10 Top Places for Solo Female Expats to Work From Home
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Remote work has become the new norm in the post-pandemic world. For solo female expats, it presents a unique opportunity to balance a fulfilling career with a satisfying lifestyle abroad. However, not all destinations are equal when accommodating remote workers, particularly for solo female expats. This article will explore the best places for solo female expats to work from home, considering safety, affordability, and work-life balance.
Whether looking for cheap countries to work remotely or places with a historic charm, you will find your ideal place to work from home!
10 Top Places for Solo Female Expats to Work From Home
Choosing a place to live for the next months of your life is not easy. You will discover the best countries to work remotely and all nuances it will take.
#1 Country to Work From Home is Portugal
Portugal has political stability and lovely weather, and most locals speak English, making it one of the best countries to work remotely from. These factors will make it easy for you to accommodate and make a home away from home.
One of the best cities to consider if you want to work remotely is Lisbon, as it has everything solo female expats need. Lisbon has quickly become one of the best places for solo female expats to work from and for a good reason. With the low cost of living, high-speed internet, and vibrant culture, Lisbon offers the perfect balance of productivity and leisure. Also, it’s one of the safest cities in Europe, making it an ideal destination for solo female travelers.
Furthermore, Portugal offers a Digital Nomad Visa program designed to attract remote workers to the country. This visa allows individuals to live and work in Portugal for one year, with the option to renew it. To be eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must demonstrate that they work remotely for a company outside of Portugal. Additionally, applicants must prove they have sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay in the country.
Portugal is inexpensive, with monthly expenses averaging around $800-$1,200. Thanks to the reduced cost of living, this is one of the cheap countries to work remotely.
#2 Country to Work From Home is Indonesia
Indonesia and Bali, in particular, is a dream destination for many, and for remote workers, it offers an ideal blend of work and plays. With affordable living costs, beautiful beaches, and a vibrant digital nomad community, Bali is a top choice for solo female expats. Indonesia’s culture and warm climate place it among the best countries to work remotely from.
Bali has a rich culture and heritage, with beautiful temples, traditional dances, and ceremonies. You can immerse yourself in a new and different culture, which can be a valuable and rewarding experience. All these reasons make Bali one of the best places for female expats to work from home. Additionally, the country is fairly safe, with a low crime rate and friendly locals always ready to help. The expat community in Bali reaches over 600,000 people, another great advantage of this place.
Indonesia has no official digital nomad visa program, but several visa options exist. One option is the Social-Cultural Visa, which allows for a stay of up to six months that is reviewable. You must apply at an Indonesian embassy or consulate in your home country to obtain this visa. Also, you must provide proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Bali.
Depending on your lifestyle, monthly expenses in Bali can range from around $600 to $1,200.
#3 Country to Work From Home is Thailand
Thailand has long been a popular destination for remote workers, and Chiang Mai is one of the best places for solo female expats to work from home. With a low cost of living, a laid-back lifestyle, and a strong expat community, Chiang Mai offers the perfect environment for solo female expats.
Furthermore, the city is known for its delicious food, beautiful temples, and stunning natural scenery. You will be able to work from home in a great place with a rich culture and interesting traditions. Also, it is a relatively safe place for solo female expats, but being aware of your surroundings is important.
Additionally, Thailand is a popular destination for digital nomads, and the country offers several visa options for remote workers.
The Thailand Tourist Visa allows for a stay of up to 60 days and can be extended for another 30 days. You can obtain this visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in your home country or in neighboring countries.
Moreover, the Education Visa allows for a stay of one year for those who take courses at a Thai institution. This visa requires enrollment in an accredited educational institution in Thailand.
Monthly expenses in Thailand can range from around $500 to $1,000, depending on your lifestyle and location.
#4 Country to Work From Home is Colombia
Colombia is known for its warm and welcoming culture. Colombians are generally friendly and hospitable, and solo female expats may find it easy to make friends and build a support network.
Although Colombia has had a troubled past with crime and violence, the country has made significant strides to improve security. Cities like Bogotá and Medellín are now relatively safe for solo female expats, provided they take the usual precautions.
Medellin is a thriving city in Colombia that has recently become a hub for remote work. With a low cost of living, a comfortable climate, and a growing startup scene, Medellin offers a perfect balance of work and play for solo female expats. Additionally, the city’s warm and welcoming culture makes it easy to make new friends and feel at home.
Furthermore, Medellin has a thriving expat community, providing opportunities for networking and socializing. So, you will not feel isolated while working from home as there will be people you can connect with.
