - Digital nomad visa holders exempt from paying tax
6. E-Residency Estonia - Digital Nomad Visa
7. Siseministeerium - Estonia is one of the first countries with a digital nomad visa
8. E-Residency Estonia - Homepage
9. Consulado De México - Temporary Resident Visa
10. Consulado De México - UMA chart
11. Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros - Digital Nomad Visa
12. Diário da República - Decree-Law no. 139/2025
13. Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros - National visas
14. Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación- Digital Nomad Visa
15. La Moncloa - SMI 2026
16. Benavides Asociados - Digital Nomad Visa Spain
17. Royal Thai Embassy in London - Destination Thailand Visa
18. Numbeo - cost of living in Thailand

Sources last checked on date: 29-May-2026