5 EMEA Destinations Targeting Digital Nomads

The digital nomad trend is booming as the list of attractive destinations is expanding.

Armed with laptops and wanderlust, these modern-day working travelers have the potential to help stimulate economies and provide a valuable source of income during tourist off-seasons.

In this article, PYMNTS reviews five leading destinations attracting this wandering workforce across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), taking into account local bureaucracies, reasons to visit, and of course, the all-important technological infrastructure.

Tallinn, Estonia

When Estonia became the first country in the world to launch an official Digital Nomad Visa in June 2021, European travel was still significantly depressed by the pandemic and the country didn’t immediately see a large influx of nomadic workers.

In the two years since, however, the country’s capital Tallinn has emerged as a favorite destination for the wandering workforce thanks to world-class cultural attractions, fast and reliable broadband and more affordable short-stay accommodation than what is found in other cities in Western Europe.

With an Estonian Digital Nomad Visa, eligible travelers with a gross monthly income of at least €3,504 ($3,635) in the six months preceding their arrival in Estonia can stay and work in the country for up to a year.

Additionally, Estonia has signed treaties with 64 countries to save working travelers from double taxation, including the U.S. and all EU member states.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai’s Remote Working Visa Scheme was introduced in March 2021, making it the first digital nomad visa in the Middle East.

Like Estonia, Dubai’s offering allows mobile workers to reside in the UAE for up to a year with an opportunity to extend. Participants also receive a residential ID, which grants them access to various facilities and services.

A cultural melting pot with a large and diverse expatriate population, Dubai seems like a well-suited destination for anyone who enjoys a warm dry climate and a buzzing modern city.

And although Dubai is considered an expensive city to live in, the UAE doesn’t tax residents, meaning visa holders can opt to live in one of the neighboring, less expensive Emirates with cheaper rent.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Although it has yet to join other African island countries like Mauritius, Seychelles and Cape Verde in introducing a dedicated digital nomad visa, Zanzibar has made it clear that work visas are available to those with the right skills through the Silicon Zanzibar scheme, which includes incentives for relocating tech workers.

With fiber optic internet encircling the main island and flight connections to more than 20 EMEA destinations, Zanzibar’s blue reefs and idyllic beaches offer an ideal location for digital nomads searching for island life.

And following the launch of Silicon Zanzibar, an increasing number of African startups and tech firms are establishing themselves on the island, creating an additional appeal for nomadic coders looking to participate in a young but burgeoning tech hub.

Finally, although many languages are spoken in Zanzibar and the official currency is the Tanzanian shilling, an established tourism sector means that English is widely spoken and dollars circulate freely.

This last point is key. As Alberto Ramos Elizondo, chief revenue officer at home-sharing platform Casai, told PYMNTS in July, “being able to pay however you want” is a “big trend” in catering to the needs of digital nomads.

See more: Home Sharing Uses Pricing, Payments Choice to Lure Digital Nomads

Malta

The urban area of Malta, increasingly recognized as a city-state with its administrative capital Valletta, extends over the whole Mediterranean island.

The country’s nomad residence permit shares many features with digital nomad visas in Estonia and Dubai and also lasts for one year, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

As a sign that digital nomadism is thriving in the country, co-working spaces such as Grand Central and the SC Malta co-working and co-living campus have sprung up across the island.

These locations offer daily or monthly passes that give remote workers access to facilities such as meeting rooms and audiovisual equipment, where digital workers can opt to stay and work.

Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa first floated the idea of introducing a remote working visa earlier this year, citing economic growth and helping the country’s tourism industry recover from the pandemic as key advantages.

While no official timeline has been announced for its launch — it would be the first such visa in mainland Africa — South Africa still offers digital nomads a few perks.

For international workers, Cape Town is considered one of the most attractive destinations in South Africa due to its laid-back lifestyle, proximity to the country’s famous natural landscapes and strong national, regional and global travel connections.

Although foreign travelers should be wary of the rand’s instability, it isn’t nearly as volatile as some other African currencies. As a result, digital nomads earning in foreign currencies like dollars or euros will find that affording a decent lifestyle is well within reach.

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