10 Most Affordable Countries With Digital Nomad Visas in 2023: Save Money and Travel the World

COVID changed a lot of the ways we do things, including the way we work. One of the best things to come out of the pandemic was the realization that 100% remote work is not only doable but employees are actually more productive. This has opened up possibilities we didn’t have before – not just working from home but working from anywhere in the world you call home.

We've rounded up the best and most affordable countries for low-to-medium earners that currently offer digital nomad visas to make your move abroad easy and legal. Grab your laptop and get going!

A digital nomad visa is a type of visa that allows you to work remotely and legally stay in a foreign country, longer than the typical tourist visa.

The qualifications for a digital nomad visa vary by country. Generally, to qualify for a digital nomad visa, you’ll need to have a job that can be done from anywhere in the world. You'll also need to meet a minimum monthly income and fulfill other requirements such as having global health insurance coverage.

As more countries around the world are starting to acknowledge and truly value the benefits of allowing digital nomads to legally live and work on their soil, new digital nomad visas are popping up all the time. Your favorite country could be next!

Deciding which countries to travel to as a digital nomad can be tough. Whether you’re planning a short-term stint or eventual long-term residency, ask yourself these questions to decide where you should go:

• Do I meet the minimum income requirements?
• Will I be able to afford a comfortable standard of living?
• How long do I want to stay?
• What is the climate like?
• How fast is the internet?
• Are there coworking spaces and/or public places with free wifi that are remote work-friendly?
• What language is spoken? Am I interested in learning it?
• Does the application require proof of insurance?

Even if you only plan to stay a short time, it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you go. You want to be happy with your choice!

So, are you ready to pick your next digital nomad destination? Let's get started!

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $1,000-$1,600
💰 Minimum monthly income required: $3,000 for individuals, $4,000 for families
📝 Type of visa: Long stay visa (estancia) with Remote Workers and Service Providers sub-category
💸 Cost of visa: $90 upfront with another fee after approval

Costa Rica, loved for its Pura Vida laid-back vibes, is more than just a vacation spot. It’s now one of the handful of countries welcoming digital nomads to its sandy shores. Aside from the obvious benefits of great weather, beach lifestyle, and low cost of living, Costa Rica also offers tax-free living to remote workers who choose to call it home.

There are also plenty of hostels and co-working spaces in Costa Rica, like Selina, equipped with work stations and high-speed internet, to support the abundance of digital nomads!

Once the online application is completed, it will take around 15 days for approval. The visa is good for one year but can be extended for an additional year if you can prove you lived in Costa Rica for at least 180 days during the first year.

✅ Pros

• Quick turnaround time for visa approval.
• English-speaking expats have long been retiring and/or relocating to Costa Rica so even though the digital nomad visa is relatively new, there are established communities in major cities and beach towns.

❌ Cons

• If you plan to live there for a year or more, the rainy season is long – it lasts from May through November.
• Outside of major cities, the road infrastructure can be underdeveloped.

✏️ How to apply: Fill out an application online

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $1,200-$1,600
💰 Minimum monthly income required: $2,933 (€2,700)
📝 Type of visa: Nomad Residence Permit
💸 Cost of visa: $325 (€300)

The beautiful island of Malta is ideal for remote workers with its nationwide 5G coverage and 400+ free public wifi spots – you can work in your home office or at the local cafe while you enjoy a pastizz, a popular local snack! Though it is an island, you’ll be far from isolated. Affordable flights to mainland Europe operate frequently giving you a great home base to explore.

To qualify for the remote worker visa, you’ll need a foreign job contract, be an owner or part-owner of a registered company, or be a freelancer with foreign contracts. Applicants should have health insurance and proof of temporary accommodation (ex. an Airbnb rental) in Malta. Processing is expected to take up to 30 days. Malta’s digital nomad visa is good for one year and can be renewed twice for a total of three years.

✅ Pros

• English is an official language in Malta so you’ll have no trouble getting settled.
• Flights to and from the island to other European destinations are affordable.

❌ Cons

• Internet speeds are slower than in other countries in Europe.
• Public transportation isn’t great (although the government is working on it!).

✏️ How to apply: Fill out an application for the Nomad Residence Permit online.

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $900-$1,200
💰 Minimum monthly income required: $3,868 (€3,500)
📝 Type of visa: Digital Nomad Visa
💸 Cost of visa: $76 (€75)

Housing in Greece is among the most affordable in all of Europe, even beating out Portugal and Spain. Costs for food, shopping, and transportation are also low which means you’ll be well-positioned to save some cash for future travels while in Greece. What’s more, Athens and Thessaloniki enjoy more than 90% 5G coverage while the national download speed is clocked at around 37 Mbps.

Greece grants a one-year digital nomad visa that can be renewed as a residence permit if you can’t bear to leave the Greek way of living. The initial residence permit is good for 2 years and can be renewed up to a total of 5 years if you’re looking for something long-term – after 5 years you are eligible for permanent residency status.

✅ Pros

• A low cost of living means your salary goes further.
• Greece is a very safe and friendly country.

❌ Cons

• Greek bureaucracy can be difficult to navigate.
• If you choose to relocate to one of the islands, infrastructure and housing may be outdated.

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $750-$1,000
💰 Minimum monthly income required: $2,600
📝 Type of visa: Temporary Residence Visa for Remote Workers
💸 Cost of visa: $190-$390 depending on visa length

If you plan to travel home frequently, Mexico is a great place to start out as a digital nomad. Affordable flights can be found from most major US airports with a reasonable travel time. Our southern neighbor is beginning to attract more foreign remote workers who love the food, friendly people, music, and culture.

Mexico’s median broadband speed is around 46 Mbps and hubs like Mexico City offer digital nomads some great coworking spaces to get stuff done and meet new people. The remote work visa for Mexico is valid for 6 months up to 4 years.

✅ Pros

• Its close proximity to the US means you can visit home often.
• The food is fresh, delicious, and affordable.

❌ Cons

• Expats are encouraged to stay away from border towns and states like Guerrero, Tamaulipas, and Michoacán due to safety concerns.
• English is not widely spoken outside of the capital or major tourist areas – a good reason to learn Spanish!

✏️ How to apply: After gathering your documents and filling out an application, you’ll need to attend a visa appointment at your nearest Consulate of Mexico in the USA.

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $1,100-$1,600
💰 Minimum income required: $3,346 (€3,040) for individuals
📝 Type of visa: D8 Digital Nomad Visa
💸 Cost of visa: $83 (€75) for less than one year, $100 (€90) for more than one year

Due to its popularity among expats, Portugal recently launched a visa specifically for remote workers to replace the former D7 visa. Since then, even more digital nomads are choosing this country and it’s not hard to see why – welcoming people, an affordable cost of living, and sparkling beaches are major selling points for location-independent professionals.

Part of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal’s geography is varied and has something for everyone whether you love laying on the beach or hiking through quiet forests. It’s also small enough that you can enjoy all of these things without having to compromise!

✅ Pros

• Portugal has one of the lowest costs of living among countries with digital nomad visas.
• The healthy food, easy access to nature, and laid-back lifestyle make for a great work-life balance.

❌ Cons

• With the influx of remote workers, costs are rising and housing can be more difficult to come by in major cities.
• Bureaucracy is slow – it can take several months to get basic things done.

✏️ How to apply: After beginning the application process online, you’ll need to attend an appointment at your local Portuguese consulate in the US. The only downside to this visa is that due to increased popularity, processing times can take 4 months or longer.

