Explore my community and my wonderful studios in RETHYMNO – CRETE: 620€/...

Explore my community and my wonderful studios in RETHYMNO – CRETE: 620€/...

5 Reasons Why Greece Is Perfect For Digital Nomads

1. Greece, the country synonymous with the magnificent ruins enriched with thousands of years of history and philosophy is slowly turning into a favourite country among the digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and the remote workers across the world.

Aug 26, 2017·3 min read

With COVID slowing the tourism economy Greece usually relies on, this beautiful island dotted country is welcoming digital nomads with open arms. Here’s a few reasons Greece is perfect for digital nomads.

1. Beautiful Locations to Inspire & Network

Whether it’s the ruins that beckon the travelers or the gorgeous islands along the Aegean coastline with views to behold, Greece has it all.

According to the Nomad List, Athens, Rethymno, Santorini, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Patras and Crete are the favourite cities of Greece for digital nomads, with Rethymno topping the list based on the Nomad score which is calculated taking many parameters into consideration.

2. Well Connected & Easy to Travel

Greece offers visa free travel for up to 30 days to more than 50 nationals worldwide, as compared to many nations in Europe, making it easy to travel. Also, once in the country, it’s convenient to move in the cities or go island hopping — whether it’s the famous Rhodes or the majestic Santorini.

Plus, thanks to the many budget carriers and short travel time, it’s easy to visit the neighbouring cities in other countries. The best and the largest airline in Greece is Aegean air, which provides the best prices for cities in Europe, with the flight to Milan in Italy costing as low as 50 Euros!

3. Good Internet Connectivity

One of the top parameters for the digital nomads and remote workers is the internet connectivity, which is obviously an indispensable part of their lives. Taking this into account, the internet connectivity is good in most of the places in Greece. May be not as great as many other top cities in western Europe, but it is good nevertheless.

As expected, the capital city Athens has a great speed at 10 Mbps, followed by Rhodes that has an average of 4 Mbps, while the rest of the cities have an average speed of 3Mbps.

The average cost of the connection depends on the providers and the cities, but it must not cost more if you move to coworking places for work. It would cost around 230 Euros per month for a coworking space in Athens.

Recommended: Nomad Paradise in Greece

4. Great Night Life

Digital nomads swear by the words ‘Work hard, party harder’, and Greece does not disappoint this new generation of remote workers. The vibrant island of Rhodes, the bustling capital Athens and

Santorini rank top among the cities with a great night life.

Obviously, you cannot compare it to the party destinations in Asia for an economical nightlife, but we bet you can party without digging too deep into your pockets!

5. Safety

Safety is one of the important factors to consider when you are new cities. Especially for the digital nomads that are hauling around expensive laptops, cameras and other gadgets, you can’t overlook safety.

Greece is better than many of the countries in the world when it comes to safety, particularly for solo female digital nomads, travelers or entrepreneurs.

Athens, Santorini and Rethymno are safe havens for a majority of digital nomads.

For a detailed report on the cities of Greece for things like accessibility, actual coworking spaces, amenities accustomed to in the rest of Europe, prices of everyday items and more, check this page here.

Before you pack your bags and jump on the next flight, find the perfect digital nomad pad at extremely affordable prices.

Recommended: Why is Croatia the new digital nomad hang out?

Have a property in Greece you want to rent out? List your property with us here.

Are you (or want to be) a digital nomad in Europe? Join our community of nomads in our Facebook Group.

Experts Give Greece Tips on How to Attract Digital Nomads

 

Posted On 04 Mar 2021By : Eleftheria Pantziou

 The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has forced many people to change the way they live and work but has also given remote workers the opportunity to relocate and tap into the benefits of digital nomadism.

Digital nomads are people that travel intensively and “take” their job with them.

In recent years, the term “remote worker” has emerged stronger, referring to people that work remotely as independent professionals or for a company, but do not constantly travel.

Since early 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has created a new kind of digital nomad: This is a person that works remotely (usually) for large corporations and temporarily relocates but will probably continue to travel after the pandemic subsides.

A significant change

This new trend is considered by travel and labor experts as one of the most significant changes in the way people work and travel globally.

“It is one of the greatest shifts that we’ll probably see in our lifetime,” said David Williams, co-founder and CEO of NomadX , a global co-living marketplace for digital nomads, remote workers and digital professionals.

Williams participated in a panel discussion titled “Is Greece attractive for digital migrants?” that was recently held online during the “Greece: Competing for global talent” virtual event.

                                                     

“It is also a great opportunity for countries to adopt new visa policies and attract remote workers. There are so many remote workers around the world at the moment, and many wish to become digital nomads,” he added

According to Williams, there are around 10 million digital nomads in the United States at the moment.

Moreover, the number of digital nomads is expected to reach 1 billion globally by 2035.

What do digital nomads seek?

Southeastern Mediterranean destinations such as the Canary islands and Portugal have attracted a large number of digital nomads during the last few years. They are considered ideal destinations for offering a number of key incentives.

 

Further analyzing the market, Goncalo Hall, co-founder of Remote Work Movement Podcast referred to the “tools” that digital nomads seek for in a destination. These are:

 

– high-quality internet

– communities of like-minded people

– opportunities to mingle with locals

– affordable housing

– government incentives and

– partnerships with local businesses and international companies.

