Does packing a bag and working from your laptop anywhere in the world sound like a dream? 

If you answered “yes,” you’re not alone. 

Does working from your laptop anywhere in the world sound like paradise to you? 

If you answered “yes,” you’re not alone. 

Digital nomadism has blown up over the past decade. We went from being some random fringe group to having special visas in over 70 countries. And with remote work becoming more mainstream, you bet more countries will come out with new programs to attract global talent. 

But I’m not here to try to “sell” you the dream. You already know how awesome digital nomading is. My job is to show you how to make it happen. 

With some luck, skills, and a bit of patience, you could be waking up in a completely different part of the world in as little as three months. 

This guide is the TLDR of my in-depth ebook, which you can download at the end. I’ll walk you through all the essentials (picking a country, managing paperwork, etc.) so you can hit the ground running ASAP. 

Ready to hit the road? Let’s begin. 

Step 1: Define Your Why + Pick a Launch Date

Before booking a last-minute flight to Thailand and leaving everything behind, consider your why. 

I can’t even begin to tell you how many people fall for those Insta reels of the travel influencer sipping their fifth caipirinha while tanning in Rio. They think digital nomads have this “easy” life where they never work or don’t have any issues whatsoever. 

I’m telling you now, what you see in the pictures doesn’t tell the whole story. 

90% of the time you’ll be juggling work from a hotel room, coliving space, or cafe while exploring in your free time. Bills aren’t going anywhere, and no, moving abroad won’t solve all your problems. 

Life still happens. You still need to deal with all the other adult bullshit no matter where you are. 

So before leaving, knowing why you want to become a digital nomad keeps you motivated when things get tough. 

Maybe you’re: 

• Feeling stuck in your hometown 
• Hating the 9-5 life and wanting more
• Running an online business and tired of paying over 40% in taxes
• Sick of always being behind on bills, no matter how hard you work
• Simply loving travel and wanting to do it full time

When I left in 2018, I didn’t just want a two-month backpacking trip. I wanted a new life.

I couldn’t see a future in my hometown. Every second I spent grinding away at another dead-end job felt like I was wasting away. I knew there was so much I needed to learn before I could ever plant roots for good.

That was (and still is) my why. Now you need to find yours.

Once you do, pick a date and stick to it. It’s way too easy to keep saying “someday” without a deadline. Give yourself a clear timeline, mark your calendar, and start making moves. 

Step 2: Build a Sustainable Online Income

I understand you want to get out there already and “figure it out” once you’re abroad.  

But without income or savings lined up, that trip won’t last too long. I’ve seen many digital nomads make the same mistake. They fly out without a plan and “trust the process,” only to find themselves broke within months.

Sure, you might get lucky. I personally landed a job with Cambly within a few months of traveling and managed to make it work. 

But I also met many more digital nomads who weren’t and became a “begpacker” (trust me, no one likes those) or went home with their tail between their legs.

Freedom isn’t free. Travel, visas, and accommodation all add up. The sooner you understand this part and plan for it, the easier it’ll be to become financially sustainable when you’re abroad. 

You have a few options. You can: 

• Find a remote job and start making a consistent income 
• Pick up some freelancing clients and scale as you go
• Go all in on that online business you’ve always dreamed of

The earlier you start making a consistent income (at least $1,000/month) plus a few months of savings, the sooner you can plan your trip. You won’t be stuck in survival mode and can actually start enjoying life abroad from the moment you land.

Step 3: Choose Your First Destination

Now that you (hopefully) got your money situation under control, where should you even go?

It’s tough to answer this question. Maybe you’re dreaming about Bali’s beaches, or Barcelona’s iconic Modernist buildings. Or perhaps you’re still growing your business and aren’t making more than $1-2k a month.

There are so many things to think about when choosing a place that deciding on one is a challenge in itself.

If you’re having trouble deciding where to go, look at things like:

• Cost of living
• Climate
• English ability
• Internet speed 
• Expat/digital nomad scene
• Culture
• Personal interests

To give you an example, I was supposed to go on a working holiday to Australia in 2018. But once I saw the beaches, lifestyle, and cultural richness of Thailand, I was sold. The low cost of living also meant I could enjoy life a bit more without checking my bank account every two seconds.

Websites like Numbeo and NomadList are also great go-to resources that provide an idea of the cost of living in a particular location. In Nomadlist in particular, digital nomads can give a city rating based on things like cost, safety, and more.

