Dubai most popular destination for digital nomads

Dubai stands out as the number one destination for digital nomads in 2024, according to new data.

The office advisory service Instant Offices have ranked 61 locations based on affordability, weather, broadband speed and other factors to reveal the best places to be a digital nomad.

Dubai has a strong reputation as an international business hub with excellent infrastructure. The UAE city also offers a special one-year Virtual Work Residency Visa.

You will have no worries about connectivity while working in sunny Dubai – there are over 23,000 wi-fi hotspots throughout the city, with an average broadband speed of 230mbps.

Dubai also has a climate that attracts digital nomads from around the world, getting an annual average of 3,500 hours of sunshine.

Not far behind Dubai is Lisbon, the Portuguese coastal capital, which is a food-lovers haven, and one of the sunniest places in Europe.

With more than 7,000 wi-fi hotspots and an average broadband speed of 98mbps, the city is ideal for enjoying the sun and surfing while still working productively.

Madrid ranks third for its affordability, robust infrastructure and vibrant startup ecosystem, offering a balanced work-exploration experience. 

What is a digital nomad?

A digital nomad is a remote worker who travels and works simultaneously, visiting locations worldwide and working from beaches, coffee shops and coworking spaces.

Some digital nomads only travel for a few months, and others do it for years. Research suggests that nearly 30 per cent of digital nomads prefer to stay in one location for one to two months, while 26 per cent stay for three to four months and 16 per cent stay for five to seven months.

There are already 35 million digital nomads worldwide, and the trend is being driven by technology, growing demand for flexible workspaces and the increasing adoption of hybrid work.