How to Become a Digital Nomad in 2025

A digital nomad is someone who works remotely and carries their work with them across the globe. Whether they go country-hopping or establish a home base abroad, they’re able to earn a salary and work professionally while seeing the world. Their travel and international ambitions aren’t limited to the confines of an office!

Read on to find out how you can become a digital nomad and travel the world while earning a salary!

Working as a digital nomad offers excitement and flexibility in abundance. You get to live anywhere in the world, embrace unique cultures, and meet new people, just as long as you have a stable internet connection and a laptop.

Whether you’re a business owner, an online tutor, or a freelance marketing whiz, you can become a digital nomad in many industries. While the digital nomad lifestyle sounds like a far-fetched dream to some, you'll be happy to know that it’s attainable with the right planning.

It’s important to consider if your job can be taken remotely overseas. Whether you want a sort of “remote year” (instead of a gap year) or want to relocate permanently, taking your current job role abroad may require you to persuade your employer.

Here’s a rundown of the things that you’ll need to consider if you want to work remotely in your current job:

• Work status: Do you have an employer, or are you a freelance worker? If you’re employed, you may need to make the case for remote working with your employer. Visa applications for some countries ask for written permission from your employer certifying you are allowed to work abroad.
• Taxes: Some US companies don’t allow W-2 employees to work remotely overseas due to tax reasons. Be sure to ask if your status can be transitioned to an independent contractor (1099). This means you’ll be responsible for paying taxes, freeing up your company from restrictions. Be aware that this means you’ll likely lose your US benefits.
• Schedule and time zones: Some workers have the freedom to work whichever hours they like, whereas others must be on-call or ready to jump into meetings at specific times of the day. Consider how the time difference will affect your work schedule.

If your boss says no but you’re still committed to pursuing the digital nomad life, seek out companies in your field that allow remote work or consider a career change to something a little more location-independent.

If you’re making a career change to become a digital nomad, you may need to be more patient unless you have a good amount of savings. Building up your clientele, portfolio, and work can take a long time, especially at the beginning.

A doctor or mechanical engineer may be required to work onsite, however, roles in sectors such as education, marketing, sales, IT, and more are more location-independent.

If you’re looking to shift your career path or switch to freelancing to work remotely, you’ll need to consider the following tips:

• Identify your skills: Do you have a natural charm that is desirable in sales, or are you tech-savvy? Identifying your skills will help you narrow down what services you can offer in specific industries.
• Consider your interests: Do you want to work in an industry that is spiritually fulfilling, or are you more concerned about maximizing salary, growth, and profits, regardless of the niche?
• Build a portfolio: Building a portfolio and displaying your services on a blog, website, social media profile, or another platform will help you expand your network and gain traction in your new endeavors.
• Start networking: Networking online or in person will help you build business relationships that can benefit and sustain your digital nomad lifestyle.
• Pursue courses and certifications: If you need to enhance your resume, consider taking online courses and certifications before setting off on your adventure. You can even consider in-person courses and certifications in your destination if taught in your language.

Read more: 15 Best Fully Remote Digital Nomad Jobs in 2025

It’s important to build savings and determine a monthly budget according to your lifestyle wherever you go. Here are some of the most important aspects that you’ll need to consider when establishing a monthly budget:

• Establish a safety net: Building savings will help you form a safety net in the event of unexpected costs.
• Rent: Before weighing your accommodation options, research the average monthly rent costs inside and outside of the city center.
• How frequently you’ll travel: It’s exciting visiting a new country, and you’ll want to make the most of the time while you’re there. Consider how often you’ll travel around your new home, and be sure to research how much flights, trains, buses, or other modes of transportation cost.
• Meals & groceries: Think about things like how often you’ll eat out, monthly grocery costs, dietary requirements, and other factors. While some countries offer an unrivaled and inexpensive dining culture, other pricier locations may require more at-home cooking. Before dining out, always be sure you can communicate any allergies or dietary requirements!
• Business costs: Do you need to set aside some of your monthly salary towards business costs? Whether you’re taking clients out for lunch, paying for equipment, or others, you’ll need to factor this into your budget.