Additionally, the TP-11 visa supports those planning to work remotely while in Colombia. This visa allows for a stay of up to 180 days and can be extended for up to two years. To be eligible, you must have a minimum monthly income of about $2,000 or have savings to support yourself.
The cost of living in Colombia is relatively low, with monthly expenses ranging from around $600 to $1,200. With all Colombia and Medellin, in particular, have to offer, there is no surprise that this is one of the best places for female expats to work remotely.
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#5 Country to Work From Home is Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the best countries to work remotely for various reasons. It has a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population of friendly and welcoming people. Solo female expats may find themselves making friends and integrating into the local community easily. Taiwan is known for its beautiful scenery, including stunning mountains, beaches, and national parks. Solo female expats can enjoy exploring the country during their free time, taking advantage of the excellent transportation infrastructure and abundant natural beauty.
Taipei is a modern city that offers an ideal environment for remote workers. With high-speed internet, a low cost of living, and a welcoming culture, Taipei is a top destination for solo female expats. The city’s world-renowned food scene and natural scenery make it a perfect destination for those who love to explore.
Additionally, Taiwan offers a unique digital nomad visa program called the Gold Card. It provides a streamlined visa process for foreign professionals, including digital nomads, who wish to live and work in Taiwan. This visa makes the country one of the best countries to work remotely without worrying about paperwork.
The Gold Card is open to foreign professionals who meet specific criteria. To access this visa, you need a monthly salary of at least $5,700 or a total annual income of $89,000. As one of the best places for solo female expats to work from home, you will not have to worry about renewing your visa for three years!
Moreover, the application process for the Gold Card is straightforward, and the approval time is typically around four weeks. Once approved, Gold Card holders can live and work in Taiwan and apply for dependent visas for their families.
The Gold Card program makes it easier than ever for digital nomads to make Taiwan their home base while they work and explore the island.
One adult’s average monthly living cost is around $1,000-$1,670.
#6 Country to Work From Home is Mexico
Mexican people are known for their hospitality and friendliness. While Mexico has had issues with crime in the past, many cities and towns are safe for solo female expats. By taking precautions and being aware of their surroundings, solo female expats can enjoy a safe and comfortable life here.
Playa del Carmen is a beachside town located in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and it’s among the best places for female expacts to work from home. The city’s growing expat community makes it easy to meet new people and feel at home. Additionally, the town offers affordable living costs, beautiful beaches, and various activities to enjoy during your free time.
Moreover, Playa del Carmen has its share of safety concerns but is considered a safe place for female expats. The government has invested in security measures, including an increased police presence, surveillance cameras, and improved lighting in public areas. The city also has a tourist police force dedicated to assisting tourists with any issues they may encounter.
Mexico offers a digital nomad visa program called the Temporary Resident Visa for Technological Activities, which allows digital nomads to live and work in Mexico for up to six months with the option to renew their visas.
To apply for the visa, digital nomads must demonstrate that they have a stable source of remote income and a minimum monthly income of approximately $1,620 (equivalent to 32,000 Mexican pesos) or savings of at least $27,000.
Depending on where you choose to live in Mexico, monthly expenses can range from around $600 to $1,200. At such an affordable cost, this is among the best countries to work remotely from and have an incredible experience!
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#7 Country to Work From Home is Spain
Spain is known for its high quality of life, pleasant climate, beautiful scenery, and relaxed lifestyle. This can be attractive for solo female nomads looking for an enjoyable environment to work from home.
Valencia is a charming city located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. It’s an excellent destination for remote workers seeking a balance between work and leisure. The city offers a low cost of living, fantastic weather, and delicious food and is one of the best places for solo female expats to work from home. Plus, it’s known for its beautiful architecture and stunning beaches, making it an ideal destination for those who love to explore.
Spain does not currently offer a specific digital nomad visa. However, it does have a Non-Lucrative Visa that may be suitable for digital nomads who meet the eligibility criteria.
The Non-Lucrative Visa helps expats who wish to live in Spain without working or professional activities, including remote work. However, some Spanish consulates may allow digital nomads to apply for this visa if they demonstrate that their income comes from a foreign source and they have sufficient financial means to support themselves while living in Spain.
On average, monthly expenses in Spain can range from $800-$1,500. Even if this is not among the cheap countries to work remotely, it is still affordable.
#8 Country to Work From Home is Vietnam
Vietnam has a rich cultural heritage, mixing Chinese, French, and Southeast Asian traditions. Solo female expats can enjoy exploring the country’s history, cuisine, and customs while living and working in Vietnam. Major cities in Vietnam, such as Da Nang and Hanoi, have modern infrastructure, including high-speed internet, good transportation, and reliable utilities, making it easy for solo female expats to work from home.
