The Best Countries for Remote Developers (and How to Find Clients There)

You're chilling at home in Nigeria (or anywhere, really), wearing your favorite hoodie, sipping zobo or coffee. You're pushing clean code and submitting deliverables on time. But while your skills are global, your client list feels... local. You start to wonder, where are the best countries for remote developers, and more importantly, how do you find clients in those countries?

Let’s take the guesswork out of it and open up your global playbook.

Why Look Beyond Your Borders?

As a freelance or remote developer, you're not limited by geography. The internet is your office, and your potential clients are scattered all over the world. But just because anyone can be your client doesn’t mean everyone should be.

Targeting clients from specific countries can lead to:

• Better pay (due to stronger currencies or higher budgets)

  
  

• More tech-forward projects

  
  

• Opportunities for long-term work

  
  

• Better communication standards and tools

  
  

So, where should you be focusing?

United States – The Big League

The U.S. is home to thousands of startups, agencies, and enterprises constantly hiring remote talent. From San Francisco to Miami, there’s a huge demand for full-stack, front-end, back-end, and mobile developers.

What clients value:

• Strong portfolio with proof of past work

  
  

• Communication skills

  
  

• Familiarity with agile methods

  
  

• Ability to work in their timezone (or adjust occasionally)

  
  

How to find clients there:

• Upwork, Toptal, and Contra often list U.S.-based jobs

  
  

• Use LinkedIn filters to find U.S. hiring managers

  
  

• Tailor cold emails to U.S. startups (check AngelList)

  
  

Canada – The Polite Tech Paradise

Canada’s tech scene is booming, especially in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. The bonus? They love remote workers.

What clients value:

• Clean, readable code

  
  

• Collaboration skills (Canadians are polite but expect teamwork)

  
  

• Bilingual ability (bonus if you speak French)

  
  

How to find clients there:

• Join Slack groups like TechTO or Canada Dev

  
  

• Use job boards like RemoteOK and Workopolis

  
  

• Build relationships on Twitter/X by engaging with Canadian founders

  
  

Germany – Engineering Precision Meets Innovation

Germany is known for its engineering prowess, but its startups are also in need of software developers, especially those who understand quality and punctuality.

What clients value:

• Attention to detail

  
  

• Structured workflow

  
  

• Strong Git and testing knowledge

  
  

How to find clients there:

• Sites like We Work Remotely and EuropeRemotely

  
  

• Pitch Berlin-based startups through Angel.co

  
  

• Network on platforms like IndieHackers or GitHub

  
  

Australia – Remote-Friendly and Developer-Hungry

Australian clients are laid-back in tone, but very serious about results. They're often looking for skilled developers for long-term partnerships.

What clients value:

• Reliability

  
  

• Initiative

  
  

• Good timezone overlap (for Southeast Asian/African devs, this works well)

  
  

How to find clients there:

• Join Aussie-based tech forums like Silicon Beach

  
  

• Browse Freelancer.com (popular in Australia)

  
  

• Connect with Aussie business owners on LinkedIn

  
  

Netherlands – Innovation + Balance

Dutch companies are tech-savvy and value work-life balance. That means fewer late-night meetings and a high focus on quality, scalable software.

What clients value:

• Scalable architecture knowledge

  
  

• Strong documentation practices

  
  

• Experience with European GDPR compliance

  
  

How to find clients there:

• Join platforms like Malt or RemoteHub

  
  

• Attend virtual Dutch tech meetups

  
  

• Contribute to open-source projects maintained by EU companies

  
  

How to Stand Out to Clients in the Best Countries for Remote Developers

Getting international clients isn’t just about applying, it’s about positioning.

Tips to attract and win global clients:

• Localize your pitch: Mention why you want to work with companies in that country. It shows intention.

  
  

• Time zone transparency: Always include your availability in their time zone.

  
  

• Send intro videos: A short Loom video can make your proposal more personal and trustworthy.

  
  

• Use client-friendly language: Drop the jargon. Speak in terms of their business goals

  
  

• Show international experience: Even if it’s small, mention past clients from other countries.

  
  

Build a Location-Targeted Portfolio

Create a separate landing page on your portfolio that’s optimized for search queries like:

• “Remote front-end developer for US startups”

  
  

• “Freelance full-stack developer for Canadian SaaS companies”

  
  

• “Remote dev services for EU-based companies”

  
  

The world is hiring, and the clients with the biggest budgets and best projects are just a few clicks away. You don’t need to move countries to find amazing clients; you just need the right strategy and direction.

So stop waiting. Start building your international freelance empire, one country at a time.

Author: David C. Igberi