Take a look at what it's like to live as a digital nomad in Peyton's vlog below!

You’ll inevitably be working hard as a digital nomad, so why not work hard somewhere you love to live? After discovering which countries you meet the visa requirements for, there are many things you need to be mindful of to optimize your digital nomad lifestyle:

• Budget and lifestyle compatibility: “Budget-friendly” is relative to the traveler, so be sure to research the cost of living, including rent, utilities, groceries, and more when choosing a location. Regarding lifestyle, would you prefer living in laid-back Thailand, artistic France, or eco-friendly Costa Rica? It’s important to find a place that fits your ideal lifestyle.
• Consider safety and inclusivity: Cultures vary in their acceptance of sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and religious affiliation. Make sure to research the culture and seek out the experiences of people who align similarly to aspects of your identity in this country.
• Connectivity: Consider places with stable internet connections and digital nomad communities. Countries are becoming more remote-work friendly and you can research forums and guides to see how other digital nomads have fared in these locations.
• Time difference: Does your work require you to take part in time-specific meetings or projects? If so, will the time difference affect your work schedule? Are you prepared to potentially work untraditional hours?
• Consider taxes: Will you be paying taxes in your home or current country? If you’re from the US, you face the possibility of double taxation depending on income and other factors. Consulting with a tax professional who has experience with digital nomads will help you avoid unwanted tax difficulties.

Read more: 10 Most Affordable Countries With Digital Nomad Visas: Save Money and Travel the World

There are many housing options for expats, and you’ll need to think about how each affects your budget, workflow, and lifestyle. Are you looking for a sanctuary that offers peace, or hoping to live with new people and form connections?

Here are some of the most popular options for digital nomads:

• Private rental: Private rentals offer peace for those who require respite from working or socializing. You can find private rentals through online lodging or rentals (such as Airbnb) or by connecting with local realtors and estate agents.
• Houseshare: Renting a room or apartment with other people can not only cut costs but also help you meet new people. While there are many house-sharing websites for each country, it can also be as simple as finding listings and posts on location-specific Facebook groups.
• Co-Living: Unlike houseshares, a co-living space caters more to digital nomads. They can come in the form of dorms, private rooms, or apartments, and include amenities that facilitate the digital nomad lifestyle such as workspaces, excellent wifi, and more.
• Hostels: If you’re both frugal and extroverted, a hostel may be a good fit for your digital nomad lifestyle. Although they’re inexpensive, you’ll likely lack privacy or peace if you intend to work from one.

Now that you’ve figured out your primary income, destination(s), and budget, you can prepare for the essentials by applying for a visa and obtaining travel insurance.

Countries differ in visa options and requirements, and some (not all) will have digital nomad visas. While digital nomads often work on tourist visas in some countries, it isn’t advised because it is illegal to do so. While more countries simplify the visa process by allowing digital nomads to apply online, some require you to apply in person at the country’s local consulate.

When applying for a digital nomad visa, here are some of the things you’ll need to provide:

• Passport & passport-sized photos: Ensure that your passport is valid and has empty pages for future travel stamps.
• Proof of income, savings, or contracts: This typically comes in the form of bank statements. Depending on the country, you may also need proof of job contracts or client agreements if you’re a freelancer.
• Accommodation booking: Some immigration officers will want to see proof of accommodation to ensure that you have somewhere to stay when entering the country.
• Health insurance: Some countries will require you to have health insurance (not travel insurance). This can be purchased from the destination country, or you can buy an international plan that covers your destination.

Accidents can happen anywhere, and because of this, you’ll need to obtain traveler’s insurance. Most countries will require you to buy health insurance from that country. However, this is different from traveler’s insurance.

While health insurance will cover you for routine check-ups, hospital visits, medication, and more, travel insurance will cover you for emergency expenses such as repatriation, in addition to trip cancellations, damaged baggage, and so on.

