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With a workforce of over 35 million people and growing, digital nomads are poised to take the world by storm.
While there are many regions, countries, and cities that have emerged as hotspots for digital nomads, there are always new ones to discover.
Europe remains a huge draw for digital nomads due to the number of diverse and beautiful places it offers, and there seems to be one region in particular that is gaining momentum with digital nomads looking for unique options, with more and more remote workers. choosing to head to the Baltic states.
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have recently caught the eye of both travelers and digital nomads looking to escape the normal European tourist path and get a little off the beaten path to explore some unique destinations.
One such place that has made its way onto numerous lists of the best digital nomad cities in Europe is the Estonian capital, Tallinn. This raises questions as to why Tallinn is so good for digital nomads and what it offers which makes it a standout option.
Ranked as one of the European countries with the best quality of life for digital nomads, Estonia has a lot to offer for those looking for something a little different.
A welcoming capital
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, has won over the people in recent years, and digital nomads are no exception. It is well known for being one of the most impressive medieval cities in Europe, and because it receives a fraction of the visitors that other European cities receive, it is able to retain its original cozy charm.
Tallinn is also widely considered one of the safest cities in the world, which leaves you with one less thing to worry about if you make it your base of operations for a while.
Tallinn has been called the Silicon Valley of Europe, and remote workers and tech professionals find it an easy place to live. With most things online here, from banking to voting, Estonia seems to have embraced the technology more than other countries.
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Walking through the charming streets of Tallinn’s Old Town, you’ll see numerous coworking spaces, not to mention endless coffee shops to spend the day working. In terms of the Internet, Wi-Fi networks are available throughout the city, and SIM cards can be found almost anywhere. The average download speed in Estonia is around 50 Mbps, and staying connected shouldn’t be a problem for you here.
Tallinn also has an excellent transport system, and most of the city speak a good level of English, which means that your day-to-day life here should be relatively easy to navigate.
digital nomad visa
As an early adopter of the digital nomad movement, Estonia’s digital nomad visa has been in place since August 2020. The scheme allows digital nomads to work and live in the country for up to one year, as long as they can provide proof of income. (currently around $3,760 per month) and meet a few other requirements.
estonia actually offers two different types of digital nomad visas, Type C: which allows a stay of 90 days, and Type D: which allows a full year to live and work in the country. Of course, as part of the Schengen area, Americans and other nationalities can stay in Estonia without a visa for up to 90 days.
the price is ok
Let’s get this straight first, Tallinn is known to be the most expensive city in the Baltics to live in, and there are plenty of other options to choose from in this region if you’re looking for an ultra-budget destination. However, while it can be expensive for the region, Tallinn is much cheaper than most comparable cities in the US or UK.
Prices here are on par with other cities in popular European countries like Italy and Spain. It is important that you do not come to Tallinn expecting cheap Eastern European prices, as they no longer exist here.
A good Airbnb in popular Old Town can cost you anywhere from $1000 to $2000 per month in the peak summer months, but looking outside of the historic center can find you a much better deal. On average, monthly transportation costs can be just under $100.
Food and drinks can be as cheap or fancy as you choose, with plenty of options from street food to fancy rooftop restaurants and bars. While Tallinn may offer some bargains compared to other places, make sure you have your expectations in check before you arrive to avoid disappointment.
Location Location Location
Located in a bay in northern Estonia, Tallinn’s location on the shores of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland makes it a great place to use as a base for exploring the Baltic Sea and beyond. Well connected by air to many other European cities via low-cost carriers, Tallinn is also just a short ferry ride from Helsinki, meaning the opportunities to explore nearby countries in your downtime are endless.
The fashionable capitals of Riga and Vilnius are also easily accessible by bus or train. In the country itself, Tallinn is in a prime location to enjoy the coast in the warmer months and then explore the natural beauty to be found in the Estonian countryside when you need to escape the city.
the disadvantages
Estonia and its neighboring Baltic neighbors are known for their unpredictable weather, and winters can be long and dark. Because of this, many digital nomads choose to enjoy Tallinn in the summer when the weather is nice.
Another factor to consider before moving to Tallinn is that the country has a low monthly salary for nationals and therefore many young professionals tend to seek greener pastures. This “brain drain” may not affect the digital nomads who come here, but it is worth mentioning.
In conclusion, it’s important to remember that no place is perfect, and while it ticks a lot of boxes for digital nomads, in Tallinn you may still have to deal with the occasional hiccup.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
