The growing spread of Digital Nomad Visas across Europe is encouraging more and more professionals to leave traditional office work and pursue a new career in other countries. This emerges from new research commissioned by The Social Hub, a hotel chain specializing in hospitality and coworking spaces in European cities.
Spain, Portugal and Italy are now among the countries that have introduced special residence permits for digital nomads, facilitating the relocation of non-European citizens with the aim of attracting talent and boosting the economy. Slovenia is following the same pattern, becoming on 21 November the newest European country to introduce a Digital Nomad Visa.
What nomads want – And what they avoid
The survey – based on a sample of more than 2,000 digital nomads living and working in Europe – shows that the framework is effective. Seventy-four percent of participants stated that they quit their job and moved to another country because the existence of a visa made it possible. The same percentage rejected destinations without a similar program.
For 78 percent of respondents, the creation of such a permit is perceived as a clear signal that a country is welcoming to digital nomads.
Digital nomads – those who work remotely while traveling or residing in different regions instead of a fixed office – operate across a wide range of professions. The survey records strong representation from sectors such as manufacturing, retail, food service and leisure, as well as from highly specialized fields such as IT and telecommunications. Financially, they are mainly middle- and high-income earners: 54 percent earn between 40,000 and 80,000 euros, while more than one-third earn over 80,000 euros annually.
Generations with different motivations – and shared challenges
Gen Z (18–28) lead this new trend: 40 percent chose the nomad lifestyle because it offers a better quality of life, and 42 percent for travel opportunities. However, they are also the least integrated into local life, with 37 percent saying they do not feel part of the local culture.
Millennials (29–44), now the largest group in the workforce, appear more pragmatic: for them, the priorities are flexibility and freedom. They are also the most active users of coworking spaces and social activities in order to maintain professional and social connection.
The surprise comes from the Baby Boomers (61–79). Despite early predictions that they would be the most hesitant generation, nearly half (45 percent) chose the nomadic life for better quality of life and travel – a higher percentage than any other group. However, they are also the generation most affected by isolation, with 45 percent stating that loneliness is their biggest difficulty.
Overall, 34 percent of all respondents consider loneliness the main drawback, while nearly one in five admit to having cried due to feelings of isolation. Twenty-five percent say they have lied to friends or family about how much they enjoy the lifestyle.
Community as a “key” factor – The response of new hospitality spaces
With these findings, demand for communities and shared spaces is increasing: nearly 29 percent have paid for coworking spaces, while two in five frequently participate in local activities to build social ties.
The discussion comes at a time when there is also growing backlash against the mass presence of digital nomads, as seen in Portugal and Mexico. Forty-three percent of participants state that such phenomena make them consider more carefully their impact on local communities, while one-third say it influences their destination choices.
The role of The Social Hub
Tasha Young, Chief Membership Officer at The Social Hub, notes that the research confirms what the company sees in practice: that the ability to work in new locations and evolve one’s career makes the digital nomad lifestyle highly appealing, but the need for connection and community remains crucial.
The Social Hub – which operates 21 hotels in cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Porto, Glasgow and Vienna – combines hospitality with coworking spaces and a wide range of community activities, providing nomads with a stable base and opportunities for professional and social relationships. Given that both younger and older users struggle more to feel that they belong, the company emphasizes that its mission is not limited to creating “work-friendly” spaces, but also to cultivating real social bonds.
As Young notes, Europe is a unique region where freedom of movement creates vast opportunities. The increasing adoption of Digital Nomad Visas by EU countries sends a clear message that these workers are welcome – and, as the data shows, they are responding positively.
