‘Cosy’ European country needs remote workers – so they’re giving away free holidays

Cosying up in a cabin surrounded by deep blue fjords, sending your emails whilst overlooking snowcapped mountains and unspoiled wilderness. If that sounds like your work-from-home dream, you’re in luck. A tech company is seeking testers to work from a private cabin in Norway, offering free flights, ground transportation and accommodation for two people. The 10 successful applicants will travel to the Scandinavian country and spend six days working remotely from one of the five breathtaking locations available, which include scenic ski resorts, picturesque fishing villages and rugged mountain ranges.

The first trip takes place from March 18-23 in the Lysefjord region, next to a 42 km-long fjord where visitors can enjoy bathing in waterfalls, hiking, and boating excursions. Brave travellers will also have the chance to try Lutefisk, a traditional Nordic dish of dried whitefish that has been cured in lye and rehydrated. From March 25-30, web browser Opera is offering the opportunity to visit either the mountainous archipelago of Lofoten or the Norefjell ski resort.

Lofoten is the site of crystal-clear fjords and traditional fishing villages, while Norefjell offers skiing for all levels and a panoramic view of Norway’s dramatic landscapes. Visitors to both locations will also have a chance to see the Northern Lights. From April 1-6, lucky travellers have a chance to visit Bodø, a town just north of the Arctic Circle known for its moose population, or Ålesund, a port town on the west coast famed for its art nouveau architecture.

During the five-night stays, the winning travellers will test working from one of Opera’s ‘hygge desks’. The desks are designed to be cosy spaces with warm lighting and unparalleled views of nature, eliminating distractions and allowing workers to be present in the moment. Hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-ga’) is a Danish and Norwegian word that describes a feeling of cosiness and contentment. It’s about embracing being in the moment.

The cold, dark winters in Nordic countries have made finding satisfaction indoors an important part of their cultures, and some think it’s one of the reasons why Denmark and Norway consistently rank among the world’s happiest countries. For the chance to become a hygge tester, eager travellers can apply on the Opera website. Applications close on February 28, with winners announced on March 5. But if you aren’t one of the lucky 10 picked to travel to Norway, you can still live out your digital nomad dreams elsewhere.

Last year, Extremadura, a region in Spain, announced it was offering up to €15,000 (£12,530) to those who work remotely in the tech industry. The move is an attempt to give an economic boost to the region (which has one of the country’s smallest populations and lowest GDPs per capita) and non-EU nationals can apply if they have already obtained Spain’s digital nomad visa. Elsewhere, in March 2024 Japan launched a new six-month digital nomad visa, although the application process is far from straightforward.

The Japanese government is asking that applicants earn at least ¥10 million (around £53,485) per year and that they have private healthcare. Plus, there are restrictions on certain activities, such as opening a bank account or renting long-term accommodation. Other countries that have recently launched digital nomad visas include South Korea, in January 2024, Thailand, in July last year, and Taiwan, which launched recently on January 1.

Euronews recently revealed that Finland’s digital nomad visa has the lowest income requirements in Europe, with applicants needing to earn a minimum of €1,220 (£1019) per month. Meanwhile, Luxembourg City was revealed last year as Europe’s best destination for remote workers, according to factors including safety, WiFi speed, and the general cost of living. Other cities that ranked high on the list include Olomouc, in Czechia, and Rotterdam and Aalborg in the Netherlands.

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A separate study crowned Tuzla, the third-largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the cheapest place to be a remote worker. Do you have a story to share?. Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk. Arrow MORE: ‘Breathtaking’ train route with £25 ticket is relaunching between two major European cities. Arrow MORE: A huge new Center Parcs style resort will open in this UK national park.