April Jereza moved to Madrid, Spain in 2017 after quitting her finance job in Canada and taking a pay cut to teach English as a language assistant. She fell in love with the lively and vibrant city, where people value leisure time and work-life balance. Madrid was recently ranked as the best city for remote work, thanks to its quality of life, safety, internet infrastructure, and travel options. Working professionals in the city typically work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., take long lunch breaks, and enjoy socializing after work before having dinner around 9 p.m. Spaniards are guaranteed 25 days of paid vacation per year and have a good work-life balance.
Madrid’s low cost of living is a major factor contributing to Jereza’s quality of life. Despite earning less in Madrid than she did in Canada, Jereza is able to live comfortably on a lower salary. For example, her studio apartment costs 600 euros per month, and she saves 900 euros a month by not needing a car and using public transit instead. However, she notes that working in Spain with a U.S. or Canadian salary goes much further than working with a Spanish salary due to inflation. Madrid offers a network of cafes and coworking spaces where remote workers can feel connected with others while still working independently.
The city of Madrid offers benefits for remote workers, such as low taxes and expat visa options targeted towards freelancers and remote workers. Spain has its own digital nomad visa for international teleworkers, further enhancing its appeal for professionals looking to work remotely. April Jereza now works as a product manager for a multinational social media agency from its Madrid office and works remotely part of the week. Madrid’s lively atmosphere, friendly people, and work-life balance make it an ideal destination for professionals seeking a change of pace and a high quality of life.
Madeira, Portugal, was ranked as the second-best city for remote work, offering competitive tax rates, residency options, coworking spaces, and a growing startup community for digital nomads. Portugal has become a popular destination for Americans seeking to live abroad, with a significant increase in foreign residents in recent years. Toronto, Canada, rounded out the top three on the list, known for its safety, quality of life, diverse population, and economic growth. About half of Toronto’s residents were born outside of Canada, making it a welcoming and multicultural city for expats.
Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, with professionals seeking opportunities to live and work abroad while maintaining their careers. The ability to work remotely offers flexibility, independence, and the chance to experience new cultures and lifestyles. Cities like Madrid, Madeira, and Toronto offer a blend of work opportunities, quality of life, and affordability that make them attractive options for remote workers. With the rise of digital nomad visas and coworking spaces, professionals have more options than ever to work remotely from around the world while staying connected with others in the global workforce.
