Where to hire now: Canada, Argentina, Portugal, Kenya, or Eastern Europe

With news of mass layoffs, AI replacement, and tighter hiring budgets, talent teams are going back to the drawing board on strategy, from local hiring to global recruitment.

Though, a global team can prove more resilient as we move through more unpredictable markets. This makes prioritizing the best talent from anywhere, and everywhere a smart move right now, rather than a risky one.

Data from our recent Global Recruiting Report shows that companies aren’t scaling back their talent searches; they’re simply searching in different places, often far from legacy hubs.

Here are four regions where Remote customers are finding standout, highly skilled talent right now. Plus, the ever-growing, long-standing region that acts as a nexus for contractors, and a global employer go-to.

1. Canada: Fast-track hiring in North America's quiet powerhouse

Canada is somewhat of a dark horse, and that’s why it should be on your radar.

Global hiring anxiety is growing, and while other markets are reacting to layoffs or shifting employment laws, Canada’s hiring market remains relatively steady by comparison, supported by a strong social safety net, mature tech sector, and clear regulation. 

Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary are rich in top talent without the volatility seen in other Western markets.

Our recent Global Recruiting Report data highlights Canada as scoring highly on remote readiness, regulatory clarity, and talent density, especially across engineering, product, and compliance roles.

But let’s be nuanced here. Each province has its own employment laws and tax codes, which can slow down companies unfamiliar with local rules.

Though with the right hiring partner, Canada becomes a no-brainer route to growing a remote team in North America, without the drama of setting up a U.S. entity.

Recap on hiring in Canada now

• High remote readiness: Canada ranks among the top countries for remote readiness, with strong infrastructure and a workforce used to distributed work.

• Skills-first hiring culture: Our data suggests over 70% of Canadian job seekers prioritize transferable skills over formal credentials, in line with current hiring trends. 

• Strong demand across engineering, product, and compliance roles already: According to Remote’s recent Global Recruiting Report.

• Nationwide employment laws are stable: With clear provincial regulations, remote hiring is more predictable than in the U.S.

• Global Talent Stream Program: If you want to hire globally from Canada, the country’s Global Talent Stream visa program makes this easier. Companies can hire international professionals in as little as two weeks, offering a speed advantage over slower-moving Western markets.

2. Argentina: Niche skills and global remote ready teams

Argentina’s economic volatility keeps some companies at arm’s length, and often off global hiring shortlists, but it shouldn’t. 

Our data shows a strong uptick in sourcing talent here, with Argentina consistently punching above its weight across applicant quality for mid-senior tech and creative roles.

A reflexive, risk-averse mindset means major strengths get overlooked here.

Argentina has niche, remote-ready talent in areas like blockchain development, UX/UI design, bilingual content marketing, and customer success. Real-world experience is a key part of the appeal too. Many Argentine workers in these fields already have experience with distributed teams.

Our global hiring trends data shows strong English proficiency and a cultural fluency with both North and South American teams (as well as being a time zone fit with these locations, as well as Europe) – all making Argentinians especially apt in global, distributed conditions.

The country’s long-standing freelance culture is also evolving into more structured remote employment, as more global companies want to build lasting partnerships with talent here.

Sure, inflation and currency fluctuation can still complicate salary benchmarking, contracts and compensation. But that hasn’t stopped companies from hiring.

Local workers and international employers are still finding common ground through clear, fair compensation packages that make it worth everyone’s while.

Recap on hiring in Argentina now

• Consistently strong candidate quality: Remote’s internal data shows high applicant quality for roles in design, engineering, and customer success.

• Time zone and cultural alignment: Argentina offers excellent overlap for U.S. and European companies, with strong English proficiency.

• Remote-ready workforce: A strong freelance culture is evolving into long-term remote hiring, with professionals already experienced in working with global clients.

• Growing tech sector: Argentina is experiencing significant growth in its technology sector, with increased demand for skilled professionals in software development, AI, and fintech.

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3. Portugal: Europe’s remote work hotspot for tech and design remains a strong option

Lisbon quietly and quickly became one of Europe’s most sought after remote hiring destinations. While this isn’t a new shift, the reasons behind it remain solid, even now. 

The country has passed labor laws designed specifically for distributed work — including the right to disconnect — which gives employers more legal clarity when hiring remote-first roles.

