Becoming a digital nomad isn’t as hard as many people think, but there are a few basics that you need to make sure you get right to ensure you have a safe and successful digital nomad life. Here are ten digital nomad essentials that you definitely need to have!
WiFi
Surely the most basic of all digital nomad essentials, having access to decent WiFi will make or break your digital nomad career. Whatever kind of work you do, the definition of being a digital nomad means you need to work online, so without wifi you’ve got no chance.
I prefer to have wifi in my accommodation so I don’t even need to get out of bed if I don’t want to, while others may find that visiting a nearby café or co-working space with wifi is enough for them. These days most accommodation options will clearly state if there is wifi, and reading the reviews often gives clues to how good it really is. You can ask your accommodation host for a speed test before booking – if you are staying in one apartment for several weeks, you want to be sure it is good enough.
The alternative is to bring your own wifi with you. Check if mobile and cell phone companies in your home country have deals that offer data packages while roaming – depending on what kind of work you do that may be enough. However if you need to upload or download huge files such as videos and films then you’ll probably max out your limit pretty fast.
Certainly in the UK most phone companies that offer roaming on UK based contracts have a “fair usage policy” which means that if you’re out of the country for more than two or three months then they’ll cut off your data roaming. This isn’t always clear in the terms and conditions so do some digging!
If you are spending several months in one country then a local sim card could be a good choice, if there are good deals on data to be had, but if you’re moving around a lot then buying a sim card in each new place is a pain.
A Good Laptop
The next essential thing has to be a good laptop. When you’re on the move a lot your laptop needs to tread the line between being large enough for you to use daily and be comfortable, as well as light and strong enough to be carried around on your travels.
Apple users swear by the MacBook Air, which weighs just 2.7 pounds and has a battery life of up to 18 hours meaning you can use it anywhere
If you don’t fancy spending $1000 on a laptop I love my Dell Latitude 7310 which is just as light as the MacBook, and cheaper – especially if you can find a refurbished one like I did. If you do get a refurbished laptop, make sure the guarantee is still valid and can be claimed while you are travelling
Digital Nomad Laptop Accessories
While working with just a laptop is ok every now and again, being hunched over a tiny machine day after day can seriously impact your posture and health. When I have the space to do so I also use a separate wireless mouse and keyboard and have a portable laptop stand to raise up the screen of the laptop and make everything more comfortable.
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Digital Nomad Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. No matter where I go, I ALWAYS get travel insurance for my trips, and was very glad I had insurance when my laptop and passport were stolen in Ecuador!
SafetyWing is a travel medical insurance that was created by nomads for nomads. I have used SafetyWing travel medical insurance for several of my trips abroad, and while (thankfully!) I’ve never had to make a claim, I love how they make it really easy for you to buy and claim when you need to.
SafetyWing’s new Nomad Insurance plans are designed for all types of travellers.
SafetyWing’s Essential Plan is ideal for short-term nomads who need emergency medical coverage while abroad. You can choose fixed dates for short trips, or pay on a 28-day cycle – so if you end your trip, you can end your coverage easily.
SafetyWing’s Complete Plan is designed for long-term nomads looking for both comprehensive health and travel coverage, wherever they are in the world. There is a minimum contract of 12 months, which can be paid monthly or yearly (for a 10% discount), and is renewable indefinitely.
You can sign up before your trip or while you are travelling, there is coverage across more than 180 countries (coverage in the US is extra), and SafetyWing provide 24/7 human support and a simple claims process so you can get your money back within a few days.
If you’re looking for digital nomad travel insurance or health coverage for your next adventure, SafetyWing could be a great option for you!
An Up-to-Date Passport
Before you plan anything, check how long your passport is valid. While it might be possible to renew your passport while you are abroad, it is much easier to do before you leave your own country. You can renew a British passport within 1 year of the expiry date without “losing” any of that time
Keep your passport safe while travelling with a carry case to protect it from the elements. I also have a variety of hidden pocket clothing such as a travel scarf with a hidden pocket large enough for my passport, so when I’m on the move I keep it close to my chest.
Keep a virtual copy of your passport in the cloud and available on your phone and laptop as well to make things easier if it does get lost or stolen. When I had my passport stolen in Ecuador it was useful having the details to hand.
I’d also recommend taking another form of identification with you (such as a driving license) in case you need to prove who you are if your passport gets stolen or goes missing.
