Remote Work and Travel: How to Work Around the World

Remote work abroad is a dream for many people. Digital nomads, as they are called, are becoming more and more common. Designers, copywriters, programmers — people who do not have to stay in an office to work — choose this option. Over 50 countries are now offering digital nomad visas, and by 2030, the total number of digital nomads in the world is expected to rise to 60 million. However attractive this option is, it is really important to be prepared for all the realities of traveling and working. After all, you cannot work in a country with just a tourist visa. We offer a small guide on some of the most crucial aspects of working remotely in a different country.

Remote Work: Can You Do It?

Not every employer is going to support your dream of becoming a digital nomad, but you do need their permission for everything to be official. A lot of companies do not allow their employees to work in specific countries for a whole host of different reasons. Most often those reasons are taxation or various legal complications. 

Some companies these days have a remote work policy, which is a good place to start determining if you can work for your employer and travel at the same time. You can also ask your HR directly. There may be a need for revising your contract, so make sure that you are not breaking a company policy!

The Visa

Now, onto more complicated things. Visas! Your best option is a country with a remote work visa — as we have said, there are at least 50 of those. This way, you will make sure that you are working in a country legally.

The problem is that the visas are very different for each country, so you will need to study the rules before trying to apply for a remote work visa.

The common requirements for such a visa include the following.

• You need to prove that you are working remotely (which is why the approval of your employer is so important).
• You also need to prove that you can support yourself financially. 
• Health insurance is usually required.
• You typically should have no criminal record. Unfortunately, travelling as a digital nomad with a questionable history is difficult.

You can learn more using an official immigration website of a country, as well as the websites of embassies. Some less official channels can also give some insight, for example, Reddit threads with people who became digital nomads before you.

Remote Work and Taxation

There are a few pieces of advice on how to handle taxation while working remotely.

• You need to know for sure where your tax residency is. That is the country you are supposed to pay taxes to. Remember that after living in a country for a certain period of time, you may need to pay taxes there. This can lead to double taxation, but most countries allow you to escape that trap if you are working there officially.
• Study the taxation requirements for each country you have tax residency in. You need to know them well!
• Alternatively, have a professional do the taxes for you. If you can pay a professional, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
• Please do not forget to keep your documents. All the contracts and pay slips need to be available just in case you need them. 

Cost of Living

Cost of living, alternatively called COL, is very useful to know for a digital nomad. If you have a good paycheck, you can travel to a location with a lower COL for purely financial reasons. You will then enjoy both the life of a digital nomad and the savings.

Naturally, it goes both ways. If a location has a COL you cannot afford, it is better not to live there.

Some of the things to consider when researching the COL in different countries include:

• food,
• housing and utilities,
• healthcare,
• internet.

There are a lot of websites that can help you in your research, for example, Nomads.com. Using them, you can figure out if you can afford a particular destination.

A small recommendation: try not to travel during tourist seasons. You will be able to save a lot of money that way.

Housing for Remote Work 

Remote workers have been using different accommodations when working abroad. Some can afford luxury villas, but most choose less pricey options. It is cheaper to find long-term housing. Airbnb is much less cost-effective than monthly rentals.  

Healthcare

A good employer offers health coverage, but it might not be applicable to the situation of a digital nomad. You need to research your options before something bad happens to your health. 

Keep in mind that there exist companies that serve specifically digital nomads. A prime example is SafetyWing.com, which offers options for both employees who travel and employers who work with remote teams. 

Conclusion

In summary, remote work as a digital nomad is perfectly feasible if you are prepared. Study your destination, make sure to know what to do with the taxes, and make it official with a visa and permission from your employer. Do not forget to check the COL of your destination as well. You can reach your dream!