Combine that with strong digital infrastructure and a tech-savvy talent pool, and that’s why Lisbon remains on the radar for global teams, as a top hiring destination choice.

Our hiring survey data also points to Portugal’s talent strength in software engineering, design, and customer success, with hiring demand growing steadily through late 2024 and early 2025.

The country's digital nomad visa framework also highlights an unusually progressive stance on distributed work, meaning easier transitions for hybrid or international teams.

Yes, there’s bureaucracy. Yes, payroll and benefits compliance can be confusing. But the foundational policies are in place. So with specialized hiring support, Portugal becomes one of the easiest countries in Western Europe to hire in.

Recap on hiring in Portugal now

• Remote-specific labor laws: Portugal has passed legislation like the right to disconnect, giving companies a clearer framework for remote hiring.

• Growing tech ecosystem: Lisbon’s startup scene continues to attract global attention, backed by government incentives, especially for software engineering and design roles.

• Pro-remote visa policies: Digital nomad and tech visa options make it easier for companies to hire or relocate remote professionals.

4. Kenya: A rising African hub for digital-first talent 

Kenya’s remote workforce has scaled at speed, driven by sustained investment in digital skills training within cities like Nairobi and Mombasa.

Our global hiring survey data identifies Kenya as a fast-emerging source of talent for customer support, fintech development, and product operations roles.

This is especially true for companies keen for time zone overlap with Europe and the Middle East. The country has both strong English-language skills, and a growing base of professionals who’ve already worked in distributed teams.

Government efforts to digitize the economy, including the Ajira Digital program, are gaining ground too. The pipeline of remote-job-ready talent is substantial, and growing still.

Cost of living remains relatively low, which means competitive salaries can go further, without undercutting fair pay practices.

Recap on hiring in Kenya now

• Government-backed upskilling: Initiatives like Ajira Digital are scaling tech talent. 

• Rising demand for Kenyan professionals: Across customer success, fintech, and operations roles, per our recent global hiring survey data.

• Timezone alignment with Europe and strong English proficiency: Making Kenya a practical option for EMEA-based teams.

• New digital nomad visa introduced in 2024: Kenya’s Class N Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers employed by non-Kenyan companies to live and work legally in the country. This is part of a broader effort to attract global talent and support the local economy.

Honorary mention: Eastern Europe’s contractor edge

Eastern Europe has long been a go-to region for technical expertise, and it still holds weight. Countries like Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria are home to deep engineering talent, moreso across cybersecurity, DevOps, and blockchain. 

Unlike some of the regions spotlighted above, much of the work here still happens through contractor relationships rather than full-time remote employment.

This model continues to work well for project-based needs or early-stage companies testing new markets. 

While many companies still turn to Eastern Europe for contract-based technical work, full-time remote hiring in the region hasn’t accelerated at the same pace as in markets like Portugal or Kenya.

For now, it remains a strong option for project work, but less central in the global shift toward long-term, distributed teams.

But as global hiring becomes more flexible, contractor and freelancer based work will gain ground, rather than fading out in a big way.

Eastern Europe’s contractor market is integral in this sense, for filling specialized roles, or building technical capacity shorter term.

Recap on hiring in Eastern Europe now

• Deep technical expertise: Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria remain top choices for software, DevOps, and cybersecurity, renowned for their deep tech talent pools.

• Established contractor networks: A mature freelance and agency pipeline supports agile, project-based hiring.

• Cost-effective flexibility: Contractor hiring offers companies quality and speed without adding to permanent headcount.

• Trusted outsourcing hub: Especially for short- to mid-term feats and specialized technical work.

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A smarter way to steady the ship

Approaching cross border hiring only from a convenience or cost perspective is a small, reductive part of the puzzle. Now, rather, a globally distributed team it’s a hedge against volatility, above all else. 

Diversifying your team across regions builds resilience when one market starts to wobble. It’s a dynamic approach that can put you ahead.

This is how teams are staying agile while everything else shifts. From market slowdowns to policy overhauls, having people in more than one place gives companies more room to adapt.

Global hiring can still be complex. But with the right support (local payroll, benefits, and legal know-how) — ironically, maybe — for many teams, it’s becoming the more stable option.