Expat & Digital Nomad Guides for Your Move Abroad

Each cost figure says where it comes from. The cost of living calculator and comparison table use Livingcost.org's city data (June 2026) for rent, utilities, food and transport, for one person or a family. Rents in the country guides come from official statistics where they exist, such as Portugal's INE, and anything that is our own estimate is labelled as one.

Costs depend heavily on how you live and which neighbourhood you pick, so treat any single number as a starting point and check current listings before you commit.

Start with three questions:

• How long? A few months of travel usually means a visa exemption or tourist visa; a year or more of remote work points to a digital nomad visa; settling permanently means a residence permit.
• What will you do there? Remote work for a foreign employer, freelancing, a local job, running a business and living on savings or a pension each lead to different visas.
• Can you show the money? Most long-stay visas set a minimum income or savings figure; know it before you start.

Your nationality also matters, because visa-free stays and eligibility differ by passport. The visa comparison tool lets you filter 14 long-stay visas by these questions, and each country guide links to the official application pages. For your own case, a licensed immigration lawyer in that country is the person to ask.

• Internet - check national median speeds on our internet speeds page, then ask for a speed test at the actual flat, and keep a local SIM as a backup
• Time zones - working European hours from Thailand means very early mornings; check the overlap with your clients or team
• Visa length - can you stay long enough to settle in, or will you be leaving every 30 or 60 days?
• Cost - compare cities with the calculator; a better-equipped flat can be worth paying for
• Community - a coworking or coliving space makes it easier to meet people; see our coworking directory

• See it before you sign - book a short stay for the first few weeks so you can visit neighbourhoods and view flats in person
• Use local portals - local sites such as Idealista usually list more homes at local prices than international platforms; see our accommodation platforms guide
• Check who pays the agent - in some countries the landlord pays the agency fee (in Spain, by law since 2023); in others the tenant does
• Never pay before viewing - and never by wire transfer or crypto to someone you haven't met

The long-term rental guide covers deposits, contracts and tenant rules country by country.

The main options are:

• International health insurance - works in many countries; usually the most expensive option
• Local private insurance - often cheaper, but tied to one country
• Public healthcare - some countries let legal residents join the public system, sometimes after a waiting period or with contributions
• Paying as you go - for routine visits in countries where private consultations are inexpensive, with insurance kept for emergencies

Many long-stay visas require proof of health insurance, so check the requirement before you apply. Each country guide covers how its healthcare system works for foreigners.