Some of our favorite digital nomad-friendly insurances include;

• World Nomads: Designed by travelers for travelers, World Nomads offers comprehensive insurance plans for digital nomads that cover accidents abroad, medical evacuation, stolen or damaged baggage, and more.
• SafetyWing: Insurance for nomads, or remote teams. Flexible plans allow nomads to cancel at any time, and renew whenever or wherever they are.
• IMG Global: Travel insurance plans cover a variety of situations and people. Insurance plans are available for families, adventurers, sports enthusiasts, and business travelers. You can also purchase a comprehensive plan that covers medical expenses in-country.

Now you’ve got the basics and the essentials locked in, it’s important to downsize your belongings before you go! Downsizing your belongings can reduce your packing time, avoid unnecessary fees at the airport, and even optimize workflow. Take these steps to maximize your digital nomad life abroad!

• Simplify your life: It can be hard to leave your favorite floral shirt or efficient air fryer at home, but simplifying your life will make being a digital nomad easier. As long as you have your laptop, passport, keys, and wallet, you have your essentials! Be sure to pack light, and remember, that you can get most things while you’re out there!
• Use packing cubes: Using packing cubes can bring structure to your life, both figuratively and literally. They can help you cram - neatly, of course - more items into a single bag and will keep things organized on the go.

One thing you can do to optimize your digital nomad lifestyle is to create a productive routine. Not only will this establish organization on the professional front, but it will also help you live your life to the fullest outside of working hours.

Here’s how you can create a productive digital nomad routine:

• Figure out your work set-up: Find out where you’ll work best, whether it’s at a co-working space, a cozy cafe, or in your own home. Establish your working hours, including when you’ll take calls with co-workers or clients and more.
• Get a VPN: Depending on the country you’re going to, you may need to obtain a VPN to gain access to some of the apps you use back home. Whether this is for work, entertainment, or otherwise, VPNs are a legal way (in most countries) to access sites and apps restricted by geo-blockers.
• Download useful apps: Ensure that you have useful apps that can assist in keeping track of finances, projects, and more while working abroad. Consider downloading apps related to online banking, content management systems for work, or other tools that will make life easier such as CityMapper, Uber, Booking.com, and more.
• Set boundaries between work and leisure: To live like a digital nomad, you should also consider setting boundaries between work and leisure. When you’re not required to be at an office from 9-5, you may find that your work creeps into your free time. Sit to your schedule so you have uninterrupted time to unwind, recharge, and enjoy your destination.
• Prioritize outdoor time: Not only will outdoor time inject you with much-needed vitamin D, but it will also allow you to get some exercise and get to know your new city. Spending time outside will help you appreciate why being a digital nomad is as hyped up as it is!

Just because you’re a digital nomad doesn’t mean that you have to do it alone, and you may be surprised to see how vast the global digital nomad community is!

Being a digital nomad also offers you the opportunity to meet and connect with interesting people from all walks of life. Not only can you connect with locals and travelers alike, but you can also connect with other people who are also on their digital nomad journey.

Joining digital nomad communities on Facebook or Reddit will help you gain cultural insight, network, or make new friends! These groups and social media platforms share cultural events, bar crawls, co-working spaces, meetups, and much more, making it easier than ever to make friends abroad. From Thailand to Spain, and Costa Rica to Taiwan, digital nomad communities exist all over the world.

Digital nomads are changing the world around them in incredible ways by injecting creativity, empathy, and new skills into evolving industries around the world. Be prepared for challenges if you decide to join the ranks of location-independent workers but know that your hard work will be worth it.

Before you go, check out Go Overseas’ Nomad Essentials to get you started you can even search for your dream job abroad by exploring our global job board.

Not ready to launch your digital nomad career? Consider teaching, studying, or interning abroad to get your feet wet!

Read more about being a digital nomad abroad:

• Expat vs. Digital Nomad: which is right for you?
• How to Move Abroad: Live Overseas as an Expat