Let’s be real, “Where do you work?” no longer has a simple answer.
In 2025, your coworker could be sipping espresso in a Barcelona café, Zooming in from a national park cabin, or answering Slack messages beachside in Bali. The office? It’s wherever your Wi-Fi connects.
The rise of remote work and the digital nomad lifestyle has completely changed how we think about where and how we live and work. More people are ditching long commutes and overpriced cities for flexible, fulfilling lives in new places with better weather, lower cost of living, and strong coffee.
And companies are embracing it too.
As global employers look beyond borders to tap into worldwide talent, employees are asking:
“What’s the best place to work remotely and still love where I live?”
That’s exactly what this guide is here to help with.
We’ll explore the best places around the world for remote workers, freelancers, and digital nomads, the cities for remote work that offer the best combo of lifestyle, infrastructure, and flexibility.
Whether you’re a full-time remote worker, a startup founder building a remote office, or just dreaming of switching your home base, this list will help you find your ideal place to live and work.
But first, let’s break down the key things that make a place remote-work friendly.
What Makes a Location Remote-Work Friendly?
Not every tropical island or artsy metro area makes a great remote work destination, no matter how dreamy it looks on Instagram. While beautiful beaches and charming coffee shops are a bonus, serious remote workers are looking for more than a great view.
Here are the core factors to consider when choosing a place to work remotely:
Reliable High-Speed Internet
This is the non-negotiable. Whether you’re running video calls or pushing code, you need fast Wi-Fi and stable internet speed. Many of the top cities for remote workers have city-wide fiber or 5G with backup cafes and coworking spaces just in case.
Affordable Cost of Living
Sure, you could live in Paris. But if you can get the same lifestyle in Porto or Buenos Aires at half the price, why not? Many of the best places to live for remote workers offer a lower cost of living without sacrificing comfort, giving you more freedom, not less.
Digital Nomad Visas & Easy Entry
A growing list of countries now offer a digital nomad visa or long-stay option specifically for remote workers. This makes it easier to settle legally and focus on your job instead of scrambling for visa renewals every 90 days.
Coworking Culture & Amenities
Availability of good coworking spaces, community hubs, and even 24/7 cafes with free Wi-Fi can seriously improve your productivity and help you meet fellow digital nomads. Cities with a strong remote culture tend to have modern, remote-friendly infrastructure baked in.
Time Zone Compatibility
If you’re working for a U.S. company, being 12 hours ahead in a jungle hut might not fly. The best places to work often overlap with major time zones or offer enough flexibility to still collaborate easily with your team.
Lifestyle, Culture & Safety
You’re not just working, you’re living. Choose a city in the world that matches your vibe: vibrant nightlife, peaceful nature, outdoor adventures, cultural landmarks, or just really good tacos. Don’t forget to check for safety, healthcare quality, and access to essentials.
Access to Nature or Things to Do
Balance is key. Whether it’s hiking trails, surfing spots, or historic sites, remote workers seeking a balance between work and play should look for places with both solid infrastructure and lifestyle perks.
Top 10 Best Places to Live for Remote Workers & Digital Nomads
Whether you’re an experienced digital nomad or a first-time remote worker ready to swap your city commute for palm trees or cobblestone streets, the world is full of exciting options. We’ve gathered some of the best places to live and work remotely, based on internet speed, lifestyle, cost of living, and overall vibe.
These cities for remote work are more than pretty postcards, they’re real, livable places for people building remote careers and global lives.
Lisbon, Portugal
Why it’s great: Lisbon has quickly become one of Europe’s hottest remote work destinations, and for good reason. The city offers high-speed internet, stunning views, a mild climate, and a vibrant digital nomad scene.
- Cost of living: Moderate by European standards
- Time zone: Good overlap with both U.S. East Coast and Europe
- Vibe: Laid-back, creative, filled with cafes and coworking spaces
- Bonus: Digital nomad visa available
Lisbon is one of the best places to live for remote professionals who want city energy, coastal beauty, and world-class coffee.
Medellín, Colombia
Why it’s great: Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellín has become a favorite for remote workers seeking affordable living and a strong community.
- Cost of living: Low
- Internet speed: Solid in most metro areas
- Culture: Big on live music, local cuisine, and friendly locals
- Bonus: Thriving international coworking culture
If you’re looking for one of the best cities for remote work in Latin America with excellent work and leisure balance, Medellín should be on your radar.
Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
Why it’s great: Bali is basically a rite of passage for every aspiring digital nomad. Canggu in particular combines beach vibes with a deep bench of coworking spaces.
- Cost of living: Very low
- Internet speed: Surprisingly reliable (but always have a backup SIM)
- Vibe: Surf-meets-startup
- Bonus: Plenty of cafes with strong Wi-Fi and better smoothie bowls
Barcelona, Spain
Why it’s great: Few cities like Barcelona strike the perfect mix of big-city buzz and Mediterranean chill.
