Five Must-Haves Every Aspiring Digital Nomad Needs To Succeed In 2024

• More than 60 countries including Japan, Spain, Portugal, and South Africa now offer a digital nomad visa, making the lifestyle more appealing than ever. 
• Up-to-date passports are essential for digital nomads, as many countries enforce a six-month validity rule to ensure that travelers’ passports do not expire while they are within their borders.
• Travel experts highly recommend travel insurance when abroad for a prolonged period to avoid potentially high medical costs.

The allure of living the digital nomad lifestyle has never been stronger. Exploring the world while getting paid? Millions of U.S. workers have said “Yes, please!”

A recent study by MBO Partners reveals 11% of the U.S. workforce, or 18.1 million workers, are now classified as digital nomads.  

This group of professionals has grown by 147% since 2019, and countries around the world have taken notice. 

The number of countries that offer digital nomad visas is multiplying alongside the explosion of workers. But before aspiring nomads hop on a plane, they need to prioritize these five essentials for success as a digital nomad.

Five Must-Haves to Thrive as a Digital Nomad in 2024

1.A job that allows remote work

The first step in becoming a digital nomad is finding a job that allows remote work. While it may seem straightforward, the number of fully remote positions has decreased over the past year in countries like the U.S., where hybrid work has taken favor. 

For U.S. citizens remote work opportunities are now at their lowest point since 2020, but demand for these positions remains extremely high.

The high demand for fully-remote roles creates a challenge for job seekers who are all competing for limited openings. 

Competition in the U.K. is also fierce as a study by IT service provider Redcentric found that almost half, or 45%, of British workers across a variety of fields — including teachers, accountants, and IT technicians —  are willing to change jobs, or even careers, for the chance to work abroad and experience different cultures. 

Data shows that you can increase your chances of sticking out and landing a remote job with a college degree. Statista analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and found that around 41% “of all survey participants with a Bachelor’s degree or higher said they worked remotely full-time or in part during the week before being surveyed.” 

<a href=”https://www.statista.com/chart/32586/share-of-persons-who-work-from-home-by-education/” title=”Infographic: Who Is Working From Home in the United States? | Statista”><img src=”https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/32586.jpeg” alt=”Infographic: Who Is Working From Home in the United States? | Statista” width=”100%” height=”auto” style=”width: 100%; height: auto !important; max-width:960px;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;”/></a> You will find more infographics at <a href=”https://www.statista.com/chartoftheday/”>Statista</a>

You’ll also greatly improve your chances of landing a remote job by searching for a job in a field that offers more remote work opportunities compared to others. 

FlexJobs, a career service provider specializing in hybrid and remote work, reveals the top 10 career fields with the highest number of remote job postings since the start of 2024 are:

1. Computer & IT
2. Accounting & Finance
3. Project Management
4. Sales
5. Medical & Health
6. Marketing
7. Account Management
8. Customer Service
9. Business Development
10. Operations
    

2.The Right Work Tools

There is no dancing around the fact that a quality laptop is absolutely essential to becoming a digital nomad. This is an investment that requires careful consideration based on the field of interest and the job requirements. 

Some laptops are better suited for power users like freelance graphic artists or computer programmers who need a lot of computing power when working on company projects. If you plan to work full-time for one company, make sure your equipment is compatible with company software.

Keep in mind travel-friendly features when shopping for equipment like laptops or extra battery packs. Lightweight items could be important on international flights that may have lower luggage weight limits. 

There are also a number of digital tools that make digital nomad life much easier. These can help with project management, collaboration, time management, finding accommodation, searching for cheap flights, or doing rapid translations.

3.Digital Nomad Visa and Other Documents

A growing list of countries are offering specialized digital nomad visas in hopes of reaping the economic benefits that come with attracting international remote workers. 

The rising interest among world leaders has led to more than 60 countries now offering a specialized visa for these nomadic workers — including new visa opportunities that launched this year in Japan, South Korea, Italy, Thailand and South Africa. 

Countries like Croatia, Spain, Colombia, Portugal, and Mexico are attracting remote workers with opportunities for year-long visas. 

The allotted time periods that digital nomads are free to travel throughout the country, as well as unique tax incentives and opportunities like pathways to permanent residencies depend on the desired location. 

