Digital Nomad in Madeira: Detailed Guide From a Regular Visitor
This is my third year as a digital nomad in Madeira, and one thing’s for sure: I’ve learnt a lot since my first trip in 2023.
Madeira is quickly growing in popularity as a digital nomad destination. No wonder, when it offers stable internet and a warm subtropical climate coupled with chiselled mountains and beaches.
Beyond that, Madeira has several active digital nomad communities. WhatsApp groups and Slack channels share daily events, from hikes and wellness meetups to dinners and parties. Co-living and co-working spaces are also increasing in numbers.
If you’re thinking about being a digital nomad in Madeira, I’m going to share all of the key information you need to know, including where to stay, how to access the digital nomad communities and what to expect in terms of cost.
I’ll also share my honest opinion on the pros and cons of visiting Madeira as a digital nomad. It’s not all rainbows and sunshine, but that’s true anywhere!
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.
Why So Many People Are Choosing to Be a Digital Nomad in Madeira
Madeira used to be a destination for retirees, but over the past 5 – 10 years, it has grown in popularity with digital nomads.
To start with, digital nomads came to the island for the cheaper cost of living compared to mainland Portugal and most of western Europe.
However, around four or five years ago, videos of the island’s chiselled mountains and dramatic hiking trails blew up on social media, attracting more and more tourists (and digital nomads).
Its popularity grew again when, as part of a clever marketing strategy in 2024, Ponta do Sol was declared the first ever ‘digital nomad village’.
Ponta do Sol
Nowadays, the cost of living is rapidly increasing, but Madeira remains popular with digital nomads for several reasons:
- The temperature sits around 18 – 25°C for most of the year, making it warmer than most of Europe.
- There are several thriving digital nomad communities in Madeira. Daily events make it easy to connect with other remote workers.
- Madeira has epic hiking trails, beaches and natural pools. It’s popular for hiking, trail running and other outdoor activities.
- It has strong WiFi and data, especially in the cities.
- There are friendly co-living and co-working spaces.
- Portugal offers a digital nomad visa (D8) for non-EU citizens who work remotely. As of 2025, the minimum income requirement is €3,480 per month.
- Madeira has a reasonable (but rising) cost of living compared to many big cities in western Europe.
The Downsides of Being a Digital Nomad in Madeira
But, look, nowhere is perfect – a harsh truth that I’m sure many digital nomads will understand – and these are some downsides to being a digital nomad in Madeira:
- Cost of living: Over the past 5 years, rental and house prices have soared due to a high demand and limited housing. In 2024, house prices rose by 12.4% and rent prices increased by 7.7%, according to the Times of Madeira. Digital nomads and expats contribute to that increased demand.
- Tricky flights: Funchal’s Madeira Airport (FNC) is a small airport with limited flight routes. You can fly directly to most major destinations in Europe, but most nomads will need to take 1+ connecting flights. Plus, flights are often cancelled, delayed or rerouted due to high winds or adverse weather conditions.
- Island fever: If you stay in Madeira long term, island fever can creep in. You might feel ‘cut off’ or bored with the same scenery.
- Limited nightlife: Madeira doesn’t have many nightlife venues.
- The café culture: If you’ve been nomad-ing in Asia, you might be shocked to find that working from a café for three hours is usually frowned upon in Madeira. Cafés are often small and limited on space, so they’re usually used for quick coffee breaks, not longer work sessions.
- Cultural tensions: Rightly so, locals are growing frustrated about the rising cost of housing. Tensions towards digital nomads and tourists who force the house prices up are rising.
My Experience Being a Digital Nomad in Madeira
I have visited Madeira three times. On my first trip in 2023, I spent two months on the island, including one week in Funchal and the remaining 7 weeks in Machico.
Everything was very straightforward after I’d registered for the Slack community for digital nomads in Madeira on the Startup Madeira website.
From there, I was able to join WhatsApp groups for community events, monthly rentals and other activities in Madeira.
A Ver o Mar
For my first week, I stayed at A Ver O Mar, a Funchal co-living space with a shared co-working area and a large rooftop in Santa Luzia. I adored the location, 15 minutes’ walk from the old town.
A Ver O Mar, Funchal (£££)
I stayed here!
When I moved to Machico, I had help from the Remote East Coasters community in finding an affordable two-bedroom apartment near the city centre. It was €650 per month, which is unheard of these days!
When I returned to Madeira in February 2024 for a whole three months, I picked Machico as my base again. (The sandy beach and hikes had me hooked!)
Machico
This time, though, it was harder to find a cheap rental. I ended up renting a one-bedroom apartment in the town centre for €800 per month.
That brings me to my latest trip in April 2025. I decided to try being a digital nomad in Funchal.
With the help of a rentals WhatsApp group set up by the Madeira Friends community, I stayed in a beautiful apartment in the centre of Funchal for €1200. It had a small interior but a huge balcony.
Funchal
I loved Machico and Funchal for different reasons. Machico is a more laidback destination with a sandy beach, whereas Funchal has a far bigger digital nomad community and tons of bars and restaurants.
Where to Stay as a Digital Nomad in Madeira
1. Funchal
Most digital nomads in Madeira stay in Funchal. Over 90% of the island’s population live in Funchal, so it figures that it also attracts the most nomads.
The city is well-connected by public transport, walkable (for the most part) and has a large community of expats and digital nomads.
Madeira Friends: Community for Locals and Digital Nomads in Madeira
If you want to stay in Funchal, my first piece of advice is to join the Slack/WhatsApp community set up by Madeira Friends.
