Countries with lower taxes and a better quality of living?
I’m currently stuck in Denmark, and it feels like I’m in a never ending financial tug of war with the government, saying goodbye to 50% of my hard earned cash each month. Add a 25% VAT on everything and throw in some hefty taxes on utilities, electricity etc, and you’ve got a situation that has me questioning if this is the life I signed up for.
Living in a place where the cold weather feels like an extra tax on happiness, I’m craving a change.
I’m all about individualism, self-sufficiency, and independence. So here’s the big question: Where in the world are you guys finding that sweet spot between low taxes and a great quality of life?
As I contemplate my escape plan, Cyprus, Portugal, and Dubai are on my radar. I dream of living in a country where taxes don’t feel like daylight robbery. But, and it’s a big ‘but,’ my online income isn’t quite flexing its muscles enough for a move to the streets of Dubai just yet.
So, where are you residing? What’s the tax scene like in your corner of the world? Are you doing a happy dance every payday, or are you, like me, wistfully staring at your bank statement, wondering where all your money went?
And let’s not forget the living conditions. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your overall quality of life?
I’m not just asking for my benefit, this is a collective quest for a better lifestyle.
Your input is greatly appreciated!
(Just to be crystal clear, I’m not fishing for a lecture on why I should be grateful for my current Danish situation or any unrelated personal opinions. If your input doesn’t contribute constructively, save it for another time.)
The Stockholm syndrome is strong with this thread
It’s just simple nationalism.
He’s in Denmark 👍
Try Texas! Land of rugged individualism & freedom. A cancer diagnosis here, no problem, just file bankruptcy and lose your house plus anything you wanted to leave your children.
Speaking of children, the kids here get trained in school for what to do in case of a crazed shooter. I say well trained, but it never works – the shooter always kills a bunch of them. The main effect of the training is to traumatize them & give them bad dreams.
You can carry a gun here, like openly wild west style. My mechanic accidentally pointed his at me when he was removing his holster belt. Thrilling!
Want a college education? You can absolutely have it here if your parents are rich or if you don’t mind going into crippling predatory lending debt. People are often paying these loans into their 60’s.
We have great roads, but be prepared to pay $150+ plus in tolls per month if you use them routinely.
Hope you don’t need an abortion. You’ll need to go out of state as it’s illegal.
Our governor is kind of a monster, we’ve decided to find it charming. He didn’t make sure to take care of the electric grid infrastructure and the Texas Tribune estimates 900 Texans froze to death one winter, although that’s higher than official numbers.
Lots of people here pay 25-40% in federal taxes, btw.
Go dubai. 0 taxes… allegedly
Yes
In Poland it is possible to pay around 20% of tax and be a tax resident while residing 0 days a year in the country.
Lots of pathetic comments here. Completely gaslit into thinking they get value for their taxes. The only place I know where this is true is Switzerland where the taxes are pretty low and you have a social safety net and excellent infrastructure. If it’s possible as a Danish citizen to be a tax resident nowhere when continously traveling then this combined with a US LLC is your easiest answer. If not then having a base in Dubai or some of Eastern Europe is probably best.
Bro, i know and feel your pain. Finally got rid of it. DM me if you want some serious help.
Based on most of your comments, Mogadishu. Little to no taxes (mostly sales tax), you get almost exclusively ONLY what YOU pay for.
In all my years nomading, I’ve never actually met a single scandinavian person who felt happy living there. But hey! Those happiness indexes always puts them at the top. Always felt such bs. Country where half the years sun doesn’t shine? Happy? Yeah, sure.
Me neither, but I gather that it’s great for people who fit the mould (say 90%??) and horrible for anyone who doesn’t.
The lack of needing to survive allows one to pursue it’s own happiness, if he can’t find satisfaction in a wealthy and safe space to me it doesn’t seem like he can find it somewhere else, the grass will always be greener in another place
The lack of needing to survive allows one to pursue it’s own happiness,
You’re very naive if you think surviving means you can find happiness.
Scandinavia is a class society too. An expensive one. Everything is expensive. You won’t afford to pursue your interests.
If your sample consists of nomads, is that really surprising? Like if I was happy in the US I wouldn’t be in South America right now.
Yeah, that could be a flawed sample I guess.
Really? Because I’ve met plenty here in Norway that are quite happy here. Very few that say otherwise.
probably cuz the ones that are happy do not leave the place where they are happy?? and the want they arent go nomading ???
Try the good ol’ USA. Low tax rates and lots of job opportunities. We borrow from our future instead of taxing appropriate rates now.
Well. Half to the gov, the other half to ex wife as alimony. Haha, the life!
