Why digital nomads are flocking to this small European country

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Some digital nomads go to Spain for the warm weather, others choose to settle in Portugal, attracted by their slower lifestyle, and there’s always the odd oenophile who can’t stay away from Italy for long – but there are An certain category of expats that their eyes are focused on Czech Republic.

It is a small European country best known for its picturesque capital Prague and is rapidly growing in popularity as an alternative to the usual nomad hotspots of Europe.

Interestingly enough, the Czech Republic is one landlocked country hundreds of kilometers away from the highly sought after Mediterranean, and it is known for its brutal winters. Yet it ranks fifth in this year’s Global Digital Nomad Report, with a score of 90.17 out of 100.

They definitely won’t find mild weather and beaches here, so what is it about the Czech Republic that is suddenly so attractive?

All the cultural attractions you won’t find at home

If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up every day to fresh coffee in your new favorite coffee shop overlooking a cobblestone street, working from an ornate public library and the chimes of belfries in the distance, and living in a literally a fairytale sceneThe Czech Republic is definitely something for you.

It’s a country rich in historyfrom the capital Prague to the castle-studded hills of South Bohemia, and every fairytale village in between, and wherever you move, you can be sure you’ll find the Old World allure you’re looking for.

Of course, Prague is the most obvious example, as it is truly one of the most beautiful cities on the Old Continent, complete with historic bridges, soaring church spiers and a monumental castle, but don’t count out these others just yet:

At least 5 major cities to choose from

Prague may be the only metropolis in the true sense of the word, but there are at least five Czech cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants that are equally promising nomadic centers. Brnothe second largest city with over 400,000 inhabitants, has a lively café culture and a beautiful medieval center.

Plzeň (or Pilsen), is the Czech beer capital and birthplace of the drink of the same name, but that’s not the only reason why 187,000 people stay: it has a compact, largely car-free Old Town, a relaxed regional atmosphere, and only a small fraction of the tourists that Prague receives.

The fourth largest city, Liberec, is a maze of streets full of postcards graceful Renaissance buildingsand to round out the top five, Olomouc is a peaceful city characterized by elegant squares, dominated by baroque fountains, richly decorated churches and charming cafés.

Quality of life that cannot be offered anywhere else

For the average American who lives in an average American mid-sized city, is completely dependent on his car and is used to long daily commutes, whether driving to work, running errands or heading into town for a few beers on the weekend with friends, The Czech Republic will feel like a breath of fresh air.

Imagine walkable cities with a multitude of green spaces and vibrant commercial areas – none of the usual urban deserts associated with the suburbs – streetcars that both run on time and reach deep into the suburbs, and none of the usual traffic jams.

Besides being walkable, so are Czech cities remarkably clean: the air quality is good, visual pollution is low (forget the large billboards and flashing lights) and litter is minimal. Even after an occasionally wild weekend, you’re unlikely to wake up in the aftermath to a littered downtown area.

It is affordable according to European standards

Affordability often plays a key role in a country’s popularity as a haven for digital nomads, and let’s face it: who would bother moving across the pond, with all the cultural challenges that entails, only to be poorer at the end?

Fortunately for aspiring expats, the Czech Republic is one of the most affordable destinations in the European Union. Although prices can vary greatly from city to city, and Prague is certainly on the more expensive side, you can live a comfortable life there earn about $3,000 per month.

Again, if you go to Prague, expect to pay a lot more in rent: a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs an average of $1,215. However, in a smaller city like Brno you can get a much larger apartment just a few steps from the main square. $580 per month.

Safe streets

Besides being beautiful and affordable, the Czech Republic stands shoulder to shoulder with countries like Poland, Croatia and Estonia as one of the safest countries to live in in Europe. Yes, pickpocketing in urban centers is still an inconvenience, especially in the capital, but overall it is crime figures terribly low.

The Czech Republic has largely thwarted the terrorist threat destabilizing the continent – ​​there have been only two terrorism-related arrests since 2015 – and when it comes to immigration, the number of irregular newcomers is insignificant compared to that of France or Germany.

Whether you go on a weekend pub crawl through Prague, use public transport alone as a woman, or walk home from the gym late at night, the risk of being robbed or attacked is for the most part insignificant.

The perfect base to explore Europe

Last but not least, the Czech Republic’s geographical location makes it an excellent destination for digital nomads who would like to have a European base to, well, discover Europe. Are right at the crossroads between East and Westand it offers excellent transport links to all its neighbours.

For example, Dresden in Germany it’s a short 2 to 3 hour FlixBus ride from Prague, with tickets costing around $16 if you book them in advance. Upon reaching Bratislavathe well-preserved medieval capital of Slovakia, is a 4 to 5 hour train journey and approximately the same distance to Vienna in Austria.

Of course, if you’re traveling longer distances, that $20 Ryanair flight direct from Prague airport will still get you wherever you need to go on the wider continent. The only real downside to the Czech Republic is how brutally cold it can get in winter, but on the other hand, sun-drenched Malaga in Spain is only a 3h20 flight away.

Just saying.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.