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The choice to become a digital nomad is not a small decision. In fact, it may well be one of the biggest and most scary decisions you make in your adult life. Switching stability for mobility is a big deal and it can be hard to know where to start.
Becoming a digital nomad normally involves a change of career, but more significantly, it involves a complete and fundamental change in the way that you live, earn, and experience the world. Yes, being a digital nomad is amazing. Yes, being a digital nomad is well worth it. However, being a digital nomad also comes with unique and unexpected challenges.
We have been a digital nomad family for over three years. We have traveled, explored, and adventured with our kids at the same time as building an online business. Although it has been an epic adventure, there are some important things that we would encourage you to consider if you are planning to become a digital nomad.
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Things to Consider Before You Become a Digital Nomad – List
Here’s a quick list of things that you need to consider before you become a digital nomad. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Just some things you need to think about. Keep reading because we will unpack some of these in more detail.
- Permanent address for correspondence & official purposes (could be a friend or family member’s house)
- Permanent phone number (receive texts and calls abroad)
- An affordable way to call landlines in your home country (check out Skype month by month landline contracts)
- How you will access accounts abroad (Google Authenticator is very helpful)
- International bank card
- Passport and visas (Apply for your passport nice and early)
- Handing in your notice for work (if relevant)
- Terminating any contracts where relevant
- Sustainability of your remote work
- Vaccinations and healthcare
- Long-term travel health insurance policy
- Laptop and other equipment that you need for work
- Reliable, fast internet solution
- Affordable countries with long visas
- How you will work across time zones
- Travel bags and travel gear
- Flights to your destination country
- What you will do with your home and belongings (sell, rent, put stuff in storage, etc.)
What is a Digital Nomad?
You may come across different definitions of a digital nomad. Some expats claim to be digital nomads which can create confusion. Fundamentally, a digital nomad is characterized by two things: making a digital income and leading a nomadic lifestyle. So, a digital nomad is anyone who works and earns money remotely (generally doing online work) and leads a nomadic lifestyle where they move from city to city or country to country. A digital nomad is different from an expat because they lead a very mobile lifestyle (in contrast to expatriates who settle in a different country). Generally speaking, digital nomads either use digital nomad visas or short-term tourist visas and do not spend more than a few months in a country. Expats normally settle in countries for a matter of years and have official work visas and residency permits. Expats normally have a steady housing arrangement (e.g. long term rentals).
At its best, being a digital nomad is about embracing life, exploring the world, and immersing yourself in new experiences. However, being a digital nomad is not all about working by the pool and catching up on your emails in a hammock. Some days can be challenging, and you will occasionally encounter problems which can only be truly understood by other digital nomads. Keep reading to find out some important things you need to consider before becoming a digital nomad.
FIND OUT MORE – Don’t miss the FULL GUIDE – What is a Digital Nomad?
Important Things to Consider Before You Become a Digital Nomad
Before you become a digital nomad and start earning remotely, you will need to consider different ways to get your affairs in order. Living, working, and earning remotely entails a unique set of challenges. Here are some practical things that you will need to consider.
1 Permanent Address
Although you may have the romantic dream of drifting around tropical islands with no address whilst your friends ponder at your strange existence, unfortunately, you do still need to exist on paper. Even the humble process of obtaining a tourist visa often requires a permanent residence address. In this day and age, it really is not practically possible to give up a permanent address. There are, of course, a range of options. You could use a parent’s address, a sibling’s address, or a friend’s address. In some cases, you may even keep your own home and use that address. Before you break away and become a digital nomad, remember you will need to make sure that you have changed your address (if that is relevant to you).
Top tip: If you are able to find a permanent address with a friend or family member who you trust to check your mail, this can be particularly helpful.
2 Having a Phone Number from Your Home Country
Not only do you need a permanent address, you will also need a permanent phone number from your home country. Having a phone number is normally essential for banks, one-time access codes (OTP), and official purposes like tax registration and health services. Some countries also require you to have a permanent phone number when you apply for a visa. The best way to keep a fixed number is to use a mobile phone with a dual SIM. This means that you can also get a local SIM card when you travel. We recommend looking for a good pay-as-you-go package. Make sure that this SIM card is not enabled so that you don’t accidentally incur extortionate roaming charges!
Top tip: You can get some internet-based phone numbers; however, in many cases, these are not equipped to receive incoming calls or text messages. Remember, it is essential that you get a service which can receive text messages so that you can get OTP codes.
3 A Good International Bank Card
If you are living, traveling, and earning remotely, you will also need a good international bank card. Using a standard high street bank card normally incurs high charges and gives a very bad exchange rate. We recommend finding a good international bank that you can trust. Here are a few reputable international banks: Starling, Wise, and Revolut. Each of these banks can issue debit cards that you can use internationally, and they also have banking apps which allow you to manage your funds abroad.
4 Passport and Visas
If you’re planning to be a digital nomad, you will need to consider the countries that offer the best digital nomad visas. Ideally, you want a country that offers a long visa with a simple application process (ideally visa on arrival) with minimal costs and bureaucracy. Some countries require that you complete a visa application before you depart. It is important to make sure that you organize this nice and early so that you’re not stressed leaving it to the last minute. Check out your consulate website to find out specific entry requirements for each country – from the UK we find the FCO website to be very helpful and informative.
5 Long-Term Sustainability of Your Work
There is a very wide range of options for digital nomads. Some people have traditional employment on a permanent full-time contract which also allows them the freedom and flexibility to travel. Other people earn money through platforms offering courses, consultation, or tuition. Some people work as freelancers on temporary contracts. Other people start businesses and innovative projects which can be managed remotely. Before you become a digital nomad, we strongly recommend you consider the long-term sustainability of your work. Facing redundancy or watching your business fail can be stressful wherever you are in the world; however, if you’re a digital nomad, it can hit so much harder—you feel a lot more vulnerable. Being a digital nomad can also make it more challenging to fight for your position.
When we are talking about long-term sustainability, we are not talking about 100% job security (which is an illusion anyway). We are talking about reflecting, planning, and being strategic. Consider your skills and experience, and explore a range of ways that you can make an income remotely. Whatever you choose to do, we recommend that you spend time thinking about your plan B options and consider diversifying your streams of income.
FIND OUT MORE – What are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a digital nomad family?