It’s important to look closely at the fine print as digital nomad visas offer very unique terms such as tax rates, visa lengths, and minimum income requirements that differentiate one country’s visa from another. 

Four Examples:

• Barbados: The country’s initiative, which was announced on June 30, 2020, has approved 400 digital nomads in the past year — primarily from the United States.

The nation’s Welcome Stamp program offers a flexible 12-month digital nomad visa to international remote workers (earning an annual income of at least US$50,000), and their families. After the term limit runs out, digital nomads can easily reapply. 

Since its launch, the Welcome Stamp has attracted around 8,359 applications with a significant portion (65%) comprising individual applicants and the remaining 35% being families.

• Mexico: There are several advantages to adopting a digital nomad lifestyle in Mexico. The tax system is reportedly favorable to many digital nomads, with rates ranging from 0% to 30%, depending on individual circumstances. Additionally, the country’s visa criteria are accommodating, offering multiple options tailored to digital nomads.
• Portugal: This year, Portugal has flip-flopped on its foreign tax policies, but in the country’s latest update it has reintroduced tax breaks specifically designed to attract foreign skilled professionals to the country.  

The tax break, originally launched in 2009 as part of the non-Habitual Resident tax plan, is designed to attract skilled foreign professionals such as tech workers and doctors to Portugal. The revised scheme offers a reported 20% flat tax rate on salaries and professional income — excluding pensions, dividends, and capital gains. 

• Thailand: Thailand announced in May that it would be extending visa durations and improving conditions for different groups including digital nomads, tourists, postgraduate students, and retirees. One of the most notable policy changes for the country is the validity extension of its digital nomad visas.

Previously, the country’s specialized visas were valid for 60 days. However, Thailand’s digital nomad visas will now be valid for up to five years, with each stay capped at 180 days. 

These changes are expected to attract self-employed and remote workers who can contribute to the local economy while enjoying Thailand’s culture and affordable lifestyle.

On top of deciding which country to travel to, a digital nomad will also need a:

• Passport: Several countries enforce the six-month validity rule to ensure that travelers’ passports do not expire while they are within their borders. This rule reduces the risk of visitors overstaying their passports’ validity period, which could lead to legal and logistical challenges. 

• Driver’s license: A driver’s license often serves as an additional form of identification, which can be useful for various administrative tasks, such as signing leases, opening bank accounts, or verifying identity. Specialty driving permits may be required in some countries, along with insurance stipulations, so be sure to research thoroughly if you plan to drive even a little. Mexico, for instance, requires insurance for all cars and penalties can include jail time.
• Proof of Income: Some countries require proof of sufficient income or financial stability to grant a digital nomad visa. This can include bank statements, pay stubs, or proof of freelance contracts.
  

4.Reliable internet connection

Most countries that offer digital nomad visas have cities and spaces with high-speed internet, but it’s essential to research the internet quality before traveling to a specific destination. 

A digital nomad who plans on living in more remote or rural areas, may want to consider investing in a portable Wi-Fi device or an international data plan to ensure they stay connected no matter where they are.

SpaceX recently launched its Starlink Mini, a compact satellite internet kit tailored for nomadic individuals providing internet access in places where a router simply will not work. Other companies like Nokia are also investing into devices and services targeting nomadic internet users. 

5.Travel Insurance

While a digital nomad may not be legally required to have travel insurance when abroad, travel experts highly recommend it if planning to stay in another country for a prolonged period to avoid potentially high medical costs. 

Medical care can be expensive, and insurance ensures coverage for emergencies and routine care, if needed.

Travel Insurance vs. International Health Insurance

• Travel Insurance: Best for short-term trips, covering emergencies and travel-related incidents.

• International Health Insurance: Ideal for long-term stays, offering comprehensive coverage for medical needs and travel benefits.

It’s important to consider personal travel plans, health conditions, and the duration of a stay when considering either Travel or International Health Insurance. 

Embracing the digital nomad lifestyle offers greater work-life flexibility and the chance to explore new cultures while maintaining a stable career. However, it requires careful planning and the right resources to ensure everything goes according to plan. 

By following these tips, digital nomads can maneuver around the challenges — to make the most of their personal experience and succeed in balancing work and adventure.