Working from a beach café in Bali one month and a coworking space in Lisbon the next sounds like a dream, and for millions of people, it's real life. Remote work has made the digital nomad lifestyle more accessible than ever, and dozens of countries now offer visas designed for remote workers. So what exactly is a digital nomad, and how do you become one? This step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know, from finding remote work to budgeting, visas, and staying connected on the road.
What Is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who works remotely, using technology and the internet, while traveling or living in different places. Instead of commuting to an office, digital nomads work from apartments, cafés, coworking spaces, and coliving houses around the world.
There's no single way to do it. Some nomads move to a new country every few weeks, while "slow nomads" spend months in one place. Some are full-time employees with remote-friendly companies, while others are freelancers or run their own online businesses.
The rise of remote work
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way the world works. Companies that once insisted on office attendance discovered that their teams could work from anywhere, and many kept remote or hybrid policies. Countries noticed too: more than 60 now offer digital nomad or remote worker visas, from Spain, Portugal, and Greece to Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Thailand.
The Pros and Cons of Being a Digital Nomad
The pros
- Freedom: Choose where you live and, often, when you work.
- Travel: Experience new cultures, food, and landscapes as part of everyday life.
- Lower costs: Living in a cheaper country can stretch your income further.
- Personal growth: Adapting to new places and solving problems on the road builds confidence.
- Community: Nomad hubs are full of like-minded people, events, and networking opportunities.
The cons
- Loneliness: Being far from friends and family can be hard, especially when you move often.
- Time zones: Working with colleagues on the other side of the world can mean early mornings or late nights.
- Unreliable internet: A bad connection can ruin an important call.
- Admin: Visas, taxes, insurance, and banking get more complicated.
- Burnout: Constant travel can be exhausting. Many nomads slow down after the first year.
How to Become a Digital Nomad: Step by Step
Step 1: Decide if the lifestyle is right for you
Be honest about what you want. Do you enjoy uncertainty and change? Are you disciplined enough to work without supervision? Can you cope without your usual support network? Before quitting your job or selling your things, try a "test run": work remotely from another city or country for a few weeks.
Step 2: Assess your skills
Think about which of your skills can be done online. Writing, design, programming, marketing, teaching, translation, and customer support are all common nomad jobs. If you need new skills, there are plenty of online courses and certifications. See our guide to the best digital nomad jobs for ideas.
Step 3: Build a portfolio
If you plan to freelance, a portfolio is your shop window. Create a simple website or profile with your best work, testimonials, and a clear description of what you offer. Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date.
Step 4: Secure a remote income
There are three main routes:
- Ask your current employer if you can work remotely. This is often the easiest option.
- Find a remote job on remote job boards and with remote-first companies.
- Go freelance or start a business, using freelance platforms, your network, and referrals to find clients.
Aim for a stable income before you leave, and build up several income streams if you can.
Step 5: Create a budget and save an emergency fund
Work out your monthly costs: accommodation, coworking, food, transport, insurance, phone data, flights, and visas. Save an emergency fund of at least three to six months of expenses in case you lose a client or need to fly home.
Step 6: Choose your first destination
Look at the cost of living, internet quality, time zone, safety, weather, visa options, and the size of the nomad community. Popular first choices include Lisbon, Bali, Chiang Mai, Mexico City, and Medellín. See the best digital nomad destinations.
Step 7: Sort out visas, insurance, and taxes
- Visas: Tourist visas usually don't allow work. Check whether your destination has a digital nomad visa, such as the European digital nomad visas.
- Insurance: Get travel or international health insurance designed for long-term travelers.
- Taxes: Moving abroad can change where you pay tax. Speak with a tax adviser in your home country.
- Banking: Use a bank card with no foreign transaction fees and keep a backup card.
Step 8: Find a place to live
For your first weeks, book short-term rentals or a coliving space. Once you know the area, it's often cheaper to negotiate a monthly rental locally. Always check reviews and ask about Wi-Fi speed before booking.
Step 9: Set up your tech
Bring a reliable laptop, noise-canceling headphones, a universal adapter, a power bank, and cloud backups for your files. Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi. And make sure your phone is eSIM compatible, so you can get online in any country in minutes.
Step 10: Join the community
Connect with other nomads through coworking spaces, meetups, and online groups. They're the best source of tips on apartments, visas, and the best cafés to work from, and they make life on the road far less lonely.
Tips for Life as a Digital Nomad
- Travel slowly. Staying a month or more in each place saves money and reduces burnout.
- Plan around time zones. Choose destinations with working hours that overlap with your team or clients.
- Keep a routine. Set working hours and a dedicated workspace.
- Always have a backup connection. Never rely on a single Wi-Fi network for important calls.
- Have a plan to get home in an emergency, and keep your documents backed up online.
How to Stay Connected as a Digital Nomad
For a digital nomad, the internet is your office. An eSIM lets you get mobile data in a new country without hunting for a SIM card shop or paying expensive roaming charges. Install it before you leave, and you'll be online as soon as you land. You can also use your eSIM as a hotspot for your laptop when the Wi-Fi fails. Browse egoViet eSIMs for your next destination, such as the Europe eSIM or Southeast Asia eSIM, and read our guide to internet options for digital nomads.
FAQs: How to Become a Digital Nomad
How do I become a digital nomad with no experience?
Start by learning an in-demand online skill, such as writing, design, marketing, or virtual assistance. Build a small portfolio, find your first clients, and do a short trial trip before you commit.
How much money do you need to become a digital nomad?
It depends on your destination. Aim for a stable monthly income that covers your living costs, plus an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses.
Do digital nomads need a visa?
Usually, yes, if they want to work legally for longer periods. Many countries now offer digital nomad visas for remote workers.
Do digital nomads pay taxes?
Yes. Where you pay tax depends on your citizenship, residency, and how long you spend in each country. Get advice from a tax professional.