If you’re still undecided, these 10 countries are some of the best destinations for first-time digital nomads: 

10 Best Countries For First-Time Digital Nomads

COUNTRY	COST OF LIVING	INTERNET SPEED	BEST CITIES	BEST FOR
Thailand	$700–$1,500/mo	237.05 Mbps	Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket	Beaches, decent infrastructure, an established digital nomad scene
Vietnam	$500–$1,200/mo	134.19 Mbps	Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City	Food scene, diverse nature, great value for your money
Mexico	$1,000-$2,000/mo	85.45 Mbps	Mexico City, Oaxaca, Cancun	Vibrant culture, big expat hubs, proximity to North America
Georgia	$700-$,1,200/mo	41.62 Mbps	Tbilisi, Batumi	Scenic mountains, long visa-free stays for most nationalities, laid-back European lifestyle on a budget
Philippines	$700-$,1,200/mo	94.40 Mbps	Cebu City, Boracay, Manila	Thousands of tropical islands, friendly locals, no major language barrier
Argentina	$1,000-$2,000/mo	93.04 Mbps	Buenos Aires, Cordoba	Café culture, rich food scene, and big city living minus the price tag
Montenegro	$800-$1,500/mo	97.22 Mbps	Budva, Tivat, Podgorica	Natural beauty, chill pace, emerging nomad destination
Spain	$1,200-$2,000/mo	248.12 Mbps	Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia	International expat scene, diverse nature, relatively affordable for Western Europe
Albania	$800-$1,500/mo	84.23 Mbps	Tirana, Saranda	Unique history, charming small towns, friendly locals, affordable prices
Czechia	$1,200-$2,000/mo	80.58 Mbps	Prague, Brno	Charming architecture, reliable public transport, proximity to Europe

Step 4: Get Your Paperwork & Visas In Order

While one country’s immigration officer might barely look at your documents, the next might ask for proof of funds, return tickets, or ask a million questions. 

Don’t leave paperwork up to chance. Leave everything sorted before you get on that plane.  

Do I Need a Visa to Be a Digital Nomad?

On paper, most countries don’t allow remote work on a tourist visa. But in reality, no one really cares. 

The last time I ever heard of anyone being arrested for working remotely was a 2014 raid in Punspace, a coworking space in Thailand. The immigration officer thought the digital nomads working there were doing it illegally for Thai companies (which they weren’t). Everyone was later released, and nothing ever came out of it.

Keep in mind, this was over 10 years ago. Things have dramatically changed since then so the chance of this happening now is even lower.

However, getting yourself a visa has its perks, including: 

• A legal right to work and stay for longer
• Tax breaks 
• A potential path to residency 

If you want to settle somewhere for a while and prefer peace of mind, applying for a DNV is your best option. 

Here’s a quick snapshot of the best digital nomad visas in 2025: 

COUNTRY	VISA DURATION	MINIMUM INCOME	PATH TO PR/CITIZENSHIP?
Croatia	18 months (renewable once)	€3,295/mo	No
Spain	3 years (renewable once for 2 more years)	€2,762/mo	Yes
Italy	1 year (renewable)	€2,700/mo	Yes
Costa Rica	1 year (renewable)	$3,000/mo	No
Uruguay	6 months (renewable once)	N/A	Yes
Panama	9 months (renewable once)	$3,000/mo	No
Thailand	180 days (valid for five years, renewable once per entry)	500,000 THB (~$15,000) in savings	No
South Africa	1 year (renewable twice)	$3,000/mo	No
Philippines	1 year (renewable once)	$2,000/mo	No
Ecuador	2 years (renewable once)	$1,350/mo	Yes

Are Visa Runs Still Worth It?

A visa run is when you leave the country after your visa expires and re-enter for a fresh stamp. 

While I used this a lot back in the day, I’d be careful not to overuse it. A lot of countries are catching on to this and  tightening rules (Thailand only allows two land runs per year). The last thing you’d want is to get turned away at the border after testing your luck too many times. 

One or two runs won’t get you in trouble. But if you know you want to stay in a specific country long-term, you’re better off applying for a proper long-term visa to avoid any issues. 

Which Documents Should I Pack?

These documents are what immigration generally asks for: 

• Valid passport (6+ months left)
• Travel insurance
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of funds (bank statement)
• Backup debit/credit card

Again, most officers won’t really question you unless you’ve been doing multiple visa runs. At most, they might ask you a few things and send you on your way. Still, having everything in order makes the process go smoother if it happens. 

