Southeast Asia 📈Rising

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

7.8 /10

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

Lean Budget: $650/month ▼

For those who want to stretch their runway. Trade-offs include shared housing, café working instead of coworking, and cooking most meals.

Housing: $270 • Food: $140 • Total: $650

Treat Yourself: $1,750/month ▼

Nice apartment, premium coworking, eating out regularly, and enjoying the city's best experiences.

Housing: $800 • Food: $300 • Total: $1,750

Getting Work Done

WiFi Reality

50 Mbps average • Good reliability • Power: Stable

Café Culture

Excellent café scene for working

Recommended Coworking Spaces

Impact Hub Phnom Penh

Social innovation • BKK1

$100-150/month

The Desk Coworking

Budget-friendly • Russian Market area

$80-120/month

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living for digital nomads in Phnom Penh? ▼

A comfortable lifestyle in Phnom Penh costs approximately $1030/month. This breaks down to: housing $450, food $200, coworking $100, transport $50, entertainment $120, health $40, and miscellaneous $70.

What visa do digital nomads need for Cambodia? ▼

Cambodia offers 30 days visa-free for most nationalities. There is currently no dedicated digital nomad visa, so most nomads work on tourist visas or do visa runs. Tax note: 0% tax on foreign income (no enforcement)

How is the internet for remote work in Phnom Penh? ▼

Phnom Penh has good internet reliability with average speeds of 50 Mbps. The café culture is excellent, making it easy to work from coffee shops. Power supply is stable.

Is Phnom Penh safe for digital nomads? ▼

Phnom Penh is rated as moderate with a safety score of 68/100. Standard urban precautions apply.

What is the digital nomad community like in Phnom Penh? ▼

The nomad community in Phnom Penh is growing with a medium expat community. English proficiency is good, and locals are very welcoming. Nightlife is vibrant. The food scene is excellent.

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.

Take the Freelance Life Quiz

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: 2026-01-03 • Data sources: Numbeo, World Happiness Report, local research