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Are you a digital nomad and are you considering moving to Europe in the near future?
Forget Italy and its expensive cities.
You’d be lucky to find a one-bedroom rental for less than $1,500 per month; let alone France and the influx of illegal migrants and the associated increase in crime; as for once trendy Portugal, we advise you to stay away.
Lisbon residents have that has made it clear they don’t want you there, even though a successful Digital Nomad Visa program has been launched (though not without setbacks), and Anti-nomad sentiment is brewing for quite some time in the once quiet southern European country.
A majority of these ‘workcation’ places are experiencing the rising cost of living, and as locals believe that the mass arrival of foreigners is responsible for their rising cost of living, social attitudes are changing and options for the next wave of nomads bigger. Reaching Europe remains smaller.
Fortunately, this incredible country with liveable cities, a fascinating culture, little violence and, most importantly, no ‘nomad fatigue’ of which we are aware, cannot yet tell the remote workers to ‘go home’ – and we have strong evidence to support this. to support this. believe it to be one of the very best on the Old Continent:
The country in question is Polanda Central European gem (or Eastern, depending on who you ask) that has always been waiting on the sidelines to be discovered, first as a tourist destination, now as a nomadic center:
Why is Poland great for digital nomads?
It may not be on the Mediterranean Sea, nor does it enjoy warmer temperatures all year round, but it is home to affordable towns, picturesque countryside dotted with castles, beautiful sights and a thriving entrepreneurial scene.
Affordability
According to Nomad list, not one city in Poland It costs over $2,712 to live in, the most expensive of which is the capital Warsaw, a cosmopolitan conglomerate of towering high-rises and rapidly developing business districts loved by over 90% of the digital nomad community.
It’s the best-equipped nomad destination in Poland, with an abundance of work-friendly cafes, coworking centers and fully furnished monthly rentals within walking distance of the cobbled Old Town to choose from, from an acceptable $912 per month.
Nomads think it’s ‘okay’ to live in Warsaw, but… Poland can even be much cheaper:
In Krakow, the cultural heart of the country, home to the monumental Wawel Castle and the largest medieval square in Europe, the cost of living is around $2,300 per month, while prices for food are cheap – you spend an average of $9 .83 out local food – and rent.
According to Numbeorent in Krakow is about 41% cheaper than in Parisand it’s far from Poland’s only budget-friendly offering:
- Gdańskon the Baltic coast, famous for its northern mannerism and ornate facades, will cost you just $2,661 per month
- Wroclawa picturesque historic town littered with medieval treasures costs just $2,276 a month to live
- Szczecinan informal river port dominated by an imposing 14th-century cathedral, where living costs an average of $2,137
- LublinPoland’s cheapest big city, with a postcard-ready Old Town and quirky internet cafes, costing nomads $1,985 a month
Poland is so cheap because of lower wages throughout the country, compared to other European Union members such as Germany or France, and the fact that the country has not yet adopted the euro as its currency: 1 dollar is equal to 4 Polish zloty (in other words, your money will stretch much further here).
Safety
Safety is as important a factor as affordability, and fortunately for the overly cautious, Poland is one of the safest countries in all of Europe, as safe as Iceland, Norway or Finland, minus the costs.
Not only are the crime rates much lower than in other Western states; pickpocketing is relatively uncommon, even in larger cities, and violence is virtually non-existent – but it is Also not often targeted by extremist organizations.
Unlike France and Britain, which are leading the European fight against religious extremism and are themselves regularly confronted with threats, the risk of being affected by the ongoing cultural war is low, as Polish society, both for the better as if for the worse, more… homogeneous.
Yes there is some ethnic and cultural diversity, but this is a predominantly culturally Polish country, and hate-fueled sects have failed to establish a base here, making Poland less of a hotspot for large-scale attacks.
What about the Russian-Ukrainian war, you may be thinking?
Poland is doubly protected against Russia
Although it is true that Poland borders Ukraine, it has not been affected by the conflict at all, apart from hosting the largest number of refugees and breaking commercial ties with Russia: you have to remember that the country is a member of the EU, and also from NATO. and therefore double protected.
If war ever entered Poland, all NATO members would have to respond, as they would be obliged to if England, Italy or Sweden were attacked.
Therefore, it is not only unfounded but also foolish to label Poland as a nomadic base based on its proximity to the European war.
Poland welcomes 90-day visa-free Americans
Poland does not currently have a Digital Nomad Visa, but like other Schengen countries it allows Americans to enter visa-free for a period of up to 90 days out of a 180-day period.
This means you can live as a digital nomad in Poland for three months before having to leave for another three months, but once this period has passed you can return for another three months, essentially traveling around the country for a period of three months. half the time within a year.
When it comes to the rules of the Schengen area, the most important thing to remember is that retroactively you cannot have been present on the territory of the Member States for more than 90 consecutive days within a six-month period.
In addition, any time you spend in any of the other 28 Schengen countries – including France, Italy, Germany, Croatia and most recently Bulgaria and Romania – counts towards the amount of time you are allowed to stay in Poland.
For example, if you spent 30 days in Germany before taking the train to Poland, In the latter case you will not receive a new period of 90 days: you are only allowed to stay in Poland for 60 days, but don’t despair: they are available a lot of from affordable European non-Schengen countries.
View the full list here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
