How to Become a Digital Nomad:
9 Tips for Freelancing in a Foreign Country

Tip 1: Master Your Craft and Soft Skills

Everyone reading this article is unique in some way. It’s how you leverage your mindset, capabilities, and skills that will allow you to become a successful freelancer.

One of the hardest parts of becoming a digital nomad is finding a job that pays you consistent money. Unlike the early days of remote work, the market is now competitive. You need to be more than just available; you need to be reliable.

What are you good at? I’m good at SEO and content writing. I found a job as a freelance copywriter, and it has sustained me ever since. I write up my articles at the beginning of the week, polish them when I want to, and get to spend the rest of my time doing whatever I want.

However, technical skills aren't enough. To truly succeed as a nomad, you must master remote-first soft skills. This means over-communicating with clients to bridge the physical distance, managing your time impeccably without a boss looking over your shoulder, and being adaptable when technology fails.

The goal is to find something you enjoy, that you’re good at, and that will continue to make you money for the long haul. Some popular options include:

Yoga instructor
Data entry
Copywriting
Social Media Management
Affiliate marketing
Programming and Web Development
Starting your own business
Virtual Assistant
Online Tutoring (Languages, Music, etc.)
Video editing and Graphic design
Blogging

Tip 2: Find a Country That Checks Your Boxes

Just as each country has its unique charm, eccentricity, beauty, food, and culture, it also has a different price tag. Going to New Zealand for six months will cost much more than going to, say, Albania or Thailand.

Based on your nationality, you’ll have options for where you can go and where you cannot, especially in countries offering digital nomad visas. These specific visas have become a game-changer for remote workers, allowing for longer stays and often providing tax benefits that tourist visas do not cover.

In terms of restrictions, that’s about all you have. If you can legally be there and have enough money to support yourself, put it on the list.

Deciding where to go is one of the most exciting parts of the digital nomad journey. However, you must consider the Time Zone. If your clients are in New York, but you are in Bali, you may be working overnight. Make sure you are willing to adjust your sleep schedule before booking the ticket.

Here are other vital factors to consider:

Internet Stability: Is the Wi-Fi reliable enough for video calls?
Language: Do you need the English language to survive?
Food: Is trying different and delicious cuisines vital to you?
Weather: What is the weather like during the season in which you plan to travel?
Architecture: Do you give bonus points for unique and impressive architecture?
Culture: Are you comfortable going to places where everyday norms are entirely different than where you are from?
Safety: Will your life be in jeopardy if you go to this country?
Transportation: How vital is western infrastructure and transportation to you? Not all countries have nice, paved roads.
Friendliness: Some countries boast amicable people. Others do not. Are you looking for friendship on your trip?

Tip 3: Prioritize Connectivity (Sim Cards & eSIMs)

You’ve got your freelance contract, you’ve decided where you’re going to start your adventure, and you’ve just landed in a foreign country. What the heck are you going to do now?

Get connected immediately. In the modern era, you have two main options: a physical local sim card or an eSIM. For example, you can use a Simify Japan eSIM if you want to get connected faster without physically swapping SIM cards.

If you prefer physical cards, you can usually score one at the airport. If you can’t, ask the nearest airport security guard what cell carrier is the best for your area, and they can point you in the right direction.

You might be wondering: Why not just use your sim card from back home? One word: cost. Home country sim cards often give you the same kind of service for double, and sometimes triple, the price via roaming charges.

It’s vital to have a local data plan. In an emergency, or if the Wi-Fi in your accommodation cuts out, you can tether your laptop to your cell phone’s data plan to make sure you don’t miss a meeting, project, or deadline. As a nomad, redundancy is your best friend.

Tip 4: Find a Comfortable Place to Stay (That isn't a Party Hostel)

At the beginning of my digital nomad journey, I stayed at hostels. They were often crowded and smelly with uncomfortable beds.

At the time, I sought camaraderie and friendship. There are few easier ways to make friends than sleeping right next to them in the same 12-bed shared room for a few days.

I quickly found myself restless, tired, cranky, and anxious. I worked by night, and hostels are ordinarily full of activity. I missed my deadlines. I drank too much coffee and forgot to take my vitamins.

That changed about six months into my journey, and I cannot stress this enough: if you are a digital nomad working from the road, invest in your own place. Toggle to “entire place” on Airbnb or Booking.com and find a place to call your own for a week, a month, or longer.

Another rising trend is Co-living spaces. Unlike hostels, these are designed for professionals. You get a private bedroom and bathroom, but share high-end kitchens and living areas with other remote workers. This offers the community aspect of a hostel without the noise and lack of privacy.

Tip 5: Take Advantage of Co-working Spaces

Whether you decide to stay at a hostel, a short-term rental like an Airbnb, or find a yearly lease once you touch down in your new home country, you’ll need to find a way to separate work and life.

One of my favorite aspects of traveling is finding and becoming part of the digital nomad community in my new city.

Jam-packed with other creatives, business owners, freelancers, digital nomads, and travelers of different viewpoints, ethnicities, and experiences, hanging out at a coworking space is a great way to get tuned into local life and scratch your socialization itch.

