Safest and Healthiest Countries for Digital Nomads

Bali and Italy are announcing soon-to-be-available digital nomad visas. Do you want to know where else to buy tickets in advance? We’ve got the answers!

Nowadays, nearly 40 states issue special visas for digital nomads. Ten countries are still weighing all the economic pros and cons — but there are big chances of them joining the list. When choosing a destination for quiet and comfortable work abroad, many IT specialists consider traditional criteria such as cost of living, visa requirements, and the quality of the internet. Still, the past years have shown what truly matters: safety and health. 

After comprehensive research, we’ve made the ultimate list of digital nomads’ safest and healthiest destinations.

The top 10 healthiest countries for digital nomads

We analyzed data from the Global Health Security Index, which measures the capacities of 195 countries to prepare for epidemics and pandemics to determine the healthiest countries. The leader is the USA, with a ranking of 75,9/100. Alas, it still doesn’t issue digital nomad visas — but the second healthiest country in the world, Australia (with a GHI of 71.1), does! The table below gives the top 10 countries with digital nomad visa opportunities for curious roamers. (Don’t forget to get vaxxed, though!)

CountryGlobal Health IndexRank
Australia71.12/195
Germany65.58/195
New Zealand62.513/195
France61.914/195
Spain60.917/195
Norway60.219/195
Mexico5725/195
Estonia55.530/195
Portugal54.733/195
Hungary54.434/195

The top 10 safest countries for digital nomads

Health is great, but what about overall safety? (It also influences your health, by the way!)
Considering data from the Global Peace Index, we can now determine the safest countries that offer digital nomad visas. Luckily, Iceland and New Zealand, the two most peaceful countries in the world, provide such visas. Pack your laptop, and don’t shudder!

CountryGlobal Peace IndexRank
Iceland1.111 / 163
New Zealand1.272 / 163
Portugal1.36 / 163
Czech Republic1.328 / 163
Hungary1.4113 / 163
Croatia1.4415 / 163
Germany1.4616 / 163
Norway1.4717 / 163
Australia1.5727 / 163
Mauritius1.5728 / 163

Six combo chances

Combining the two statistics, we discovered the top-6 countries that are the absolute best when choosing a working destination — both health- and safety-wise. Scan the table, make your mind!

CountryGlobal Health IndexRankGlobal Peace IndexRank
Australia71.12/1951.5727 / 163
Germany65.58/1951.4616 / 163
Hungary54.434/1951.4113 / 163
New Zealand62.513/1951.272 / 163
Norway60.219/1951.4717 / 163
Portugal54.733/1951.36 / 163

If these lists of opportunities aren’t long enough for your inquiring mind, don’t worry. You can also monitor the countries now in a so-called visa-pending category — which means that they still don’t issue a particular digital nomad visa. However, the corresponding legislation is already on the way, and that’s the reason for extending your geographical horizons, at least theoretically.

The three best pending opportunities (just wait a bit!)

These three countries are the healthiest and safest visa-pending states, which are likely to be added to the main list as soon as the digital nomad visa issuing starts.

CountryGlobal Health IndexRankGlobal Peace IndexRank
Italy51.941/1951.64332/ 163
Latvia61.914/1951.6735 / 163
Bali / Indonesia50.445/1951.847/ 163

Planning a relocation to one of these nine countries? Make sure to triple-check all eligibility criteria, conditions, and requirements on official websites. To help all the wander-lovers, we’ve decided to prepare an informational starter pack for each of the actual and potential options. Below are a few pieces of valuable data to get you on track.

1. Australia

Australia is #1 on our list, famous for its koalas, kangaroos, and cube-shaped wombat poo. Pack your suitcase!

australia
Avg. monthly rent, $Estimated cost of living (excluding rent), $EligibilityVisa durationVisa cost, $Required monthly income, $
1600920You must not have previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417), Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)1 year, renewable to 2 more years max.355None

2. Germany

Healthy and safe Germany is also known for having 1,500 different types of beer and 1,000 types of sausages. Nuff said.

Avg. monthly rent, $Estimated cost of living (excluding rent), $EligibilityVisa durationVisa cost, $Required monthly income, $
630 — 880825Non-EU nationals6 months to 3 years101Unstated, but you must prove you’re self-sufficient

3. Hungary

One of the oldest European countries, Hungary, is the motherland of the Rubik’s cube. Something to keep you busy in between business calls.

