The past few years have seen a huge shift towards remote working, meaning fewer of us are tethered to one location than ever before.
Enter the digital nomad…
Digital nomads are remote workers who usually travel to different locations, prioritising life experiences and close connections. Often working in coffee shops, co-working spaces, or public libraries, they rely on strong internet connections and good technology.
And if you can work from anywhere, why not do it in luxury?
Many digital nomads tend to favour locales with low living costs, but it is absolutely possible to be a digital nomad while living a life of luxury. In fact, the two are wholly compatible. There is currently a somewhat incomplete stereotype that portrays digital nomads solely as backpackers with laptops, but this is only one segment of the digital nomad “population.” Indeed, there are digital nomads who are on shoestring budgets but there are also plenty of multimillionaires who identify as digital nomads.
It’s all relative…
The level of luxury you live at, along with your quality of life, often varies by location. For example, you might be well below the poverty line if your income was $1,000 a month in the United States. But $1,000 a month is ample to live extremely well in a country like Bulgaria or Thailand.
Whatever your budget, here are some of the most luxurious destinations to visit as a citizen of the world.
Our top luxurious locations
Bali, Indonesia
This island needs no introduction. This paradisaical destination tops the list for digital nomads seeking luxury on a budget. Gorgeous villas, perfect coworking cafes and delicious food make it a mecca for travellers and digital nomads alike. You can easily rent an entire villa, hire cleaning staff and have everything you need delivered to your door for very little. Weekly massages, meal prep and daily beach trips become the norm on this island paradise.
Portugal
When it comes to living and working in Europe, digital nomad visa provider, Portugal is a top contender. You can enjoy a much lower cost of living, gorgeous beaches and some of the best food and wine the continent has to offer. Portugal is very safe, the locals are friendly, and you’ll fall in love with the rich, vibrant culture. If you’re a city-dweller at heart, Lisbon or Porto are the best locations for experiencing that perfect cosmopolitan lifestyle. If you’d rather escape to the beaches, you’ll find somewhere on the famous Algarve Coast appealing. Don’t forget Portugal is also home to the first dedicated Digital Nomad Village.
Spain
Next up is Portugal’s neighbour, Spain – also a digital nomad visa provider. What makes Spain the rising luxury destination of Europe? The short answer is its incredibly rich and vibrant culture that sets the stage for culinary, shopping, and many leisure activities. There are nomad hotspots all over the country, both in mainland Spain and on the charming Canary Islands. And in the bustling city of Madrid, you can have a budget of less than $2,000 a month and still live luxuriously.
Mauritius
Mauritius is yet another luxurious island nation that has just launched its own special visa for remote workers. It’s a stunningly beautiful country, with crystal clear water, thick jungle, and epic mountain peaks to climb. To qualify for the Premium Visa, you will need to produce proof of your long stay plans and travel and health insurance during your stay. Remember that luxury scenery and quality living doesn’t always mean luxury health and medical care! With that in mind, it is important to choose an insurance provider that will cover you sufficiently from any location, such as PassportCard Nomads – even more so if you will be moving around a lot!
Colombia
Colombia often gets a bad rap but this beautiful, vibrant country is a great setting for a life of luxury. It’s close to the equator which means you’ll get to enjoy summer vibes all year round and the country is incredibly biodiverse: beaches, mountains… Colombia’s got it all.
Panama
Panama has a large English-speaking population. The Wi-Fi is excellent throughout the country and there’s strong infrastructure and no shortage of amenities. Best of all, Panama is brimming with incredible sights such as the beautiful San Blas islands and the Baru volcano. A little goes a long way in Panama, making it one of the best countries in the world to live in luxury.
Thailand
Thailand has a lot more to offer than its infamous full moon parties. As one of the world’s premier digital nomad hotspots and a country that offers a digital nomad visa, it’s blissfully easy for solo travellers to find community there. If you want to live out your fantasy of working right on the beach, the chilled islands of Koh Lanta and Koh Samui are your best bet. Thailand is also home to an awesome spa culture which makes it possible to treat yourself whenever you like.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a very up-and-coming digital nomad destination. It’s one of the safest and most affordable countries in the world to live in. The two major cities, Saigon and Hanoi, boast excellent Wi-Fi and some beautiful luxury high-rise apartments. Meanwhile, spa treatments, clothing and even sky bar cocktails will barely make a dent in your wallet. If you’d like to live somewhere more scenic, consider the coastal towns of Hoi An and Danang.
Barbados
Barbados is one of the only countries in the world offering a year-long ‘digital nomad’ visa. This means you can live in island paradise long term without having to worry about overstaying or extending. You’ll be able to make yourself a lovely home and live on island time (and within walking distance of idyllic beaches).
Dubai, UAE
Dubai has long held a reputation for being the epitome of luxury due to its magnificent skylines, glistening beaches and opulent hotels. And now, it caters specifically for nomads too. The city has just launched its own one-year virtual working program, allowing digital nomads and remote workers to live and work by the beach from this famous desert oasis mega-city. The new remote work visa gives you the freedom to come to Dubai, bring your family, work remotely all while remaining employed in your home country. Dubai does not levy income tax on individuals, and you can get easy access to all required services, including telecoms, utilities, and schooling options.
What are you waiting for?
If an adventurous lifestyle appeals to you but you want to do it in style, then these are just some of the best countries to visit. And once you know where you want to visit, all you need to do is arm yourself with organisation, a thirst for learning and a travel insurance provider that will cover you in any one of these locations such as nomad insurance specialist PassportCard Nomads, which provides you with a pre-paid little red card that you can use anywhere – without the fuss of filling out endless forms and paying for any claims from your own pocket.
Other than that, simply enjoy your exciting and fulfilling life on the road!
Authored by PassportCard Nomad CEO Leor Catalan.
Comments are closed.