
The interest of digital nomads in Portugal has gained strength in recent times, marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and the increase in being able to work from home, something which has boosted and encouraged new lifestyles. So, is Portugal a good place for digital nomads? The answer is a firm yes, as Portugal is the country of choice of many professionals who work remotely. It's not surprising, therefore, that Lisbon is the best city in the world for remote workers, specifically long-term remote workers. This is according to the Savills Executive Nomad Index, a ranking that includes 15 places, including the Algarve in 4th position.
Savills' report to find the best cities for remote workers focuses on the following aspects: internet speed, quality of life, climate, air connectivity, and rent in order to determine the best cities for digital nomads. According to the consultancy firm, Lisbon was already a destination of choice for digital nomads in the pre-pandemic period, a scenario that has now gained even more strength.
"The sun and beach climate, coupled with a competitive cost of living, are enticing factors that have attracted qualified talent to Lisbon. The new data from the Savills report also shows that the Portuguese capital has low levels of pollution, and also offers advantages in terms of accessibility and transport connections, with Lisbon Airport very close to the heart of the city," the consultancy firm said in a statement.

Lisbon is becoming increasingly international
Quoted in the statement, Ricardo Garcia, Residential Director of Savills Portugal, also commented on how digital nomads have different preferences when it comes to real estate and that "young professionals rent small flats in the centre" of the capital. On the other hand, he adds, "families look for larger houses in Lisbon or Cascais, a seaside community close to the best international schools".
He also added that, "technology entrepreneurs are also attracted by Lisbon's flourishing status as a technology centre. Real estate costs are low compared to other countries and there is a strong local talent pool, with companies moving their headquarters to Portugal and the city becoming increasingly international. I don't see Lisbon or Portugal slowing down any time soon," he adds.
The best places in Portugal for digital nomads also feature the Algarve which cements Portugal's status as one of the best countries in the world for remote working and digital nomads. The seaside region of Portugal comes 4th on the list, as it offers "many of the same benefits as Lisbon, namely the characteristic climate of southern Portugal and its magnificent beaches that are heard to beat," reads the document.
These are the best places to be a digital nomad in 2022:
Place | Total score | Internet speed | Quality of life | Climate | Airport connections | Rent | |
1 | Lisbon | 32.47 | 7.4 | 9.99 | 5.68 | 5.49 | 3.91 |
2 | Miami | 31.61 | 11.00 | 4.49 | 8.05 | 7.12 | 0.95 |
3 | Dubai | 31.42 | 5.31 | 8.45 | 3.63 | 11.00 | 3.03 |
4 | The Algarve | 30.54 | 8.11 | 9.45 | 6.06 | 2.33 | 4.59 |
5 | Barbados | 30.24 | 6.61 | 5.57 | 11.00 | 2.12 | 4.93 |
6 | Barcelona | 30.05 | 8.91 | 6.53 | 4.15 | 6.51 | 3.95 |
7 | Dubrovnik | 25.30 | 3.31 | 11.00 | 2.57 | 3.14 | 5.27 |
8 | Santa Lucia | 25.04 | 3.30 | 5.38 | 10.60 | 1.00 | 4.76 |
9 | Malta | 23.45 | 7.17 | 2.87 | 5.60 | 3.96 | 3.85 |
10 | Antigua and Barbuda | 22.36 | 1.00 | 3.31 | 10.63 | 1.92 | 5.50 |
11 | Mauritius | 21.45 | 1.00 | 3.24 | 9.29 | 2.43 | 5.40 |
12 | Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) | 20.67 | 6.90 | 4.97 | 3.72 | 4.57 | 0.50 |
13 | Cyprus | 19.70 | 2.05 | 6.78 | 2.13 | 3.96 | 4.70 |
14 | Tuscany | 17.54 | 3.57 | 7.00 | 1.00 | 1.71 | 4.25 |
15 | The Bahamas | 17.40 | 1.95 | 1.00 | 8.61 | 1.31 | 4.53 |