Romania ranks among Europe's top 10 destinations for digital nomads

Romania has achieved a notable position in the top 10 European destinations for digital nomads, according to an analysis by LEI Register. This recognition highlights the country's competitive costs, excellent connectivity, and access to the European market as significant advantages for remote professionals.

However, Romania currently lacks a coherent strategy to attract and harness mobile talent effectively. The analysis compared 40 European countries based on criteria such as costs, rent, internet availability, safety, healthcare services, English proficiency, coworking spaces, and visa regulations, revealing that while Romania ranks well, there are still improvements needed to become a relevant hub for remote workers.

Among the countries leading the analysis, Estonia ranks first, followed by Iceland and Portugal in second and third place, respectively. Despite its potential, Romania has one of the lowest rates of remote work in the EU, with Eurostat data indicating that only 1.3% of Romanian employees worked from home regularly in 2025, compared to the European average of 8.8%.

Claudia Sofianiu, Partner and People Advisory Services Leader at EY Romania, emphasizes the importance of viewing digital nomadism not just as a travel trend but as an organizational maturity test. EY suggests that Romania should consider digital nomads as a valuable source of skills, know-how, and international connections.

To capitalize on this opportunity, a digital nomad visa could be developed to attract professionals from fields such as technology, artificial intelligence, research, and value-added services. The analysis also indicates that cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, Brașov, and Oradea have the potential to draw in international talent.

For Romania to harness this potential fully, it will need to improve public services, foster professional communities, and strengthen connections between professionals and the local economy.