See also the section on visas below…
The Correct Visa
Depending on how long you plan to stay in one country, you may not need any visa at all. For example Americans, Brits and Canadians can spend up to 90 days in Europe without a visa, so if you plan to stay somewhere for a couple of months and then move on, arranging visas isn’t necessary.
Some countries may allow longer stays without visas, but for others there is a range of digital nomad visas available. However, digital nomad visas aren’t always the golden ticket they appear to be.
Most have a minimum earning requirement before you can apply, so if you’re just starting out on your digital nomad lifestyle you may not be earning enough to qualify. Then, you may need to pay taxes on whatever you earn while living in that country, as well as potentially paying tax in your home country too, so check the details carefully before you decide where to go and how long for.
A Travel Bank Account
Having access to your money all over the world is vital, but doing it without suffering ludicrous exchange rates and charges every time you use a credit card is extremely useful!
A travel bank account such as Wise means you can open an account in the local currency, and convert money without the high fees you would usually get abroad. With a Wise card, you can pay by card for free, and manage your account with the app.
If your card is lost or stolen, you can freeze the card instantly in the app and Wise delivers worldwide so you can get a replacement easily. You can even add the replacement card to Google pay before it arrives with you. Wise also allows you to create additional virtual cards that can be used for online payments without using your actual card.
Comfortable Work Space
While I love working on my laptop in bed, it’s not really feasible to do that every day. Your back will appreciate you having a desk to work from. Some people prefer to set up a semi-permanent workspace in their accommodation, so check if there is a dedicated workspace available there.
Others are happier working in a café, but a co-working space offers the best of both worlds as they are specifically designed for work, and also have the social side where you can meet other digital nomads and get to know people.
You can find dedicated co-working spaces all over the world, but there is a fee to use them, so find one that is flexible enough to suit your needs.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
There is nothing worse than trying to work and all you can hear is a dog barking next door or an annoyingly loud conversation between other people anywhere. I often listen to music to drown out any background noise to help me concentrate and having noise-cancelling headphones is even more effective.
There is a wide range of headphones and earbuds available so you can choose whichever works best for you. I have Anker Soundcore headphones which are good value and get great reviews too.
Bose are a popular option for many digital nomads as they are a well-known brand and renowned for its sound quality. They have over-ear wireless headphones as well as noise-cancelling earbuds too.
Phrase Book / Language Learning
When we work online most of the time, it can be nice to actually have a book to look at! A phrase book for the local language is a great way to pick up new words and sentences to help you to settle in, and show willing to communicate in a language other than your own. Even a simple “hello” and “thank you” makes a big difference to how you are received.
Other ways to pick up the local language include using apps like duo-lingo or taking a course before you travel or lessons while you are there.
If you already have the basics down, joining a language exchange is a wonderful way to make friends and practice your skills. This may be more common in larger cities or where there is a big student or expat population, but it is worth doing some digging – there is always usually someone who wants to practice their English.
A Community
A life of travel, while rewarding in many ways, can also be incredibly lonely. It can be hard to make friends if you’re constantly on the move, and being alone all the time can be hard. Being part of a community can really help to make you feel at home wherever you are.
That community could be with local people as you make friends doing a language exchange or becoming a regular at a bar or restaurant where you can hang out with the locals. It could be from people you meet at the co-working – likely to be a mix of digital nomads like you and creative people who live locally, or from meet-up groups, Facebook groups for digital nomads or even joining a work abroad program specifically for digital nomads.
No matter how you make friends, it’s important to socialize with someone!
An Open Mind
Yes, I know this is the eleventh digital nomad essential, but it’s too important to leave out!
One of the huge benefits of being a digital nomad is the opportunity to work anywhere around the world. However, it can be a very different environment and culture to what you are used to, and culture shock can have a huge impact on your mental health and enjoyment of a destination.
Before you travel somewhere new, do some research about what to expect. What are the cultural norms and customs that you will be expected to follow, such as clothing style and alcohol consumption?
Attitude to women, the LGBTQI community, people of colour and religious freedom are some of the things to consider – even if you might not be affected directly, do you want to live somewhere which isn’t welcoming to everyone?
That said, cultural differences are a great source of learning and growth for us all, and while you might not agree with someone’s beliefs, at least you can learn about them.
More Digital Nomad Tips
While this isn’t everything you need for a successful nomad life, these digital nomad essentials are a great start! If you want more advice for your digital nomad journey check out these posts:
