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Last Updated 4 months ago

Asia has long been a popular destination for digital nomads watching their budgets. It’s a great place to stretch your buck as far as possible.  

And now there’s a new budget-friendly hot spot to look out for.  

The Global Intelligence Unit has created a comprehensive report of the world’s best digital nomad destinations.  

The top-ranked Asian country where digital nomads live and work is officially Taiwan.  

Taiwan also came in 12th place overall in the global arena, meaning that it’s a destination well worth considering for digital nomads, especially for those who don’t want to flash the cash.  

Here’s why:  

Why Digital Nomads Should Consider Taiwan 

Taiwan is an incredibly beautiful country that ticks so many boxes.  

A subtropical climate, outstanding natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, and modern vibrant cities too. Check, check, check, check!  

On top of all of this, living here won’t break the bank.  

On average, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Taipei is between NT$8,000.00 and NT$25,000.00 ($263–$823).

However, if you choose an off-the-beaten-path destination outside of the city, your rent will be considerably lower.  

Eating out here is cheap too, and the street food is delicious.

Less than $5 will fill your tummy with a street food meal and some good company at the same time.  

Locals are friendly and welcoming to foreigners and digital nomads: there are no anti-tourism protests here!  

Taiwan was also one of the first countries in the region to legalize same-sex marriage back in 2019 and has robust anti-discrimination legislation in place, making it a safe country for LGBTQ+ nomads to explore.  

Taiwan Is Small But Perfectly Formed  

From a practical point of view, it’s worth mentioning Taiwan’s small size.

The country is around half the size of Scotland for Brits like me. Or ever so slightly bigger than Maryland for U.S. readers.  

Rather than being a drawback, this could actually work to the advantage of a savvy digital nomad!  

You can explore absolutely everything the island has to offer with relative ease.

The capital of Taipei tends to be the most popular spot for digital nomads, boasts incredibly high internet speeds, and has the largest number of coworking spaces.  

But you aren’t welded to city life. Taipei is just 30 minutes away from the lush green nature of the Yangmingshan National Park.

There is no entry fee to explore this park, so if you’re on a budget, this is a great place to visit.  

And getting around Taiwan is a breeze, too, as the country has a reliable high-speed rail network.

In real terms, this makes what is already a small country feel even smaller and easier to explore.  

Public transport is affordable. The Metro (known as the Mass Rapid Transit or MRT) costs NT $20 (61 cents) – NT $65 ($1.96) a ticket in Taipei.  

If you want to take the high-speed rail and explore the length and breadth of the country then you’ll pay between NT $35 and NT $2,500 ($1 – $76) depending on the journey you want to take and the class you choose with non-reserved tickets being the cheapest option.  

A New Digital Nomad Visa For Taiwan? 

Although full details of the scheme have yet to be released, Taiwan announced last month that it intends to launch a dedicated digital nomad visa.

This is great news as, up until now, there hasn’t been an official digital nomad visa in the country.  

The new visa will make Taiwan an even more appealing option for digital nomads.  

Taiwan will be the 4^th country in the region this year, after Japan, Thailand, and South Korea, to launch a digital nomad scheme.  

So far, we know that the visa will have a 6-month validity period and that the Minister for the National Development Council in Taiwan, Paul Liu, hopes it will attract new talent to the country.  

Though this new digital nomad visa scheme has been proposed, it will not come into effect until it is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

In the meantime, prospective nomads can apply for an Employment Gold Card.

This is a work permit, residency permit and re-entry permit in one handy document that is relatively easy to apply for and allows professionals to live and work in Taiwan for up to 3 years.  

Tor Brierley

Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.

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Last Updated 9 mins ago

There’s no shortage of paradises to choose from for digital nomads to pack their bags and jet off to, but there’s one more to add to the list, with a new airport expected to put this coastal gem on the map.

The Mediterranean is teeming with blue-water shores and laid-back communities embracing the nomad lifestyle, but not all of them can be crowned the best of Europe.

Fortune just released their list of ‘Best European Cities for Digital Nomads 2024′ and the top dog was a real surprise.

Albania has seen an influx of digital nomads since issuing an unofficial digital nomad visa in 2022, but many have opted to plant roots in the capital city, Tirana, among other quaint beach towns.

One is an absolute stunner, Vlorë. But we’ll go with the English version, Vlora, so I don’t have to keep inputting those weird dots.

Where In The World Is Vlora?

Vlora is Albania’s third largest city, located along pristine shores overlooking the Bay of Vlorë (those pesky dots again!), a passage almost a straight line from Italy’s trendiest escape, Lecce.

But this side of the passage will soon be Albania’s trendiest escape as the country continues to gain steam, largely in part to more hidden gems such as Vlora being uncovered.

This resort town is oozing potential as there are already ample upscale accommodations to enjoy for a serene vacation, but more notably, apartments can easily be scored for $400 per month.

Surrounded by more turquoise than a Santa Fe necklace, this delightful town is truly postcard-perfect when lounging at one of many idyllic beaches once you’re free from unnecessary Zoom calls.

According to TripAdvisor, these are Vlora’s top 3 beaches to scope out:

1. Gjipe Beach
2. Dhermi Beach
3. Pulabardha Beach

Being a rather large city, Vlore is decked out with charming Old Town cafes as well as co-working spaces, such as top-rated CoWorkingVlora, just a few blocks from the scenic Lungomare promenade.

While there’s already been an uptick in remote workers flocking here, expect even more cushy amenities to pop up once Vlora’s highly anticipated new airport opens.

Vlora’s New Airport Opens In March 2025

It’s important to note not all of Albania is well-developed. In other words, the backroads should be left to the pros.

Reaching Vlora will be so much easier come March 2025 when the new airport is slated to take flight for the first time.

Albania’s flagship carrier, Air Albania is leading the charge and you can surely expect other suitors as well.

Heck, if Ryanair is launching flights to Dakhla, Western Sahara of all places, don’t you think Vlora is on their radar?

For now, the easiest way to reach Vlora is by bus from Tirana, which is a well-connected city as Albania’s hype has soared.

For a more adventure option, you could also fly into Corfu or various Italian ports (Bari, Brindisi, and Lecce, as previously stated) and take a ferry.

Although, the more reasonable avenue may be simply to wait on more news regarding Vlora’s new flights.

Albania’s Digital Nomad Appeal

Albania as a whole is a great blend of cultural experiences, cheap living, and unbounded natural beauty. Oh, and the food is pretty top notch too comparable to Greek’s most notable dishes.

There are a multitude of reasons for general travelers to visit, but digital nomads can soak up the most benefits here.

Albania’s nomad-catered ‘Unique Permit’ was a nice selling point for remote workers, but what you may not know is you don’t need a visa at all up to one year.

That’s right; American tourists can stay within Albania’s border up to 12 months without the hassle of bureaucratic paperwork – just a stamp and you’re good to go.

The Unique Permit is a straightforward application process and offers nomads the options to stay up to 5 years.

Narrowing down to Vlora; there’s no better place to call home.

With $400 apartments, comfortable co-working spaces, and delightful cafes in one of Europe’s most underrated Old Town districts, your day-to-day backdrop couldn’t be more enchanting when perusing timeless streets or enjoying a beach day.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.