Romania Was Just Named No. 1 Digital Nomad Destination in Europe

If you are daydreaming about sipping wine in ancient squares, sitting on beaches along the Mediterranean, or visiting castles punctuating verdant landscapes, you wouldn’t be alone. According to Omio, Google searches for “Euro Summer” have increased by 100 percent in the last quarter alone. But if you’re hoping to extend your European summer into fall, you’ll need a digital nomad visa. Luckily, Omio knows exactly which destinations are ready to offer you one.

In June, Omio, a global travel booking website, released its list of the most accessible digital nomad countries in Europe. To create its rankings, it analyzed data on each country’s visa costs, cost of living, rent, and internet speed, ensuring that digital nomads can truly work from anywhere.

And after doing all that research, it named Romania as the most accessible European destination of all.

“Eastern Europe has come out on top as having the most accessible digital nomad countries, with Romania coming in at first place thanks to scoring 37 on the cost of living index, which is extremely low compared to countries such as the United States, which scores 72,” the findings noted. It added that Romania also ranked highly on the rent index, making it one of the most affordable places to rent an apartment or home on the list.

The only caveat is that in Romania, you must show proof of income of at least £3,700 a month (approximately $5,000), making it out of reach for many freelancers.

Albania came in a close second thanks to both its low cost of living and lower barrier to entry for a visa. Here, you only have to show proof of income of around $1,000 a month. “However, it scores lower in terms of safety and internet speed, both of which are extremely important factors when working remotely,” the findings noted.

Rounding out the top three is the nation of Georgia, which Omio noted scored high marks for its low cost of living and cheap rent. However, you must prove that you earn at least £ 2,000 a month (approximately $2,710) to qualify for a visa here.

And while Portugal and Spain were further down the list, at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively, Omio noted they are great spots for nomads who have to stay connected.

“Both countries scored a lot higher on internet speed, with Spain scoring 168 (fixed) and 35 (mobile), and Portugal scoring 120 (fixed) and 59 (mobile),” Omio noted. “They also scored higher regarding safety, which is something to bear in mind if you’re a solo traveler.”