20 Best Countries to Hire Remote Employees From in 2025

As global hiring becomes easier and more efficient, the biggest question for companies is no longer if they should hire remotely, but where. Whether you’re a startup looking to scale or an established business wanting to reduce overheads, tapping into international talent pools can be a game-changer. But with so many countries to choose from, where should you start?

In this guide, we’ll explore the top countries for hiring remote employees in 2025, based on cost-efficiency, talent availability, and ease of doing business.

What are the benefits of hiring remote employees?

Hiring remote employees has become more than just a trend—it’s a strategic move that allows businesses to unlock greater flexibility, efficiency, and global potential. As the digital workplace evolves, companies across industries are recognising that talent is no longer bound by geography. By embracing remote hiring, businesses can benefit in several transformative ways. 

Access to a global talent pool

Perhaps the most significant advantage of remote hiring is the ability to tap into a vast, global pool of talent. You're no longer restricted to candidates within commuting distance or even within your country. This means you can find the exact skills and experience you need, whether it's a niche software developer in Eastern Europe, a multilingual customer support agent in Southeast Asia, or a creative marketer in Latin America.

Cost efficiency and budget flexibility

Hiring remote employees from countries with lower costs of living can significantly reduce salary expenses without compromising on quality. Additionally, businesses save on overheads such as office space, utilities, and in-office perks. These savings can be reinvested into growth, technology, or employee benefits that further strengthen the team.

Around-the-clock operations

Building a globally distributed team enables businesses to operate across multiple time zones. This is particularly valuable for customer support, DevOps, or content moderation teams that need to maintain 24/7 operations. By hiring in strategic locations, you can create seamless coverage and boost productivity without requiring employees to work unsociable hours.

Increased diversity and innovation

Remote hiring opens the door to greater cultural, linguistic, and experiential diversity. Diverse teams are proven to be more creative and resilient, bringing different perspectives to problem-solving, product development, and decision-making. It fosters innovation and helps businesses better understand and serve global markets.

Improved employee satisfaction and retention

Remote work offers employees greater flexibility, better work-life balance, and reduced commuting stress—all contributing to higher job satisfaction. Happier employees are more likely to stay longer, be more productive, and act as brand ambassadors for your company. This can significantly reduce turnover and recruitment costs over time.

20 Best Countries to Consider for Remote Hiring in 2025

Here’s a breakdown of the 20 top countries you should consider, with details on why they stand out, key industries, salary expectations, and local expertise. For more in-depth information, you can explore our Hiring Guides.

1. The Philippines

The Philippines remains one of the top destinations for hiring remote employees, particularly in customer service and back-office positions. With a large English-speaking population and a workforce accustomed to serving Western markets, Filipino professionals are known for their strong communication skills and ability to adapt. The country’s booming BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) sector is a testament to its workforce quality, while the cost of hiring remains highly competitive. If you're looking for skilled, loyal remote talent with a cultural affinity for North American and European markets, the Philippines should be at the top of your list.

Why: Strong English proficiency, excellent customer support and BPO talent.

Key industries: Customer service, IT, finance

Time zone: GMT+8

Average salary: $6,000–$10,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide for the Philippines

2. Argentina

Argentina has become a Latin American tech powerhouse, thanks to its strong educational infrastructure, vibrant startup scene, and high-quality software developers. The country offers excellent overlap with North American time zones, making collaboration easier for companies based in the U.S. or Canada. Despite economic volatility, Argentina remains a popular destination for remote hiring due to its highly skilled talent pool, creative professionals, and attractive salary expectations. It’s particularly well-suited for roles in development, UI/UX design, and marketing.

Why: Overlapping time zones with North America, competitive rates, and strong software development talent.

Key industries: IT, marketing, design

Time zone: GMT−3

Average salary: $8,000–$15,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide for Argentina

3. Thailand

Thailand offers a compelling mix of affordability and digital savviness, especially in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, which have thriving expat and tech communities. The country’s workforce is becoming increasingly engaged in remote-first industries such as content creation, digital marketing, and software development. While English fluency varies across regions, urban professionals often possess strong communication skills and international work experience. With reliable internet infrastructure and a high quality of life, Thailand is an excellent choice for long-term remote work engagements.

