27th September 2021
What is a digital nomad? And could you get paid for relocating? The post-COVID work-from-anywhere culture is opening up huge opportunities for living abroad while working remotely, with some places even paying remote workers to move there. So, could being a digital nomad work for you? We look at how to find a job and make working remotely in another country or location work for you.
What is a digital nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who combines working remotely with travelling to different countries and locations. Digital nomads might be employed by a company, or they might be self-employed or have their own company, but in any case, they depend on technology to do their work.
What do digital nomads need?
An excellent Wi-Fi connection is top of the list. Without one, nomads simply can’t do their work. Working alone far from family and friends can get lonely, so would-be nomads might also want to consider the availability of co-working spaces and whether their location is popular with other remote workers.
As with any expats, housing costs, healthcare, climate and general standards of living are other considerations.
What do digital nomads actually do?
Digital nomads can do anything provided it can be done 100% remotely –Nomads can be writers, work in technology, sales, marketing, as bloggers or influencers, or even teachers, among many other things.
How do I find a digital nomad job?
If the nomad lifestyle appeals to you, the first step is to find a job you can do remotely. This might be the one you already have. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that you don’t need to be in the office to get work done – according to McKinsey, about 20% to 25% of workforces in advanced economies could work remotely between three to five days a week. So, provided your company agrees, and if it’s safe to do so, you can take your laptop and jet off to another location.
Alternatively, you might want to set up as a freelancer, although you’ll need to build up a portfolio of clients before you do this. There are also a number of job sites, such as FlexJobs and Remote OK, that specialise in jobs for digital nomads.
Visas and best locations
Digital nomads can find themselves in between categories when it comes to visas. Many will travel to other countries using a tourist visa, returning home when it expires and applying for a new one. However, officially, tourist visas don’t entitle you to work in a country. On the other hand, working visas might not be available to digital nomads because they won’t have a contract with a local company.
Fortunately, an increasing number of countries are now trying to attract remote workers to stimulate their economies post-pandemic, and are offering special visas for digital nomads. These are relatively simple to get and allow you to work and stay longer than you’d be able to on a tourist visa. As well as offering visas, some countries are even paying people to come and work there.
The best countries with visas for digital nomads
Among the locations offering visas for digital nomads are:
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• Cayman Islands
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Dominica
• Dubai
• Estonia
• Georgia
• Germany
• Hawaii
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Mexico
• Mauritius
• Portugal
• Thailand
• UAE
Banking and finance
Banking for digital nomads can be a real challenge. Just like other tourists and long-term travellers, digital nomads have to face hefty fees when trying to access their funds from abroad. More than that, they often experience difficulties getting money into their bank account.
Since many nomads generate income in another currency, e.g. because their client is located somewhere else, they have to pay additional fees for that transaction.
Being based in different countries and paid in multiple currencies can present banking challenges for digital nomads. These can include:
- Difficulties opening a bank account– banks often require you to be resident in the country your bank is based in
- Transaction fees for using bank cards
- High money transfer fees
- Fees for withdrawing cash
- Exchange rate fees when paid in foreign currency
The possibility of being locked out of your account – digital nomads sometimes find their cards blocked by banks suspicious of fraud.
There are a few possible solutions. Digital nomads might find that a combination of these work for them:
- Banks that offer foreign currency accounts – some have accounts that will allow payments in several currencies
- Banks based purely online– some of these won’t have the residency requirement for opening an account
- Alternative payment methods, such as PayPal.
- Prepaid travel money cards.
It’s always wise to carefully compare fees and charges when choosing a bank. Banking apps are also worth investigating as they can make keeping track of your money easier – a big advantage if you’re being paid by several clients in multiple currencies.
Becoming a digital nomad: checklist
Thinking about becoming a digital nomad? Here are some things to consider.
- Are you ready for it? Being a digital nomad brings unfamiliarity and less contact with family and friends. You might want to try it for just a couple of months initially to see if it suits you.
- Do you have enough work? You’ll need enough income to keep going – and you may need to earn more than a certain amount to get a working visa for some locations. Also make sure you understand your situation with regard to paying tax.
- Do you understand working visa requirements? Research your destination(s) to make sure you’re eligible to work there legally. Take into account any changes to working requirements because of Brexit.
- Have you thought about healthcare? Make sure you have your international health insurance sorted out – it can give you cover in multiple countries. And apply for your GHIC if you’re resident in the UK and going to work in the EU.
There’s a lot to think about, but more opportunities than ever for would-be nomads who want to take off and explore the world.
This article has been provided by William Russell, experts in international health insurance, income protection and life insurance for expats globally – Click here for further information or a quick quote.
