When you’re traveling, feeling unsafe can kill the vibe instantly. And for digital nomads, especially female travelers, it can be extra frustrating when you want to enjoy a destination, but you feel paralyzed by paranoia that something bad will happen. However, there’s no need to get cold feet for your upcoming travel plans due to safety concerns. You can easily kick off your next remote work adventure with these safe, beginner-friendly European cities.
The safest European cities for digital nomads:
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Porto, Portugal
- San Sebastian, Spain
- Gran Canaria, Spain
- Bern, Switzerland
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Timișoara, Romania
- Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Groningen, Netherlands
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Bayern, Germany
- Tartu, Estonia
- Prague, Czech Republic
This list was compiled from different nomad-related websites and our own experiences. So keep reading to discover some of the most stress-free digital nomad destinations!
How to know if a European city is safe for digital nomads?
Safety can mean different things to each individual, but some general aspects of a safe destination include:
- Straightforward, predictable transportation
- Positive attitudes towards strangers
- Positive attitudes towards minority groups
- Low rates of petty crime
- Low rates of felony crimes
- A peaceful political situation
- Stable and strong institutions
- Protective laws that are enforced
- A clean environment
If a city or country you plan to visit possesses these traits, it’s likely that you will enjoy it with the peace of mind that you are out of harm’s way.
What are the safest European cities for digital nomads?
We’ve categorized areas of safety as follows:
- Quality of life
- Crime
- Healthcare
- Pollution
- Scams
- Laws
- Language
- Attitudes
All of the cities on this list fulfill the criteria above to a satisfactory level. So let’s now dive into our choices for the safest European cities.
Lisbon and Porto, Portugal
Portugal is on top of many lists of Europe’s safest countries. This is due to its major cities Lisbon and Porto having low crime rates, allowing travelers to calmly bask in their beauty. These coastal jewels are great for travelers who seek adventure, but are still cautious to avoid dangerous situations.
Life in Lisbon – is it safe for digital nomads?
The quality of life in Lisbon is great due to low crime rates and many travelers ranking the city safe. The only aspect that could be improved, according to Nomadlist.com, is public health. As well, some travelers rated the local people as not the friendliest,however their excellent level of English helps to make up for any possible misunderstandings. It is advised however to practice having a thicker skin!
Life in Porto, is it safe for digital nomads?
When it comes to Porto, the safety ratings are as high as they are in Lisbon. However, many travelers do prefer to stay in Porto while in Portugal due to its lower cost of living, as well as it having a bit more of a nomad-friendly atmosphere. You can easily work remotely from Portugal for a UK based company, or some other company.
More health and safety traits of Porto:
- Crime – Extremely low
- Healthcare – There’s an abundance of public hospitals, but this can be improved
- Pollution – Great air quality
- Scams – Not so high
- Laws – Protected
Spain – Are Gran Canaria and San Sebastian safe for digital nomads?
When it comes to Spain, Gran Canaria is a great choice for anyone concerned with safety. It’s practically perfect, with its only flaw being that the locals there don’t speak the best English. Naturally that can be an inconvenience for emergencies. Nevertheless, Gran Canaria is a popular digital nomad destination, so this will surely change over time.
San Sebastian’s safety rankings are high, although it can be an expensive destination. Some travelers have also noted that there’s not an abundance of coworking spaces, so San Sebastian might be a bit better for a holiday.
If your heart is set on Spain, check out our article about its digital nomad visa.
Switzerland: Are Bern and Zurich safe for digital nomads?
Switzerland is known as one of the safest countries in Europe as crime rates are very low and public safety is high. Moreover, corruption rates are low and institutions function very well.
Is Timișoara, Romania safe for digital nomads?
Romania might have an undeserved reputation as a country to be wary of. In some parts of the country, petty crime can be an issue, but in Timișoara, travelers have remarked that it is extremely safe and enjoyable.
Is Ljubljana, Slovenia safe for digital nomads?
One of the safest places in Central Europe is Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city that looks like it came straight out of a fairytale. Rich in history and beauty, locals are known for their calm demeanor and politeness, so it’s no wonder that it’s not dangerous. It’s also known as a great place for young people, and Ljubljana is one of our top 5 best cities to live in the Balkans!
