Top Affordable, Work-Friendly Locations for Remote Workers in 2025
- Countries around the world are competing to attract digital nomads by offering fast internet, flexible visas, affordable housing, and supportive communities
- The top 10 locations for remote work in 2025, including Spain, the UAE, and Montenegro, are ranked based on visa policies, taxes, and living costs
- These countries provide a range of benefits, from tax incentives and low living costs to access to high-speed internet and healthcare, making them ideal destinations for remote workers
Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.
Millions of people around the world now live remotely, and nations are competing to draw in digital nomads with fast internet, flexible visas, reasonably priced housing, and active communities.
Source: Getty Images
The top 10 locations for 2025 are listed in the most recent VisaGuide's Digital Nomad Visa Index, which gives UAE-based professionals a variety of choices, from serene beach getaways and innovation hotspots to cities rich in culture, all while combining a high standard of living with work-friendly infrastructure.
Here are the top 10 countries for remote work, ranked by visa policies, taxes, and living costs:
Spain
With a flawless Digital Nomad Index score, Spain ranks in first place. It provides dependable internet, access to healthcare, and visa conditions that are flexible enough to accommodate families. The Beckham Law offers lower tax rates on earnings up to €600,000.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE provides free income tax, fast internet, and visas that are good for the duration of the stay. Its corporate environment and infrastructure offer remote workers year-round options.
Montenegro
Montenegro has a comparatively cheap cost of living and low to moderate tax rates ranging from 0% to 15%. With the help of developing infrastructure, it provides access to healthcare and a burgeoning population of digital nomads.
Bahamas
Visas are valid for the entire duration, and there is no income tax in the Bahamas. Basic services are offered, and the island location encourages a work-life balance.
Hungary
Hungary provides inexpensive living costs, dependable internet, and a six-month tax-free period. The primary location for remote workers is Budapest.
Canada
Canada has a stable administration, robust internet connections, and access to healthcare. Its open landscapes and towns enable remote workers to manage their personal and professional lives.
Romania
Romania boasts one of the lowest costs of living and some of Europe's fastest internet connections. A six-month tax-free allowance and access to big cities like Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca are two advantages for remote workers.
Portugal
Portugal provides great internet connectivity, reasonably priced housing, and access to healthcare. Cities and coastal regions offer a variety of remote work location alternatives.
Brazil
Brazil boasts a liberal tax framework and competitive living costs. São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are major locations for remote workers.
Curaçao
Curaçao provides permits that are valid for the entire duration, zero income tax, and reasonably priced living expenses. It features a slower pace of life and the infrastructure required for remote work.
Source: Getty Images
Remote workers in Nigeria face new tax rules
Legit.ng reported that President Bola Tinubu recently signed new tax reform legislation into law, bringing the earnings of remote workers in Nigeria into the tax bracket.
As with all Nigerian income earners, the new provisions require freelancers, tech workers, and digital entrepreneurs who work for foreign clients or companies to register with their state tax authorities, declare their foreign earnings in Naira (N), and pay the relevant taxes.
In addition, the President highlighted Nigeria's growing potential in the global outsourcing market.
Source: Legit.ng
