7 Best Countries to Work Online in 2023

You might be thinking about working online, or already working remotely and want a change of scenery for 2023. But what is the best country to work online from? Here are our top 7 picks!

What are the best countries to work remotely?

The world is changing. Technology is making it easier for people to work from anywhere in the world. As more and more people are working remotely, the question is no longer – should I work online? – but rather, where should I work online from?

That’s why we’ve created this handy guide to break down a few of the best options for those looking to work online in 2023.

In this blog post, we will explore seven countries that are great for remote workers. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each country, and help you decide which one is right for you!

Portugal

Portugal is a great country for remote workers. The capital city of Lisbon is a vibrant and beautiful city, with plenty of cafes to work from, a cheaper cost of living compared to most of Europe and relatively strong wifi connections.

There’s a growing digital nomad scene across Portugal, with many coworking spaces available in both Lisbon and Porto and regular meetups too!

The food is fantastic, the summer sunsets are incredible and there’s a vibrant international community. The only downside is the increasing price of rent in the capital of Lisbon – largely due to the recent influx of remote workers and international startups.

Why choose Portugal for remote work?

Pros:

• Cheap cost of living than most of Europe
• Strong internet connection
• Vibrant European cities

Cons:

• Rent can be pricey
• Can get very busy during peak tourist season
• Part of Schengen area (limited stay for US citizens)

READ MORE: 15 Most Liveable Cities in Europe

Thailand

Thailand is a great choice for remote workers for a number of reasons. The cost of living is very cheap, especially if you are willing to live outside of the main tourist hubs.

Chiang Mai for example, has become a digital nomad hotstop over the past 10 years.

The food is amazing, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore more of South East Asia while you’re based in Thailand.

And, last but not least, the internet connection is generally strong and reliable (especially in Bangkok and Chiang Mai)

Why choose Thailand for remote work?

Pros:

• Cheap cost of living
• Great food
• Opportunities to explore more of Asia
• Strong internet connection

Cons:

• Not as many coworking spaces as some other countries
• Can be difficult to get a longer visa

Mexico

If you’re looking for a remote-work friendly country that isn’t too far from the US, Mexico is a great choice. The cost of living is relatively cheap, the internet is strong and reliable, and there are plenty of coworking spaces available throughout the country.

The added advantage is that you’ll also be on the same time zone as a majority of the USA. This makes conference calls and video meetings much easier to organize, as most people will be in a similar time zone.

A few great options for working online in Mexico are: Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta.

Why choose Mexico for remote work?

Pros:

• Relatively cheap cost of living
• GREAT food (i.e. tacos)
• Similar time zone to USA
• Plenty of coworking spaces in Mexico City, Playa Del Carmen

Cons:

• Can be difficult to get a longer visa
• The remote work scene is not as developed as some other countries.

Indonesia

When it comes to working online, Indonesia is a great choice for so many reasons.

First of all, the country has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty and culture. It’s not just the digital nomad scene in Bali that puts Indonesia firmly on this list – it’s also the 17000 other islands you could spend years exploring, from Java to Sumatra to Raja Ampat.

The cost of living in Indonesia (i.e. Bali) is very reasonable, making it a great option for any digital nomads that are just starting out. You can get meals for as little as $1 and the rental prices are a sliding scale, depending on how many ‘home comforts’ you’ll want.

Indonesia has also recently introduced the 5-year visa for those who want to work remotely!

Of course, there are also some drawbacks to working online in Indonesia. The internet connection can be unreliable in some parts of the country, and the time zone difference can be a challenge for those who need to communicate with clients in US or Europe.

Why choose Indonesia for remote work?

Pros:

• Cheaper cost of living
• Great digital nomad community in Bali
• Opportunities to explore more of Indonesia
• 5 Year Digital Nomad visa

Cons:

• Internet can be a problem in rural areas.
• Digital nomad visa could be expensive

South Africa

South Africa is a great country to work online for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the exchange rate is very favorable to foreigners, making it an affordable country to live in.

Secondly, Cape Town is a beautiful and vibrant city with a great infrastructure for digital nomads. There are plenty of coworking spaces, cafes and restaurants to choose from, and the locals are extremely friendly and welcoming.

Thirdly, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the country on your days off – whether you want to go on a safari or just spend some time relaxing on the beach.

The only downside of working online in South Africa is the high crime rate in some areas. However, as long as you take precautions and stay aware of your surroundings, you should be fine.

Why choose South Africa for remote work?

Pros:

• The cost of living is very reasonable
• There are plenty of coworking spaces, cafes and restaurants to choose from
• The locals are extremely friendly and welcoming
• There are plenty of opportunities to explore the country on your days off

Cons

• High crime rate in some areas
• Unreliable internet connection in some parts of the country

Colombia

There are many reasons why Colombia is a great country to work online.

First of all, Medellin is an extremely affordable city to live in. This is important for digital nomads who need to be able to save money while they work. There is also a large and thriving community of other digital nomads in Medellin, which makes it easy to meet new people and find potential collaborators.

Finally, Colombia is a beautiful country with a lot to offer in terms of culture and scenery – not just in the digital nomad capital of Medellin, but also the rest of the country too!

Of course, there are also some downsides to working online in Colombia.

One of the biggest challenges is that you need to be able to speak some Spanish in order to get by. Some people will speak English in Medellin, but Spanish is definitely the preferred language.

However, this could also be seen as a positive opportunity to learn a new language!

Why choose Colombia for remote work?

Pros:

• Affordable cost of living
• Large and thriving community of digital nomads
• Beautiful country with a lot to offer
• Opportunity to learn Spanish

Cons

• Spanish language barrier
• High crime rate in some areas

Germany

While there are many great countries to work online from, Germany is definitely one of the top contenders. For starters, Berlin is a hub for young creative professionals, making it easy to find like-minded individuals to collaborate with.

Additionally, the city hosts a large international community, so finding friends and potential business partners from all over the world is a breeze.

And of course, being in the heart of Europe means that traveling to other countries is relatively easy and inexpensive. Plus, with strong wifi connections and plenty of coworking spaces, working online in Germany is a breeze.

Of course, no country is perfect, and Germany does have its fair share of drawbacks.

For instance, because it’s part of the Schengen Area, getting a long term visa can be tricky for non-Europeans. Additionally, winters can be cold and dark, which can make it tough to stay motivated when you’re stuck indoors all day.

But overall, Germany is a great place to work online – just be sure to pack your winter coat!

Why choose Germany for remote work?

Pros:

• Large and thriving international community of digital nomads
• Center of Europe, easy to travel
• Berlin nightlife!

Cons

• Visa requirements can be tricky for non-Europeans
• Winter months can be cold and dark
• High cost of living in some areas

What is the Best Country to Work Online?

Of course, there is no one definitive answer to this question, as the best country to work online will vary depending on your individual needs and preferences.

Hopefully, we’ve helped you to explore some of the best countries to work online in 2023.

Here’s a quick roundup of our picks:

1. Portugal
2. Thailand
3. Mexico
4. Indonesia
5. South Africa
6. Colombia
7. Germany

Do you have any other countries to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.

How to Become a Niche Travel Blogger (Get PAID to Travel)

RELATED ARTICLES:
Coworking Space vs. Coffee Shop (Pros and Cons)
How Do Digital Nomads Make Money?
How I Travel Continuously with YouTube