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How to Become a Digital Nomad? – Complete Guide
Learn how to become a digital nomad: tips, useful tools and recommended professions that will allow you to work while you travel.
The digital nomad lifestyle has become a viable option for many. Remote work allows professionals around the world to earn a living while exploring new destinations. Its rise over the past decade is largely due to technological advances that make it easier to work from anywhere, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which spurred the widespread adoption of telecommuting.
This change has reshaped the work culture in many companies, which now prioritize productivity over physical location. Additionally, professionals value work-life balance more highly, enjoying the freedom to work from wherever they want, without sacrificing their career or quality of life.
According to an article by the World Economic Forum, based on its recent report “The Rise of Digital Jobs”, it is estimated that by 2030 the rate of remote jobs will increase by 92% globally. This growth will open up new job opportunities, generate income and improve the lifestyle of many people.
If you’ve ever dreamed of working from a beach in Bali or from a cafe in the Colombian mountains, Holafly offers you this comprehensive guide on how to become a digital nomad from scratch, covering all the necessary aspects to make this lifestyle a reality.
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What is a digital nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who works remotely while living in different parts of the world, using the Internet as the main tool to perform their work. This lifestyle is not limited to a specific profession; what unites digital nomads is their geographic freedom and the flexibility of not being bound to a traditional office.
With today’s technology, many jobs can be performed from anywhere in the world, enabling people to work from their laptops as they travel. The main requirement is to have a stable internet connection and the necessary tools for their work.
Advantages of being a digital nomad
Being a digital nomad offers multiple advantages that make it attractive to thousands of people around the world. The main ones are:
Geographical freedom
A digital nomad has the freedom to choose where to live and work. You can move to a vibrant city, a peaceful village or surrounded by nature. The key is that you are not dependent on a fixed location, allowing you to discover new destinations while you work.
Time flexibility
Many remote jobs offer flexibility in terms of scheduling, allowing you to organize your time according to your productivity and enjoy the place where you are. Without the constraints of a traditional office schedule, you can achieve a better balance between work and leisure.
Cost reduction
Depending on the destination you choose, you can significantly reduce your living costs. Countries like Thailand, Mexico or Bali are popular among digital nomads because they offer a lower cost of living compared to cities like New York or London.
Personal development
The digital nomad lifestyle broadens your horizons. Living and working in different cultures helps you develop skills such as adaptability, empathy and problem-solving abilities. This translates into significant personal growth.
Global networking opportunities
By traveling and working from different locations, you have the opportunity to meet other digital nomads, freelancers and entrepreneurs. This enables you to build an international network of contacts that can open doors to new job opportunities and collaborations.
Basic requirements to become a digital nomad
If you are interested in learning how to become a digital nomad, it’s essential to fulfill certain basic requirements before embarking on this journey. Here we explain them in detail:
1. Remote or freelance work
The first requirement is to have a stable source of income that does not depend on a physical location. This can be a job in a company that allows remote work or a freelance job. Platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer or Fiverr are excellent for finding remote projects.
2. Stable internet connection
Internet connection is crucial for digital nomads. You should research the quality of internet in the destinations you plan to visit. Popular places like Chiang Mai in Thailand or Medellin in Colombia have an excellent infrastructure for digital nomads.
3. Organization and discipline
Working independently demands a strong sense of discipline. While being in a beautiful location can be distracting, it’s crucial to establish work routines that help you meet your responsibilities. Tools like Trello, Asana or Notion can help you stay organized.
4. Visas and work permits
Many countries have created specific visas for digital nomads, such as the Digital Nomad Visa in Estonia or Croatia. It is essential to find out about the options available and the requirements for visas in the countries where you plan to stay the longest.
Six recommended careers for digital nomads
There are a wide variety of remote jobs if you want to become a digital nomad. Salary ranges are highly competitive and vary depending on experience, geographic location of the client or company, and type of work (freelance or permanent employment).
Software Development
Software developers are professionals in high demand, and it is one of the best paid jobs for digital nomads. Developers can specialize in different languages and technologies, which also influences their salary.
- Average salary: between $50,000 and $130,000 per year.
- Freelance: hourly rates can vary from $30 to $150, depending on the specialization (web development, mobile applications, backend, etc.).
Developers with expertise in languages such as Python, JavaScript or Java tend to have more opportunities and better salaries. In addition, emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence also offer more competitive salaries.
Graphic design and UX/UI
Graphic design and user experience (UX/UI) are ideal areas for digital nomads, as all work can be done remotely. Skills in tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Figma are key.
- Average salary: between $40,000 and $90,000 per year.
- Freelance: graphic designers charge between $20 and $100 per hour. UX/UI specialists, being more in demand, can charge between $50 and $150 per hour.
Designers with experience in UX/UI are more in demand in technology companies and startups, which allows them to access international projects with high salaries.
Digital marketing
Digital marketing is one of the broadest areas for digital nomads. Specialists in SEO, SEM, social media, content marketing and email marketing have ongoing opportunities to work remotely.
- Average salary: between $40,000 and $120,000 per year, depending on the role (strategist, campaign manager, SEO specialist, etc.).
- Freelance: marketing specialists can charge between $25 and $100 per hour. Senior digital marketing consultants can earn up to $150 per hour.
