Madeira as best digital nomad destination

Madeira is a top destination for digital nomads, offering reliable internet, affordable living, and a vibrant community. Here’s why you should consider it:

• Low Cost of Living: 48% cheaper than London and 13% cheaper than Lisbon. Rentals start at €450/month outside Funchal.
• Strong Internet: Speeds up to 1 Gbps with island-wide broadband coverage.
• Community: Thriving nomad villages, events, and coworking spaces like Cowork Funchal (€130/month) and Sangha Funchal (€150/month).
• Outdoor Lifestyle: Year-round mild weather, hiking trails, natural pools, and beaches.
• Convenient Location: Close to Europe with great travel links.

Quick Overview

Whether you’re seeking a productive work environment, outdoor adventures, or a welcoming community, Madeira has it all.

Living Costs in Madeira

Madeira combines excellent infrastructure with a vibrant digital community, all while offering a budget-friendly lifestyle.

Where to Live: Housing Options

Housing in Madeira varies widely, from high-end apartments in Funchal to more affordable choices in other areas. For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in less central areas costs about €450 per month [2].

The IHM program is also expanding housing options, with plans to add 180 homes by mid-2024 and 420 apartments by the end of the year. These rentals will be capped at 35% of tenants’ gross monthly income [4].

Daily Costs: Food, Transport, and Bills

Once housing is sorted, day-to-day expenses are manageable. Fresh produce and meals are affordable, with a basic lunch priced at around €9 and a fast-food combo meal averaging €5.84 [2].

Transportation is also budget-friendly. A monthly bus pass costs €30, car rentals start at €18 per day, and cross-island bus trips are just €4 [2][3].

Money-Saving Tips for Madeira

Here are a few ways to stretch your budget even further:

• Choose areas like Ponta do Sol or Camara de Lobos instead of central Funchal to save on rent [2].
• If you’re staying for more than three months, try negotiating lower rates [3].
• Use eSIM services like Airalo, which offers 30GB of data for $19 USD (valid for 15 days), to cut down on mobile costs [3].

When compared to other popular destinations, Madeira stands out as a more affordable option:

Work Spaces and Community

Best Coworking Spaces in Madeira

Madeira has coworking options to suit different preferences and budgets. Cowork Funchal offers a professional setup starting at €130 per month or €12 for a daily pass [6]. Sangha Funchal, located in central Funchal, features a multi-floor workspace with outdoor seating, starting at €150 per month or €15 for a daily pass [5].

Homeoffice Madeira stands out with its 400-square-meter villa, featuring communal spaces, private desks, garden WiFi, and a dedicated call room [7].

For those looking beyond commercial spaces, a government-backed initiative has been instrumental in building a strong nomad community.

Digital Nomads Madeira Islands Program

Launched in February 2021, the Digital Nomads Madeira Islands program offers free coworking spaces in Ponta do Sol, a Slack-based community, curated housing options, on-site support, and exclusive events [1]. Since its inception, the program has expanded to include community managers in locations like Funchal, Machico, Santa Cruz, Jardim do Mar, and Porto Santo [1].

Meeting Other Nomads: Events and Groups

Beyond coworking spaces and official programs, Madeira’s local events bring nomads together daily. Madeira Friends has been a major driver of these connections, hosting over 270 in-person events in 2023 that drew more than 10,000 attendees [9]. Recent highlights include:

The nomad community stays connected through WhatsApp, Slack, Instagram, and Facebook groups [9]. Regular activities include fitness sessions, workshops, volunteering, and skill-sharing events, ensuring there’s always something happening for everyone.

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Internet and Tech Setup

Internet Quality and Access

In Madeira, the internet infrastructure is well-suited for digital nomads. Urban areas like Funchal boast fiber optic connections with speeds reaching up to 1 Gbps, while rural areas usually see speeds closer to 30 Mbps [11]. The main providers - MEO, NOS Madeira, and Vodafone - offer fiber packages ranging from 200 to 1000 Mbps, priced between €38.99 and €45.99 per month.

Fernando Mendes advises: “If you’re renting or have just moved to Portugal, I typically recommend that people go with MEO… MEO is the biggest network in terms of size and network availability. It has around 80-90% of the fibre infrastructure” [10].

