Impact of Digital Nomads on North Macedonia’s Rental Market

Published on October 3, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

The Impact of Digital Nomads on North Macedonia’s Rental Market

In a world where digital connectivity is redefining traditional work models, the digital nomad phenomenon is gaining momentum, transforming not only professional habits but also local economic dynamics.

In North Macedonia, a country rich in cultural diversity and natural beauty, the influx of these nomadic workers is beginning to significantly impact the rental market. With digital nomads seeking temporary housing that meets their specific needs for flexibility and connectivity, local property owners and real estate players are adapting to capitalize on this new demand, thereby redefining the accommodation landscape.

The Digital Nomad Phenomenon in North Macedonia

North Macedonia is attracting more and more digital nomads thanks to several major advantages:

• High-Performance Internet Connectivity: The country has robust infrastructure with easy access to high-speed broadband, particularly in major cities. 4G coverage is widespread and 5G is beginning to emerge. Many cafes, public spaces, and coworking locations offer reliable Wi-Fi, allowing nomadic workers to stay connected wherever they go.
• Favorable Cost of Living: Living in North Macedonia costs 45-50% less than in Western Europe. Rent is particularly affordable; a couple can live very comfortably on €1,500 per month, and a single person can enjoy an excellent standard of living starting at €1,000 monthly.
• Modern Coworking Spaces: Skopje, the capital, as well as Ohrid and Bitola, offer welcoming collaborative spaces equipped with modern facilities and animated by a dynamic community. These places facilitate professional networking and foster the integration of newcomers.

Comparison Table of Main Advantages

Advantage	Details
Connectivity	Fast internet (Wi-Fi/4G/5G), accessible nationwide
Cost of Living	Low (affordable housing, dining, transportation)
Coworking Spaces	Available in all major cities
Taxation	Flat income tax rate: 10%

Cities/Neighborhoods Popular with Digital Nomads

• Skopje (Debar Maalo or Centar neighborhoods) for their vibrant urban atmosphere and numerous modern infrastructures.
• Ohrid, favored for its exceptional natural setting on the shores of its namesake lake.
• Bitola, appreciated for its relaxed atmosphere and proximity to nature.

“I never imagined I could work facing Lake Ohrid while having internet as stable as in Berlin,” shares Laura M., a French freelancer who has been based in Ohrid for six months.

“What I like here? The rent is low, but above all, there’s this creative atmosphere in the cafe-coworking spaces where I easily meet other freelancers,” testifies Marko B., a Croatian developer based in Skopje.

Effects on Rental Demand

The massive arrival of foreign remote workers significantly increases seasonal and annual rental demand in certain central neighborhoods or those near major natural sites. This sometimes leads to a slight price increase in these specific segments while revitalizing the local real estate supply (furnished apartments, renovated studios).

Government & Private Initiatives

List of Main Measures Implemented

• Launch of a specific digital visa allowing digital nomads to legally settle for several months;
• Attractive tax incentives (low flat income tax rate, partial exemption on certain foreign income);
• Active support for entrepreneurial initiatives through local grants or tax relief;
• Continuous development of the coworking network supported by the private sector.

Local Economic Impact

These policies generate new direct financial influx through daily expenses (housing, dining) as well as indirect benefits via local entrepreneurial activity. They also promote the emergence of an economic fabric oriented towards digital innovation and stimulate local employment related to services for newcomers.

Thus, North Macedonia positions itself as a European alternative still untouched by mass tourism, offering all the conditions sought by those wishing to combine professional flexibility, high quality of life…and a controlled budget.

Coliving and Infrastructure: An Ecosystem Adapted to Nomadic Workers

Coliving in North Macedonia is emerging as an agile and tailored response to the specific needs of digital nomadic workers, thanks to a combination of modern infrastructure, community services, and the flexibility sought by these itinerant professionals.

Main Advantages for Digital Nomads:

• High-Speed Internet Connectivity: Coliving spaces systematically provide access to fast and reliable internet, considered essential for remote work.
• Integrated Coworking Spaces: Many establishments include dedicated areas for collaborative work with ergonomic desks, printers, and meeting rooms.
• International Community: These places foster connections among residents through regular events (workshops, themed evenings), encouraging professional and personal exchange while reducing isolation.
• Contract Flexibility: Rentals available by the week or month to accommodate the short or extended stays typical of the nomadic lifestyle.

Thus, coliving combines private accommodations (individual room with bathroom) and shared spaces (equipped kitchen, cozy lounges, sometimes a gym or relaxation area), offering a balance between privacy and social life.

