Where to next for Digital Nomads?

British digital nomads are scouring the world for the next authentic work-and-travel adventure with South America emerging as the top spot. Olivia Palamountain reports

As the global appetite for digital nomad visas continues to surge, a new study reveals that UK remote workers are increasingly looking to South America.

The research, conducted by Bubblegumsearch.com using recent search data, shows that nearly a third of destinations UK digital nomads are interested in working from are located in South America.

Argentina leads the pack with 160 Google searches per month for keywords like “Argentina digital nomad”, followed closely by Brazil (140 searches) and Colombia (100 searches).

The vibrant communities and rich cultural tapestries of these South American countries appear to be a major draw for remote workers seeking to combine their careers with travel experiences.

However, the study also highlights some unexpected findings. New Zealand, Estonia, and Malta emerged as the least searched locations for UK digital nomads, despite offering unique advantages for those seeking a more authentic travel experience.

New Zealand, with its glorious landscapes and laid-back lifestyle, receives only 80 digital nomad queries on Google per month from the UK.

This is less than half the searches received by neighbouring Australia (180 searches). The lower interest could translate to a more genuine cultural immersion for those willing to make the nearly 24-hour journey.

Closer to home, Estonia attracts 90 monthly searches from UK remote workers. Just under two hours’ flight time from the UK, it offers a distinctive blend of medieval charm and cutting-edge digital infrastructure.

Malta, with its Mediterranean allure, sees 140 monthly searches from UK-based individuals interested in remote work opportunities abroad.

This places it slightly ahead of Estonia and New Zealand in terms of search popularity.

Interestingly, the study suggests that digital nomads seeking authentic experiences might want to avoid the most popular destinations.

Spain, for instance, receives a staggering 2,580 digital-nomad-related Google searches per month from the UK – 32 times more than New Zealand.

Portugal and Italy also rank high in search volume, potentially indicating a more saturated and less authentic nomadic experience in these locations.

With recent surges in searches for countries like Malaysia, Malta and Brazil, it’s clear that the landscape of remote work is evolving rapidly.

This study not only sheds light on current trends but also offers valuable insights for UK professionals looking to embark on their own digital nomad journey, whether they seek popular hotspots or off-the-beaten-path adventures.