Other roles such as advertising campaign manager (on platforms such as Google Ads and Facebook Ads) or search engine optimization (SEO) specialists are in high demand, increasing their income.
Copywriting and content writing
Copywriting is one of the most accessible professions for digital nomads. Both agencies and online businesses are always looking for content writers, copywriters, or SEO copywriters.
- Average salary: between $30,000 and $70,000 per year.
- Freelance: copywriters can charge between $0.05 and $0.25 per word or between $20 and $100 per hour, depending on the complexity of the project and the experience of the writer.
Copywriters who specialize in creating persuasive content for sales, landing pages and marketing emails tend to have the best rates.
Consulting
Consultants can offer their business strategy and personal development services to companies or individuals remotely, allowing them to travel while working. Professionals with expertise in areas such as finance, leadership or technology often have high-profile clients who pay premium rates for their advice.
- Average salary: Between $50,000 and $200,000 per year, depending on the consulting field.
- Freelance: Hourly rates for consultants vary widely, ranging from $50 to $300 per hour, depending on area of expertise and experience.
Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistant work is a flexible option for those who want to start their life as a digital nomad. Responsibilities can range from email management to social media management to scheduling meetings.
- Average salary: $25,000 to $50,000 per year.
- Freelance: Hourly rates typically range from $10 to $40, depending on the assistant’s experience and specific tasks.
Virtual assistants specializing in areas such as project management, customer service or social media management can charge more for their services.
As you may have noticed, careers in fields like technology, digital marketing and consulting tend to offer the highest salaries, while roles such as virtual assistants or content writers can be an excellent option for those looking for flexibility when starting their life as a digital nomad.
We invite you to evaluate which of these careers best fits your skills, interests and salary expectations.
Types of jobs to become a digital nomad
The lifestyle of a digital nomad fits a variety of job types, such as:
1. Freelance: working as self-employed allows you to manage your own projects and clients remotely. You can offer services such as design, writing, programming or consulting.
2. Remote work in companies: many companies allow full or hybrid telecommuting, which gives you the opportunity to have a permanent job and live as a digital nomad. Tech companies like GitLab or Toptal are known for their distributed teams.
3. Online business: if you have an e-commerce, you can manage it from anywhere in the world. Platforms like Shopify or Etsy are ideal for selling products online.
4. Online education: giving classes or online courses through platforms such as Udemy, Coursera or Preply is another excellent option to generate income while traveling.
5. Content creation: from being a blogger or YouTuber to working as a content creator for social networks, there are many opportunities for digital nomads in the world of content marketing.
Steps to become a digital nomad
Now that you know the requirements and types of work you can do, here are some specific steps to start your adventure as a digital nomad:
1. Find a remote or freelance job
The first thing is to make sure you have a source of income. Search for remote jobs on platforms like We Work Remotely or start freelancing on sites like Upwork or Fiverr.
2. Define your budget
Before choosing a destination, it’s important to know how much you need to live on. Tools like Numbeo or Expatistan allow you to compare the cost of living between different cities. Make sure you have a budget that covers accommodation, food and transportation.
3. Research visas for digital nomads.
Find out about countries that offer specific visas for digital nomads, such as Estonia, Croatia or Barbados. These visas often allow you to work remotely while temporarily residing in the country. On Holafly you can find out which countries currently offer visas for digital nomads.
4. Choose your first destination
It is important that you choose a destination that fits your needs in terms of cost of living, internet quality and digital nomad community. Cities like Bali, Lisbon and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations among digital nomads.
5. Prepare your equipment
Make sure you have reliable equipment for working on the move, such as a good laptop, internet connection and the tools you need for your work. You can also hire VPN services to protect your information on public networks.
6. Book accommodation
Platforms like Airbnb, Booking or Nomadlist allow you to search for accommodation almost anywhere in the world. You can also join digital nomad communities on social media to get recommendations on the best places to stay.
7. Join digital nomad communities
Being part of a community of digital nomads will help you get support and share experiences. There are platforms like Nomadlist or Facebook groups where you can connect with other people who are living this lifestyle.
If your goal is to transform your lifestyle and expand your opportunities, follow these steps to free yourself from the shackles of the desk and make the world your office.
Frequently asked questions: how to become a digital nomad
The time may vary depending on your current situation. If you already have a remote job, you could start within a few months. If you need to change careers, it can take between 6 months and a year to make the transition.
The income needed depends on where you live. For example, in Thailand, you could live comfortably on $1,000 a month, while in cities like Lisbon you would need around $2,500.
Careers such as digital marketing, programming, graphic design or languages are excellent options for working remotely. You can also take online courses to gain additional skills in demand.
It depends on the country. Some countries offer specific visas for digital nomads, such as Croatia or Estonia. For other destinations, a tourist visa may be enough if your stay is short.
Some of the most popular destinations are Bali (Indonesia), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Lisbon (Portugal), Playa del Carmen (Mexico) and Medellin (Colombia). These places offer good infrastructure, fast internet and active communities of digital nomads.
There are many platforms where you can find remote jobs, such as We Work Remotely, Remote OK, and AngelList. You can also offer your services as a freelancer on platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr.
Safety depends on the country you are traveling to. It is important to research the safety of your chosen destinations and take precautionary measures. Always use VPN on public networks and follow local recommendations.
