The concept of work has forever been changed with the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. By enabling staff to break free from the traditional office-based 9-5 role, there has been a sharp rise in people adopting a digital nomad lifestyle. This involves having no set location and travelling the world as you work, which can be an exciting way to live. This post will tell you all that you need to know if this appeals to you.
Pros & Cons
Digital nomadism is an alternative form of lifestyle, which means there are pros and cons to consider. You should always take your time to consider these, and whether or not this is a suitable lifestyle for you – for some people, it works incredibly well, but for others, it can be a nightmare!
Pros:
- Able to travel and earn
- No fixed location
- Flexible lifestyle
- Experience different cultures
- Growing digital nomad community
Cons:
- Lack of stability
- Time zone differences
- Lack of stable community
- Potential internet connectivity
- Complex legal and tax requirements
Evaluate Your Skills
These days, there are all kinds of jobs that could be done as a digital nomad. Of course, not all employers will be happy for staff to travel and live abroad, which is why many are self-employed. You should consider your existing skill set to determine if there is a career that could be done fully remotely or if you need to develop new skills. A few of the most common digital nomad careers include:
- Writing
- Software development
- Graphic design
- Consulting
- Digital marketing
Legal Bits
As you might expect, there can be some complications regarding legal aspects like visas and taxes, and many laws are currently outdated, which can create uncertainty and confusion. Although these can make matters complicated, they should not deter you from pursuing this lifestyle; you simply need to make sure that everything is above board.
Tax can be a grey area with requirements depending on where you work and spend most of your time. Some will end up paying taxes in both the country they are from and the one where they work. This is why it is a good idea to seek advice from a tax professional with expert knowledge in international taxation.
Visa policies vary by country, so you will always need to research them ahead of time. A growing number of countries now offer specific digital nomad visas, which can simplify the process.
Hopefully, the information in this post will be useful and help you determine whether or not this is a lifestyle for you. Digital nomadism is on the rise and it is easy to see why, but there is also a lot to consider and grey areas that must be considered before launching into this alternative way of life.
