Romania Ranks Among Top 10 European Destinations for Digital Nomads
Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Romania ranks 10th among European destinations for digital nomads, according to a LEI Register study cited by Euronews.
- The country offers low living costs, with affordable rent, food, transport, and internet services, ranking third for these expenses.
- Despite its appeal to digital nomads, Romania faces a shortage of skilled specialists and lower rates of remote work compared to other European nations.
Romania has secured the 10th position in a European ranking of digital nomad destinations, according to a 2026 study by LEI Register, as reported by Euronews. The study evaluated 40 countries based on 19 indicators, including cost of living, rent, internet speed, coworking spaces, safety, healthcare, English proficiency, and visa conditions. Estonia topped the list, followed by Iceland and Portugal.
Romania ranks 10th in a European ranking of the best destinations for digital nomads.
A significant draw for digital nomads is Romania's affordability. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is approximately 440 euros per month, placing it eighth lowest among the surveyed countries. Monthly food costs average around 173.46 euros, and public transport passes are about 21.39 euros. Internet and mobile phone plans are remarkably low at 7.20 euros each, with Romania ranking third overall for these utilities. The average download speed is a competitive 105.46 Mbps.
One of Romania's main advantages is the level of costs. A rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is estimated at 440 euros per month, the eighth lowest level among the 40 countries analyzed.
These low costs present a stark contrast to other popular European destinations. For instance, the average rent in Spain is 911 euros and in Portugal, 919 euros, while Iceland's average rent reaches 2,098 euros. Romania's competitive internet speeds, comparable to Estonia and Portugal, further enhance its appeal for remote workers. The cost advantage is substantial when compared to countries like Spain (911 euros rent) and Estonia (573 euros rent).
Romania combines low costs with a competitive internet infrastructure. The average speed of 105.46 Mbps is close to that of Estonia, at 113.1 Mbps, and Portugal, at 116.91 Mbps.
However, the study's findings coincide with challenges within Romania's domestic labor market. The country is experiencing a deficit of skilled specialists, and the adoption of remote work policies lags behind many other European nations. While Romania offers an attractive package of low costs and robust digital infrastructure for international remote workers, it faces internal hurdles in retaining and attracting its own skilled workforce for domestic companies.
The ranking comes at a time when companies in Romania are facing difficulties in recruiting people with the skills they need.
Originally published by Adevฤrul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.