Why: Affordable, growing digital economy, high English fluency in urban areas

Key industries: Web development, design, content writing

Time zone: GMT+7

Average salary: $7,000–$12,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Thailand

4. Romania

Romania is a go-to destination for European companies seeking skilled developers, data analysts, and finance professionals. With a well-established IT sector, many Romanian professionals speak English fluently and are familiar with Agile methodologies and Western business culture. As a member of the European Union, Romania also offers advantages in terms of regulatory stability and streamlined payments within the bloc. Whether you're building a nearshore dev team or expanding your European operations, Romania is a highly dependable option.

Why: Strong tech talent and EU member, making cross-border payments and legal compliance easier

Key industries: Software development, finance

Time zone: GMT+2

Average salary: $12,000–$20,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Romania

5. Colombia

Colombia has rapidly emerged as one of Latin America’s top destinations for remote work. With a large population of bilingual professionals (Spanish and English), it’s a particularly attractive choice for companies looking to serve U.S. and Latin American markets. Bogotá and Medellín have become regional hubs for innovation and tech, with strong government support for digital transformation. In addition to its cost-efficiency, Colombia offers cultural compatibility, a growing tech ecosystem, and time zone alignment with North America.

Why: Large pool of bilingual professionals, favourable hiring costs

Key industries: Digital marketing, customer support, software dev

Time zone: GMT−5

Average salary: $8,000–$14,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Colombia

6. Poland

Poland is one of Central Europe’s leading tech hubs, offering a strong education system, high English proficiency, and a growing number of skilled professionals in software engineering and IT. Its EU membership ensures regulatory alignment and smooth cross-border payments for European businesses. With major cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław hosting international tech firms and startups, Poland is a prime destination for remote developers, QA specialists, and DevOps engineers.

Why: EU member with exceptional tech talent and solid infrastructure

Key industries: Software development, cybersecurity, fintech

Time zone: GMT+1

Average salary: $15,000–$25,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Poland

7. Mexico

Mexico is a strategic choice for North American companies due to its close time zone alignment and growing pool of skilled remote professionals. With rising investment in tech education and innovation hubs in cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City, the country is developing a strong reputation for software engineering and design. Bilingual talent and cultural familiarity also make it easy to integrate Mexican professionals into U.S.-based teams.

Why: Geographic and cultural proximity to the US, growing tech ecosystem

Key industries: Software engineering, design, sales

Time zone: GMT−6

Average salary: $10,000–$18,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Mexico

8. Spain

Spain offers a vibrant, well-educated workforce with experience in both traditional industries and modern digital roles. With excellent internet infrastructure, a strong startup scene (especially in Barcelona and Madrid), and an international work culture, Spain is ideal for remote roles in marketing, sales, and UX/UI design. EU membership simplifies compliance for European companies, and a balanced lifestyle attracts professionals committed to long-term remote work.

Why: Strong talent base, excellent infrastructure, EU hiring advantages

Key industries: Digital marketing, design, customer success

Time zone: GMT+1

Average salary: $20,000–$30,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Spain

9. Portugal

Portugal has rapidly become a favourite for remote-friendly companies thanks to its fast-growing tech scene, skilled talent pool, and favourable regulatory environment. Lisbon and Porto host numerous startups and tech conferences, and many Portuguese professionals speak fluent English. The country’s time zone overlaps with both Europe and parts of Africa, making it ideal for distributed teams. Its business-friendly climate and international outlook make Portugal a low-risk, high-reward remote hiring destination.

Why: Thriving tech scene, English-speaking talent, attractive time zone for Europe

Key industries: Software development, content, product management

Time zone: GMT

Average salary: $18,000–$28,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Portugal

10. Vietnam

Vietnam has earned a solid reputation in recent years for providing skilled tech workers at extremely competitive rates. With a booming digital economy, the country offers dependable infrastructure and a growing number of IT graduates each year. Cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are now popular for outsourcing software development and engineering tasks. Vietnam's government has also invested in upskilling and infrastructure, making it increasingly appealing for long-term remote partnerships.

Why: Strong IT sector, low costs, fast-growing economy

Key industries: Software development, QA, data entry

Time zone: GMT+7

Average salary: $5,000–$9,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Vietnam

11. India

India has long been a global leader in remote and offshore talent. From developers and data scientists to customer service reps, the country offers a diverse range of skilled professionals across every sector. English is widely spoken, and Indian professionals are experienced in working with international clients. With a robust education system that produces millions of graduates annually, India remains a top choice for scalable, high-quality remote teams.

