Embarking on a digital nomad lifestyle as a family can throw up a mix of exciting opportunities and daunting challenges. If you are considering taking the leap into digital nomad family life, we’ve put together a short guide covering things like making money, visas, education, healthcare and the potential impact on children and extended family members.
While most digital nomads might be singles in their 20s and 30s looking to explore the world and have some fun before settling down, there are also bold and adventurous parents who dream of escaping the rat race while they are still young and energetic enough.
Now, maybe later or never… that’s the big question
It’s all too common for parents to provide a stable home life while their children grow up, all the while secretly dreaming of the golden years ahead.
A time when the kids have grown up and flown the nest, leaving them free to travel the world and have some adventures of their own.
While there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with this idea, there is one major consideration. The above will most likely take 20 or maybe 25 years to happen.
In 20 or 25 years,
How fit and healthy will they be?
How much energy will they have?
How willing will they be to pack everything up and travel the globe?
These are important questions to consider.
So it comes down to now, perhaps in the future or maybe never at all!
The digital nomad family lifestyle is one that embraces packing your bags now, and taking the children along for the ride.
It’s not about putting off life, but rather the contrary, it’s about grabbing life by the scruff of the neck and going for it.
For those that are thinking of exploring the possibilities of a digital nomad family life now rather than later, read on …
Earning a Living as a Digital Nomad Family
This is probably the single most important aspect of the digital nomad lifestyle and even more so for families who require a higher degree of stability.
While a twenty-something looking for adventure might find it easier to rough it and perhaps live a little on the edge at times, it’s simply not something that’s possible for families no matter how adventurous the parents might be!
A stable income is absolutely crucial when it comes to the digital nomad family lifestyle so the first crucial step is to ensure there’s enough money to fund the digital nomad family adventure.
Digital nomad families can typically sustain themselves via:
Remote jobs – Many professionals continue their existing professions remotely, leveraging technology to fulfill their roles. It’s not always easy though with many employers requiring some time in office. There are, however, remote first organisations that don’t have offices, and these are the best bet if you can find a job in one of the growing number of remote-first companies. Check out our remote jobs page to see what kinds of remote work opportunities are out there. It might also be possible to take a sabbatical and give the digital nomad family lifestyle a trial run if your employer allows it.
Freelancing – Offering skills such as writing, graphic design, marketing, consulting, language teaching or web design on freelance platforms can provide flexibility, however it’s not always stable and it will take time to build up a freelance business to the point where it can support an entire family. A good tip would be to already get a freelance business on the way before embarking on the journey so you have a steady income in place when you pack your bags. To check out freelance work opportunities, you can visit Upwork, one of the biggest freelance marketplaces.
Running a location independent business – Running an online business can be a great option but business isn’t easy and does require significant time and often financial investment. For those that have a profitable business that can be run remotely, it’s a great start and a solid way to finance the digital nomad family.
Early retirement – This is probably the holy grail of digital nomad life and for those that have managed to build up investments that provide a stable and sustainable income. The financially “free” can get the most out of their digital nomad lifestyles as their time isn’t being sucked up by work. There are people in their 40s, even 30s who have managed to retire early and can enjoy living off investment income alone. A property and/or investment portfolio can potentially provide the kind of income needed to fund such a lifestyle. Something to strive for!
Digital Nomad Visas for families
To legally reside and work remotely in foreign countries, families must navigate visa regulations. Many countries offer generous visa-free stays for shorter durations of up to a few months and for longer stays there are usually digital nomad and other types of visas available.
As the digital nomad lifestyle is still relatively new, governments are still catching up, albeit quite fast, and more digital nomad visas are popping up by the day.
For those with strong passports, it’s possible to travel around the world making use of visa-free travel allowances, for example, 90 days in every 180 days in Europe for non-EU citizens, similar possibilities exist in South America and other places around the world. With a little careful planning, it’s possible to spend time in various countries without requiring a special visa. If you find yourself wanting to stay longer there are usually visa options available for digital nomads and foreigners in general.
An important thing to note is that temporary visas and digital nomad visas don’t permit you or your family members to seek work in the country. You have to be self-sufficient and have a remote job or business outside the country.
Digital Nomad Visas – Countries like Portugal, Costa Rica, Malta and many others offer visas specifically for remote workers, typically requiring proof of income, health insurance, and a clean criminal record. Digital nomad visas are good if you would like to spend some time in a country, typically one year or more in some cases. Digital nomad visas can also sometimes provide a pathway to permanent residency.
Digital Nomad Application Process – Each country has specific requirements, such as minimum income thresholds and documentation. For instance, Costa Rica requires a monthly income of $3,000 for individuals or $4,000 for families.
Children’s Education as Digital Nomads
Ensuring consistent and quality education for children is a primary concern for every parent and besides income generation one of the most consideration points and concerns for digital nomad parents.
It is, however, more than possible these days to provide a sound education to children as a digital nomad family via some of the options shown below
Homeschooling – Provides flexibility but requires adherence to educational standards and a structured curriculum.
International Schools – Offer structured environments and socialization opportunities but can be costly and may not be available in all locations.
Online Education – Utilizing accredited online programs allows for continuity regardless of location.
The above options are the most common and will fit most of the needs of digital nomad families. Naturally, all families are different in terms of income, frequency of travel, the educational needs of the children and so forth.
It is more than possible to provide a solid education to children as a digital nomad family with a little planning and structure.
Digital Nomad Family Healthcare Considerations
Another major consideration is healthcare as a digital nomad family.
Anything can happen while travelling and being away from home and loved ones, very likely in a country with a different language and culture.
While this is one of the beauties of life as a digital nomad it’s not much fun in situations like an accident or illness.
At these times it’s crucial to have a digital nomad health cover.
We’ve put together a review of the top digital nomad insurance providers for more information.
Digital Nomad Health Insurance – Obtaining comprehensive international health insurance is essential to cover medical expenses across different countries.
Emergency Care – Families should research medical facilities in their destinations and have a plan for emergencies, including knowledge of local healthcare systems and available services.
Impact on Extended Family Relationships
Being away from extended family, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles can sometimes put a strain on family relationships.
Missed Milestones – Grandparents may miss significant events in their grandchildren’s lives, impacting familial bonds.
Support Systems – The absence of nearby family can reduce available support for childcare and emotional assistance.
Maintaining regular communication through video calls and planning periodic visits can help mitigate these challenges.
On the plus side, video calls and social media can make it a lot easier to stay in touch with loved ones and allow them to virtually join a birthday or other family event.
The Psychological Effects on Children as Digital Nomads
Growing up as a digital nomad can influence children’s development:
Third Culture Kids (TCKs) – Children raised in a culture different from their parents’ may develop a unique cultural identity, exhibiting increased tolerance and adaptability.
Social Relationships – Frequent relocations can disrupt friendships, potentially leading to feelings of isolation.
Educational Continuity – Inconsistent schooling environments may affect academic performance and social development.
Parents should provide stability through routines and where possible trips back home from time to time to address these potential issues.
Conclusion
Transitioning to a digital nomad lifestyle as a family requires careful planning and consideration of various factors, including income generation, legal residency, education, healthcare, and family dynamics.
By thoroughly assessing these aspects and preparing accordingly, families can embark on a fulfilling nomadic journey that enriches their lives and broadens their perspectives.
For those that don’t wish to wait, the digital nomad family lifestyle is one well worth considering and it will certainly provide the children with a whole extra dimension of education they can never get sitting in a classroom!
Have you taken the leap and done the whole digital nomad family thing? If you have any experiences to share or some advice to offer others thinking of doing the same, drop us a message in the comments section below or contact our editorial team