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $1,110-$1,800
💰 Minimum income required: $2,777 (€2520)
📝 Type of visa: Telework Visa
💸 Cost of visa: $190

Spain’s long-awaited digital nomad visa finally opened this year after much anticipation. While it’s still in its infancy, we do know some key points. If you make over $32,000 a year and have a reliable monthly income, health insurance, and a degree relevant to your job you’ll qualify. Spain’s new visa is likely to be a game-changer for many digital nomads!

Remote workers in gorgeous, sunny Spain will benefit from low tax rates and the ability to earn up to 20% of their income from local Spanish companies. For example, if you’re a freelance writer with a knowledge of Spanish, there are great opportunities for jobs in translation, content creation, and marketing. Spain’s tech industry is also booming and looking for international talent to contribute to its growth.

The initial visa is valid for 12 months and can be renewed for up to five years, at which time you can apply for permanent residency.

✅ Pros

• Outside of Madrid and Barcelona, housing costs are uniformly affordable.
• Spain’s public transportation is great, both locally and nationally.

❌ Cons

• Spanish bureaucracy is notorious and it can be hard to get appointments for things like residency cards and census registration (empadronamiento).
• Temperatures in the middle to lower half of the country can be unbearably hot from June through August– that’s why everyone escapes to northern beaches during the summer!

✏️ How to apply: Applications should be made through your local Spanish consulate.

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $900-$1,200
💰 Minimum income required: $2,792 (€2,539)
📝 Type of visa: Temporary Stay Visa for Digital Nomads
💸 Cost of visa: $61.31 (€55.74) when applying at the local consulate in the US, $51.09 (€46.45) if applying in-country

Meet the requirements and can’t wait to start your new digital nomad life in Croatia? You don’t have to! US citizens can apply for their digital nomad visa within Croatia. Technically a residence permit rather than a visa, Croatia allows stays up to 1 year. Once your permit expires, you have to wait six months before applying again so unfortunately there is no path to permanent residency like in other countries.

Croatia has truly embraced the digital nomad movement and even offers a dedicated village for remote workers located just outside the waterfront city of Zadar. Affordable housing and the chance to meet other digital nomads from around the world make Zadar and Croatia as a whole a very appealing prospect.

✅ Pros

• Digital nomads can apply for Croatia’s visa within the country.
• Croatia adopted the euro this year, making travel around the rest of the Schengen area seamless.

❌ Cons

• There is no path to permanent residency or citizenship if you fall in love with Croatia and want to stay long-term.
• If you want to renew, you have to wait six months after your first visa expires.

✏️ How to apply: There are three ways to apply: within Croatia (US citizens and citizens from other countries with visa-free travel to Croatia), at the nearest Croatian consulate in the US, or online.

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $1,100-$1,700
💰 Minimum income required: none!
📝 Type of visa: Non-Immigrant Visa
💸 Cost of visa: $46 (EC$125) for single entry visa or $70 (EC$190) for multi-entry

Digital nomads with income that varies from month to month as well as those with a stable salary are welcome to work and live in Saint Lucia. Located in the Caribbean, stunning Saint Lucia is among the cheapest of the nearby island destinations with a lower cost of living than the US and the UK. Due to its popularity as a vacation spot, there are plenty of flights to and from major US airports with deals to be had throughout the year.

✅ Pros

• Saint Lucia has no income requirement, making it an option for a wide range of professionals and freelancers.
• Processing time for the visa is only 5 days – make a move on the fly!

❌ Cons

• The cost of some grocery items is high due to the need for importation to the island.
• Saint Lucia is susceptible to extreme weather like hurricanes.

✏️ How to apply: The application and document requirements are available online but the packet must be submitted at your nearest consulate.

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $700-$1000
💰 Minimum income required: $1,500
📝 Type of visa: Digital Nomad Visa
💸 Cost of visa: around $132

Brazil is known for its lively festivals, vibrant cities, and tourist-packed beaches. It’s also the most biodiverse country in the world. Even if you’re based in Rio or Sao Paulo, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to venture out into the Amazon to observe the vast number of plants and animals native to Brazil.