Why: Massive talent pool, technical expertise, affordable salaries

Key industries: Software development, data science, customer support

Time zone: GMT+5:30

Average salary: $6,000–$12,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in India

12. Serbia

Serbia is increasingly being recognised for its reliable, high-quality tech professionals. The country has invested heavily in digital skills, and many young professionals are fluent in English and experienced in remote collaboration. Serbia’s time zone is ideal for European teams, and its non-EU status can provide flexibility for companies navigating complex EU regulations. Cost-wise, it offers excellent value compared to Western Europe.

Why: Excellent tech education, EU-adjacent, strong English proficiency

Key industries: IT, design, marketing

Time zone: GMT+1

Average salary: $10,000–$16,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Serbia

13. Armenia

Armenia has quietly built a reputation for delivering high-quality software development and IT services. The country has a strong engineering education and a growing number of startups, particularly in Yerevan. With government incentives for the tech sector and a high level of English among professionals, Armenia presents an attractive option for companies looking to grow lean, high-performing tech teams in the Caucasus region.

Why: Rapidly growing tech ecosystem, competitive salaries, bilingual talent

Key industries: Software engineering, data analysis, support

Time zone: GMT+4

Average salary: $8,000–$14,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Armenia

14. Nigeria

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and home to a vibrant, fast-growing tech ecosystem. With a median age under 20, it offers a young, ambitious, and increasingly digitally literate workforce. The country’s official language is English, and professionals are making their mark globally in fields such as design, software development, and support. Lagos, in particular, has become a hotspot for tech innovation and remote work opportunities.

Why: Young, educated workforce; English-speaking; emerging tech hub

Key industries: Tech, design, customer support

Time zone: GMT+1

Average salary: $5,000–$8,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Nigeria

15. Hungary

Hungary combines EU benefits with a relatively low cost of living and high-quality education. Budapest is home to several universities with strong technical programs, and the local workforce is known for its analytical skills and attention to detail. English is widely spoken among professionals, and time zone alignment with Western Europe makes collaboration easy. Hungary is especially suitable for teams looking to scale their engineering and data functions.

Why: Central EU location, strong education, skilled engineers

Key industries: Software engineering, R&D, fintech

Time zone: GMT+1

Average salary: $15,000–$24,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Hungary

16. South Africa

South Africa offers a unique combination of skilled professionals, native English fluency, and strong infrastructure. The time zone aligns well with Europe, and cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg have seen growing investment in tech and remote work. The country is particularly strong in customer support, financial services, and IT. It’s an excellent choice for companies looking for English-speaking talent with a high level of professionalism.

Why: English-speaking, strong education, good infrastructure

Key industries: Customer support, finance, software

Time zone: GMT+2

Average salary: $10,000–$18,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in South Africa

17. Turkey

Turkey bridges Europe and Asia, both geographically and culturally, offering a workforce that is as diverse as it is skilled. The country has renowned and well-established universities, a growing startup culture, and professionals well-versed in global business practices. English proficiency is high among younger professionals, particularly in tech and design fields. The country's proximity to Europe also makes time zone coordination easy for European teams.

Why: Large workforce, diverse skills, cultural familiarity with both East and West

Key industries: Tech, design, business services

Time zone: GMT+3

Average salary: $11,000–$20,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Turkey

18. Indonesia

Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy and a rising star in the remote work scene. The country has a vast and young population, along with increasing internet access, making it ripe for remote collaboration. Java and Bali, in particular, have seen growing numbers of digital professionals in the creative and tech industries. With low costs and a strong sense of community, Indonesia offers excellent value for long-term remote roles.

Why: Large, affordable talent pool, growing remote work culture

Key industries: Admin support, content, design, development

Time zone: GMT+7

Average salary: $4,000–$8,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Indonesia

19. Albania

Albania is an increasingly popular choice for nearshore teams thanks to its strategic location in Southeast Europe. The country offers an affordable yet capable workforce, and many Albanians are fluent in Italian, English, and other European languages. With low hiring costs and growing experience in remote collaboration, Albania is well-suited for customer-facing and technical roles.