Avg. monthly rent, $Estimated cost of living (excluding rent), $EligibilityVisa durationVisa cost, $Required monthly income, $
300 — 380495Non-EU nationals1 year, extendable to 1 more year max.1102,020 for the last 6 months

4. New Zealand

If you decide to go to New Zealand, make sure to visit their Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu hill. What? Didn’t catch that? It’s Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu!

new zealand
Avg. monthly rent, $Estimated cost of living (excluding rent), $EligibilityVisa durationVisa cost, $Required monthly income, $
1030 — 11501000Working holiday visas are available to young people, usually aged 18 to 30, but 18 to 35 in a select few counties. They let you travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months, or 23 months if you are from the UK or Canada. If you apply for a 23-month visa, you must provide a General Medical Certificate1 year165None

5. Norway

According to The World Happiness Report, Norway is often listed as one of the happiest countries in the world. Among tons of other things, this country is known for appointing a penguin called King Penguin Sir Nils Olav as the mascot for the Royal Guard. We bet he’s happy.

norway
Avg. monthly rent, $Estimated cost of living (excluding rent), $EligibilityVisa durationVisa cost, $Required monthly income, $
830 — 10501105Non-EU nationals2 years, renewable up to 6 years60536 060 plus accommodation proof 

6. Portugal

One of the hottest tourist destinations, Portugal can offer you the biggest waves to surf and some fine pasteis de nata pastries to snack on afterward.

portugal
Avg. monthly rent, $Estimated cost of living (excluding rent), $EligibilityVisa durationVisa cost, $Required monthly income, $
560 — 705550Non-EU nationals1 year, renewable for 2 years more84 plus 73 resident permit fee606 (it can come from a variety of sources)

7. Italy (visa pending)

The land of Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, and Pinocchio, Italy, is famous for the Trevi fountain, Renaissance palaces, and museums. Apparently, tourists throw €1,000,000 into the fountain each year. We’re not giving any advice here, just saying…

italy
Avg. monthly rent, $Estimated cost of living (excluding rent), $EligibilityVisa durationVisa cost, $Required monthly income, $
535 — 700765No visa is available in Italy until an official decree has been issued.UnknownUnknown

8. Latvia (visa pending)

This beautiful country is known for its incredible nature and architecture and is also famous for a museum dedicated to the world’s greatest liar — Hieronymus Karl Friedrich Freiherr von Münchhausen! Not just that, but they issued a commemorative coin in 2005 to celebrate this legend.

latvia riga
Avg rent, $Estimated cost of living (excluding rent), $EligibilityVisa durationVisa cost, $Required monthly income, $
260 — 350660Non-EU nationals1 year, extendable for 1 more yearUnknownMore than 2.5 the average monthly wages in Latvia (to date, monthly wages range at $2,000 a month)

9. Bali (visa pending)

Bali has become one of the most trending destinations in the last few years, attracting many travelers and digital nomads. Triple-check your dates when planning the trip, though: in addition to The Gregorian calendar, Balinese people also use the lunar-based calendar, which is 78 years behind the Gregorian one, and the Pawukon calendar.

bali nature
Avg rent, $Estimated cost of living (excluding rent), $EligibilityVisa durationVisa cost, $Required monthly income
305 — 500520All nationalities5 years (still in the discussion if it’s renewable)UnknownUnknown

As you see, the variants are copious — so every digital nomad (even the pickiest one) will surely find themselves a country to work comfortably among the new impressions and circumstances. Just don’t neglect safety and health! 

Here's a FAQ for more info!

  • What is the main disadvantage of the nomadic way of life?

    The nomadic way of life, which involves constantly moving from place to place rather than settling in one location, can have several disadvantages. Some of the main challenges of a nomadic lifestyle include the following:
    – Lack of stability: Nomadic people may have difficulty finding stable employment or building long-term relationships as they constantly move.
    Limited access to resources: Nomadic people may have difficulty accessing necessities such as healthcare, education, and clean water, as they may not have the same access to these resources as people who live in permanent settlements.
    Social isolation: Nomadic people may face social isolation due to constant movement and difficulty maintaining long-term relationships.

  • Is it too late to become a digital nomad?

    It is never too late to become a digital nomad, as long as you have the necessary skills, resources, and desire to pursue this lifestyle. Digital nomads are people who use technology to work remotely and have the flexibility to live and work from anywhere in the world.

  • Do I have to pay taxes as a digital nomad?

    As a digital nomad, you may be required to pay taxes on your income, depending on your tax residence and the tax laws of the countries where you earn income.
    Your tax residence is typically determined by the country where you have your permanent home, where you spend most of your time, or where you are registered to vote. Different countries have different rules for determining tax residence, and you may simultaneously be considered a tax resident of more than one country.
    As a digital nomad, it is important to understand the tax laws of the countries where you earn income and to file and pay taxes accordingly. If you are unsure of your tax obligations as a digital nomad, it is a good idea to seek a tax professional’s guidance or consult with the tax authorities in the countries where you earn income.

  • How many hours do digital nomads work? 

    There is no set number of hours that digital nomads work, as the amount of time they spend working can vary greatly depending on their specific circumstances and goals. Some digital nomads may work long hours to build their businesses or to meet deadlines, while others may work fewer hours to have more time for travel or other activities.