Are you a digital nomad considering moving to Europe in the near future?
Forget about Italy and its overpriced cities.
You’d be lucky to find a one-bedroom rent for less than $1,500 a month; never mind France and the influx of irregular migrants and associated crime surge; as for once-trendy Portugal, we’d advise you to steer clear.
Lisbon residents have made it clear they don’t want you there, even though a successful Digital Nomad Visa program has been launched (though not without pushbacks), and anti-nomad sentiment has been brewing for quite some time now in the once-pacate Southern European country.
A majority of these ‘workcation’ spots are up to here with the rising cost of living, and as locals believe the mass arrival of foreigners is to blame for their rising living costs, social attitudes are changing, and options for the next wave of nomads reaching Europe keep narrowing.
Fortunately, this incredible country with livable cities, fascinating culture, low rates of violence, and most importantly, no ‘nomad fatigue’ that we’re aware of is yet to tell remote workers to ‘go home’ – and we have strong evidence to believe it is one of the Old Continent’s very best:
The country in question is Poland, a Central European gem (or Eastern, based on who you’re asking) that’s always waited on the sidelines to be discovered, first as a tourist destination, now as a nomad hub:
Why Is Poland Great For Digital Nomads?
It may not straddle the Mediterranean, nor enjoy year-round warmer temperatures, but it is home to affordable towns, a scenic countryside dotted with castles, beautiful landmarks, and a thriving entrepreneurial scene.
Affordability
According to Nomad List, not one city in Poland costs over $2,712 to live in, the most expensive being its capital Warsaw, a cosmopolitan conglomerate of towering high-rises and rapidly-developing business districts liked by over 90% of the digital nomad community.
It is the best-equipped nomad destination in Poland, with a plethora of work-friendly cafes, coworking centers, and fully-furnished month-long rentals within walking distance of the cobbled Old Town to choose from, from an acceptable $912 per month.
Nomads think it’s ‘okay’ to live in Warsaw, but Poland can be much cheaper even:
In Krakow, the cultural heart of the country, home to the monumental Wawel Castle and the largest medieval square in Europe, living costs cap at around $2,300 per month, with cheap prices observed for food – you’ll spend on average $9.83 eating local – and rent.
According to Numbeo, rent in Krakow is about 41% cheaper than in Paris, and it’s far from being Poland’s only budget-friendly offer:
- Gdansk, on the Baltic Coast, famous for its Northern Mannerism and ornate facades, will only set you back $2,661 monthly
- Wroclaw, a picturesque historic town littered with medieval treasures costs only $2,276 per month to live
- Szczecin, a casual river port dominated by an imposing 14th-century cathedral, where living costs average $2,137
- Lublin, the cheapest major city in Poland, with a postcard-ready Old Town and quirky internet cafes, costing nomads $1,985 per month
Poland is this cheap due to the lower wages across the country, compared to other members of the European Union like Germany or France, and the fact it is yet to adopt the euro as its currency: 1 dollar equals 4 Polish złoty (in other words, your money will stretch much further here).
Safety
Safety is just as important a factor as affordability, and fortunately for the overcautious, Poland is one of the safest countries in the whole of Europe, just as safe as Iceland, Norway or Finland, minus the expensiveness.
Not only are rates of crime much lower than other Western states – pickpocketing is relatively uncommon, even in larger cities, and violence pretty much non-existent – but it is also not commonly targeted by extremist organizations.
Contrary to France or the United Kingdom, which lead Europe’s fight against religious extremism and are regularly faced with threats themselves, the risk of being affected by the ongoing cultural war is low, as for better or for worse, Polish society is more… homogenous.
Yes, there is some ethnic and cultural diversity, but this is a predominantly culturally Polish country, and hate-fueled cults have had no success establishing a base here, making Poland less of a hotspot for large-scale attacks.
What about the Russo-Ukrainian War, you may be thinking?
Poland Is Double-Protected Against Russia
While it’s true Poland borders Ukraine, it’s not been at all affected by the conflict, except for hosting the largest number of refugees and the axed commercial ties with Russia: you have to remember it is a member of the EU, as well as NATO, and thus double-protected.
If war were ever to spill into Poland, all NATO members would have to react, as they would be obliged to if England, Italy, or Sweden were under attack.
Therefore, to count Poland out as a nomad base based on its proximity to the European war is not only unfounded but foolish.
Poland Welcomes Americans Visa-Free For 90 Days
Poland doesn’t have a Digital Nomad Visa in place as of right now, but like other Schengen countries, it does allow Americans to enter visa-free for a period of up to 90 days out of any 180-day period.
This means you can live as a digital nomad during three months in Poland before being required to leave for an additional three months, but once this period elapses, you can return for three more, essentially reisding in the country for half the time within a year.
When it comes to Schengen Area rules, the most important thing to remember is that you cannot have been present in the territories of member states for more than 90 consecutive days within a six-month window, retrospectively.
Additionally, any time spent in any of the other 28 Schengen countries – these include France, Italy, Germany, Croatia and more recently Bulgaria and Romania – counts towards the amount of time you’re permitted to stay in Poland.
For example, if you’ve been in Germany for 30 days before taking a train into Poland, you don’t get a new 90-day period in the latter: you’ll be authorized to stay in Poland for only 60 days, but do not despair: there are plenty of affordable non-Schengen European countries still.
Check the full list here.
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