Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have had to shift their employees to remote work. It’s now clear that the need for office time for specific job roles has diminished. And, once strict travel restrictions were lifted, it became possible to travel without interrupting the work process. Some countries have responded to this change by revising their visa policy and even implementing new visas. With remote work taking over, many countries are now offering digital nomad and remote worker visas!
In order to find the right country for you to start your digital nomad journey, there are a few things you need to figure out. First, you need to determine what climate and time zone will work best for you. Doing so will ensure there’s no large time difference between you and your boss or other colleagues, and that your work and sleep schedule will not be disrupted. It should help you feel more at ease in the location you choose to reside in as well.
When choosing your digital nomad destination, here are a few things you should pay attention to:
- The cost of living. It may go without saying, but your cost of living should not exceed your income level. You want to make sure you’re living comfortably enough to get all your work done and have all living expenses covered.
- Living conditions. Your living conditions must meet the requirements for permanent life, even if you’re only staying for a few months. For example, there must be a strong Internet connection and a comfortable sleeping area and amenities. Housing should be full-fledged. The options of living in a tent or a bungalow may not be optimal for your digital nomad lifestyle.
Additional criteria to keep in mind when making your decision are the level of security in the country, attitudes toward foreigners, and language barriers.
The Best Countries for Remote Work
We have selected five countries to highlight as popular destinations for digital nomads and remote workers.
GeorgiaIn Georgia, you can get good-quality rental housing for a low price. The internet is efficient and doesn’t have a high price point. You can also rent a car without any issues even if you have an international driving license. The climate is pleasant and nature is diverse. You can enjoy both the sea and the mountains, so there’s something for everyone. The locals are also good-natured and hospitable so you’ll feel right at home!
ThailandThailand has an abundance of housing options. There are a multitude of apartments and small houses available for rent. The climate tends to be warm and favorable, making it a favorite place for those looking to escape cold winters in their home countries. There’s also a well-developed infrastructure. The internet is stable and works well, but it’s on the pricier side.
IndonesiaIndonesia is a favorite among remote workers. Especially Bali which is considered one of the world’s centers of freelancers. This place has been favored by expatriates from a multitude of countries thanks to its great infrastructure. You can find all kinds of cafes with fast internet, supermarkets with European foods, and comfortable and inexpensive housing (which also has reliable internet). All of these features make Indonesia a highly favored choice for digital nomads and remote workers alike.
PortugalPortugal is considered one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Prices for both food and housing are not very high, making the cost of living relatively low. There’s also a strong Internet connection throughout the land and an inexpensive local communication rate. Portugal is a clean location, and locals are very friendly to visitors. Portugal also contains its own digital nomad community in the islands of Madeira!
TurkeyThere are fairly cheap and comfortable housing options in Turkey. Food also tends to be inexpensive. Fresh vegetables and fruits from the village can be purchased from local markets for a very low cost. The internet connection is quite good but tends to be on the pricier side. In terms of language barriers, if you choose to live in large tourist cities, such as Antalya, then there shouldn’t be any language problems at all.
How Can POND mobile Help With Your Remote Work Journey?
POND mobile is an international mobile service operator that provides its customers with international roaming in 210+ countries around the world. The “World Phone” and “Global Data” plans are designed to provide reliable communication and high-speed internet in any country that you choose for remote work, or during your travels.
Each rate plan includes a certain number of minutes for calls, SMS, and GB of high-speed Internet, so you can pick the plan that meets your specific needs. Our pricing is transparent– you pay the fixed monthly subscription fee specified in your rate plan. There are no hidden costs or additional roaming charges, and taxes and fees are already included.
With our service, you no longer need to worry about buying a local or international SIM card and spending hours researching the various local carriers in each country. When you need to use the Internet, you can use it freely without worrying about roaming charges or looking for free Wi-Fi.
By having the ability to add local numbers for 90+ countries, in addition to the U.S. number you receive, your family, friends, and colleagues will be able to call you at their local rates without extra charges in their phone bills. POND mobile, keeping you connected.
