In the age of remote working, more and more people have decided to work from home. For some, however, there is a desire to take this even further, working from anywhere in the world and traveling from country to country – and so was born the phenomenon of the digital nomad.
So, if you are looking to couple business with pleasure – or work with travel, for that matter – here are some tips for finding the best countries in the world for embracing the digital nomad lifestyle.
When traveling, keep on top of economic news
One of the key things to consider when choosing countries to work from is their economy. With this in mind, it is a good idea to take a look at inflation rates, whether inflation is on the increase, and the countries’ financial health in general, so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to a nomadic lifestyle.
After all, there’s nothing worse than uprooting your life and jumping through all the hoops to find out you’ve landed in the middle of a recession, or will be hit by high taxes. And, this is especially the case if you plan on traveling between several countries in succession.
In order to do so, the economic calendar can come in handy for looking at both past and predicted future economic forecasts, so that you’ll be rest assured that you’ll get more bang for your buck whilst you’re working from your country of choice.
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Always consider the legalities
As you are simply working remotely whilst traveling, you might think that you’re covered by a tourist visa. This is a common misconception – and can be a costly one.
Even though the company you work for might be based in a country outside the one you are working from, you still need a visa to be able to legally work anywhere else in the world, just as you would if you had relocated for employment.
In addition, you’ll also likely have to file tax returns in the country you are residing in, depending on how long you complete work there. However, this can vary from country to country, so it’s always best to double check in advance.
It’s also worth bearing in mind, that you might be subject to taxes in your home country, too.
Some countries offer a digital nomad visa
Of course, a work visa assumes that you are a permanent resident, and is often a stepping stone to long-term or permanent residency – which is far from the freedom of what you’ll be looking for as a digital nomad.
That’s why some countries offer a visa option specifically for digital nomads and/or freelancers, which allows you to work remotely from the country, provided that you can prove your age, income, and that your job can be done from anywhere in the world.
There are over forty countries that offer this kind of visa, including Mexico, Greece, Spain, and Norway, to name just a few.
Final thoughts
In addition to the above, you’ll also benefit from checking out the safest countries for female travelers – especially if you’re heading off alone.
You’ll also want to factor in the weather, the culture, and, of course, ensure the place you stay has a strong WiFi connection.