When people hear the term “digital nomad,” most still picture the same cliché: a freelancer on a beach somewhere, laptop balanced between sunscreen and mojito, trying to catch a shaky Wi-Fi signal. That tribe still exists, of course, but another group has quietly emerged, and it’s rewriting the rules of mobility. Meet the executive digital nomads.
Unlike younger nomads who tend to freelance, hop between Airbnbs, and survive on flexibility alone, executive nomads are at a different life stage. They’re founders, senior managers, or entrepreneurs who have discovered that they, too, can decouple from the traditional office. But they don’t travel light: many bring families, children, and sometimes staff. Their goals are not just about freedom; they’re about designing a sustainable lifestyle where global careers can thrive without sacrificing stability.
What They’re Really Looking For
So, what do these executives want? Connectivity, of course—but the ultra-fast, uninterrupted kind that makes a board call run smoothly without apology. Beyond that, the list reads more like a relocation package than a backpacker wish list:
Education — access to international schools where children can continue their studies seamlessly.
Healthcare — high-quality medical services on par with their home countries.
Safety and stability — environments where families feel secure.
Housing — not just a place to stay, but homes that combine comfort, design, and value.
Tax efficiency and ease of doing business — because global mobility only works if the numbers do.
Lifestyle — cultural vibrancy, climate, and a sense of belonging that makes life outside work rewarding.
In other words, executive nomads are not chasing Wi-Fi cafés. They’re chasing ecosystems that allow them to live, work, and raise families abroad without compromise.
The Global Hotspots
The Savills Executive Nomad Index 2025 reveals who’s winning this race. At the top, unsurprisingly, is Dubai, holding the crown for the third consecutive year. Its formula is straightforward: unrivalled air connectivity, cutting-edge infrastructure, and family-friendly luxury—all underpinned by tax efficiency. For executives who want everything to work seamlessly, Dubai delivers.
Abu Dhabi sits just behind, with even faster internet speeds and a calmer, more residential feel. Together, the two cities show how the UAE has turned global mobility into a national business model.
But the more intriguing story lies in Europe. Málaga has surged into third place, now the continent’s highest-ranked destination. Once seen mainly as a tourist coast, the Andalusian city has reinvented itself: international schools, cultural revival, affordable prime housing, and the Mediterranean lifestyle. For executives burned out on megacities, Málaga offers something precious: scale.
In fourth and fifth place are Miami and Lisbon. Miami attracts with its multicultural energy and gateway position to the Americas, while Lisbon continues to embody the sunny, affordable, cosmopolitan vibe that has made it a darling for digital nomads across generations. Both show that lifestyle and community are as critical as tax breaks and flights.
Further down, cities like Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona continue to climb, and even Tokyo makes the list at 11th, proving that executive nomads are not just about beaches—they’re also about depth, infrastructure, and culture.
Italy on the Map
And what about Italy? For many, it has always been a dream destination for lifestyle nomads, but rarely a practical contender in the hard metrics. That’s changing. In the 2024 index, Palermo appeared at number 22 globally—the highest-ranking Italian city. Milan and Rome didn’t make the top tier, weighed down by costs and bureaucracy, but Palermo, almost insospettabile, did.
Why? The numbers tell part of the story: Palermo’s prime rents are up to 70% cheaper than Florence. But beyond affordability, the city has undergone a cultural and social revival. A growing coworking scene, creative communities, and international networks are giving the city a new energy. Executive nomads, often weary of polished but soulless hubs, are drawn to Palermo’s authenticity.
Palermo’s Challenge
Of course, Palermo is not Dubai. It faces issues: nearly a million cruise visitors expected this year bring risks of overcrowding and gentrification. Infrastructure needs upgrades. Schools and healthcare must rise to international expectations. Without a strategy, the city could slip into becoming more of a tourist stage than a living community.
And yet, this is exactly why Palermo is fascinating. It has something no amount of investment can fake: authenticity. History, culture, community, and an everyday rhythm of life that feels grounded. If these assets can be aligned with executive nomad needs—better connectivity, international services, smoother visas—Palermo could position itself as a Mediterranean powerhouse.
A Bold Bet on Palermo
Executive nomads are not a passing fad; they are a structural force in the future of work. Cities that attract them don’t just gain temporary residents; they gain long-term investors, families, and professional networks. Dubai proved it with infrastructure. Málaga with lifestyle. Palermo has the chance to do it with authenticity.
And this is not just speculation. Partnerships are already forming to position Palermo as “the place” for executive nomads—a city where global leaders can find both the efficiency they need and the depth of life they crave.
For now, Palermo might look like an unlikely contender. But if the past few years have shown anything, it’s that the geography of executive nomadism is shifting fast. The next capital of mobile executives may not be a glass tower in the desert—but a baroque piazza in Sicily, where Wi-Fi flows as reliably as the wine, and the future of work feels unexpectedly human.
So… STAY TUNED and have a look at this website, Palermo is calling you!