New research has revealed the cheapest places for Brits to work abroad. Columbia is the cheapest place to live if you’re looking to apply for a digital nomad visa, followed by Sri Lanka and Turkey.
Columbia’s cost of living prices are around 55% lower than the UK, with rent prices being approximately 73% lower.*
Travel booking website OMIO has analysed a range of factors including the cost of living index, rent index, grocery index, safety index, mobility (monthly pass), the number of co-working spaces, speed of internet (fixed), speed of internet (mobile), the cost of visa and the ease of obtaining one to determine the best places of Brits wanting a digital nomad lifestyle.
The Top 10 Cheapest Countries for Digital Nomads
For many digital nomads, the cost of living is a key point in the selection criteria for the country they choose to visit. The cost-of-living criteria factors in rent, food costs and the amount of money left over to enjoy cultural experiences.
The following countries have a low cost-of-living index of approximately 35 or below:
- Columbia
- Sri Lanka
- Turkey
- Bali
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Malaysia
- Ecuador
- Vietnam
- Namibia
OMIO calculated the cost-of-living index based on rent and food costs. In fact, if your home country’s income is higher than the host country’s average, you may even save money on daily living.
Columbia’s cost of living index score is 23 – to compare, the UK has a cost of living index of 61.5. Rent is, on 
average, 72.7% lower than in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the cost of living in Columbia is, on average, 55% lower than in the UK.
However, it will cost €600 for a 12-month digital nomad visa and you will need proof of income of €650/month.
Sri Lanka is the second cheapest place to live with a cost of living score of 25, which is 48% lower than in the UK. Rent is 79.2% lower than in the UK, but while a 12-month digital nomad visa will only cost you €28, you will need a monthly income of at least €1500.
The Top 10 Countries for Digital Nomads Overall:
- Cape Verde
- Sri Lanka
- Namibia
- Bali
- Argentina
- Ecuador
- Turkey
- South Africa
- Belize
- Columbia
Interestingly, Cape Verde, an island country in Africa, has been named the best place overall for Brits looking for a digital nomad visa. It has a low cost of living index of 45, scoring low for the rent (18) and the grocery (0) index. However, in Cape Verde, there are no co-working spaces so it may pay to invest a little more in accommodation to create your own working space. You can apply for a digital nomad visa here for up to six months but you will need proof of income at €1500/month.
Other popular and hot destinations for working abroad include Sri Lanka, Namibia and Bali.
