In an increasingly mobile global employment market, the executive nomad has emerged as a distinct and influential class of remote-working professional. Enabled by technology, these individuals – often business founders, senior managers or entrepreneurs – are choosing locations that offer both connectivity and quality of life.
To examine these trends in more depth, we’ve produced the Savills Executive Nomad Index for 2025. We analysed 30 destinations based on their appeal and ease of access for long-term remote workers. We then ranked each for internet speed, air connectivity, stability in climate, prime residential market prices and overall quality of life, combining the totals to create an overall ranking.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to lead the way in this year’s index, holding the top two positions for the second consecutive year. The next three locations – Málaga (3rd), Miami (4th) and Lisbon (5th) – are also unchanged, reflecting the continued appeal of these destinations to the globetrotting business leaders. Along with Palma (6th) and Barcelona (7th), they are all coastal cities offering both sun and business opportunities.
This year, we have expanded our list to include locations in areas of the world not previously covered in this analysis that now offer visa routes for long-term remote workers. Tokyo (11th) and Berlin (28th), for example, offer something slightly different from the traditional sun and beach destinations. These cities are not only major economic centres but are also vibrant cultural centres.
Vancouver (18th) and Auckland (9th) offer access to beautiful beaches but are important regional business hubs. Finally, we have added Crete (15th).
What do executive nomads want?
Technology has enabled many business founders and managers to do their work wherever they please. In common with the – typically younger – digital nomad, executive nomads look for a high quality of life, with requirements including a warm climate and a welcoming culture. But the executive class tends to travel with their families and prioritises education and healthcare.
Executive nomads tend to rent, with ample space and proximity to amenities being priorities. Prime rents across the 30 locations tracked in this index have risen by 2.9% on average this year, reflecting continued interest.
Digital nomad visa schemes remain key to attracting these professionals. Since Estonia’s pioneering move in 2020, 67 countries now offer some form of remote work visa. However, the growth in new schemes has begun to slow. And some notable locations, such as Bermuda, have ended their visa programmes altogether.
The slower growth in visa schemes has been offset by markets that have created new strategies to attract these footloose workers. Two new countries to our index, Canada and New Zealand, do not offer explicit digital nomad visas but instead have long-term visitor visas that have been revised to allow for fully remote employment for the duration of an individual’s stay.
Savills Executive Nomad Index 2025
Source: Savills Research
Executive hotspots: key locations from this year’s index
United Arab Emirates
Executive Nomad Index rank: Dubai 1, Abu Dhabi 2
Dubai and Abu Dhabi take the top two spots in our index. Dubai has the leading score for its flight network, while Abu Dhabi is best for internet speed. “From tax efficiency and high-speed connectivity to lifestyle, safety and ease of doing business, the UAE continues to deliver what today’s mobile professionals are looking for,” says Andrew Cummings, Head of Residential Agency, Middle East, Savills.
“Add to that year-round sunshine, world-class hospitality and access to top-tier schools and healthcare, and it’s clear why the region continues to lead the way for executive nomads.
Spain
Executive Nomad Index rank: Málaga 3, Palma 6, Barcelona 7
Each of Spain’s trio of top-10 cities brings something unique for executive nomads, along with the country’s robust economy. The Costa del Sol destination of Málaga edges out the other Spanish cities with its strong cost advantage. Palma offers an exceptionally high quality of life, while Barcelona provides a similar coastal experience as well as a more urban environment.
“Málaga has a Mediterranean lifestyle, comparatively affordable living, reliable services and excellent connectivity – both digitally and through direct flights to major cities,” says José Felix Pérez-Peña, Executive Director Andalucía, Savills Spain. “It also offers a strong education system across the province, which is increasingly attracting nomadic families.
“Málaga is incredibly welcoming and easy to adapt to,” he adds. “It’s evolving into a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, yet it wants to hold on to its authentic charm and identity.”
Portugal
Executive Nomad Index rank: Lisbon 5, Algarve 10
Both Portuguese locations have remained in the top 10 since the index began in 2022. Lisbon and the Algarve offer a high quality of life, as well as consistently warm weather.
Lisbon’s connectivity and quality of life keep it in the top five, while the Algarve offers greater affordability and an appealing climate. Portugal has become increasingly popular with international executives in recent years, supporting prime residential markets across the country.
“The Algarve combines world-class properties with an ideal work-life balance,” says Iain Begg, Sales Director, QP Savills. “English is widely spoken, and a vibrant expat community creates an easy path to new connections.
“Its convenient time zone, excellent international schools and temperate climate support productivity year-round while offering plenty of opportunities to relax. The cost of living is affordable, and travel times to the UK and major European hubs are short.”
Greece
Executive Nomad Index rank: Crete 15, Athens 27
A new entrant to our index, Crete, performs well in this year’s analysis. It offers the second highest quality of life of any location in the index, together with a favourable Mediterranean island climate. Athens, meanwhile, offers more affordable prime rents and remains a key regional hub for flights across Europe and beyond.
Danae Tsakiris, Director, RE Advisory and Agency, Savills Greece, says this air connectivity, together with the lifestyle and its geographical location between east and west, have helped Greece become a key executive nomad destination. “The cuisine, nightlife, shopping and, of course, weather of Athens enable it to directly compete with other South European cities, while at the same time offering a more affordable cost of living.
“Foreign executives come to Greece to combine a vibrant lifestyle, culture, prime real estate and access to good international schools.”