Why: EU-aligned legislation, multilingual workforce, low costs

Key industries: Customer support, web development, sales

Time zone: GMT+1

Average salary: $6,000–$10,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Albania

20. Georgia

Georgia has become a rising star in the remote work landscape, particularly for companies looking to expand into the Caucasus and Eastern Europe. With simplified business registration processes, low tax rates, and government-backed digital nomad initiatives like "Remotely from Georgia," it’s an attractive option for international employers. Georgian professionals often speak English and Russian fluently, offering competitive expertise in development, design, and support. The country’s strategic location also allows for time zone overlap with both European and Asian teams.

Why: Business-friendly policies, low taxes, skilled multilingual workforce

Key industries: Software development, customer support, design

Time zone: GMT+4

Average salary: $6,000–$11,000/year

Read our Hiring Guide in Georgia

Considerations when hiring remote talent from abroad

Here are some of the most important factors to consider when building an international remote team:

Time zone differences

One of the most common challenges in remote collaboration is managing time zone differences. Depending on your business hours and the type of roles you're hiring for, overlapping working hours might be essential or not. For synchronous roles like customer support or project management, time zone alignment is critical. In contrast, asynchronous work like development or content creation can allow for more flexibility.

Legal and compliance issues

Every country has its employment laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements. Without local legal knowledge or the right partner, it’s easy to run into problems related to payroll, benefits, or worker classification. It's essential to understand whether you're hiring employees or contractors, how social contributions are handled, and how to remain compliant in each jurisdiction.

Cultural differences

Culture plays a significant role in communication, collaboration, and workplace expectations. Differences in work ethic, hierarchy, communication styles, and attitudes toward time and deadlines can all impact team dynamics. While cultural diversity is a strength, it's important to foster cross-cultural understanding and create unified company values that transcend borders.

Language proficiency

Strong English proficiency is often a priority for global teams, especially for roles involving client interaction or close collaboration. While many countries on the hiring list offer English-speaking professionals, the level of fluency can vary depending on the region, age group, and industry. Assessing language skills early in the hiring process ensures smooth communication down the line.

Technology and infrastructure

A stable internet connection, access to necessary hardware, and a quiet, professional work environment are essential for productive remote work. Some regions may have connectivity issues or limited infrastructure, which could impact availability and output. Assess local tech readiness and consider offering stipends or equipment to support remote team members.

Work culture and availability

In some countries, common working hours may differ from your company’s standard schedule. Holidays, national customs, and expected working patterns (e.g., four-day workweeks or midday breaks) may also vary. Understanding and respecting these differences helps build stronger relationships and a more sustainable remote work culture.

How to choose the right country for your team

Choosing where to hire remote employees from isn't just about cost or availability—it's about finding the right fit for your company’s goals, values, and operations. Start by defining the roles you’re hiring for and the level of experience you need. Consider whether time zone alignment is a priority, and evaluate language requirements based on the role's responsibilities.

Next, weigh the business environment: Are you entering a high-talent, low-risk region with proven remote capabilities? Is there a favourable tax and legal framework? Can you build long-term relationships with professionals in that area? Using local hiring guides or working with an Employer of Record (EOR) can help streamline decision-making and ensure full compliance with local regulations.

Ultimately, the best country to hire from is one where great talent meets smooth operations—and where your team can thrive together, regardless of distance.

Ready to expand your team? Let Native Teams help you!

Hiring globally doesn't need to be complex. At Native Teams, we simplify international hiring, payroll, tax compliance, and benefits management—so you can focus on growing your business. Whether you’re expanding into a new market or scaling a remote-first workforce, our local entities and legal experts across 65+ countries make it easy to stay compliant and support your team wherever they are. Let’s build a global team that works! 

Conclusion

Expanding your team globally offers exciting opportunities to tap into diverse talent pools, scale operations efficiently, and bring fresh perspectives to your business. As remote work continues to evolve, choosing the right countries to hire from becomes a crucial decision that impacts both your team's success and your company's bottom line. By carefully considering factors like time zone differences, legal compliance, cultural alignment, language proficiency, and infrastructure, you can make informed choices that not only improve productivity but also foster a positive work environment.

With the right strategy and the support of trusted partners like Native Teams, you can streamline the hiring process, reduce complexities, and build a high-performing, international team that drives your business forward. Whether you're looking to hire one remote employee or build an entire team, the world is full of talent ready to help you achieve your goals.