Step 5: Flights & Accommodation

Nothing makes your digital nomad journey feel more real than booking that first one-way ticket. 

I still remember my trip to Thailand back in 2018.  As soon as I hit that “confirm” button, everything finally sank in.

For flights, booking 1–3 months in advance is usually the sweet spot.

That’s enough time to prepare while still finding decent deals. Look out for off-peak dates, compare across sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights, and be flexible with your airport choices to save even more. 

Some countries also require proof of onward travel before they let you on the plane. This could be hard if you have a specific date in mind or plan to extend your stay. However, some airports won’t even allow you to board without this step. 

To avoid problems during check-in, you have two options. 

1. Buy a cheap ticket.

This is the safest option. Simply get a cheap plane or bus ticket to the neighboring country before your visa runs out. Also, make sure it’s refundable. No one wants to lose $30-100 for something you’re probably not going to use. 

2. “Rent” a ticket through a platform.

You could also choose to “rent” a ticket for 24-72 hours through Onward Ticket or a similar service. It’s much cheaper than buying a real one and is still technically legit since these companies use real flights. 

But it’s not 100% risk-free. If an officer asks to see the receipt or boarding pass, you may get into serious trouble and get denied boarding on the spot. 

If you have the money, definitely go with the first option. It’s safer and less stressful. Most regional flights or bus tickets are pretty cheap anyway, so it’s not like you’d be losing thousands if they’re non-refundable. 

Finding Accommodation

Everyone needs a place to live, and digital nomads aren’t the exception. 

Find a place that’s comfortable, has good Wi-Fi, and is conveniently located near everything. Leave the cabin in the forest for a weekend retreat. The last thing you want is to get stuck in paradise with no way to get your work done. 

This is my general rule when it comes to finding digital nomad housing: 

• Booking.com for short stays (up to a few weeks) 
• Flatio, Airbnb, or coliving spaces for short-term rentals (1-3 months)
• Facebook groups or local real estate sites for long-term sublets and cheaper deals

Start flexible, then commit to longer-term rentals once you’re sure you want to stay. This way, you can test out a place for a bit before fully committing to it. 

Step 6: Tie Up Loose Ends Back Home

So you’ve booked the ticket.

You’ve got an updated passport or visa (if you need one).

You know where you’re going.

You probably have your online income set up, or at least have enough moolah to keep you going for a while.

Now it’s the final stretch. 

Your last month before getting on that plane. And this is probably when you realize, “Shit, I still have a million things to get done.”

Here’s a quick checklist of the most important loose ends to wrap up so you can take off stress-free: 

Banking & Money

• Tell your bank you’re traveling so your card doesn’t get frozen.
• Set up online banking and two-factor authentication.
• Open an international-friendly account (like Wise or Revolut).
• Carry at least one backup card and some emergency cash.

Bills & Subscriptions

• Cancel or pause anything you won’t use abroad (gym memberships, internet, streaming services).
• Set up a virtual mailbox or use a family member’s address for important mail and replacements.

Work & Time Zones

• Clients don’t care where you are as long as you deliver, but time zones can be brutal.
• Don’t base yourself somewhere that forces you into all-nighters if you have a lot of calls. Pick destinations that make sense for your schedule.

Family & Friends

• Spend quality time with your loved ones before you go. Life moves on while you’re away, so cherish the moments you have with them. It might be a while before you see them again. 

• Expect mixed reactions about your new lifestyle. Some people will cheer you on, others won’t get it. That’s fine. This journey is yours to live, so don’t let anyone hold you back from making it happen.

Step 7: Pack & Prepare for the Road

When it comes to packing, less is always more.

 A carry-on backpack with versatile clothes, your laptop, and a few essentials will take you further than two giant suitcases you’ll regret dragging across cobblestone streets.

Focus on:

• Lightweight, mix-and-match clothing
• Reliable laptop + charger 
• Universal adapter & power bank
• Compact toiletries (you can always buy more once you’re abroad)
• A small first-aid kit + meds you know you’ll need

Want the simple, no-stress packing list I’ve built from years of trial and error? Feel free to grab it here. 

Ready For Nomad Life?

You don’t need to be rich or have connections to build a nomadic lifestyle. 

Many people fool themselves into thinking that and never actually live out their dream. Don’t be one of those people. By following these steps, you could start a completely new life in less than three months. 

So what are you waiting for? Start making moves and make your digital nomad life happen. 

Want a more detailed version of this guide? Download the full 50+ page ebook packed with resources and valuable info to help you through each step of your journey.