Those who work remotely can do so from home or, if possible, take advantage of opening their laptop on a small outdoor table in a city that isn’t theirs, but one that they gradually come to know. The true strength of this way of working thus becomes the luxury of not restricting vacation to a fixed timeframe, but building a daily routine that tastes of travel.
People travel and work remotely to discover, challenge themselves, connect with the locals and experience the destination in an immersive way rather than simply as passing guests. And turning this desire into reality can cost far less than you imagine.
This is the story told by the Working Abroad Index 2026 from the neobank bunq, which compared 75 cities around the world from the perspective of those who work in smart working. They considered rent, groceries, utilities and transport, but also the essentials a digital nomad cannot do without, such as wifi and mobile phone services. The result is a map of places where working while traveling becomes a concrete project.
The most affordable cities in Europe for remote work
To live a digital nomad experience, you don’t necessarily need to catch an intercontinental flight. If you want to work remotely in Europe, the compass points east, and the most accessible destination according to the ranking is Bucharest. Here, €927 per month is enough to live in the Romanian capital, which offers a good balance of affordable costs, plenty of leisure opportunities, widespread accommodation options, fast internet, and a warm welcome to foreigners. A digital nomad couldn’t ask for more!
Sofia also proves highly competitive, along with Budapest, which, despite price increases, remains within reach for remote workers with a monthly outlay of around €1,182. One works by day and, once the computer is turned off, retreats into the steam and relaxation of the baths. Not bad, right?
If the cold isn’t for you, the destination to reach is Athens, where monthly expenses run around €1,153. Rounding out the picture are Riga, where the experience costs about €1,092, and Marseille, which with around €1,424 offers the sea just a stone’s throw from the desk.
Chiang Mai and the world’s most affordable destinations
Those seeking a different experience, far from Europe, should cast their gaze to Southeast Asia. The cheapest destination to reach is Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, where among golden temples, mountains and night markets offering the best street-food specialties, life for a remote worker costs €541 per month.
Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City are not far behind, offering a decent lifestyle with a budget of roughly €659 to €792. Half a world away, breaking the Asian dominance, there’s Oaxaca in Mexico: color, flavors and traditions for about €867 per month.
Where to work remotely in Italy
And for those who want to work remotely in Italy? Among the cities analyzed, the most affordable turned out to be Rome with around €1,527 per month, excluding coworking subscriptions.
Florence sits in the middle, at about €1,708. Milan is the most expensive in the group with around €1,970, but prices still remain lower than the major European hubs.