- Cost of living: Mid-high, but worth it
- Internet speed: Excellent
- Coworking: Abundant and modern
- Bonus: Excellent public transport and cultural perks
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Why it’s great: A longtime favorite on the nomad list, Chiang Mai has low prices, peaceful surroundings, and a built-in remote worker community.
- Cost of living: Extremely low
- Internet speed: Fast and widely available
- Coworking: Calm, affordable, safe
- Bonus: Great base for travel across Southeast Asia
It’s the place to work remotely if you’re seeking a quiet, budget-friendly life without giving up modern conveniences.
Tallinn, Estonia
Why it’s great: Estonia is a pioneer in e-governance and one of the first countries to launch a digital nomad visa. Tallinn is the tech-savvy capital with an old-soul charm.
- Cost of living: Moderate
- Internet speed: Blazing fast
- Time zone: Perfect for European teams
- Bonus: Paperless bureaucracy (dreamy)
This city in the world is perfect for those who love startup energy and strong infrastructure.
Mexico City, Mexico
Why it’s great: As one of the largest cities for remote workers in the Americas, Mexico City offers culture, affordability, and a huge international community.
- Cost of living: Low to moderate
- Internet speed: Good in most neighborhoods
- Culture: Rich history, music, arts, food
- Bonus: Short flights to the U.S.
Mexico City is the best place to live if you want city hustle without breaking your budget.
Cape Town, South Africa
Why it’s great: Cape Town is one of the most scenic places to live and work — think mountains, oceans, vineyards, and a fast-growing tech scene.
- Cost of living: Affordable
- Internet speed: Improving fast
- Time zone: Close to Europe
- Bonus: Adventure-packed weekends
Berlin, Germany
Why it’s great: Germany might not shout “nomad life,” but Berlin absolutely delivers for remote workers who want culture, innovation, and killer kebabs.
- Cost of living: Moderate
- Internet speed: Fast
- Coworking: Thriving
- Bonus: Great access to Europe
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Why it’s great: With a low cost of living, incredible food, and a deep artistic culture, Buenos Aires is a destination for remote workers looking for passion and value.
- Lifestyle: Lively, creative, and full of flavor
- Internet speed: Good in central areas
- Time zone: Convenient for U.S.-based work
- Bonus: Tango, steak, and stunning streets
If you’re hunting for the best places to work with your heart and wallet in mind, Buenos Aires delivers.
What Employers Need to Know About Hiring in These Locations
So, you’ve got a team spread across some of the best places to work remotely from the rooftops of Lisbon to the coworking cafés of Bali. It’s exciting, global, and full of possibility. But here’s the part many companies underestimate:
Hiring internationally isn’t as simple as sending a job offer and a Slack invite.
Each country has its own labor laws, tax rules, social security systems, and regulations about how you can employ and pay a remote worker legally. And as appealing as these cities for remote work are, they come with administrative baggage if you’re trying to go it alone.
Here’s what employers need to keep in mind:
Compliance Is Country-Specific
Whether you’re hiring in Thailand, Colombia, or Germany, you’ll need to adhere to local employment laws, including contracts, benefits, terminations, and more. Ignoring this puts your business at risk and can jeopardize your employee’s legal standing in their remote work destination.
Payroll and Tax Can Be Complex
Paying remote workers across borders isn’t just about hitting “send” on a transfer. You may be required to withhold local taxes, pay into local benefit systems, or even set up a legal entity, depending on the country.
Benefits Vary by Country
In many international destinations, employees are entitled to specific benefits by law, like healthcare, vacation time, or severance. And to stay competitive in global hiring, offering perks aligned with the cost of living and expectations of each location helps you attract top talent.
EORs Simplify Everything
That’s where a trusted Employer of Record (EOR) like Empleyo comes in.
We help you legally employ and support remote workers in any of the best places to live and work remotely, no entity setup required. From local payroll to benefits, we handle the complexity so you can focus on building a thriving remote office and a globally connected team.
Whether your people live in major cities, small towns, or somewhere near national parks and beautiful beaches, we make sure you stay compliant, competitive, and remote-ready.
Ready to Build Your Global Remote Team?
There’s never been a better time to embrace the remote work revolution.
Talented people are no longer tied to big-city offices or overpriced zip codes. They’re choosing cities for remote work that offer more freedom, more connection, and a better quality of life and employers who want to stay ahead are meeting them there.
So, here’s the big question:
Are you set up to support your team, no matter where in the world they decide to work remotely?
If you’re hiring globally or thinking about it and need help navigating compliance, payroll, or offering the right support in the best places for remote workers, Empleyo is here to help.
Get in touch with us today and let’s make remote work actually work, for your team and your business.
Let’s help you find your ideal setup for global success.
