Krakow has been recognized as the best city in Europe for digital nomads due to its affordable prices, high level of security, and fast internet. The new study covered dozens of popular destinations and showed a clear trend in favor of Central and Eastern Europe. Find out more about the cities included in the ranking and how much it will cost to live as a digital nomad in 2026

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Poland's Krakow has been named the best city in Europe for digital nomads in 2026, according to a new study by Playerstime analysts, as reported by the Daily Mail. The city received the highest rating due to a balanced combination of cost of living, safety, and quality of infrastructure for remote work.

The study analyzed dozens of popular destinations, and Krakow demonstrated the best value for money, leaving behind even the capitals of Western Europe.

In the previous article, we talked about the application procedure, conditions of participation, and benefits of e-residency in Estonia.

If you're planning to work remotely and travel as a digital nomad, it's important to understand the basic rules and conditions of stay in different countries in advance. Visit World's guide for digital nomads provides practical advice on visas, entry requirements, insurance, and legal stay abroad. It's a convenient starting point for those who want to combine work and travel without any surprises.

How was the rating formed and what criteria were taken into account?

The ranking of the best cities for digital nomads in Europe was formed based on the analysis of 35 popular destinations. The research was conducted by Playerstime analysts. The main focus was not only on comfort but also on real costs and conditions for remote work.

Several key factors were taken into account during the evaluation:

1. The cost of housing and monthly expenses

2. Food prices

3. Internet speed and availability

4. Costs of public transportation

5. Level of security

The lower the costs and the higher the level of security, the more points the city received. The maximum score was 175 points.

The results showed a clear trend: cities in Central and Eastern Europe are significantly better off in terms of value for money. They offer affordable housing, cheaper transportation, and stable, fast internet - a key factor for digital nomads.

Western and Northern Europe, on the other hand, often lose out due to high costs. For example, in some cities, monthly costs exceed 4000-4700 euros, making them less attractive for long-term residence.

The study also showed a significant difference in the cost of transportation: while in Prague a monthly pass costs about 22.5 euros, in London it costs almost 300 euros. The level of security also differs significantly: from over 82 points in Dubrovnik to about 40 in some cities in France.

About the best countries for digital nomads in 2026 — we tell you here.

Krakow is the best city in Europe for digital nomads

Krakow took first place in the ranking due to the most balanced combination of cost of living, security, and conditions for working online. The city received 161 points out of 175 possible, which was the highest result among all the participants in the study.

The average monthly cost for digital nomads in Krakow is about €1,423.12, making it one of the most affordable large cities in Europe. At the same time, the costs are distributed quite comfortably:

- Approximately €148 per month for food

- About €16 for internet

- Affordable prices for transportation and housing

The level of security is worth noting separately - 75.08 out of 100, which is a high indicator for a major tourist city. It is this balance between accessibility and safety that has become a key factor in leadership.

Krakow also benefits from a well-developed infrastructure for remote work: stable fast internet, a large number of coworking spaces, convenient public transportation, and an active international community.

Unlike many Western European cities, where costs can exceed €4000 per month, Krakow offers a much lower entry threshold without sacrificing quality of life.

Top 10 countries for digital nomads: Global Citizen Solutions ranking.

Other cities in the ranking: how much does it cost to live as a digital nomad in Europe

After Krakow, the ranking is dominated by cities in Central and Southern Europe, which offer a favorable balance between costs, safety, and quality of life. At the same time, the difference in the cost of living between the leaders and expensive EU capitals remains significant, sometimes by 2-3 times.

Warsaw (Poland) took the second place with an average cost of €1,265.26 per month and a safety score of 74.66, which is even cheaper than Krakow. Budapest (Hungary), which came in third place, has costs of about €1,542.24, while being noted for its very affordable public transportation - only about €23 per month.

Prague (Czech Republic) and Tallinn (Estonia) are also in the top 5. In Prague, the average cost is €1,276.65, and one of the main advantages is cheap transportation - about €22.5 for a monthly pass. Tallinn, on the other hand, is much more expensive - about €2,627.12 per month - but offers one of the highest levels of safety (78.42).

Among the southern destinations, Spanish cities stand out: Madrid (€2,169.41) and Seville (€1,912.62), as well as the Portuguese cities of Lisbon (€1,745.27) and Porto (€1,569.29). They attract with their climate and lifestyle, but are inferior in terms of accessibility to Eastern European countries.

Dubrovnik (Croatia) is worth mentioning separately, as it has the highest level of security - 82.23, but at the same time quite high costs - about €2,270.09 per month.

For comparison, the situation in the most expensive cities in Europe is radically different:

- Dublin - about €4,700 per month

- Reykjavik - about €4,653

- Amsterdam - about €4,175

This makes them much less attractive for long-term digital nomads.

Top 10 European cities for digital nomads in 2026

1. Krakow, Poland

2. Warsaw, Poland

3. Budapest, Hungary

4. Prague, Czech Republic

5. Tallinn, Estonia

6. Madrid, Spain

7. Seville, Spain

8. Lisbon, Portugal

9. Dubrovnik, Croatia

10. Porto, Portugal

By the way, in our previous article, we talked about the cheapest countries to live in in 2026.

What to consider when choosing a city for a digital nomad in Europe?

Choosing a city for remote work depends not only on the ranking, but also on your personal priorities. Even among the leaders, there are significant differences in costs, infrastructure, and lifestyle that can affect comfort in the long run.

There are several key factors to consider before moving:

1. Realistic monthly budget - not only housing, but also food, transportation, and additional expenses

2. Internet quality - stability is more important than nominal speed

3. The level of security - especially for long-term stays

4. The cost of transportation - in Europe it can differ tenfold

5. Digital nomads community - availability of coworking spaces and international environment

For example, Krakow and Warsaw are suitable for those who want to minimize costs without sacrificing quality of life, while Lisbon or Madrid are more focused on lifestyle and climate.

Planning a trip, move or life abroad?

Visit World's guide for digital nomads will help you deal with key issues: visas, entry rules, conditions of stay, insurance, and basic tips for adapting to a new country. It is a handy tool for those who want to prepare for a trip in advance and avoid common mistakes.