Phnom Penh for Digital Nomads
Southeast Asia's wildcard with infinite visa and dollar economy
Cambodia • Asia/Phnom_Penh (+7)
TL;DR
Phnom Penh scores 7.8/10 on our Hustle-Free Index. You'll spend around $1,030/month for a comfortable setup. Phnom Penh is the Southeast Asian city that doesn't care about rules—unlimited visa renewals, a dollar-based economy, and a raw energy that's equal parts exciting and chaotic. It's not polished, but for the adventurous nomad, it's a blank canvas with incredible upside. Perfect for payment-frustrated freelancers and isolated solopreneurs. It's okay to want both adventure and stability. Here's everything you need to know.
Hustle-Free Index Score
Based on safety, happiness, and cost of living data
Quick Facts
| Monthly Budget | $1,030 (comfortable) |
| Visa Situation | 30 days visa-free |
| Internet Speed | 50 Mbps avg (Good) |
| Best For | Freelancers, Solopreneurs |
| Skip If | Need polished infrastructure, Risk-averse |
| English Level | Good |
| Safety | Moderate (Score: 68/100) |
Why Phnom Penh Works for Freelancers Like You
Phnom Penh is the Southeast Asian city that doesn't care about rules—unlimited visa renewals, a dollar-based economy, and a raw energy that's equal parts exciting and chaotic. It's not polished, but for the adventurous nomad, it's a blank canvas with incredible upside.
"Sunset drinks on a Riverside rooftop watching the Mekong flow"
What Makes It Special
- ✓ Indefinitely renewable business visa
- ✓ USD-based economy (no currency hassle)
- ✓ Incredibly affordable living
- ✓ Growing startup scene
- ✓ Central location for SEA travel
What It Actually Costs
Comfortable Budget: $1,030/month
Housing
$450
Coworking
$100
Food
$200
Transport
$50
Fun & Social
$120
Health
$40
Misc
$70
Total
$1,030
Getting Work Done
WiFi Reality
50 Mbps average • Good reliability • Power: Stable
Café Culture
Excellent café scene for working
Visa & Legal Stuff (Don't Panic)
The Quick Answer
You get 30 days visa-free entry .
Business Visa (E-class)
Duration
1 year
Income Required
$0/mo
Cost
$35
Renewability
renewable indefinitely
Processing
on arrival
Tax Situation
0% tax on foreign income (no enforcement)
Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Living Your Best Sustainable Life
👥
Expat Community
Medium
💻
Nomad Scene
Growing
🤝
Local Friendliness
Very Welcoming
🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
Nightlife: Vibrant
The Honest Truth
✓ What's Amazing
- • Indefinitely renewable business visa
- • USD-based economy (no currency hassle)
- • Incredibly affordable living
- • Growing startup scene
⚠ What's Challenging
- • Infrastructure developing
- • Hot and humid year-round
- • Traffic chaotic
- • Healthcare limited
- • Scam awareness required
Skip Phnom Penh If...
- • Need polished infrastructure
- • Risk-averse
- • Prefer established nomad scenes
Your Next Step
You've done your research. That's already more than most people do.
There's no rush to decide. Phnom Penh will still be here when you're ready.
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How We Calculate the Hustle-Free Index
Our Hustle-Free Index balances three factors that matter most for sustainable freelance life:
Formula: HFI = (Safety Score × Happiness Score) / Cost of Living Index
- Safety Score (68/100): From Numbeo Safety Index
- Happiness Score (72/100): World Happiness Report + freelancer surveys
- Cost of Living Index (30): Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Last updated: 2025-12-31 • Data sources: Numbeo, World Happiness Report, local research