Best Digital Nomad Cities in Europe in 2026
Digital nomads have the luxury of deciding where they want to live based on living costs, weather, and social life. The possibility of moving around from place to place provides digital nomads with a sense of freedom in the new age of minimalism.
These days, there are plenty of freelance social platforms for digital nomads, such as People Per Hour, Fiverr, and Upwork, or other self-employed income that allow people free movement between places.
For those who face the question – where is the best place (for you) to live as a digital nomad? Obviously, there is no one place, and the decision varies from one person to another, but there are some variables that must be taken into account. Living cost, weather, technology, culture, language, and legal status are all part of the decision to choose a place to live in (even if temporary).
There are also other considerations when choosing a place to stay for a while: the geographic location, how acceptable Airbnb is (you will find out that Airbnb can be insurance for a digital nomad to always find a ‘roof over your head’), cheap flights to your family’s residence, etc.
For some people, WiFi is enough to earn a decent salary, while others search for a sustainable and steady place. In this guide, we list and review the best digital nomad cities in Europe to work, live, and travel.
Best Digital Nomad Cities in Europe
The list below provides some big cities in Europe for digital nomads:
- Berlin, Germany
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Budapest, Hungary
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Copenhagen, Denmark
Berlin, Germany
In recent years, Berlin has become a hub for digital nomads in Europe as it provides all the necessities for digital freelancers. The city is a startup center with many coworking spaces and WiFi in every coffee shop.
When you put in all the factors, Berlin’s cost of living is relatively cheap compared to other megacities in Europe (London, Paris, Stockholm, etc.) However, Berlin is still more expensive than Eastern European countries such as Serbia or Estonia, or Asian countries such as Thailand or Vietnam.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, the ‘Chiang Mai’ of Europe, has grown to be the main hub for digital nomads in Europe. Although the cost of living is higher than in Berlin or other European countries, it is an affordable city with a great vibe.
You won’t find it hard to find coworking spaces, the weather is good, you have access to WiFi around the city, good people, great beach. What else do you need?
English is a bit of a problem in Lisbon and in Portugal in general (Porto is another great hub for digital nomads).
Budapest, Hungary
If you are looking for an affordable place to live that can provide you with the peace of mind to build your business or your freelance career, then Budapest is the place for you. For digital nomads, the total monthly cost can be around $1000. Budapest also has nice bars and nightlife, and has a great location to travel to other places in Europe and Asia.
Prague, Czech Republic
According to Nomadlist.com, Prague is the number one choice in Europe. Prague is a beautiful city, very romantic (great for couples) and… cheap. Let’s assume you are not a big spender; you can finish a month in Prague with total expenses of 1500$. You have pretty much all you need in Prague to work as a freelancer and enjoy your time.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Regardless of digital nomads, Copenhagen is just a cool city. It’s a small city in size and population, with 585K residents, and has a one-hour train to Malmo in Sweden. Copenhagen is actually a big village with low pollution, good transportation (a lot of bicycles), green spaces, and exciting nightlife.
Still, Copenhagen is not a cheap city to live in or travel to. A month in the city can cost you around $3000-$4000, depending on your preferences (flat, lifestyle, work expenses, etc). However, if you can afford to spend a few months in Copenhagen, do it.
Bottom line
Every person who chooses to live as a digital nomad knows the places that match their personality. While one feels more comfortable in megacities like New York, London, or Paris, others will search for the relatively smaller cities in Europe with a different type of charm. Cost of living is an important factor, but other factors should be considered as well.
Other cities in Europe that should be noted as an option for digital nomads: Bucharest, Belgrade, Warsaw, Gdansk, Tel Aviv (although geographically not in Europe), Barcelona, Las Palmas, Porto, and Ljubljana.
As mentioned above, every place can be a hub for digital nomads – a small village in Italy or France, or perhaps a small town in a tropical country. Digital nomads live with the constant urge to move, and Europe is a perfect place to live or travel as a digital nomad: short distances, a good economy, advanced technology, and safety.
