img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}With the slowing down of the trend and numerous countries tightening entry rules for long-term travelers, some would argue that the digital nomad era is history, but we’d argue it’s just… adapting.
While it’s true that remote work is definitely not as big a thing as it was 4 or 5 years ago, when we were still fresh out of a global pandemic, there are a handful of countries that have continued to welcome American citizens who dream of relocating abroad with open arms.
Two of them are in Europe, and not only are they incredibly affordable compared to the United States, but they also allow U.S. citizens to stay a whole year visa-free.
Albania
A once-overlooked Mediterranean nation that’s experienced a sudden surge in popularity as of late, Albania is not only Europe’s next summer hotspot, but a safe haven for Americans moving across the pond.
It allows U.S. passport holders, and them alone, to stay in the country visa-free for a whole calendar year, without any prior authorization or visas required.
In other words, you can grab your U.S. passport, book the next flight out to Albania, and upon arrival, you’ll get issued a one-year entry stamp.
Even if you’re a digital nomad, you’ll be entering Albania as a tourist, and during the first year, you’re exempt from declaring and paying income tax.
Should you want to stay longer, and trust us, chances are you will, you can renew your visa from within Albania, and the process is considerably less bureaucratic than in other European nations. The usual exemptions may no longer apply, but taxes here are still far less biting than, say, in France or Spain.
Why Albania?
Albania is a culturally rich country with a diverse offer:
Whether you’re looking for vibrant cities, like Tirana, a quirky, modern capital, or the laid-back, coastal village yet to be spoiled by the crowds, like Dhermi or Borsh, you’ll be spoiled for choice here.
Tirana is arguably the best place for digital nomads to be based in, owing it to the plethora of cafes and youthful scene.
That being said, as we pointed out here at Travel Off Path, smaller beach towns like Ksamil, where you get Caribbean-like sandy beaches and turquoise seas, have proved to be just-as-popular.
Albania also boasts great connections to other European countries: from Sarandë, a bustling Mediterranean port, you can hop on a 20-minute ferry to the island of Corfu, in Greece, and Tirana International Airport offers direct flights to numerous European destinations.
Last but not least, Albania is incredibly affordable:
Average Prices In Albania
CategoryAverage Cost (Albanian lek)Approxim. USDFood (takeaway)850–900 ALL$8–$93-course meal (mid-range for 2 people)3,000–5,000 ALL$32–$54Monthly mobile data package (10 GB)1,000–1,700 ALL$10–$17Monthly rent (1-bedroom, outside city center)32,000–40,000 ALL$322–$402Monthly utilities6,400–10,000 ALL$64–$100Monthly public transportation pass1,200 ALL$12
Georgia
A small country in the heart of the Caucasus, bounded by the Black Sea to the northwest, and with the equally underrated Armenia as its closest neighbor, Georgia has been a certified favorite in digital nomad circles for quite some time now.
Much like Albania, it allows most foreigners to stay a full year without asking for visas in advance, and this includes Americans.
Though you’re technically required to show proof of paid accommodation, at least for the first 3 months, health insurance, and outbound journey one year following your intended date of entry at the latest, these are rarely checked by border officers.
Based on our personal experience, if you’re an American or Westerner touching down in Georgia, you’ll breeze through that border with hardly any questions asked.
Just make sure you don’t overstay you’re welcome, break any immigration laws by setting up businesses in Georgia illegally, or seek work without a permit, and you’ll be left in peace.
In most cases, digital nomads residing in Georgia resort to the infamous “visa runs” to extend their stay. This means they exit the territory once the one-year period is up, spend a couple of days abroad, usually in Armenia, and return to Georgia only to be issued a new 365-day entry stamp.
Personally, we wouldn’t recommend it, as unless you’re a formal resident in Georgia holding a residence card, you could still be denied entry as a tourist.
If you intend to make Georgia your permanent home after one year, we strongly encourage you to contact local immigration lawyers to check the available options as a digital nomad running an online business.
Why Georgia?
There are plenty of reasons to move to Georgia. About half involve its incredible food and rich culture, and the other half its low cost of living.
If you’re tired of the Hamster-on-a-wheel lifestyle you lead in America, the unhealthy, tasteless food served in chain restaurants, and the exorbitant rental prices, Tbilisi might just be the panacea you’ve been looking for.
A sprawling capital city combining medieval and Soviet-era architecture, and famous for its thriving cafe culture and well-established entrepreneurial scene, Tbilisi is Georgia’s leading digital nomad city, though it’s not the country’s only expat hub.
Batumi, on the Black Sea Coast, offers Mediterranean-like weather in summer and coastal charm, while Kutaisi, an inland gem in West Georgia, is home to a historic Bagrati Cathedral, built back in the Middle Ages, and surrounded by lush nature.
Georgia’s number one airport for low-cost travel is also located in Kutaisi, with cheap flights going to cities like Vienna and Budapest starting from only $25 one-way.
Speaking of prices… how actually affordable is Georgia?
Average Prices In Georgia
CategoryAverage Cost (Georgian lari)Approxim. USDFood (takeaway)12–25 GEL$4–$93-course meal (mid-range for 2 people)100–130 GEL$35–$46Monthly mobile data package (10 GB)29–30 GEL$10–$11Monthly rent (1-bedroom, outside city center)1,267 GEL$420Monthly utilities196–203 GEL$65–$70Monthly public transportation pass40–42 GEL$13–$14
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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