Travelling the world has never been easier than it is today. No longer tied to an office desk after the rise of remote jobs, many workers are electing to pack up their laptops and hit the road or even jet around the globe to perform their 9-5 duties in new and interesting places. While it’s an intriguing concept and quite tempting if you have the means to pull it off, you should consider a few things before adopting a nomadic lifestyle.
Global health insurance
Having comprehensive public health insurance in your home country is a blessing. Basic coverage often addresses a wide range of medical services that would otherwise cost you hundreds, if not thousands. But this out-of-pocket expense is the reality of expatriates without global health insurance.
Digital nomads fall into this same category. If you leave your home country to travel and work for an extended period, upfront payments in emergencies are almost a certainty, as is lower quality or limited care. To mitigate these risks, expat-specific health insurance from a provider like Foyer Global Health is necessary.
Cybersecurity measures
If you don’t already use a VPN, you’ll want to start before travelling abroad. Protecting your data is always important, but a security breach has completely different implications when your work-related data is compromised. In addition to a VPN service, strong passwords and two-factor authentication are recommended to beef up security further.
If you’re travelling from place to place, avoid the urge to use free public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions. Though working from a coffee shop may seem like a great way to keep costs low when you don’t have a dedicated office, you expose yourself to cybersecurity threats from unencrypted data and fake networks.
Financial management and other safety precautions
Travelling isn’t cheap, and managing your finances, especially when you’re working a remote job on the move, is complicated. Online banking tools and budgeting apps can be extremely useful for tracking your budget. They’ll ensure you don’t overspend and can even recommend effective use of your money. Before you leave, you should also consider creating an emergency fund to keep you afloat if you lose your job or have difficulty finding accommodation. This can be anything from a month’s to a year’s worth of expenses. Depending on where in the world you are, this can go a long way to ensuring you can find a more permanent solution.
Register with local embassies or consulates and keep copies of your important documents and emergency contact information on hand for even more extreme precaution.
Be proactive
Taking preventive measures and being informed can be the difference between living the stress-free nomadic lifestyle you see online and finding yourself in a nightmare situation without any lifelines. Arming yourself with global health insurance and enhancing cybersecurity is just the beginning. As you learn more about what it takes to tour the world, you’ll find even more ways to prepare yourself for uncertainty.
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