What is a digital nomad?

At a time when teleworking is becoming more and more widespread, when our homes become our offices, some daring people are going even further by combining remote working with travelling around the world. We take a closer look at a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly widespread.

What is a digital nomad?

Digital nomad is the fashionable English expression to qualify, beyond a mobile worker, a real lifestyle combining professional activity and travel. Indeed, these digital nomads only need a computer and a good Wifi connection to work. They are free to combine a day's work with sightseeing... A dream for any globetrotter who doesn't want to choose between these two options!

However, it is important to demystify the concept. The digital nomad is not constantly on the move at the other end of the world. They do not necessarily travel to different destinations and can opt for occasional stays in France or elsewhere, or even put down their bags in another country for the medium or long term. There is no obligation as to the frequency or destination of trips, it is rather a very flexible lifestyle.

In concrete terms, how do you become a digital nomad? 

Obviously, this way of life is not compatible with all types of jobs, as so-called intellectual tasks are often more suitable. It is therefore preferable to move as soon as possible towards a professional path that allows this autonomy.

The choice of training is therefore important to ensure a life of digital nomadism, but not decisive! It is up to us to think and rethink our current job to make it "nomad friendly" or even to list your skills and develop those that could allow us to work remotely.

Nevertheless, with the advent of digital technology, many opportunities are opening up for all those who dream of escaping. Whether as an employee or a freelancer, the digital professions offer a wide range of possibilities: from marketing content creator to web designer, mobile developer or web editor... There are many jobs that lend themselves to it.

But don't panic if you don't have that background or those skills! It is always possible to retrain or reorientate yourself and access training leading to professions that allow you to become a nomad.

Nocode maker: the ideal job for maximum flexibility

Becoming a Nocode maker is an interesting option for anyone who wants to gain the independence and freedom to work from wherever he/she wants.

The Nocode maker is one of these new booming jobs. It consists of developing digital solutions (website, web application and other digital tools) without the need to code or know a programming language. This is possible thanks to the many Nocode platforms thatAlegria.academy students are trained on.

In 1 year, and without any pre-requisites, it is possible to become professional and make a living from this activity as an employee or self-employed.

The students' profiles are selected on the basis of a personality test and interviews. The emphasis is on "soft skills" as the Nocode (tools and methodology) gives the keys to any profile to realise its ideas and test concepts.

Focus on these new skills and a fast-growing digital profession: Nocode Maker

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Being self-employed = boosting your mobility?

Who hasn't dreamed of being their own boss, deciding on their own hours and, incidentally, where to put their desk?

For many people, being self-employed is THE solution to living a digital nomadic life. In recent years, websites and platforms that put freelance workers and companies in touch with each other have developed strongly. The number of assignments for freelancers is increasing, and many jobs are concerned.

Some online platforms, such as Malt or Crème de la Crème, focus on connecting companies with freelance professionals. Others, such as Liliwork, go further and organise travel programmes bringing together several freelancers, allowing them to work, meet and enjoy tourist activities.

There are many advantages to being an auto-entrepreneur. However, there are some negative points to be taken into account before starting up. These disadvantages are mainly linked to the insecurity of the status. Indeed, no assignment, no salary! Without resources, it is more difficult to go on a world tour - or at least without going through "work and travel".

This can also cause problems when you want to rent a house or even buy a property.

Moreover, starting out as a freelancer can be complicated: you have to manage to find your first clients, get them to trust you and accept the physical distance... Not always easy in an increasingly competitive market, where opinions and feedback are often a guarantee of quality.

Nevertheless, the main advantage of these digital nomad jobs is the great capacity to switch between salaried work and entrepreneurship. These highly employable jobs even allow an employee to work remotely. The proof is in our Nocode agency Alegria.tech: several members of our team work exclusively in remote. This is notably the case for certain employees in Lyon, Nantes and Nice!

Digital Nomad: what budget for a round-the-world trip?

This obviously depends on the destinations chosen, the frequency of travel and the type of accommodation available (hotel, flat share or sublet, airbnb, hostel, etc.).

Here are some tips to help you budget for a year as a digital nomad:

• Average price of a round-the-world ticket in 2021: €3,250*. Note that it is possible to obtain them via specialised agencies or airlines. Moreover, the SkyTeam Alliance, made up of 20 partner airlines, provides access to over 1,000 destinations in 177 countries. Prices range from €2,000 to over €5,000 and vary according to the number of flights. (*source: Tourdumondiste)
• For more eco-friendly and less long-distance or fast travel, it is possible to travel by train. For example, for a tour of Europe, there is the Global Pass Interrail which gives access to the rail networks (and some ferries) of 33 European countries. The price varies according to the duration of the trip: from €246 for 4 days to €902 for a full three months, in second class. (Source: Interrail)

What are the best destinations for a digital nomad?

How to travel without a big budget and find suitable facilities (Wifi, coworking spaces, etc.)? 

In fact, a multitude of rankings exist listing the best destinations for digital nomads. Overall, the countries and cities proposed are very different from each other. The dream destination therefore depends a lot on you and your sensibility. 

However, some countries are regularly mentioned, such as Thailand for travelling in Asia, Argentina and Brazil for discovering Latin America or Canada and Hungary for enjoying a more continental climate. 

In any case, it is necessary to find out about the reception and visa conditions on the spot. It is known that the US tourist visa is limited to 3 months. The need for a visa or a specific document depends on the destination and may vary according to your status as a European or French citizen. We therefore recommend that you plan for these administrative procedures in advance by contacting the public service.

Feedback from a digital nomad in Australia 

One of our employees was an expatriate for a little over a year before joining Alegria.group. She chose to travel around Australia with the "Working Holiday Visa", which allowed her to work on site. Here are the positive and negative points she noted:

• A pleasant climate: she arrived in December, in the middle of summer! Beware, in the South of Australia, which can have low temperatures in June and July. 
• Internet coverage is generally good on the coasts where the population is concentrated. In contrast, the centre of the island is deserted.
• A paradise for artists, photographers, influencers and bloggers: breathtaking spots!
• The financial aspect is not negligible: it is compulsory to justify the possession of 5.000 Australian dollars (about 3000€) to enter the territory. In addition, it is necessary to plan a substantial budget for accommodation. As an example, Leslie paid about 35 dollars a night in a dormitory to stay in a youth hostel.

To inspire you to go to places far and wide (from Paris to all over the world!), we share every Monday a place that our team has tested for you and the future digital nomads of our Academy: