Estonia has long been at the forefront of digital innovation, and its Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), launched in 2020, stands as a testament to this progressive mindset. It offers a clear pathway for remote workers to legally reside and contribute to their economy. However, for aspiring digital nomads, particularly those eyeing Europe, it’s crucial to understand the financial commitment involved.
I’ve been traveling around the world and met a lot of digital nomads. Most “I’m moving to Bali” types of a digital nomad for sure won’t make the financial requirements because, well, “reasons” 🧐 Some people just have different mindsets and priorities.
But if you’re a nomad who intends to travel around Europe, $50k/year is an absolute minimum in order to live comfortably and contribute to society. I spend that in a year just on accommodations, co-working spaces, flights, etc.
I used to be a nomad doing SEO for EU/NA clients. I’m from Asia, a person of color, and run a “one-man show” business. I didn’t land all these clients by luck. It takes a lot of business planning and persistence.
So if you’re not making 50k/year, maybe going to Asia is a much better choice than Europe. Otherwise, step your game up!
WHAT ABOUT EQUAL PAY?
My journey, as a person of color from Asia running a “one-man show” business, was never about luck. It demanded rigorous business planning, unwavering persistence, and, crucially, learning to demand market-rate compensation for my services.
This brings me to a critical point: equal pay. As Iwo Szapar (a prominent figure in the remote work space) recently highlights, it was one of my many struggles. When companies attempt to low-ball you, it often provides an immediate insight into their culture, how they value employees (and contractors), and their overall business mindset. In many cases, it’s a clear signal to avoid them.
I believe equal pay should be based on where the company HQ is in. If it’s US, you follow their rates.
When I first started going remote (still in Asia), a US-based company offered to triple my salary, but it was still way below the average US rates. It would’ve been fine if I wanted to stay in Asia. I had other plans, so I asked them to x5 which was on par with other US employees for my role at the time. And they agreed 🚀
I would’ve been more flexible if I chose to stay in Asia, but I didn’t. My goal was to always travel to EU/NA and I had to demand equal pay.
Sometimes, it takes a little more confidence and perseverance to make the ask. If you don’t ask, there’s 0% chance of you getting what you want. If you do ask, it’s at least 50/50 😉