Article in partnership with Day Translations.

We have talked about European winter destinations for digital nomads before (see article), but it’s worth revisiting the topic again.

At the time of writing, the cost of living crisis is affecting many people’s lives so the question is: does moving somewhere else in Europe help you save money while working remotely? We previously looked at European destinations to chase the winter sun, with options for both beach lovers and skiing enthusiasts.

For those who have the flexibility to work anywhere, does going to places in Europe where temperatures are milder during winter mean spending less, for example on heating bills?

​Where Are Heating Bills Cheaper in Europe?

According to Euronews, electricity prices are cheaper in countries such as Spain, Portugal and Malta in Southern Europe, and in Central Europe, for example in Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.

For example, if you live in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark or Italy, you may potentially save money on electricity bills as these countries have the highest electricity rates in Europe.

Gas prices are cheaper in countries such as Estonia, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

The Guardian asked whether moving to a different country during winter could help you save money on bills. The reporter looked at Spain, France, Montenegro and Romania and found there were some savings to be had, mostly because temperatures in the South of Europe are milder during winter compared to Northern Europe.

​Digital Nomads Hotspots in Europe in Winter

In another article, The Guardian wrote about digital nomads and how locations such as Spain and Croatia are popular with remote workers. Quoting surveys about digital nomads, the article states that there are approximately around 40 million location-independent workers worldwide, with predictions for 60 million by 2030.

Even when setting up in one country for a few months allows digital nomads to explore different places, particularly by train, as it’s a cost-effective way to travel across Europe.

Popular hotspots in Europe (source: TechRound) include:

• Lagos in Portugal
• Plovdiv in Bulgaria
• Valletta in Malta
• Barcelona in Spain.

These and more European cities were chosen on the basis of what they can offer to digital nomads including high speed internet, availability of facilities like cafes and restaurants as well as coworking spaces.

Other popular hotspots in Europe include:

• Skopje in Montenegro
• Bansko in Bulgaria
• Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Let’s look at these three in more detail, because they have been featured individually in the media.

Skopje

Time Out ran a feature on Skopje in North Macedonia, defining it as one of the cheapest places to travel to in Europe and, compared to other European capital cities, the cheapest for digital nomads.

After comparing prices for utilities, accommodation, transport, food and services in 184 different countries, Skopje in North Macedonia came first for being the most economical city, followed by Sarajevo in Bosnia Herzegovina and Chisinau in Moldova.

Skopje offers many cultural attractions including archeological sites, as well as varied food options and very affordable train fares.

Bansko

The BBC rated Bansko in Bulgaria as a great hub for digital nomads, offering stunning scenery with modern infrastructure, coworking places and ski slopes, coupled with some old charm thanks to local traditions still being preserved.

Not only is Bansko affordable, particularly in terms of accommodation, but it also boasts low tax rates for individuals and corporations. When it comes to renting, monthly costs are very affordable averaging at 500 euro or less. Even buying property is fairly straightforward as anyone, even non residents, can buy a house or apartment and prices are considerably lower than the European average.

Dubrovnik

The Dubrovnik Times extolled the virtues of Dubrovnik in Croatia as an all-year destination for digital nomads, and one to consider seriously during the winter months.

While most of the tourist attractions and facilities tend to be open during the summer, there is still enough to explore in the winter months but, most importantly, when it’s off-season Dubrovnik’s prices are much cheaper, particularly for accommodation and food.

There are many cultural attractions and stunning scenery that are all within walking distance in Dubrovnik and there is also a good quality of life.

Winter Sun for Digital Nomads

Finally, here are some famous spots in Europe for sun seekers over the winter month, as chosen by computer manufacturer Acer.

There’s no summertime sadness to be had, to quote Lana del Rey, in these popular European destinations that tick many boxes for digital nomads:

• Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
• Madeira, Portugal
• Split, Croatia
• Valletta, Malta.