How Do You Become a Digital Nomad?

Discover how remote work and travel combine to create the ultimate location-independent lifestyle.

Getting Started

Have you ever dreamed of ditching your daily commute, working from a beach in Bali, or setting up your laptop in a cozy European café? If so, you’re not alone.

The digital nomad lifestyle is exploding in popularity, offering location independence, flexibility, and the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. But what exactly does being a digital nomad mean? Is it as glamorous as Instagram makes it look? And most importantly—could this lifestyle work for you?

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about digital nomads, including the pros, cons, and practical steps to get started.

What Does It Mean to Be a Digital Nomad?

A digital nomad is someone who works remotely while traveling. Instead of being tied to an office, they rely on technology to earn a living, often moving from one location to another.

Unlike traditional remote workers, digital nomads don’t have a fixed home base. They might spend months in one city before packing up and heading to the next, all while maintaining a steady income through online work.

Common Misconceptions About Digital Nomads

“You have to be rich to be a digital nomad.” → Many nomads live in affordable destinations like Mexico, Thailand, and Colombia for under $1,500/month.

“It’s just an extended vacation.” → Digital nomads work full-time or freelance—it’s a lifestyle, not a holiday.

“You can only do this if you’re self-employed.” → Many digital nomads are remote employees for companies that allow them to work from anywhere.

Why Is the Digital Nomad Lifestyle So Popular?

The digital nomad movement has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to:

Remote Work Boom: Post-pandemic, more companies allow employees to work from anywhere.
Gig Economy Growth: More people are freelancing, consulting, or running online businesses.
Affordable Travel: Budget airlines, co-living spaces, and digital nomad visas make long-term travel easier.
Tech Advancements: Faster internet and coworking spaces in global cities allow seamless remote work.

The Different Types of Digital Nomads

Not all digital nomads are the same! Here are the most common types:

The Freelancer: Works project-based jobs online (writing, graphic design, coding). Uses sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal.
The Remote Employee: Works full-time for a company but isn’t required to be in an office. Think customer support reps, marketers, and tech developers.
The Entrepreneur: Runs their own online business, e-commerce store, or blog. Monetizes through ads, digital products, or coaching.
The Slow Travel Nomad Prefers staying in one place for several months instead of constantly moving. Often chooses visa-friendly locations like Mexico, Portugal, or Thailand.

Which type of digital nomad are you most drawn to?

Pros and Cons of Being a Digital Nomad

Freedom & Flexibility → Work from anywhere, set your schedule.
Lower Cost of Living → Live in affordable countries and spend less.
More Work-Life Balance → No commute, more time for experiences.

Inconsistent Income → Freelancers and entrepreneurs deal with fluctuating pay.
Visa & Tax Issues → Managing visas and international taxes can be complex.
Loneliness & Community → Constant travel makes long-term friendships harder.

How to Become a Digital Nomad (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Find a Remote Job or Freelance Career

Explore Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn Jobs for freelancing or remote employment.
If you already work remotely, ask your employer about location flexibility.

Step 2: Pick Your First Digital Nomad Destination

Factors to consider:

Cost of living
Visa options
Internet speed & co-working spaces
Safety & quality of life

Popular Nomad Cities:

Low-cost options: Chiang Mai, Medellín, Ho Chi Minh City.
Nomad hubs: Bangkok, Bali, Mexico City.

Step 3: Handle Your Logistics

Visas & Legal Considerations

Research digital nomad visas for long-term stays.

Banking & Finance:

Open an international account like Wise or Revolut.

Health Insurance:

Get nomad-friendly insurance like SafetyWing or World Nomads.

Essential Tools & Resources for Digital Nomads

Productivity & Remote Work Tools

Staying organized and efficient while working remotely is key to maintaining a successful digital nomad lifestyle. These tools help manage tasks, collaborate with teams, and stay on top of deadlines—no matter where you are.

Project Management:

Trello→ Visual task management for solo workers and teams.
Asana → Keep track of deadlines and streamline workflows.
ClickUp → All-in-one project management solution.

Communication & Collaboration:

Slack → Instant messaging and team collaboration.
Zoom / Google Meet → Video conferencing with teams & clients.
Loom → Record & share quick video updates.

Digital Security:

ExpressVPN → Secure your internet connection with a VPN.
1Password → Manage passwords securely.
ProtonMail → Encrypted email service for privacy-focused nomads.

Housing & Travel Apps

Finding a comfortable place to stay and booking affordable flights is a major part of digital nomad life. These apps help you find the best accommodations and travel deals.

Best Places for Digital Nomads:

Nomad List → Discover the best remote work destinations based on cost, safety, internet speed, and community.

Short & Long-Term Stays:

Airbnb → Short-term and monthly rentals worldwide.
Flatio → Mid-term rentals designed for digital nomads.
TrustedHousesitters → Free stays in exchange for pet-sitting.
Workaway → Minimal volunteering hours in exchange for room & board.

Flight Deals & Transportation:

Google Flights → Find the best flight deals and track prices.
Skyscanner → Compare airlines and book the cheapest flights.
Hopper → Predicts the best time to book flights.
Rome2Rio → Plan routes via flights, trains, buses, and more.

Local Transportation:

Uber & Bolt → Ride-sharing services in major cities.
BlaBlaCar → Carpooling for budget-friendly travel in Europe & beyond.
Lime & Bird → E-scooter rentals in cities worldwide.

Finances & Banking for Digital Nomads

Managing money while traveling can be tricky, but these tools will help you budget, transfer money, and avoid hidden fees.

Multi-Currency Banking:
- Wise → Best for low-fee international money transfers.
- Revolut → Multi-currency accounts for frequent travelers.
- N26 → Digital banking with great features for nomads.

Best Travel Credit Cards:

Chase Sapphire Preferred → Great for travel rewards & no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Venture → Earn points & get travel perks.
American Express Platinum → Airport lounge access & premium travel benefits.

Budgeting & Expense Tracking:

Trail Wallet → Built for travelers to track expenses.
You Need a Budget (YNAB) → Budgeting software for financial control.
Splitwise → Split expenses with travel buddies.

Additional Learning & Digital Nomad Resources

These are the three books that have influenced us the most so far—except we’re currently diving into a few more that might just shake up this list.

Must-Read Books for Digital Nomads:

The 4-Hour Workweek – Tim Ferriss (Remote work & passive income strategies). No further intro needed, life-changing stuff.
Vagabonding – Rolf Potts (Philosophy of long-term travel). Chris had this on his Kindle during his first ever backpacking trip.
How to Travel the World on $50 a Day (Now $75 a day) – Matt Kepnes (Budget travel strategies). Recommended to countless people over the years.

Ready to Start Your Digital Nomad Journey?

The right tools make remote work and travel easier than ever. Whether you’re searching for a co-working space, a remote job, or the best way to manage money abroad, these resources will help you work and explore with confidence.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our resources page or Grab our free 10-Minute Relocation Checklist below and start planning your move abroad today!