Leaving Scotland for Europe: why digital nomad visas are quietly reshaping life choices
Beyond Instagram dreams, a policy shift is driving a new kind of European mobility
There’s a thin but increasingly solid line connecting Glasgow to Barcelona, Edinburgh to Lisbon, Northern Europe to the Mediterranean. It’s not just about better weather or prettier cafés. It’s about paperwork — and what happens when bureaucracy stops being a barrier and starts acting like an invitation.
An article published by The Herald captures a trend that, if you’ve been following Nomag for a while, won’t come as a surprise: digital nomad visas have become a decisive factor in where people choose to live, work, and build the next chapter of their lives.
According to new research commissioned by The Social Hub and conducted by Opinion Matters among more than 2,000 digital nomads across Europe, visas are no longer a technical detail. They are shaping real, structural decisions.
Almost three quarters of respondents (74%) said they quit their job and moved country because a digital nomad visa made it possible. The same percentage said they actively ruled out destinations where such visas didn’t exist. For 78%, the mere presence of a digital nomad visa is seen as a clear signal that a country is welcoming.
From fringe lifestyle to mainstream choice
Once framed as a niche, almost bohemian way of working, digital nomadism now cuts across sectors and age groups. The research shows strong representation not only in tech, but also in manufacturing, retail, hospitality, leisure, and telecoms. This is no longer a monoculture of startup founders and crypto freelancers.
Income levels confirm the shift. More than half of respondents earn between €40,000 and €80,000, with over a third above €80,000. These are not people “escaping work”, but professionals relocating it.
Countries like Spain, Portugal and Italy have been among the most active in introducing dedicated schemes to attract this mobile workforce, while Slovenia has recently joined the list. The goal is clear: attract skills, spending power, and long-term residents without forcing them into traditional employment structures.
Same visa, different generations
One of the most interesting aspects of the research is how motivations change with age.
Gen Z (18–28) are the most lifestyle-driven: better quality of life and travel opportunities top their reasons for going nomadic. Yet they are also the least integrated locally, with 37% saying they don’t feel immersed in the culture of where they live.
Millennials (29–44), now the backbone of the workforce, are more pragmatic. They emphasise freedom and flexibility, and are the most active users of coworking spaces and professional events — tools to replace the office without losing networks.
Perhaps most surprising is the baby boomer cohort (61–79). Nearly half chose nomadism for lifestyle and travel — a higher share than any other age group. But they also report the highest levels of loneliness, highlighting a tension that cuts across generations.
The part nobody posts about
Loneliness is the shadow side of the nomad narrative.
One third of all respondents cited it as a major drawback. Nearly one in five admitted to crying because of isolation. One in four said they had lied to friends or family about how much they were enjoying the experience.
This is where the conversation shifts from visas to ecosystems.
Almost 30% of nomads have paid to join coliving or coworking hubs specifically to feel part of a community. Two in five regularly attend meetups or local events. Spaces that blend work, social life, and local culture are no longer “nice extras” — they’re becoming essential infrastructure.
Unsurprisingly, this is where operators like The Social Hub see their role. As Tasha Young, the company’s chief membership officer, puts it: nomads aren’t just looking for Wi-Fi and desks, but for places where they can “feel at home while being immersed in the local cultural fabric”.
Mobility, but with consequences
The findings also arrive against a more complex backdrop. Anti-nomad and anti-expat sentiment has surfaced in places like Portugal and Mexico, forcing many remote workers to reflect on their impact.
43% said such campaigns made them think more carefully about local communities, and a third said it directly influenced where they chose to live.
This is a crucial point often missing from the hype: digital nomad visas are a policy tool, not a magic solution. Without housing strategies, community integration, and local governance, mobility can easily turn into friction.
A Scottish case, a European story
The Herald article closes with the story of Nick Cohen, a 35-year-old IT adviser from Glasgow preparing to relocate to Barcelona with his partner. His reasoning is disarmingly simple: if the work is location-independent, why not redesign everyday life?
That question is now being asked by thousands of people across Europe. And thanks to digital nomad visas, for the first time, many governments are answering it with a cautious but tangible: yes, you’re welcome.
The real challenge, for 2026 and beyond, is what happens after the visa is granted. Mobility is easy. Belonging is not.