 Hall’s company provides interviews of outstanding people doing their best work, remotely.

 Ιs Greece attractive for digital nomads?

Referring to Greece’s potential, David William said the country is considered a phenomenal location for digital nomads due to its climate, history and other comparative advantages.

 

Citing data from NomadX’s social media community counting 12,000 active members, Williams said that most digital nomads working from Greece are based in Athens, as well as on the islands of Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos.

 

Challenges

 However, he stressed that digital nomads working from Greece are up against significant challenges including poor infrastructure and slow wifi connection; insufficient taxi services; unaffordable housing; lack of government incentives and niche-friendly options for non residents.

 In order to overcome these obstacles and move forward, Greece should build a digital nomad community with the support of the public and private sector, according to Goncalo Hall. He added that the public sector could offer the necessary infrastructure while private bodies could provide their knowhow.

 Nacho Rodríguez, founder of repeople.co, agreed with Hall.

 “Greece features a large tourism industry which has obviously stopped due to the pandemic. All economies that depend on tourism are looking for alternatives. Attracting talent and remote workers can work as a substitute for tourism,” he said during the same event.

 What needs to be done?

 According to Rodríguez, if Greece manages to take the necessary steps and create a digital nomad community, reform taxes and infrastructure, and build an integrated package, it will be able to attract digital nomads.

 Repeople.co is a company working with digital nomads on the Canary Islands.

 Greece: Gov’t efforts and initiatives

Attracting remote workers has become a priority for the Greek government in recent months.

 Speaking during the same event, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis referred to the progress that has been made with the roll out of advanced 5G technology in Greece, and the introduction of tax incentives for digital nomads.

 

In addition, Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis referred to the launch of a business visa for entrepreneurs that wish to visit Greece and establish business relations and partnerships; and a student visa for students that wish to tap into the educational opportunities offered in Greece.

 Varvitsiotis also announced the establishment of an integrated digital service for digital nomads looking to relocate to Greece.

 The “Greece: Competing for global talent” virtual event was organized by the Delphi Economic Forum.

 

What is a Digital Nomad and How Do You Become One?

The term “digital nomad” is used to describe a new generation of young professionals in the digital age who work remotely while traveling the world. The phrase may have been coined in 1997 by Tsugio Makimoto and Dave Manners in a book with the same title. It has been more commonly used in recent years, with many people taking advantage of the wide range of conveniences that technology allows us. 

Now that it is possible to stay connected on mobile devices in distant locations, employees, freelancers, and business owners have the option to work from their favorite place in the world. 

Like the nomads of centuries past, digital nomads can move with the seasons, or whenever they feel like visiting a new place. Another term used is “slow traveler,” and many people are using the lifestyle as a way to experience the world while staying financially sustainable. The more energetic and youthful digital nomads change location from month to month, while others may spend long periods to get to know a city or country. 

Not everyone has the option to be footloose and independent in their working arrangements. But in a world that is increasingly technology-driven and with more employers offering flexible modes of work, the digital nomad life is becoming more widely available.     

  

The Pros and Cons of Being a Digital Nomad 

As with any other lifestyle and workstyle option, there are costs and benefits to balance out. Here are some of the main things to consider.

Pros of Being a Digital Nomad 

·         Unlimited travel: You have unlimited opportunities to travel to all the parts of the world that you have always dreamed about. Although there may be practical limitations related to some locations, in theory you can visit anywhere and overcome any challenges. 

·         Complete freedom: The freedom and flexibility mean that you don’t need to make commitments or follow a particular agenda. You can make your plans as you travel and move to any place that seems like a good idea at the time.

·         Fulfillment: The experience of traveling to new places and trying out new things is hugely enjoyable and fulfilling. The greater variety will lead to happier lives and a rich source of inspiration, which is especially beneficial to people working in creative fields.

·         Explore hobbies: Digital nomads have the chance to select locations based on their favorite free-time activities. Those that enjoy scuba diving may choose to spend months in Thailand, while those that enjoy hiking can head to Patagonia.  

·         Networking: In many locations, there are chances to network and attend events, which can increase professional opportunities. It is possible to find others in the same situation as you and there are communities of positive digital nomads working in various fields. 

·         Continued learning: Living and working abroad is a unique learning experience for all people to discover different cultures, ways of living, and important global issues. 

Cons of Being a Digital Nomad 

·         Adjustment to freedom: When you’re used to working in a more traditional, 9 to 5 structure, the independence of being a digital nomad can be difficult to adjust to. Without a formal structure, some people can struggle with time management and organizational skills. This takes discipline, which can be particularly challenging for certain people. 

·         Isolation: Independence can be liberating, but it can also lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. For this reason, it is important to develop networks and attend events where you can meet like-minded people.  

·         Unfamiliar territory: Living and working in other countries is rewarding and enjoyable, but it is also beset by unfamiliar challenges. There could be issues with local laws, cultures, cuisine, or climate, to name a few potential difficulties. An allowance should be made for an adjustment period, as it is difficult to plan for the unknown.