Workers are quitting their jobs in favour of careers on the road as new research from The Social Hub lifts the lid on life as a digital nomad in Europe

LONDON – The rise of digital nomad visas across Europe is encouraging more people to quit their jobs and take on new careers in other countries, new research commissioned by hospitality brand The Social Hub – which offers hotels with coworking spaces across Europe – has uncovered.

Countries including Spain, Portugal, and Italy have all introduced special visas that make it easier for non-EU citizens to live and work abroad in the hope of attracting overseas talent and boosting economies. Slovenia will become the latest European country to introduce a Digital Nomad Visa this week (November 21).

And the schemes appear to be working, with almost three-quarters (74%) of respondents to a survey of more than 2,000 digital nomads living and working across Europe saying they had quit their job and moved to a different country because a visa made it possible, while the same proportion rejected destinations that did not offer one.

Nearly eight-in-ten (78%) also said they viewed the creation of a visa as a clear sign a country is welcoming to digital nomads.

Digital nomads are people who work remotely using technology while travelling or living in different locations, often moving between countries instead of working from a fixed office.

The research, conducted by independent insights agency Opinion Matters, also found the lifestyle cuts across careers, with strong representation in manufacturing, retail, catering, leisure, and IT and telecoms. Most nomads are mid-to-high earners, with 54% paid between €40,000 and €80,000 and more than a third earning above €80,000.

Gen Z (aged 18-28), the youngest group of nomads, are the most lifestyle-driven, with 40% saying they chose the path for a better quality of life and 42% citing opportunities to travel. They are also the least likely to feel integrated, with more than a third (37%) saying they do not feel immersed in local culture.

Millennials (29-44), now the largest cohort in the workforce, however, are more pragmatic. They emphasise freedom and flexibility as the chief benefit of nomad life, and are the most likely to make use of co-working spaces and events to stay connected.

Perhaps most surprising are Baby Boomers (61-79) – once seen as the least likely to embrace the lifestyle – where nearly half (45%) said they chose nomadism for a better lifestyle and the chance to travel – a higher proportion than any other age group. But they are also the generation most affected by isolation, with 45% saying loneliness is their biggest struggle, which was identified as a defining challenge for all generations.

A third of all nomads (34%) surveyed said loneliness is one of the main drawbacks of their lifestyle, while nearly one in five admitted to crying due to feelings of isolation. One in four have lied to friends and family about how much they are enjoying the experience. The data suggests community-focused spaces are increasingly seen as part of the answer. Almost three in ten (29%) nomads have paid to join co-living or co-working hubs specifically to feel part of a community, while two in five regularly attend meetups or local events to build new social ties.

The findings also arrive at a time when anti-nomad campaigns in countries such as Portugal and Mexico are making headlines. Nearly half (43%) of respondents said such sentiment made them reflect on their impact on local communities, while a third said it influenced where they chose to work.

Tasha Young, Chief Membership Officer at The Social Hub, said the research confirmed what the company had observed first-hand: The opportunity to travel, work in new environments, and push careers forward make life as a digital nomad very appealing. People living this lifestyle crave connection, community, and a place where they can feel at home while at the same time be immersed in local cultural fabric – even when they’re on the move. The evidence in our research confirms these important factors that have helped shape our approach from the very beginning. That’s why we're proud to have built inclusive, welcoming hotels where people from all backgrounds can connect – both personally and professionally – in environments designed for co-living, co-working, and co-creating in dynamic cities across Europe.

The Social Hub, which operates 21 hotels across Europe's most dynamic cities, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Florence, Porto, Rome, Glasgow, and Vienna, offers spaces that combine premium hotel accommodation, coworking, and community events, designed to give nomads a stable base and opportunities to connect.

With generational data showing that the youngest and oldest nomads in particular struggle most with belonging, the company says its role is not only to provide work-friendly environments but also to foster the social connections that keep people rooted.

Young added: Europe is a unique region where freedom of movement opens up a wealth of opportunities for workers. It’s encouraging to see that within the EU, countries are introducing digital nomad visas and similar initiatives to make it easier for people to live and work across borders – and workers recognise that as a sign they are welcome and are responding enthusiastically.

For more information on The Social Hub, and how it supports digital nomads, visit thesocialhub.co.