Da Nang is a coastal city in central Vietnam that’s become a popular destination for remote workers. It might be surprising that this is among the top affordable places for solo female expats to work from home. But there are plenty of reasons for it. With affordable living costs, a laid-back lifestyle, and stunning natural scenery, Da Nang offers the perfect environment for solo female expats. Additionally, the city offers a thriving digital nomad community, making it easy to connect with like-minded individuals.
Vietnam offers a digital nomad visa called the DN (Digital Nomad). This visa supports digital nomads who want to work and live in Vietnam for up to 12 months.
To apply for the DN Visa, digital nomads must provide several documents, including a passport, proof of a valid health insurance policy, proof of income or savings, and a work plan in Vietnam. The income requirement is not specified, but digital nomads must prove they have a steady income and can support themselves during their stay in Vietnam.
The DN Visa allows digital nomads to work and conduct business in Vietnam and is not required to obtain a work permit. The visa can be extended up to two times, for 36 months, in Vietnam.
The average cost of living per month varies from $500 to $1000.
#9 Country to Work From Home is Georgia
Georgia is an increasingly popular destination for solo female expats who work from home and for a good reason. Firstly, Georgia is an affordable country with a lower cost of living than many Western countries. Additionally, major cities like Tbilisi have good infrastructure, high-speed internet, reliable utilities, and good transportation. Georgia also has a rich cultural heritage with a unique language, music, cuisine, and stunning natural scenery, including mountains, lakes, and national parks.
Tbilisi is the capital city of Georgia, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The town offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern amenities, making it one of the amazing places for solo female digital nomads to work from home. Additionally, the city has a low cost of living, a rich history and culture, and a welcoming community, making it easy to feel at home.
Furthermore, Georgia is a very safe country, and Tbilisi, its capital, is no exception. The crime rate in Tbilisi is relatively low, making it a safe place for women to live and work. On top of that, Tbilisi has a vibrant expat community, with many solo female expats living and working in the city.
Georgia currently does not offer a specific digital nomad visa program. However, visitors can enter Georgia without a visa for up to 365 days, depending on their country of origin. Digital nomads can stay and work remotely if they have a valid visa to remain in the country legally.
The cost of living ranges from $400 to $800 per month. With this rate, Tbilisi is among the cheap countries to work remotely.
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#10 Country to Work From Home is Hungary
Hungary seems to be a country that has it all, from an incredible history to friendly people and beautiful nature. The cost of living is also low, and the country’s infrastructure is optimized and completely modernized.
Budapest is a beautiful and historic city that offers a range of cultural and culinary experiences and a growing community of digital nomads and remote workers. The city has a low cost of living, reliable internet, and a range of co-working spaces and cafes.
Hungary does not have a specific digital nomad visa program, but it does offer a residence permit for self-employed individuals who wish to work remotely. This permit allows non-EU citizens to work as freelancers or operate their businesses in Hungary.
Moreover, to obtain a self-employed residence permit, you must meet specific requirements, such as having a viable business plan, sufficient funds to support yourself, and valid health insurance. You must also provide proof of accommodation in Hungary and have no criminal record.
If you like places with a rich history and traditions, Budapest is among the best places for solo female expats to work from home.
The cost of living in Hungary is relatively low compared to other European countries, with monthly expenses averaging around $500-$1,000.
Most Common FAQs About Working Remotely Abroad as an Expat
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Is it possible to work remotely abroad as an expat?
Yes, if you hold an active visa/work permit from the country you would like to reside temporarily.
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Can I keep my current remote job in the USA and relocate to another country to work there?
It depends! Some USA companies allow to work remotely from anywhere in the world, but others do not. You will need to check with your current company on this topic. If your company allows you to work from anywhere, you will just have to make sure you follow the country’s requirements for digital nomads to be able to reside there legally and work remotely.
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What country/state do I have to pay taxes in if I work remotely in another country?
It depends as well. Let’s say you permanently live in the USA and temporarily moved to Europe…In this case, you will still owe taxes to the USA (since you are a permanent resident there) and if you are staying in Europe for a short time, you won’t be obligated to any special taxes there. But, this rule is not applied to every country and you will have to do your own thorough research on this topic.
Final Thoughts
Remote work has opened up opportunities for solo female expats, and plenty of destinations cater to their needs. Whether you’re looking for a low cost of living, beautiful beaches, or a welcoming community, there’s a destination for you. When searching for the best places to work from home as a solo female, consider safety, affordability, and life-work balance.
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