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What Do You Need To Work Remotely from Another Country?




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What Do You Need To Work Remotely from Another Country?


Want to work remotely abroad? This guide is digital nomad fantasies meets remote work legal realities — in the best way. 🙌



Ever find yourself deep in #VanLife TikTok or drooling over dreamy coworking setups in Bali, wondering, “Could I actually do this work-from-anywhere thing?” 

Spoiler alert: heck yes! 🥳

Working remotely abroad isn’t just for tech bros and trust funders anymore. Over 40 million digital nomads are out there living the dream — and more than 18 million of them are from the US.[*] 

But before you yeet yourself across the globe with your laptop, let’s get one thing straight: winging it is not a strategy.

You need a legit plan. 

Let’s unpack all those global remote work requirements — from visas, salaries, and housing to taxes and insurance — so you can finally live the digital nomad life you’ve been manifesting.

🧑‍💻 What Do You Need to Work Remotely in Other Countries? 

Remote work might feel like a vacation — but don’t let that beach WiFi fool you.

You can’t just roll up on a tourist visa, slap on a VPN to hide from your boss, and country-hop your way through your bucket list.

Here’s your checklist to make working from another country fully legal and drama-free:

🤝 Permission to Roam

Even though nearly 40% of digital nomads are full-time employees, not all who wander have HR approval.[*]

Just because you’re remote doesn’t mean you have a passport to anywhere. Many companies limit where you can work due to tax, legal, or cybersecurity issues.


So before booking that one-way ticket, check your company’s remote work policy and ask if international travel is on the table. You may need to fill out a form, sign an agreement, or even update your contract to get the green light. 

A quick ask now saves you from awkward HR emails later.

👉 Ace our crash course in How To Travel While Working Remotely to create a game plan before you ask. 

🎫 Remote Work Visas

Remote work visas or digital nomad visas are your golden ticket to working in foreign countries without crossing legal lines or pretending you’re “just on vacation.”

As of 2025, over 50 countries and territories offer some type of visa for remote workers.[*] The catch? Country-specific work permits, visa options, and requirements vary a lot, so you’ll need to do your homework.

Here’s a general gist of what you’ll need:

  • Proof of remote work employment. A contract or letter from your employer showing you’re not taking a local job. Good thing you had that talk. 😉

  • Sufficient funds. You’ll need to prove you can cover your expenses without draining local resources.

  • Health insurance. Most countries require coverage that works while you’re abroad. (More on this later.)

  • A clean criminal record. Self-explanatory. Keep it squeaky.


Want the fine print? Check the official immigration websites of the countries you’re eyeing. 

Embassies, expat Reddit threads, and digital nomad Slack communities are gold mines for firsthand info on country-specific remote work laws too.

💰 Remote Work Tax Implications (Ugh, Taxes…)

Taxes: the one thing you can’t escape, no matter where your passport takes you.


To stay compliant with the legal requirements for remote work in your new locale:

🧐 Know your tax obligations. Figure out your tax residency — that’s the country where you’re legally required to pay taxes. 

If you’re working abroad for a while, you might owe taxes both locally and back home (hello, double taxation).

The good news? Many countries have tax treaties to help you avoid getting taxed twice. Look them up before you go.

🗄️ Keep a digital paper trail. Save all your contracts, pay slips, and proof of tax contributions. Being organized now saves you major headaches later.

🙋 Get a pro involved (seriously!). A global tax specialist (ideally one who works with digital nomads and expats) can help you navigate the chaos and avoid surprise penalties. That peace of mind is worth every penny.

🚨 Heads up: Tax rules vary by city, region, and state, so don't gloss over the details. Ignorance isn’t bliss here — it’s expensive.

💸 Cost Of Living (COL) Estimates

Remote workers earn an average of $19,000 more than their in-house counterparts.[*] As a digital nomad, you can take that bigger paycheck to live somewhere with a lower cost of living —  and use the difference to fund your travel adventures.

But to get that balance right, you’ll need to do a little math: 

⚖️ Compare the COL to your remote job salary by country. Be honest with yourself — if you can’t afford to actually enjoy the place, what’s the point of being there?

Cost of living usually includes:
  • Housing
  • Food
  • Utilities
  • Transportation
  • Internet speeds
  • Healthcare


Use sites like Nomads.com and Numbeo to check COL comparisons and see how far your income will stretch in different cities.


🧳 Skip tourist traps. Traveling off-season and flying midweek can help you score deals on flights and accommodations — and give you a better local, less crowded experience.

🤑 Consider upgrading your remote role. Those entry-level remote jobs get your foot in the door. But if your current salary limits where you can go, it might be time to level up. 

Start by checking out average salary expectations for remote jobs in your field, or browse our guides on:


💪 More pay, more play. You can even use our Advanced Job Search Filter to find remote jobs by salary.

🏡 Your Home Away from Home

Finding housing in a new country is part of the adventure — but it’s also one of the biggest line items in your budget. Housing for remote workers ranges from luxe villas to cozy, budget-friendly setups.

Short-term stays through Airbnb or Vrbo are easy, but not always the most cost-effective. Monthly rentals or coworking accommodations can save you cash and help you feel more settled.


🫶 Try a platform like Outsite.co! Their global network of co-work + stay spots covers the US, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Ideal for staying productive, meeting new people, and tapping into a ready-made community from day one.

👉 Psst! Use promo code WEWORKREMOTELY at checkout for $50 off your Outsite Membership!

😷 Global Health Insurance

Remember those remote work legalities we talked about earlier? Full health insurance coverage is often one of them.

While the best employee benefits packages usually contain health coverage, it’s usually limited (or nonexistent) once you leave your home country. 

But don’t stress — these companies have your back:

🧑‍⚕️ DrOnCall. DrOnCall makes it easy to connect with a licensed healthcare provider fast. After a quick nurse triage, you’ll typically be speaking with a doctor within 10–15 minutes, no matter where you are in the world.

✅ We Work Remotely members score 33% off DrOnCall Core, Encore, or Encore Enhanced membership plans!


⚕️ SafetyWing. Designed specifically for remote workers, digital nomads, and their families, SafetyWing offers affordable global health and wellness coverage in 175+ countries.

✅ We Work Remotely members are eligible for a 30% SafetyWing discount!

🌏 Take Your First Step with We Work Remotely

The international job market is thriving, and there’s never been a better time to go global with your career. With the right preparation, you can make your dream of traveling and working remotely abroad a reality.

At We Work Remotely, we connect ambitious professionals like you with the best international remote jobs out there. Whether you’re chasing sunshine, snowy peaks, or neon city lights, you deserve a job that matches your lifestyle and your goals.

✨ Create your free WWR account today to start browsing jobs that go wherever you do — and get a free resume review from one of our experts!

🚪 Adventure’s knocking. All you have to do is open that door and say yes!




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