If you plan to stay in Brazil for a longer period of time – we’ve got good news! Brazil’s digital nomad visa is valid for up to one year and can be renewed for another year if you love the lifestyle and people too much to leave.

✅ Pros

• If you love the outdoors, Brazil is the perfect place for learning more about conservation while enjoying the beaches, jungles, and mountains.
• Healthcare is free (even for expats!) and other daily necessities are affordable compared to costs back home in the US.

❌ Cons

• Processing times vary by consulate but can take up to 180 days (6 months).
• Outside of major cities, the developing infrastructure can be challenging in terms of housing and mobility.

✏️ How to apply: You can start the application process online but the form and supporting documents must be submitted at the nearest Brazilian consulate in the US. Processing time varies but decisions are usually issued within 2 to 4 weeks.

🏠 Avg. monthly cost of living: $900-$1,400
💰 Minimum income required: $2,000
📝 Type of visa: B211a Visa
💸 Cost of visa: $135 USD (2,000,000 IDR) for 60-day single-entry visa

Bali, a province of Indonesia, is an island paradise with some of the world’s best beaches. Digital nomads looking for a short-term seaside destination can spend up to 6 months enjoying the fabulous weather and scenery while benefiting from amenities like fast internet and an abundance of coworking spaces. Best of all, life in Bali is affordable, with one-bedroom apartments averaging between $300 to $500 USD a month. Live a simpler, more beautiful life while working by the beach!

✅ Pros

• Bali is well-equipped to welcome digital nomads, from fast internet speeds to coworking spaces designed for networking.
• Even though people come and go frequently, Bali is home to a large community of expats so you’ll never feel alone.

❌ Cons

• The initial visa is only valid for two months and must be renewed twice in order to stay 6 months. It’s also single-entry so you can’t come and go!
• The most common form of transportation is by motorbike so if you don’t know how to ride one, you’ll probably need to learn.

✏️ How to apply: Applications can be made online through the Indonesian government website.

These sought-after locations are unfortunately unattainable for the vast majority of low-to-medium digital nomad earners but they still deserve a mention! Keep working hard and you could be on your way to a life based in one of the following destinations.

• Thailand: Digital nomads interested in working from Thailand need to show proof of an annual income of $80,000 USD a year. The only way around this is for those with a master’s degree relevant to their current work. In that case, your income cannot be less than $40,000 USD a year. All applicants will need to have a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Iceland: This magical little island has a very high minimum income requirement, demanding at least 1,000,000 ISK ($7,289 USD) a month from digital nomad hopefuls.
• Montserrat: To be eligible for their digital nomad stamp, you’ll need to pull in an income of at least $70,000 USD a year.

South Korea, Italy, South Africa, and Colombia are four popular and affordable countries with digital nomad visas in the works.

If one (or more!) of these is at the top of your list, be patient! Sometimes bureaucracy can be slow but these are indeed on the way. More and more countries are beginning to see the economic and social benefits of inviting international digital nomads to live and work legally and are working as quickly as possible to get legal frameworks in place.

Here at Go Overseas, we love digital nomads! To support your globetrotting lifestyle, we've partnered with a range of major companies to provide you with discounts on things like travel insurance, accommodation, and more. Check out our digital nomad essentials and Amazon storefront to stock up on everything you need!

The prospect of being a digital nomad can be both exhilarating and scary. Picking up and moving abroad may seem daunting but once you get over the initial hurdles, you’ll realize it’s the best thing you could’ve done for yourself. Who knows, you may want to keep living the digital nomad life for good!

Learn more about the digital nomad lifestyle:

• 14 Best Digital Nomad Jobs - Travel & Work From Anywhere!
• How to Become a Digital Nomad
• 6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to a New Country by Myself
• How to Travel like a Pro: Airport Tips & Tricks for Stress-Free Travel
• Guide to Moving Abroad: Live Overseas as an Expat