Comparison Table — Services Typically Offered in Main Spaces:

Feature	Traditional Coliving	Digital Nomad Dedicated Spaces
High-Speed Internet	Variable	Always Included
Coworking Spaces	Rare	Integrated
Community Activities	Occasional	Frequent
Rental Flexibility	Low	High

Impact on the Local Rental Market

The rise of coliving for digital nomads has several measurable consequences:

• Local rent increases in certain attractive urban areas where demand now exceeds traditional supply.
• Transformation of the real estate portfolio: renovation of old buildings into modern hybrid accommodations; new construction specifically designed for this clientele.
• Economic stimulation: increase in local spending related to the prolonged presence of international workers.

List of Observed Effects:

• Temporary but controlled increase in rental prices in popular neighborhoods
• Diversification of the types of offers on the market
• Emergence of “coliving” real estate programs targeting remote workers

Concrete Examples of Attractive Spaces

Some notable examples include:

• Mapmelon Colivings – Skopje & Ohrid
  • Comfortable private rooms
  • Integrated coworking space accessible 24/7
  • Active international community with regular events
• Nomadico (local partnerships)
  • Direct collaboration with Macedonian hosts to create an authentic environment blending local cultural immersion and modern technical support
• Stays for Digital Nomads in Ohrid
  • Flexible accommodations around Lake Ohrid
  • Easy access to tourist infrastructure while remaining professionally connected

These initiatives leverage natural attractiveness (proximity to mountains/lakes), affordability compared to Western Europe, and an enriching human experience focused on professional mutual support.

Public/Private Collaborations

We are gradually observing the establishment of cooperation between private operators – specialized international platforms or local startups – and municipal authorities in order to:

• Improve local digital infrastructure,
• Actively promote the destination at international events,
• Jointly develop a “digital-nomad friendly” image allowing the country to position itself against regional competitors.

This model contributes not only to sustainable tourism development but also to urban renewal in several major cities.

The Rental Market Facing the Arrival of Digital Nomads: Challenges and Opportunities

The rental market in North Macedonia is experiencing sustained dynamics, marked by strong demand in major cities like Skopje and Ohrid. Average prices per square meter remain attractive compared to other European capitals, ranging between €1,000 and €2,000 depending on location. The growth of seasonal rentals linked to tourism, as well as stable economic development (projected growth around 3.5% in 2025), maintain a high level of rental yield: between 5% and 7% in Skopje, with peaks up to 8% in tourist areas.

City	Average Price per m² (€)	Main Attraction
Skopje	1,500 – 2,000	Dynamic Capital
Ohrid	~1,200 – ~1,400	Tourism/UNESCO Lake
Bitola	~900	Affordable Offer/Stability

The growing arrival of digital nomads is profoundly influencing this market:

• Increased demand for furnished short or medium-term rentals.
• Expectation of modern infrastructure: fast wifi, coworking spaces, or accommodations adapted to remote work.
• Diversification of tenant profiles with a more international and flexible clientele.
• “Premium” effect in certain central neighborhoods or those close to urban amenities.

Challenges for Property Owners & Real Estate Agencies

• Digital adaptation: need to integrate international platforms (Airbnb, Booking…), digital management of bookings/payments/contracts.
• Need for legal adaptations: short-term contracts suited to temporary stays, consideration of the particular tax status of foreign digital nomads.
• Pressure on local prices potentially excluding some traditional residents if the supply shifts too heavily towards short-term.

Opportunities Brought by Digital Nomads

1. Increased diversification of the rental portfolio (types of properties offered).
2. Extension of the tourist season thanks to non-seasonal clientele.
3. Stimulation of private investments in renovation and modern equipment (design furniture, home automation…).
4. Revitalization of the local fabric through increased consumption (coworking cafes, etc.).

Government/Local Initiatives

The Macedonian government actively encourages attracting foreign investors through:

tax incentives in certain zones,

administrative simplification for obtaining long-term visas for mobile workers,

direct support for projects improving tourist or digital offerings.

These measures can further stimulate the rental market but also present a potential risk:

possible accentuation of supply/demand imbalances if construction does not keep up,

social tensions around the cost of housing locally.

Important Text:

The transformation accelerated by digital nomads thus constitutes a major lever but requires traditional players—both property owners and agencies—to adapt quickly both technologically and regulatory so that all can fully benefit from the new dynamism without losing local social cohesion or sacrificing classic residential accessibility.