It works like this. You sign up and pay a monthly fee. In return, you usually get a specific desk and working area, unlimited wifi, some storage, discounts on food and beer, and as many new relationships as you are brave enough to initiate. Some excellent co-working spaces in Europe even give you the option of an adjustable standing desk at your ergonomic workstation.

Chill at your workstation while you sip on a fruit smoothie and chat with your new friends. Throw on your noise-canceling headphones if you need to hop on a video call. Retire to your place once you need some alone time.

Tip 6: Talk to Everyone. I Mean Everyone!

I am a bonafide introvert. It’s hard for me to go up to someone to say hello and introduce myself.

But by talking to everyone you meet, you get a different perspective on your current situation. You can learn the history of where you are. When you talk to locals, you know about the traditions and culture of the place you now call home. You’re able to see your surroundings in a new light and appreciate your journey more.

When you talk to other digital nomads, you learn about life all around the globe. You learn about new business opportunities and business models. You learn how other nomads are making money on the road.

When you talk to other people living the same lifestyle as you, there is often an immediate connection. There’s a good chance they are in a similar age group as you, hold the same values dear, make money from the road, and are adventurers.

I met my best friend, my current business partner, and my fiancé on my travels. Start conversations with everyone because you never know who you might encounter.

Tip 7: Learn a New Language

Learning a new language is different for everybody. Some people pick up individual languages quickly and efficiently but fail to do so in other languages. Some people never pick up a second or third language.

Learning a new language takes patience, practice, and dedication. While translation apps are incredibly useful for reading menus or street signs, relying on them for conversation creates a barrier. Talking with others in a relaxed and conversational tone helps, but there is nothing quite like getting a professional tutor.

What better way to dive into your new country’s culture than learning its language? You can connect with locals easier. You exercise a part of your brain, not often tickled with stimulation.

Learning a new language almost always has excellent career benefits and enhances your professional marketability. If you decide to make your digital nomadism more permanent, having local language skills will better transition you into becoming a temporary or permanent resident.

Tip 8: Join Expat Groups on Social Media

Imagine this: you’ve just landed in Barcelona. You have a new freelance contract, and you check into your modern Airbnb in the city center. You unpack your stuff, look out the window and breathe in deep. You’ve made it.

You look at your watch, and you see it’s about 4 p.m. You go out into the street and to the nearest piazza. You overhear conversations in Spanish and realize you don’t know Spanish. You head to the closest restaurant and discover the menu is in Spanish as well. You order what you believe to be pizza and are delivered a chocolate crepe.

Getting settled into a foreign country is difficult even for the most seasoned travelers.

By joining expat groups on social media, you are plugged into the expat community right away.

Groups on Facebook and communities on Slack or Discord give information on expat meetups, best co-working spaces and hostels, parties, language learning opportunities, ride-sharing services, food delivery, and rental scams to avoid.

Joining online expat groups is also a great way to meet people, as you find like-minded individuals embarking on a journey similar to your own.

Tip 9: Manage Your Money and Taxes Wisely

One of the less glamorous but most critical aspects of the nomad lifestyle is financial management. When you leave your home country, you don't necessarily leave your tax obligations behind. For example, US citizens are taxed on their worldwide income regardless of where they live.

It is crucial to understand the tax residency laws of the countries you visit. Some countries have a "183-day rule," where staying longer than half the year makes you a tax resident. Others have specific tax incentives for digital nomads.

Additionally, banking fees can eat into your freelance earnings. Traditional banks often charge high fees for foreign transactions and ATM withdrawals. Look for "borderless" banking solutions or multi-currency accounts that allow you to hold and spend money in various currencies with low exchange fees.

Tip 10: Prioritize Physical and Mental Health

Travel burnout is real. Moving constantly, adjusting to new time zones, and lacking a stable routine can take a toll on your body and mind. It is easy to let exercise and healthy eating slide when every meal is an opportunity to try a new local delicacy.

To sustain this lifestyle long-term, you need a routine. Join a local gym, find a running route, or use apps for home workouts. Furthermore, ensure you have comprehensive travel medical insurance. Standard travel insurance often covers lost luggage but not routine medical visits or emergencies while working abroad. Look for insurance packages specifically designed for digital nomads.

Tip 11: Feel the Heartbeat of Your New Home

When you are freelancing, whether it’s taking on clients of your own, reporting to your boss, or working across timezones with various people, I’ve found it easy to get caught up in work. Most of the time, more work equals more money.

There is a constant internal struggle between making money to be able to see and experience the things I want to and seeing and experiencing those things while sacrificing the opportunity to make money.

Don’t lose sight of why you decided to become a digital nomad. It probably wasn’t to stare at your computer screen all day. It was to see all the beauty of the world, to meet its people, to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that bring you feelings that will last a lifetime.

So, when you finally get there, enjoy it. Turn off your phone for an afternoon or a whole weekend and walk around. Open your senses. Eat food. Watch and listen to the people. Have a conversation or learn about the history that teems all around you. Soak in your city, town, or village because your time here likely won’t last forever. Enjoy it. You’ve earned it.

Final Thoughts on Becoming a Digital Nomad

Becoming a digital nomad can seem like a never-ending dream. But once you’ve taken the first few steps, you’ll be living a brilliant life visiting new places and meeting new people in no time.

How to Become a Digital Nomad: 9 Tips for Freelancing in a Foreign Country