This index, published in Impacts magazine, evaluates the 30 best destinations in the world for long-term remote workers, based on factors such as quality of life, accessibility, digital infrastructure, international connectivity, and housing market.
The Savills index placed Lisbon in the same position as last year, so the Algarve's rise to 10th place is a new addition, rounding out the Top 10 and confirming the southern region of Portugal as one of the best in the world for digital nomads.
This ranking, led by Dubai, which held the top spot for the third consecutive year, also includes Abu Dhabi, Malaga, and Miami before Lisbon, as well as Palma, Barcelona, Barbados, and Auckland, which rank immediately above the Algarve.
In the case of the Portuguese capital, factors such as a mild climate, safety, hospitality, a diverse cultural offering, good technological infrastructure, and a competitive residential market led to Lisbon's fifth-place ranking, while the Algarve's 10th place is justified by "greater affordability in terms of cost of living and an attractive climate."
The Savills Executive Nomad Index also has new entries in 2025, such as Auckland (9th), Tokyo (11th), Crete (15th), Vancouver (18th), and Berlin (28th), reflecting the growing competition among global markets in attracting digital nomads.
"The landscape for executive nomads is changing. Markets are developing new strategies to attract digital nomads and executives. Two new countries in our index, Canada and New Zealand, do not offer specific visas for digital nomads, but do provide long-term visitor visas adapted to allow remote work throughout their stay," says Kelcie Sellers, Associate Director at Savills World Research.
Just be aware that Portugal has an exit tax!
That means if you have crypto profits you will be charged capital gain tax of 28% before you leave the country
Nothing in Portugal is ever what it seems
Caveat Emptor
By James from Algarve on 06 Sep 2025, 05:13
Savills is so irrelevant to the Portuguese real estate market that they must publish a digital nomad index to draw attention to themselves. The latter is flawed, as it reduces a digital nomad's choices to large cities only. However, there are so many more choices available that Savills doesn't consider and isn't even aware of. We all know that Portugal is much more than just Lisbon and the Algarve, but apparently not Savills.
By Billy Bissett from Porto on 07 Sep 2025, 08:54
Furthermore if the tax office thinks you are trading crypto you will be charged Portuguese income tax rates and taxed at progressive rates from 14.5% to 53%!
Finally if you hold crypto for less than 365 days you will automatically be taxed at 28%
Enjoy your stay!
By James from Algarve on 08 Sep 2025, 06:44