If you’re asking yourself, “How can I work remotely from another country?“, you’re probably in the early stages of figuring out whether this lifestyle is right for you. It sounds incredible, and it can be. You get to earn a living while exploring the world, meeting people in wildly different time zones, and spending weekends in places you once had pinned on your vision board.
The short answer is yes, you can work remotely from another country, but behind every laptop-on-a-beach photo, there’s a lot of logistics you don’t see.
You’ll need to sort out visas, figure out how long you can legally work remotely in another country, and plan where to stay. You’ll need stable internet, a backup plan if it fails, and maybe even a coworking membership depending on how you work best. It’s not hard, but it’s not as effortless as it looks.
In this guide, you’ll get clear answers to common questions:
- Can you do remote work in another country?
- How long can you work remotely from another country legally?
- What’s the best way to set yourself up for success?
Whether you’re planning a few months abroad or a full digital nomad lifestyle, this will walk you through what it takes to work remotely from another country in 2025.
Get yourself a digital nomad visa
You can’t work remotely from another country forever on a tourist visa. At some point, you’ll need something more official, and that’s where digital nomad visas come in. Dozens of countries now offer visa programs specifically for remote workers, with more being added every year.
If you’re planning to stay in one place longer than a few months, it’s worth looking into countries like Costa Rica, Spain, Croatia, Portugal, Thailand, or Mexico. These destinations offer digital nomad visa options that let you legally live and work there, usually for six to 12 months, with some offering renewals for up to two or three years.
Each country has its own requirements. Most ask you to prove a steady monthly income (often $2,000–$3,000), provide health insurance, and show that your employer or clients are based outside the country. Some, like Germany’s freelance visa, are more tailored to self-employed people. Others, like Costa Rica’s remote work visa, are designed for anyone with a foreign employer or freelance clients abroad.
The application process usually involves gathering documents like bank statements, health insurance coverage, and proof of remote work. Processing times vary, so don’t leave it to the last minute. And while it might seem like a hassle upfront, securing the right visa gives you legal peace of mind, and sometimes perks like access to local healthcare or tax exemptions.
What are the best digital nomad visa-friendly countries?
These visas are designed specifically for remote workers who want to live abroad while earning income from a foreign employer or freelance clients. More than 60 countries now offer some kind of digital nomad visa. Below is a quick comparison of 10 of the most popular options according to WiFi Tribe members to help you figure out where to go next.
| Country | Visa Name | Duration | Min. Income (USD/month) | Renewals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | D8 Digital Nomad Visa | 1 year | $3,280 | Yes |
| Spain | Spain Digital Nomad Visa | 1 year | $2,700 | Yes |
| Thailand | Thailand SMART or Digital Nomad Visa | Up to 5 years | Varies | Yes |
| Indonesia (Bali) | Indonesia Remote Worker Visa | 1 year | $5,000 | Yes |
| Costa Rica | Estancia for Remote Workers | 1 year | $3,000–4,000 | Yes |
| Estonia | Estonia Digital Nomad Visa | 1 year | $3,700 | Yes |
| Croatia | Croatia Digital Nomad Visa | 1 year | €2,200 | No, but can reapply |
| Malta | Malta Nomad Residence Permit | 1 year | $3,800 | Yes |
| Czech Republic | Czech Digital Nomad Visa | 1 year | $1,700 | Yes |
| Georgia | Remotely from Georgia | 1 year | $2,000 | Yes |
Tax implications when working remotely from another country
When you live abroad and earn income remotely, taxes don’t just go away. You can’t just hop on a plane, open your laptop in a beach town, and assume your home country won’t care.
If you’re American, you’ll want to look into the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE). It lets you exclude up to $130,000 of your foreign-earned income from U.S. taxes in 2025, but only if you meet strict requirements like spending 330 days abroad or being a bona fide resident of another country. You still have to file even if you owe nothing. And skipping that paperwork can lead to serious fines or trigger audits down the line.
Other countries also have their own rules depending on how long you stay, where your clients are, and whether your income touches local banks. Some digital nomad visas (like Costa Rica’s or Portugal’s) come with tax perks or exemptions, while others may pull you into their tax system after 183 days.
For most nomads, tax planning isn’t a “figure it out later” situation. It’s one of the first things you should sort.
In our WiFi Tribe community forums, we talk about this stuff all the time: how to handle taxes abroad, how to work remotely from another country without getting double taxed, and when it’s worth bringing in an expert. We’ve got folks in the Tribe who specialize in international tax law, and they’ve saved more than one of us from expensive mistakes.
Remote workers need a good internet connection
A stable internet connection is the bare minimum if you’re planning to work remotely from another country.
However, “WiFi included” in a property description doesn’t tell you much. The connection might be too slow for video calls, or the router could be shared with 10 other apartments. You don’t want to find out your signal dies every time someone else logs on to Netflix.
