5 countries rolling out the remote work red carpet

Best high-speed-internet work-from-beach destinations
© Chormail | Dreamstime.com

What if “work from home” became “work from beach?” One of the most attractive benefits of remote work is being able to operate from literally anywhere. Well, anywhere with the internet, at least.

Luckily, vacation destinations worldwide are opening their arms to digital nomads, making it easier than ever to take advantage of our newfound remote freedom. From cheap visas to moving incentives, here’s who’s rolling out the red carpet to remote workers worldwide, starting with the basics: Wi-Fi.

(Struggling to stream? These apps will troubleshoot your Wi-Fi connection.)

Top 5 countries with “workable” internet:

  1. Thailand – Speeds up to 196.20Mbps and an average temperature of 80 degrees. Thailand’s median download speed is hefty enough to support multiple video streams while simultaneously uploading high-res photos and videos. 
  2. Spain – Speeds up to 172.04Mbps, with a chance of paella. Spain’s got you covered if you want to do more than just email co-workers and dabble in Excel.
  3. Romania – Speeds up to 171.15Mbps to live your Audrey Hepburn Vespa fantasy. Wait, that movie was “Roman Holiday,” wasn’t it?
  4. Hungary – Speeds up to 134.43Mbps for you to stream from its famed thermal spas. Nothing like a soak to de-stress from a long day of video calls.
  5. Portugal – Speeds up to 128.50 Mbps — plenty for your pictures of pastel de nata. Plus, its high-speed rail gets you from Lisbon to Porto in under 3 hours for under $30!

Ok, you’ve got the connection, but now you need the credentials.

Visit via Visas

You must get a work visa to stay in a different country for an extended period. 

The good news: Since the explosion in remote work, many countries now offer a remote work visa so digital nomads can stay longer (and spend more). It’s a win-win since your dollar will stretch even further in most places.

They even coined a nifty new term for digital nomads who settle abroad: Techpats. They are not quite permanent ex-pats, but definitely travelers who are in the country to enjoy more than a pina colada or two. 

Today, 50+ countries offer some form of digital nomad visa.

Techpat welcome mat

A prime example: The eastern European country of Georgia. This beautiful country is considered the birthplace of wine and offers low crime rates, a temperate climate, pretty towns, sprawling countryside and even white sandy beaches.

Better still, it loves techpats and has made it seamless to work there. Georgia’s requirements are easy to meet: If a techpat can prove at least $2,000 in monthly income and complete some paperwork, they can apply for a yearlong digital nomad visa. 

The Czech Republic is another ideal digital nomad destination. They offer a “freelancer” visa for many different trades, but if their requirements are met (for instance, proving you have approximately $7,000 in the bank), visitors can work and stay there for up to a year. 

Sun-drenched, island-packed Croatia is a great option, too. Usually reserved for yacht enthusiasts and luxury vacationers, this stunning country now hosts remote workers for up to a year, with the opportunity to reapply after six months. 

You’ll have to prove that you earn around $2,500 monthly, but the application fee is minimal and experiencing this dazzling country is priceless. 

But what if you don’t want to cross an ocean for a change in scenery?

Digital nomad: Domestic edition

Realizing that remote workers can revitalize their citizenship (and tax base), some U.S. states and cities offer remote workers up to $20,000 to move there.

Here is a quick list of incentivized states:

  • West Virginia
  • Arkansas
  • Vermont
  • Alaska

There’s a great, big, beautiful world out there — and you don’t need a passport to maximize your remote work opportunities. Check out Kim Komando’s top tech picks for remote workers to get the right tools for the job.

Tags: apps, countries, Georgia, internet, Portugal, remote work, Spain, speed, U.S, Wi-Fi, work from home