NOMADS LAND

Malta could very well be the next stop for digital nomads. Daniel Goebel and Minou Schillings, digital entrepreneurs, speak to Tech.mt on this phenomenon and on some projects including CoCohub, a community of digital nomads also operating in Malta. 

Picture this. An idyllic landscape, comprising a palm-fringed beach, sun and crystal clear water. A hammock with a young woman or man hanging on it, with a laptop on her/his legs. Although reality may be a far cry from this picture, this kind of scenario is becoming common. 

We are talking about the phenomenon of digital nomads. This generic term includes various professionals of any age, nationality and background with one thing in common: having a job that lets them work from anywhere with a laptop, as long as there's a good internet connection. 

Some are entrepreneurs who do business in the digital environment, and some are freelancers who specialised in fields like web development or design. Others are employed by companies with a ‘remote working’ culture (such as the Maltese Hotjar). 

Just a few years ago - especially in Europe - this kind of lifestyle was by far considered a sort of ‘bohemian dream’ and not taken that seriously. But with the increasing opportunities created by the digital ecosystem, being a digital nomad is becoming increasingly more attractive and realistic and at the same time considered as a real alternative to the ‘nine to five job. 

 Due to the outbreak of the Covid19, even the most traditional companies have been forced to give the "smart working" a chance, and many of them realised that in most cases it's not only doable but even better than the usual way of working. 

With a convenient tax scheme that supports entrepreneurs and attracts businesses, together with a variety of initiatives to promote Malta as a centre for innovative technologies, the country seems to have what it takes to become the next digital nomads' hotspot in Europe. 

But who are digital nomads, and what do they look for when choosing a destination? What is the perception they have of the island? 

Daniel & Minou

Minou Schilling

Daniel - I'm from Germany and have been living in Malta on and off for nearly 13 years. Over the past four years - with CoCoHub - we have promoted Malta as a great country to live and work for digital nomads / remote workers and welcomed hundreds of remote workers.

Minou - I moved from the Netherlands to Malta in 2018 to study for Master of Creativity and Innovation at the University of Malta. The topic of my thesis was focused on the topic of nomadic entrepreneurship and the influence of nomadism on the business opportunity recognition process. I have been working with Daniel on the CoCoHub project for the past two years.

What is CoCoHub?

CoCoHub is the first decentralised global co-living and co-working community for digital nomads. We enable individuals to kick-start local communities of location independent professionals within their cities. We strongly believe in natural human interactions over real estate investments by creating digital nomad neighbourhoods worldwide, where everyone can join in.

Let's talk about digital nomads. What do they look for when choosing a destination? What is the average length of stay?

The main things they look for are a fast and stable internet connection, a community of like-minded people, living in central areas and opportunities for self and business development. The average length of stay always depends on the location itself and the cost of living: it can be longer (like two months) or less, like one month in places where the cost of living is higher. In Malta, it is around one month, in general.

We've noticed back then that if somebody falls in love with the location, they will be keen to come back again in the future. Digital nomads are also in general conscious about their health: that's why they love locations where it is possible to practice activities like outdoor sports, and there is a choice of good food and restaurants. Many of them are also into personal growth and development, so they appreciate places that offer spiritual, meditation and yoga courses. We've welcomed digital nomads in Malta, mainly from Germany, Poland, UK and the USA. 

How easy is it to find a short-medium let and above all - how much? Can it be expensive for a nomad in Malta? 

In general, it all depends on the season: during summertime, it's virtually impossible to find accommodation for one, two or three months as all properties are used for short-term rentals to tourists, who are in the position of paying up to 80 or 90 euros per day. This is an issue because most digital nomads are most likely to spend the summer months on the island, while during the winter months, they choose destinations outside of Europe, where it is summer.

In general, renting in Malta is very far from the real needs of a digital nomad, as they are looking for a more flexible and less traditional way, including not having hassles with landlords. They are looking for a community, which means 'co-living a shared space to live and work when meeting other digital nomads to network with. It is the same concept found in many language schools; most of them have a campus with accommodation and facilities. This is what digital nomads are looking for when it comes to accommodation. Luckily, a new one has just opened in San Ġwann, so let's see how it will go. When it comes to costs, digital nomads are ready to pay - when staying in Europe - between €800 and €1000 per month, all included, and above all, they need a high-speed internet connection. 