Is Groningen, Netherlands safe for digital nomads?
Yes! According to many happy travelers, Groningen is a lovely place to stay as a digital nomad. This is due to its open-minded and peace-loving citizens.
Reykjavik, Iceland – Is it safe for travelers?
With very low crime rates and an LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere, Reykjavik is very safe for travelers. The city gets very cold and has high prices, but visiting Reykjavik is an experience not to be missed! If you are looking for something warmer and more affordable, check out our list of the cheapest European islands you can visit!
How safe is Munich, Germany for digital nomads?
In the beautiful Bavaria region, Munich is a true gem. A lot of travelers reported it as safe, with the only issue being that the public wifi is not widely spread. Others lamented that it is also very pricey. But with a well-organized budget, it won’t be an issue.
Is Tartu, Estonia safe for digital nomad travelers?
Tartu has long been a safe city with low crime rates and a friendly environment. Estonia in general is rich in technological development, and it’s a great destination if you want an adventure under safe conditions.
Prague, Czech Republic – Is it safe for digital nomads?
Prague is not only a lovely city that’s great for first time travelers and solo digital nomads, but many reported feeling safe there. It boasts reliable transportation and fairly low prices as well. We recommend it as a great starting point for a European adventure!
How to stay safe in Europe as a digital nomad?
Don’t worry, we won’t advise with stock answers, like telling you to not go out at night, or to avoid talking to strangers. Traveling should be exciting and full of making new connections. So how can these things be done safely?
The first thing is to always have backup–meaning a powerbank for your phone, a second credit card and always have credit on your phone. You should also always know your way back to your accommodation, or at least have a safe address saved on Google that you can retreat to. This will help you in case of emergencies.
When it comes to the day-to-day of traveling, it is important to steer clear of scams! Unverified or too-good-to-be-true discounts on tours, tickets, accommodations and especially transportation should be avoided. You’re better off taking the time to research local prices and rely on trusted apps like Uber for transportation, rather than winging it and going in a random taxi where the driver is pressuring you.
Another good practice is to watch or read the local news of a particular country so that you know what is going on while you’re there. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises. And in case some unexpected mishaps do happen, always trust that someone will help you because they will!
What are the friendliest digital nomad European cities?
According to Nomadlist and Numbeo, the safest cities in Europe for digital nomads have one big thing in common–they are friendly towards remote working visitors.
Nomadlist outlined the following European cities as the most digital nomad friendly:
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Madeira, Portugal
- Gran Canaria, Spain
- Timișoara, Romania
- Berlin, Germany
- Porto, Portugal
- Portimao, Portugal
- Fuerteventura, Spain
- Lagos, Portugal
- Tenerife, Spain
- Brasov, Romania
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Varna, Bulgaria
Conversely, Numbeo lists the following European cities:
- San Sebastian, Spain
- Bern, Switzerland
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Munich, Germany
- Trondheim, Norway
- Tartu, Estonia
- The Hague, Netherlands
- Basel, Switzerland
- Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Groningen, Netherlands
- Zagreb, Croatia
- Tampere, Finland
- Cluj-Napoc, Romania
What is the ideal city for a digital nomad?
For us, the ideal city for digital nomads is one which can fulfill all of your requirements, and then some! As digital nomads, it is important to have reliable and dependable conditions for online work. Some places might not satisfy those requirements and are better off being avoided.
Other than the most essential things needed for online work, there really are no specific indicators of what makes a city ideal. Each traveler can find their own little heaven on Earth according to their specific desires, and that’s the beauty of exploring. Some countries even offer digital nomad visas.
Now that you know how to stay safe, and where the best place to start your travels are, it’s time to go out and explore!
How to travel Europe as a digital nomad?
Get a remote job! Even though that is easier said than done, it is not impossible.
We at Support Adventure offer remote jobs. We’re an expat-run outsourcing company that hires digital nomads just like you, making it possible to travel or relocate to your perfect destination.
If you are an IT specialist (remote helpdesk engineer), or feel capable of of doing service desk coordination work, go ahead and check the details here to apply for your dream remote job!
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