Tallinn named best city in the world for digital nomads

Twelve EU destinations make the Top 50 list of must-go places for remote workers compiled by Big 7 Travel magazine

The longing for an independent work environment, opportunity to mix profit with pleasure (juggling between work errands and sightseeing), and chance to make new friends has made remote working popular even before the Covid-19 outbreak. Now, remote working or digital nomading is quickly becoming the norm and, with no end to the pandemic in sight, the future. This trend has prompted Big 7 Travel to compile a list of the best cities to work from remotely in 2021.

Digital Nomad Visas

The magazine’s assessment criteria include the core requirements of affordability and internet access, as well as additional features like specific Digital Nomad visas, availability of co-working spaces and expat friendly communities.

The Estonian capital Tallinn topped the list for a number of reasons. First, a not-so-new visa allows digital nomads to move to Estonia and work remotely there for up to a year. Secondly, the magazine cites Tallinn’s booming digital economy and seamless internet access with 99 percent of public services available online 24/7.

In the third place comes the relatively low cost of living, with rent in the city centre around USD 500 (EUR 411) a month. And last but not least, the capital city exudes charm and surprise which make strangers feel like they are immersed in “a real-life Baltic fairytale”.

One more reason to explain Tallinn’s allure to digital nomads is that the city is very small and compact, meaning that you won't lose any time for transport or travelling, assures Visit Tallinn.  

Other EU cities in the Top 50

The cities that have been ranked 2nd (Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia), and 3rd (Belgrade, Serbia) may raise a few eyebrows, but on closer inspection their choice seems justified. Georgia, for example, has been quick to introduce a remote worker visa during the pandemic, and its capital beats many Western European cities in terms of abundance of co-working spaces and cheap housing.

As British media have noted, there is not a single UK city in the Big 7 Travel ranking. 11 European destinations have made the Top 50 list besides Tallinn - Berlin (6), Ljublijana (10), Thessaloniki (16), Malta, listed as a country (17), Vilnius (18), Krakow (21), Porto (31), Madrid (32), Budapest (38), Lisbon (46), and Prague (47).