Europe is every digital nomad’s favorite playground: it’s the one continent where you can easily cross borders hassle-free, experience different cultures, and see breathtaking, incredibly diverse sceneries while still traveling (somewhat) short distances.
The only major downside to Europe?
You can’t stay for long at all, as a whopping 29 European countries apply the Schengen acquis.
In other words, non-Europeans can only be present in their territory for 90 days out of every 180.
That’s not nearly enough time, considering any time you spent in any of the 29 counts towards the 90-day limit, but something nomads may not know is that there are alternative destinations that not only completely disregard Schengen rules, but allow them to stay longer.
That is the case with 5 European countries:
Cyprus
Tucked away in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus is where Greek and Turkish cultures meet, and an island lapped by teal-colored waters (and quite literally, littered with historical sites): we’re talking millennia-old ruins, ancient temples and cobbled towns with origins lost to time.
It’s one of the trendiest ‘workcation’ destinations in Europe not only due to its temperate climate and nomad infrastructure – inland capital Nicosia and coastal resort Limassol offer a plethora of work-friendly cafes and coworking centers – but also its attractive visa policy.
As Cyprus does not participate in the Schengen Area (yet), digital nomads can stay in the country for 90 additional days independently of time spent in other European countries, making the island a popular Schengen ‘reset’ destination for those who need to wait outside the area for a few months.
Albania
At the heart of the Balkans, Albania is one of Europe’s most underrated gems, home to towering alpine peaks, sandy beaches hugged by a crystal-clear Adriatic, arguably the most beautiful branch of the Med, and forever torn between its Christian and Muslim identities.
Tirana, its quirky capital, is an unlikely nomad haven in the Old Continent, with its abnormally high concentration of cafes – 67.8 such establishments per 10,000 inhabitants – while the country as a whole welcomes long-term visitors on a budget to the tune of $1,211 per month.
Besides the cultural wealth, sunny weather, unspoiled coast, and affordable pricing, Albania is distinct for allowing Americans to stay a whole entire year visa-free, while other foreign nationals get an automatic 90 days upon landing, regardless of previous Schengen stays.
Montenegro
Just north of Albania, on the same stretch of the Adriatic coast, Montenegro is dubbed the ‘mini Croatia’, thanks to its host of picturesque, historic coastal settlements, with the fairytale towns of Budva and Kotor to name a couple, and majestic rugged nature that rivals its famous sister’s.
Montenegro may use the euro as its (un)official currency, but don’t be fooled by it: it’s far from being yet another overpriced European country with strict entry regulations (in fact, it’s not even in the European Union, let alone the dreaded Schengen Area).
It’s much cheaper than Croatia, Italy and the like, with life in Bar, its liveliest coastal city, costing $1,727 per month according to Nomad List, and much like their Albanian neighbors, Montenegrin authorities allow remote workers to stay for three months uninterrupted, having been in Schengen or not.
United Kingdom
We know what you’re thinking: London is probably one of the last countries you’d ever consider relocating temporarily to as a digital nomad unless you’re earning over $5,000 a month, but hey, London is not representative of the whole of the UK.
It’s still a fairly expensive country to live in, but you can lead a relatively affordable nomad lifestyle (by Anglosphere standards) outside the British capital where rent is much cheaper, and servings in inexpensive local restaurants will average $12.65.
Plus, if you’re the sociable type, which most nomads are, there’s truly no better place to make local friends than a British pub in a Northern England mid-size city – and guess what, you can stay 180 days in Britain as a visitor, and the Government’s even formally allowed you to work as a nomad.
Georgia
Sitting right on the continental divide between Europe and Asia, Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state) is one of those unheard-of places most wouldn’t know, for instance, is the birthplace of Stalin, or where wine (yeah, wine) originated from, yet there you have it.
Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, is a vibrant, architecturally eclectic metropolis with a booming nomad scene, where you can choose from a myriad of work-friendly cafes, rent one-bedroom flats for as cheap as $401 a month, and have a slow-paced life knowing you don’t need to leave anytime soon.
By that we mean a whole year, and unlike Albania, which only extends this generosity to U.S. passport holders, several more non-Georgians can remain in the national territory for a consecutive 365 days, including Canadians, Europeans, Mexicans and certain South American nationals.
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