Before you book a place, ask the host or landlord for a screenshot of a recent speed test. You can even send them a link to speedtest.net and ask for results during working hours, when networks are usually the most stressed. If you’re staying in a hotel, check recent reviews or call ahead and ask about upload/download speeds and outages.
Even when the internet looks fine on paper, blackouts and signal drops can still happen, especially in beach towns, mountain villages, or countries with aging infrastructure. That’s why seasoned digital nomads always pack a backup, such as:
- A portable hotspot like a MiFi device.
- An eSIM card (or local) with generous data. We use Airlo wherever we go!
Traveling with a group like WiFi Tribe helps, too. In Cape Town, we dealt with daily load shedding (scheduled blackouts), but the Tribe made sure we had warnings and extra MiFi devices to stay online. That kind of support takes the panic out of your workday when the power goes out!
Make sure your job is remote-ready
The freedom to work remotely from another country only works if you have a reliable source of income. Whether you’re on payroll, working contract gigs, or juggling a few freelance clients, you need to know the money’s coming in, even if you’re eight time zones away from your team.
If you’re freelancing, it helps to have a few repeat clients and a system for finding new ones. Here are a few job boards the crew at WiFi Tribe recommends:
If you’re still building your roster, focus on networking as you travel. Nomad hubs often have coworking spaces and local meetups where remote workers gather. Spaces like Outsite or local independents usually host weekly events, which are great for finding both social and professional connections. Groups like our very own WiFi Tribe can also plug you into a working community and make it easier to land work.
Get digital nomad health insurance
If you’re planning to work remotely from another country for any length of time, health insurance isn’t something you can skip. Accidents happen, and getting treatment abroad without coverage can get really expensive, fast. Whether it’s a scooter crash in Bali or severe gastro in Colombia, you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered.
Travel health insurance is surprisingly affordable, especially for long-term travelers and digital nomads. One of the most popular options among WiFi Tribe digital nomads is SafetyWing. It’s designed specifically for remote workers, with global coverage, the ability to start your plan even after you’ve left your home country, and automatic renewals that make it easy to stay insured as you move.
Other options include:
- World Nomads: Better suited for adventure travelers. It’s great if you’re doing things like diving, trekking, or skiing.
- IMG Global: Offers more comprehensive long-term coverage, including plans that work more like traditional health insurance.
- GeoBlue: Great if you’re a U.S. citizen looking for more premium-level international coverage.
A smart move is to take care of routine stuff like physicals, dental work, or screenings before you leave. But if your trip spans months or years, you’ll need something that also covers unexpected issues while abroad. Don’t wait until something goes wrong! Investing in the right plan up front can save you a lot of stress (and money) later.
Practice self-motivation when working remotely
If you’re working remotely from another country, especially across time zones, you need systems that keep you accountable and on track. It’s one thing to miss a sunset, it’s another to miss a client meeting because you forgot it was 2 a.m. your time.
Start with the basics: use tools like Notion or Asana to organize your tasks and track your projects. Set recurring reminders for meetings in your local time zone, not your client’s. Tools like Google Calendar and World Time Buddy can help you avoid scheduling mistakes.
You’ll also want to build a routine. Whether you’re in a beach town or a big city, carve out time for deep work, meetings, and breaks. Stick to it. Autonomy is a perk of remote work, but structure is what keeps things running. And if you’re traveling with others on similar work schedules, lean on that shared rhythm as it helps to have people around who understand when it’s time to lock in and get things done.
How to meet people when working remotely from another country
Even if you’re used to being on your own, moving through new cities every few weeks can get tiring. You don’t get long to build a rhythm. Making friends takes effort. Eventually, the constant introductions and goodbyes can wear you down. Some people burn out. Others just push through. But there are easier ways.
If you’re on your own, look for coworking spaces that host meetups. Ask around in remote work Facebook groups. Go to a language class. You’ll find people in the same situation who are working, exploring, and trying to build some kind of community.
And if that’s not cutting it, travel with a group. WiFi Tribe was built for this. When you join a chapter, you get to live and work with people who are doing the same thing you are. Best of all, the accommodations are solid, the internet works, the members are vetted, and there’s always something going on during the weekend.
If you’re ready to travel differently, submit an application. We’d love to have you on the team!
Frequently asked questions
Can I work remotely from another country?
Yes, but it depends on visa rules, your employer’s policies, and the country you’re in. Many digital nomads use digital nomad visas or work under tourist visas short term, though that may not always be legal.
What visa do I need to work remotely abroad?
Countries like Portugal, Spain, and Costa Rica offer digital nomad visas that allow remote work legally. Requirements typically include proof of income, insurance, and a remote job or business.
Do I have to pay taxes if I work remotely from another country?
Yes, depending on your home country’s laws and the length of your stay abroad. U.S. citizens may qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE), but still have to file taxes annually.
What do I need to work remotely while traveling?
You’ll need strong internet, power backups, time zone tools, and a routine. Many remote workers also use coworking spaces and digital nomad communities to stay productive and connected.
