The best European countries for digital nomads in 2026 are not necessarily the places with the lowest rents. A new ranking of 40 European countries shows that affordability, internet quality, safety, healthcare, coworking spaces and visa rules can matter just as much when choosing a place to work remotely.
The ranking, compiled by LEI register, assessed 40 countries using 19 different measures. The comparison included living costs, internet speeds, coworking spaces, safety, healthcare, English proficiency, local events and the availability and cost of digital nomad visas.
Estonia took the top position, helped by a combination of relatively low living costs, strong infrastructure and policies that are designed to accommodate remote workers.
For digital nomads watching their monthly spending, the Baltic country is also among the more affordable options in the ranking. A one-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs an average of about EUR 573 per month, while monthly groceries are estimated at around EUR 247.80.
Estonia also recorded the highest safety rating in the study. Its digital nomad visa is valid for one year and costs EUR 85, giving remote workers a relatively straightforward way to establish a temporary base in the country.
Iceland placed second, despite being one of the most expensive countries in the comparison. Average monthly rent for a city-centre one-bedroom apartment is about EUR 2,098, while groceries cost roughly EUR 541.62 per month.
What pushes Iceland near the top is the strength of its digital infrastructure and facilities for remote workers. The country recorded the fastest internet speeds in the ranking and had the highest number of coworking spaces. It also performed strongly for Airbnb availability, safety and the number of events available to residents and visitors.
Portugal ranked third, continuing its long-standing appeal among people who work remotely. The country combines fast internet, high English proficiency and visa options for digital nomads.
Its costs are higher than Estonia’s. Average city-centre rent is around EUR 919 per month, while the one-year digital nomad visa costs EUR 80. But Portugal’s established infrastructure for remote workers helps explain its strong position in the ranking.
Montenegro came fourth and stands out particularly for the length and cost of its digital nomad visa. The visa costs just EUR 26 and can last for up to 730 days, the longest period recorded among the countries included in the study.
Living costs are also relatively low. Average city-centre rent is about EUR 576 a month, while monthly groceries cost approximately EUR 211.22. Healthcare is one area where Montenegro scores less strongly, but the country ranks second for Airbnb availability, making it an option for remote workers looking for lower accommodation and living costs.
Croatia completes the top five. Its digital nomad visa can last for up to 540 days, giving it the second-longest visa period in the comparison.
Croatia also recorded the third-highest safety rating and fourth-highest Airbnb availability per capita. Average city-centre rent is around EUR 663, while monthly groceries cost approximately EUR 232.46.
The country also scores well for English proficiency and the availability of events. Its main weakness in the study is internet speed, which was the slowest among the countries included in the ranking.
Slovenia, Czechia, Spain, Lithuania and Romania complete the top 10. Their positions reflect different combinations of cost, infrastructure, visa access, safety and other factors, meaning the ranking does not point to a single type of destination for remote workers.
For someone focused mainly on affordability, for example, the figures may look different from those of a nomad who places a higher value on internet speed or access to coworking spaces. Visa length can also make a significant difference for people who want to stay in one country for several months rather than move frequently.
The lower end of the ranking presents a different picture. Ireland came last among the 40 countries studied, despite performing well for English proficiency and having a strong selection of events and coworking spaces.
The main disadvantages identified in the ranking are high living costs, weaker results for safety and healthcare, and the absence of a dedicated digital nomad visa. For remote workers who need a specific visa route to establish a longer-term base, that lack of a dedicated programme can be an important consideration.
Switzerland ranked 39th. The country has no dedicated digital nomad visa and is among the more expensive choices in the study, with average city-centre rent of about EUR 1,785 per month. Grocery costs are also high.
At the same time, Switzerland performs strongly in several areas. It has fast internet, high safety levels and a substantial supply of coworking spaces, showing how a country can perform well on individual measures while still ranking lower overall when the full set of criteria is considered.
Belarus and Bosnia and Herzegovina followed Switzerland near the bottom of the list. Both are considerably cheaper than Switzerland, but neither offers a dedicated digital nomad visa.
Belarus recorded particularly weak results for internet speed and coworking spaces. Bosnia and Herzegovina offers relatively low living costs but was also marked down for weaker infrastructure.
France also appeared among the bottom five, a notable result given its enormous popularity as a tourist destination. The country has strong healthcare and internet infrastructure, but the ranking highlights several factors that work against it as a destination for digital nomads.
France does not offer a dedicated digital nomad visa, while its English proficiency and safety scores were comparatively weak in this particular study. The result illustrates the difference between choosing a country for a holiday and choosing one as a temporary place to live and work.
The 2026 ranking therefore presents a more complicated picture than a simple list of the cheapest European countries. Estonia’s position reflects a broad combination of affordability, safety, infrastructure and visa access, while Iceland demonstrates that higher living costs can be offset by strong digital infrastructure and facilities for remote workers.
For anyone considering a move, the figures are best treated as a starting point rather than a final answer. Rent, visa eligibility, internet access and safety can vary considerably within the same country, particularly between major cities and smaller towns. The right choice ultimately depends on how long someone plans to stay, how much they can spend and which practical factors matter most to their working life.