This is a non-profit organisation that connects locals with digital nomads/expats. They share a packed weekly schedule of events in Funchal.
There are usually several things happening every day, from fitness classes and wellness meet-ups to community lunches, dinners and hikes.
At most events, you pay a class fee or support the restaurant by buying food.
Digital Nomad Accommodation in Funchal
The Madeira Friends community has a WhatsApp group where you can look for monthly rentals.
The monthly rentals generally cost €900 – €1,500 for a one-bed apartment. This is half the price of monthly Airbnb rentals, which typically charge €1,800 – €2,500.
If you’re staying in Funchal for a shorter period of 1 – 3 weeks, however, the prices are similar to Airbnb and Booking.com.
I particularly like Booking.com because many of the properties offer Early Deals and Genius discounts.
Coworking Spaces in Funchal
- Sangha Cowork: I tried and loved this co-working space!
- Cowork Funchal: Small and central option.
2. East Coast (Machico)
Machico is a small city located on the east coast of Madeira, surrounded by hikes, beaches and small villages. Unlike Funchal, it has a sandy beach with white sand imported from Morocco, and a small surf school.
Machico is a lot smaller than Funchal, but it still has major supermarkets and a good variety of cafés and restaurants. There’s also access to the Pico do Facho mountain hike and levada walks.
Machico has direct buses to Funchal. However, public transport is more limited, so many digital nomads in Machico choose to rent a car to get around the island.
The Remote East Coasters Community
There is a digital nomad community dedicated to the east coast of Madeira named the Remote East Coasters. Most of their events take place in Machico, so it’s very easy to meet people.
Compared to Funchal, the community is a lot smaller. There are also more long-term expats living on the east coast, which means that the age range is typically a little higher.
Digital Nomad Accommodation in Machico
Dina, who runs the Remote East Coasters, has a WhatsApp group where you can find a monthly rental in Machico.
It’s usually best to enquire 3+ months in advance, as options are more limited in Machico. For a one-bed apartment, the cost ranges from €800 – €1,500.
If you’re looking for a shorter stay, there are also shorter-term rentals. However, the prices are similar to booking a standard holiday rental, so it’s best to check Machico accommodation on Booking.com too.
There are no co-living spaces in Machico itself. However, one of the best coliving spaces in Madeira is in the nearby village of Santo do Serra: Homeoffice.
Coworking Spaces in Machico
- The Workspace – By Amparo: This is a free coworking space under the airport, but it doesn’t have desk chairs.
Top Tip: Renting a car is the best way to get around Madeira, hands down. I recommend using Discover Cars and Klook to check the availability and compare prices.
3. Ponta do Sol
Second to Funchal, Ponta do Sol is one of the most popular places to stay in Madeira.
Nicknamed the ‘digital nomad village’, it has a big assortment of co-living spaces (including Outsite, Banana Coliving and others) plus a free co-working space.
The main thing to note is that it’s a small village. While it has a pebble beach and a great location on the ‘sunny’ south coast of Madeira, it only has a small grocery shop.
Public transport can get you to Funchal and other major destinations, but it’s better to rent a car to get around.
Ponta do Sol Digital Nomad Community
The Ponta do Sol digital nomad community is just as active as Funchal’s. There are daily events, ranging from fitness workouts to lunches and parties.
There’s a big focus on wellness activities in Ponta do Sol. The community is also encouraged to set up their own events and activities.
Ponta do Sol also hosts the Purple Fridays, a popular electronic party for digital nomads, locals and expats. Many people travel over to Ponta do Sol from Funchal just for the event.
Again, I recommend registering for the Slack community on the Startup Madeira website so that you can gain access to the WhatsApp groups.
Digital Nomad Accommodation in Ponta do Sol
There are a handful of co-living spaces in Ponta do Sol for digital nomads, ranging from the hotel-esque Outsite Madeira to traditional Madeiran homes.
Alternatively, you can look for monthly rentals in the Madeira Friends WhatsApp group. There are limited options, because the village only has a population of around 8,500.
Coworking Spaces in Ponta do Sol
- Co-working Space Ponta do Sol: It’s a free space with a big community, but it doesn’t have desk chairs.
Are There Coliving Spaces in Madeira?
There are 10+ coliving spaces in Madeira catering to digital nomads. They’re worth considering, because in most cases, extra thought has gone into providing ergonomic work setups, stable internet and community-based events.
In my round-up of the best coliving spaces in Madeira, I share the best options in Funchal, Ponta do Sol and the east coast of Madeira, and why I would or wouldn’t stay there.
Homeoffice (£££)
A Ver O Mar, Funchal (£££)
I stayed here!
The Luzia House (£££)
Costs of Visiting Madeira as a Digital Nomad
Most digital nomads will end up spending between €1,300 and €2,000 per month.
Many things will impact your budget for Madeira, including the cost of your accommodation, whether you rent a car and your social habits.
If you find an affordable monthly rental, focus on free activities and don’t rent a car – as I did – you can spend as little as €1,200 per month.
Rent is usually the biggest expense, at €800 – €1,500 per month. If you stay in Funchal, the cost of living is higher than staying in Ponta do Sol or the east coast.
However, renting a car is a large additional expense, and many digital nomads who stay outside of Funchal end up making this decision.
| Outgoings | Average cost (per month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | €800 – €1,500 |
| Groceries | €250 – €400 |
| Social activities and eating out | €150 – €300 |
| Car rental (if needed) | €250+ |
I hope you found my guide to being a digital nomad in Madeira helpful. Leave a comment below to let me know where you’re thinking of staying and whether you have anything to add to the conversation.