Free public WiFi is available in many areas, particularly in Funchal, where public spaces often provide reliable connectivity [11]. For coworking spaces, hubs like Homeoffice Madeira deliver speeds exceeding 200 Mbps for downloads and 100 Mbps for uploads. Combined with Madeira’s tech support services, staying connected is rarely an issue.

Power and Tech Support

For tech assistance, AskWhizz offers affordable options:

If you need hardware repairs or on-site help, local service providers charge approximately €50 per hour for on-site support, €30 for off-site, and €20 for remote assistance (30 minutes) [12].

Here are some tips to improve your tech setup:

• Use mobile hotspots to test coverage in different areas.
• Install WiFi repeaters to tackle connectivity issues in properties with thick walls [10].
• Consider bundling your internet with TV and phone services for convenience.
• Check if your accommodation has fiber internet before committing [10].

Most internet plans require a two-year contract, but MEO offers a one-year option, which is ideal for shorter stays [10]. Additionally, Madeira’s slightly lower VAT rate (22% compared to 23% on mainland Portugal) helps reduce tech service costs [10].

Life in Madeira

Outdoor Activities and Nature

With its subtropical climate, Madeira is perfect for year-round outdoor adventures. The island’s varied landscapes offer a mix of relaxation and exploration, making it easy to enjoy a balanced lifestyle.

For flexibility, renting a car is a great option. For example, an automatic Jeep Renegade costs around €45 per day (with a three-day minimum) [13].

“The diversity of landscapes, from lush forests to desert-like coasts, all on one small island, is magical. It’s a perfect blend of work-life balance for digital nomads, offering both tranquility and adventure.” - Kyle Cords, Author [13]

Madeira’s natural beauty is only part of its charm. The island’s events and local traditions add even more to the experience.

Local Life and Events

When you’re not exploring the outdoors, Madeira’s cultural life has plenty to offer. The island hosts a variety of events where you can meet people and enjoy local traditions:

• Festas do Concelho de Ponta do Sol: Held in September, this celebration features local DJs and food stalls.
• Farmer’s Market: A great way to pick up fresh, local produce.
• Nomad Island Fest: An annual December gathering in Ponta do Sol for remote workers and entrepreneurs [8].

These events provide a unique opportunity to connect with the community while enjoying Madeira’s vibrant culture.

Weather and Travel Links

Madeira’s mild weather, often called the “island of eternal spring” [14], enhances both outdoor activities and daily life. The island also has microclimates, offering different experiences depending on where you are.

Key weather factors to consider:

• North vs South: The north gets more rain than the south [15].
• Altitude: Higher areas are cooler, with noticeable temperature shifts [15].
• Sea Temperature: Warm enough for swimming all year [15].
• Humidity: Stays consistent at 67-71% annually [14].

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Madeira enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year, making it a top choice for remote workers seeking a mix of productivity and leisure [15][16].

Conclusion: Is Madeira Right for You?

Madeira stands out as a top choice for digital nomads, thanks to its reliable internet, active nomad communities, affordable living, and excellent connections to the rest of Europe.

Living costs are reasonable, with monthly expenses averaging around €1,200 and private accommodation starting at €550 [17]. The island offers impressive internet speeds, with an average download speed of 83 Mbps [19] and the fastest fixed internet in Portugal at 74 Mbps [20].

For remote workers, Madeira combines strong internet connectivity, a vibrant community, and versatile accommodation options. It’s an excellent fit for those who:

• Need dependable high-speed internet
• Enjoy outdoor activities year-round
• Want to be part of a welcoming community
• Seek a balance between work and nature

The Digital Nomads Madeira Islands program is a helpful resource, offering access to a Slack community, housing options, social events, and workshops [18]. While initially focused on Ponta do Sol, the program now covers several towns across the island.

Madeira is also budget-friendly - 12% cheaper than Lisbon [2] and more affordable than cities like Budapest and Barcelona [19]. Its appeal as a long-term remote work destination is clear, with many visitors extending their stays or returning frequently [18].

With its mix of affordability, connectivity, and community, Madeira has everything a remote worker could need.