Close your eyes. Imagine your quaint little apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Oh, what about a bungalow on the beach?
Now open them. What do you see? Grey skies and last night’s takeaway curry that tastes like regret and broken dreams?
You could have Paris, Rome, or Zanzibar. Anywhere but here. And don’t say the only thing holding you back is your job. The bills? Your boss? The Zoom calls?
Moving abroad doesn’t have to mean quitting your job or ghosting your employer like a bad Tinder date. Thousands of people are doing it right now – working remotely and logging in from time zones that make you question time itself.
Before packing your bags, we’ll discuss how to keep your job while hopping borders.
Is This Even Possible? (Spoiler: Yes.)
Fact: You don’t have to quit your job to move abroad.
Whether fully remote or hybrid, there are real ways to make it work, with your boss’s blessing (or at least informed confusion).
Blogger Helene Sula is a great example of how to do it right. She and her husband spent years abroad, all while she continued to work and blog full-time.
The trick? Planning, communication, and the right digital setup.
Step 1: Know Your Why and Where
Before you bust out your suitcase, ask yourself why you’re moving abroad.
Is it an adventure? Lower cost of living? Better work-life balance?
One Journey Away recommends being clear on your goals before leaping in. Knowing your “why” will help you decide the best destination for your lifestyle, and whether your job can realistically travel with you.
Some countries are friendlier to remote workers than others. CNBC reports that Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands top the list of dream relocation spots for professionals.
They combine strong economies with great digital infrastructure.
Step 2: Have The Conversation
Here comes the hard part. Unfortunately, there’s no way around it unless your job is already fully remote.
Come prepared for that long-awaited chat with your boss. Let them know of your plans, which should include:
- A solid schedule for working across time zones
- Reassurance about maintaining productivity
- An offer to test it out on a trial basis
Forbes Coaches Council stresses the importance of transparency. Managers don’t love surprises, especially when they come with a “Hey, I’m moving to Bali” Slack message.
Step 3: Sort the Legal Stuff
Working abroad involves a lot of fine print. Your company may not be allowed to employ someone in another country.
Enter the hero of this story: Employer of Record (EOR) providers help companies hire employees and deal with employment contracts in other countries without setting up new branches.
Digital nomads and remote workers flock to London. Famed for tech meetups and cultural festivals, the city is a magnet for those looking to immerse themselves in another world. Chances are, it’s probably on your radar as well.
If your employer doesn’t have a presence in the United Kingdom, they can use EOR services in the UK to keep things legit while adhering to local labor laws.
They handle:
- Payroll taxes
- National insurance
- Income tax
Remote, a global HR and payroll platform, suggests enlisting a company that is compliant with labor laws, tax laws, and UK employment laws.
Step 4: Plan for Money, Taxes, and Healthcare
This is the “adulting” part of the move, but it’ll save your sanity down the road.
Taxes
Will you pay taxes in the UK? The new country? Both? (Ouch.) Talk to a tax advisor who knows cross-border employment rules.
Investopedia explains that dual citizenship helps, but can also complicate things.
Banking
Consider opening a local bank account to avoid foreign transaction fees. And make sure your current bank won’t block your card the first time you swipe it in Seville.
Healthcare
Will you be eligible for public healthcare? If not, private insurance may be needed.
A good EOR service (or your company’s HR team) can guide you through the maze of local requirements and benefits.
Step 5: Tech It Till You Make It
You can’t work from abroad if your internet is slower than dial-up or your Zoom background looks like a bunker.
Before moving:
- Check the digital infrastructure of your destination
- Test time zone overlaps with your team
- Invest in a reliable VPN and cloud backup
- Bring universal power adaptors, noise-cancelling headphones, and backup Wi-Fi options like mobile hotspots
GoAbroad says that tech-savviness is the difference between a “digital nomad” and a “digital no-man’s-land.”
Step 6: Don’t Forget An Exit Strategy
You might fall in love with life abroad or decide it’s not for you. Either way, have a backup plan.
Relocate.me recommends having at least three to six months of savings, a return flight, and a support network.
Never burn your bridges. Always expand your horizons. With a good plan and the right tools, you’re giving yourself options.
