How to be a Digital Nomad even working for a company
Although they are still rather unusual, there are more and more companies that have discovered the advantages of allowing their workers not to sign up daily in a physical office.
Being a digital nomad consists of living without a fixed home thanks to technology. Ok, we are in the XXI century, and this does not suppose any secret. There are high-speed internet, low-cost airlines and cheap accommodations in almost any place. You are free to move around the world and working at the same time. A dream for many people that is still more accessible than it seems. But only if you are a freelancer or your boss lets you.
I’ve been working as a digital nomad for almost two years at a Spanish Product Venture Studio named Commite Inc., and I’ve learned to become less saturated with work and have full control of my time. London, Silicon Valley, Hanoi, or Santiago de Chile, from where I write these lines, have been my home for a while. Sometimes only for a few days, sometimes for months.
But living as a digital nomad and performing your tasks as a salaried employee works only for specific companies. The ones that have discovered the advantages of allowing their workers not to be forced to go to the office on a daily basis.
If the company already has remote workers and trusts you, it will allow you to escape for a while. As long as you comply with your deliveries and responsibilities, it shouldn’t matter if you work from your home or another country. But the fact is that working this way requires a high degree of commitment, autonomy, willpower and appreciation by the employee. We do not want this freedom to become bondage for not having reflected enough before leaving. So before launching into the adventure, you should ask yourself if you are ready.
From my own experience, I will focus on how to live as a digital nomad working for a company. We will still have schedules, responsibilities, and deliveries, in some cases weekly.
Here is a piece of advice by our colleague Juan Pablo López, who has spent years working from Japan, China, and Mexico:
“to be a digital nomad your tasks need to be defined to avoid doubts that block you for hours due to the jet lag.”
Having this clear, do not let other fears hold you back: Let’s organize our first trip as digital nomads!
- Choose destination taking into account the time difference 🌍⌚️🌎
When you are a freelancer you do not have to render an account to an organization chart, so you are free to go anywhere in the world. But we have to coincide in time with our colleagues, so the ideal is that there is not much time lag. We will be able then to chat with the team at less for a while. After six hours of difference, it may be difficult to reconcile your life with your company. Although this will depend on each person and their ability to adapt their sleep cycle to an unusual schedule.
The important thing is that you keep this in mind to organize yourself in the best possible way. No one should notice that you are missing. And of course, even if it’s a no-brainer: think about the internet connection. For example, if you go to China or certain Arab countries, you may have access problems. You have to know how to connect to a VPN.
- Find accommodation and a place to work 🏡 🛌 🏩
The options are multiple: hotels, hostels, Airbnb … or your friend’s sofa. Never forget that you will need a good internet connection and at least one suitable table where you can work.
Another option is to stay anywhere but to have a coworking where to develop your working day. This is usually an advantage for freelances or entrepreneurs. Coworkings are excellent places to make contacts and get some exciting collaboration or sale. In our case, we do not need to look for more work, but if we travel alone, it can be a right place to meet people.
Take into account the prices, and if one fits your budget, it can be a good option. But keep in mind the schedules! Let’s say you are in Thailand, a very fashionable destination among the digital nomads. Let’s also assume your customers are European, like the majority of those who share workspace. It is likely that the coworking is going to be up to the top during the Evenings. You won’t be able to find a place there, or you’ll feel a bit overwhelming.
One place I would not recommend to perform your workday is a cafeteria with the internet. They are usually quite busy, noisy and it is difficult to concentrate. The waiter will ask you for another coffee every 20 minutes.
- Look carefully at the flight schedule 🛫⏲️🛬
When traveling to nearby destinations, I usually choose weekdays in the afternoon/evening. As it happens at least in Europe, tickets are cheaper (usually the last flight on Tuesday). For intercontinental destinations, I choose weekends. Don’t waste your vacation days on flying.
- Let your luggage embrace minimalism 💼✂️👌
The best thing to do is to travel quite light: clothes for nine days and what you need to work. Any powerful computer that does not weigh much, or gets hot or makes too much noise would do the trick. I do not want to advertise, but I would recommend my beloved MacBookPro 15 ‘’. I find it very useful to work without a second screen or mouse. It may seem crazy, but it is quite comfortable between the touchpad and the multi-desktop. It will make you happy when you realize you can work from anywhere that your laptop fits.
- Alone or accompanied? 👫👬💁
I am much more productive when I travel alone because I have fewer distractions. Moving without friends forces you to meet people and to experiment. Yet sometimes you can be overwhelmed by a sense of loneliness. In that case, it is important to remember that traveling is not an obligation. You can always return to your office when you want to see your family and friends. If you are mainly shy, traveling with someone will make things much more relaxed. It will help you share expenses too. Every decision has its pros and cons. But remember: When you have frustrating days (all workers have), you can compensate by having dinner in some pizzeria in Trastevere or in a food truck in a random street in Hanoi.
- We are not on vacation 🏖 ️📸 ❌
When you arrive at your destination, you better don’t get too excited. You will be looking forward to getting lost in the temples of Bangkok or the streets of Sao Paulo. Don’t forget that although everything is exotic, you still have to work. So even if you just landed, you will have to fulfill your obligations. Postpone visits when you finish your work.
But before the harsh reality of thinking you’re not on vacation discourages you, also reflect on the advantages. You do not have to do all the photos in two days or visit your destination in a leisurely way. You can stay weeks or months in the same city and enjoy without pressure. In fact, this is one of the keys. If you change destinations continuously, you will add extra stress that could distort the whole experience. Being digital nomad does not mean always look for the next destination, but enjoying the path.
- Other points to consider: visas, taxes and currency exchange 💵 💷 💶
In my case, having a European passport, I can go to any country in the EU without having to give further explanations. I can also stay for up to three months as a tourist in a large number of countries without worrying about the visa. However, there are other places with a more restrictive access policy. I don’t think that there is specific legislation in each country that designates the obligations of the Digital Nomads as a group. So the best option is always to resort to embassy-type sources, consulates or official tourism pages of the country to clear any kind of doubt.
Something I hear quite often and that never ceases to amaze me is that digital nomads travel to evade taxes. This is meaningless. If you work for a company that taxes in your country, you continue paying your taxes in that country as if you were there. Period.
As for the best option to pay by card and take money anywhere in the world, and again without wanting to advertise, I must admit that I love Revolut. For almost a year I have a premium account. Being all online you do not need to have a physical address in your country of origin. For example, if I lose the credit card they send it to me wherever I am. It also allows you to withdraw money at the actual change of the moment, and at some ATMs even without charging a commission.
Thanks to this last two years at Commite Inc. as a digital nomad I have been able to travel in a cheaper and less stressful way. It’s also formidable to save your free days to rest or disconnect because you have actually lived and enjoyed other countries already while working. So if after reading all this you have not been discouraged, congrats! You are ready to start enjoying this lifestyle as a salaried worker and digital nomad ✈️
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