“Malta has developed quite fast from many points of view, which are attractive for the nomadic lifestyle”

What are the pros and cons in Malta for a digital nomad?

Let's start with the pros: Malta has the charm of being an island, but at the same time, it is not isolated at all. It is well connected with the rest of Europe and beyond. Also, it is possible to live "city life" but live next to the sea. For those looking for some peace and nature, you can be on a beautiful trail hike near the cliffs in a few minutes drive. Let's say that the small size of Malta is undoubtedly a pro. Moreover, it's a safe and relaxed environment to live in, and the English language makes everything easier. Meeting new people is also easy, and the international environment helps connections and networking. Some digital nomads I met fell in love with the island and considered relocating here, besides the convenient taxation schemes helps. 

In the last couple of years, Malta has developed quite fast from many points of view, attractive for the nomadic lifestyle. The number of co-working spaces is growing, food delivery is getting more and more popular, yoga classes are everywhere, and mobility is changing, giving some excellent alternatives to private cars. In fact, we have seen carpooling and car/scooter sharing companies grow in the last couple of years. All these things didn't exist a few years ago. Malta also made a significant move in 2017, promoting itself as the "cryptocurrency island", which attracted many new digital nomads. 

When it comes to the cons, as explained earlier, the real estate market is not really "digital nomad friendly", as property owners tend to consider these people more like tourists or residents. Also, most digital nomads are susceptible to topics like environment, sustainability and politics, and Malta has a great deal of work to be done in this sense.  

What is missing also are co-living and co-working spaces more central than what they are now. I imagine large and comfortable spaces to work and live overlooking the sea, in a central area or close to it. But I'm optimistic, and I'm sure they will come. Maybe it will take a couple of years, but they are coming. 

Do you see Malta as an ideal destination for digital nomads? What are the areas of improvement?

I see Malta having a significant role in the remote work and digital nomad movement shortly. Introducing a "digital nomad visa", as other countries did, i.e. Estonia and Barbados - would be a great way to attract new nomads like those from the USA, who are numerous. 

Malta has all the potential to be a big player in the digital nomad / remote work revolution. After all, if you think about the island's history, Malta has always been famous for its hospitality. Speaking in general about digital nomads, we can consider them the new "Knights", fighting for freedom: the freedom of choosing and building a future for themselves different from the 'nine to five lifestyle, a source of inspiration for other people, fighting for a better, fair and environmental-friendly planet. 

Face to face with a digital nomad in Malta

Alberto Guidotti is an Italian digital entrepreneur who chose Malta as his "nomadic house" for the time being.  

Alberto, what is your line of business? 

I own two companies operating in the e-commerce industry and collaborate with 50 professionals who work remotely from everywhere in the world: from Thailand to the United States. We find and launch new trends - mostly in the US - and create new products to sell.    

Why do you describe yourself as a digital nomad?

I feel like a digital nomad because I love living worldwide and working from wherever I want. All I need is my laptop and a good internet connection. I'm not too fond of the office lifestyle and the traditional corporate culture where everybody is obliged to work in the same place. 

Why did you choose Malta? For how long have you been here and how long are you planning to stay?

I chose Malta mainly for the climate and the use of the English language, and the taxation scheme of this beautiful country. I live here for less than a year, and I think I will be staying for a while before moving to the US. 

When choosing a destination, what are the main features you take into consideration?

In order of importance: taxation, climate, language and entertainment.   

Have you found good business opportunities here in Malta and a good network of entrepreneurs and other digital nomads?

I met many digital entrepreneurs and digital nomads here, which is nearly impossible in the place I come from Bergamo, [a small town in Northern Italy]. Networking in Malta is excellent, and the taxation and bureaucracy make business development much more agile and lean than in Italy. 

In what way can Malta improve to be the ideal destination for digital nomad and entrepreneurs in Europe?

I think there should be some organised events like fairs, summits and exhibitions dedicated to this ecosystem so that the island would attract more people. 

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FEATURED IN ISSUE #2

NOV ‘20