Out of curiosity how much is a divorce cost? overall
Go to the Philippines. Lower taxes, and good quality of life outside Manila as long as you have a house, car, and lots of money.
Just be careful with getting sick or accidents because your savings will run out after a trip to the hospital (even with insurance) 😂
Also, don’t expect good functioning social benefits anywhere.
Any experience with regular dental and chiropractic care?
I’ve long accepted that in a major accident, I will die. Anywhere in the world.
Dental & Chiropractic care are everywhere. Most are not covered by insurance. Expensive for the locals but definitely cheaper for expats lol
Yeah. But if you won’t die in an accident, that means thousands of dollars in medical fees.
Any good recommendations in Gensan? Dm if you prefer. I’m looking for a regular chiropractor and I don’t know anyone who uses them around here. So I can just google it but ehhh
totally agree
The Philippines has 0 tax on foreign income unless you are Filipino.
Yeah but based on his post, I guess he wants to a citizen of other country.
Hopefully he won’t give up his Denmark Citizenship tho because when he gets old and sick, he definitely needs the social benefits of that country.
That’s what expats who live in the Philippines do.
OP has said nothing about giving up his citizenship. And no country on this planet will grant him another one for being a ‘digital nomad’.
Idk how the taxes work in Denmark so if you go to another country, you won’t pay taxes in Denmark anymore?
Almost every country works the same in this regard. In most cases, you become a country’s tax resident by staying there for more than 180 days within a year. Then you pay their local income tax (if applicable).
For PH, if we got Digital Nomad Visa in Spain for example , we won’t have to pay taxes in the Philippines anymore since we’re not operating in the Philippines.
But we do have to pay taxes in Spain which I don’t really mind.
USA
No real suggestions (I’ve heard New Zealand comes close, but have no actual data), but I am so glad you posted this if only to shut up the whiny Americans who point to Scandinavian countries as utopian examples of “if they have free healthcare, why can’t we?!” Nothing’s free. I’ve pointed out elsewhere that Denmark, also Finland and I think Sweden, take half your paycheck to take care of other people before you can take care of your own family. I mean, if that floats your boat, have at it, but I’ve been bullied on other subs for having the gall to point this out. Like there’s something wrong with someone who isn’t glad to, as you put it, hand over half your salary to the government each month. I stand in solidarity with you. Let us know what you decide!
Thanks for the insight Beth.
You are absolutely right, most people have no idea how it is to live here. It’s absolutely insane, prices and taxation on everything.
The keyboard warriors are sitting either jobless or unemployed attacking the hard working people tbat is contributing to society. Whatever that means.
I am done living my life for the sake of others, paying 50% just to see the government send another billion to Ukraine.
Just drained and sad tbh. There must be more to life than this, sad and pathetic country.
I am on your side on the excess taxation and working all the time to meet these obligations but I am not going to roll huge tear drops for you living in Denmark. Maybe take Prozac or go visit Sri Lanka, Zanzibar, Africa, etc to gain perspective of how your life could be. When a 4 year old is trying to sell fruits by the side of road while you are complaining that you net only 30-50K after all these taxes. You of all should not mention unemployed keyboard warriors when unable to put 2 plus 2 together…This is for your comment of not liking Bali because of its lack of infrastructure. No taxes, equal no healthcare, no pension, no roads, etc. Wherever low taxation country you move, don’t forget your pension because it will not earn itself magically.
Thanks for the affirmation, Malik. You mention Portugal as a candidate for your next stop. I’m toying with retiring there. What data do you have on it?
Even if I didn’t mind letting the government take half my pay, Scandinavia, Finland, and Estonia are out just because of the weather.
You mention Portugal as a candidate for your next stop. I’m toying with retiring there.
Please do not come to Portugal. With your mindset, we do not want you here.
Honestly, if you can’t achieve upwards financial mobility in DK, you wouldn’t stand a chance in the US or Dubai. It’s absurdly easy to carve out a comfortable middle class lifestyle here. If you’re goal however is to be super rich, then yes Northern Europe isn’t set up for that. But you’re going to have to adjust your mindset
Completely false.
What part?
Same boat here in Belgium. My taxes pay for lots of peoples kids (none myself) and was told that’s one of the perks of living here. As a single childless person - the taxes are brutal.
I’ve wanted to ask this question before because not all of us want to live in these places with high taxation. Some of us would love to have savings. Or own a house.
These people downvoting you and OP are those basement dwellers who get rock hard off righteousness.
Fuck Dubai, why would you even consider that place?
You must be of immigrant background. Danish people usually are ok with the high tax because how efficient their government utilizes it.
Danish people usually are ok with the high tax efficient their government utilizes it.
You must have never been to Denmark?
They complain!