Introduction
The digital nomad lifestyle exploded in popularity during the pandemic, offering professionals and solopreneurs an enticing vision of working from tropical beaches or European cafés. But as companies demand office returns and popular destinations like Portugal adjust their visa policies, is this dream fading? For readers considering emigration, understanding the realities of digital nomadism—its promises, pitfalls, and how it compares to permanent relocation—has never been more important.
From Boom to Reality Check: The Digital Nomad Evolution
The Pandemic Boom (2020–2022)
- Remote work became mainstream almost overnight, with companies embracing flexible policies.
- Countries introduced digital nomad visas (Portugal’s D7, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa) to attract remote workers. Even before the pandemic Portugal had a relatively low requirement Golden Visa program.
- Affordable short-term rentals in cities like Lisbon and Medellín made the lifestyle accessible.
The Post-Pandemic Shift (2023–Present)
- Many corporations, including Amazon and Google, rolled back remote work policies. It’s now 2025 and many companies are either on hybrid models or have employees back in office full time.
- Rising rental costs in popular destinations made budgeting harder for location-independent workers.
- Self-employed nomads faced income instability, especially as freelance markets became saturated.
- Some cities saw policy changes (like Portugal’s visa adjustments) to manage the influx of remote workers.
Is the Digital Nomad Lifestyle Overhyped?
The Allure (What’s True)
- Freedom to travel while working is possible with the right job or business model.
- Lower living costs in emerging destinations (compared to North America/Western Europe).
- Cultural immersion beyond typical tourism.
The Overhyped Aspects
- “Work from a beach” fantasy – Most nomads work regular hours from apartments or co-working spaces.
- Easy long-term stays – Many countries now enforce stricter visa rules.
- Sustainable income – Freelancers and solopreneurs often struggle with inconsistent earnings.
- Lack of home base – While a minimalist lifestyle is a plus to some people, it also means if you have a collection of plush toys, you can’t take them with you. Many digital nomads still have a home base in their country of origin to store their stuff.
By the Numbers:
- 1 in 3 digital nomads quit within the first year (Nomad List 2023).
- Only 17% sustain the lifestyle beyond three years.
- 68% report higher-than-expected expenses.
Who Is Digital Nomadism Really For?
The lifestyle suits some better than others:
✅ Best for:
- Young professionals (20s–30s) seeking adventure before settling down.
- Freelancers in high-demand fields (software, marketing, writing).
- Solo travelers or couples without children.
❌ Challenging for:
- Professionals with families (schooling, stability, visas become complicated).
- Those needing steady income (freelance volatility is real).
- Older workers who prefer community and long-term roots.
How to Become a Digital Nomad Today (If You Still Want To)
1. Secure Stable Remote Income
- The most visible group of digital nomads would be YouTube travel vloggers but any online-based work will work. The challenge is how you can ensure stable income.
- Ensure clients or employers are truly location-independent.
- Or if you’re wealthy, you can simply live off passive income such as dividends and interest.
2. Pick Emerging (Affordable) Destinations with a lifestyle that you want
One reason Portugal was (or perhaps it still is) a popular destination is due to its temperate climate, relaxed lifestyle, and friendly people. To top it off, it feels like Europe but it’s relatively inexpensive. Whereas countries like Canada are not typical choices for digital nomads due to oppressive tax rules, long winters, and high cost of living.
While some countries specifically have a digital nomad visa program, many don’t. However, depending on what passport you hold, you can simply “chain” your tourist days of multiple countries. I myself hold a Canadian passport. Many countries allow me to enter visa free for 90 days. You just need to be organized and not overstay your limit.
- Albania – Low costs, welcoming visa policies.
- Madeira (Portugal) – Dedicated digital nomad village.
- Thailand – They have the Thai Elite visa series that could make a lot of sense if you can cough up the fees
- Vietnam – Strong infrastructure, affordable rentals.
3. Plan Your Legal and Financial Footprint
- Track tax residency rules to avoid surprises. If you’re just going to try it out for a year, it’s unlikely your tax residency should change. Some countries like Canada can legally tax you if you stay over 6 months.
- Use services like Wise for multi-currency banking.
- Keep records for visa compliance.
- Set your budget. Too many digital nomads overestimate their income and underestimate their costs
Digital Nomad vs. Emigration: Key Differences
Digital Nomad Lifestyle:
- Short-term stays (months to a few years).
- Often relies on tourist visas or temporary digital nomad visas.
- Tax status can be unclear (risks double taxation).
- Frequent moves make community-building difficult.
- Best for testing life abroad before committing.
Permanent Emigration:
- Long-term or permanent relocation. Usually with citizenship or permanent residency status in mind.
- Requires proper work/residence visas.
- Structured tax planning (e.g., Portugal’s NHR regime).
- Allows deeper local integration (schools, property, community).
- More stable for families and career growth.
Since tourist visa and special digital nomad visas are short term in nature, they would not lead to permanent residency or citizenship which is what an immigrant would typically want. Most immigration and naturalization processes would stipulate a certain number of years that you need to stay in that country, on top of many other conditions.
Conclusion: A Stepping Stone, Not an End Goal
The digital nomad trend revealed both the possibilities and limitations of location-independent work. While it offers a taste of freedom, long-term emigration requires more planning—especially for families or those seeking stability.
Key Takeaways for Canadian Emigrant Readers:
- Test before committing – Use nomadism to explore potential future homes. You’re super lucky if in 2025 you still have an employer that allows you to fully work remotely. Even if you are tied down by your career, use your vacation time wisely to explore countries of interest for future emigration. Visit for tourism but also be sure to talk to locals and pay close attention to what living there is like.
- Plan for permanence – If you love a place, research proper visa pathways. Research everything you can about the country, including it’s macroeconomics, employment prospects, business potential, real estate prices etc.
- Financial stability matters – Freelancing abroad is riskier than remote employment. Better yet, maintain good financial habits so your options in the future are greater. The more money you have saved up, the more options you have and the more risk you can afford to take. The most stable stage of financial independence is being able to reliably survive on passive income.
As Portugal’s visa changes show, policies evolve quickly. For those serious about moving abroad, building a sustainable plan—not just a temporary escape—is crucial.
As someone who built a career and business in Canada, I understand being physically tied to one location. Like many professionals, I had just 15 vacation days annually – which I used strategically for 2-3 international trips each year. These journeys became my research expeditions, allowing me to thoroughly evaluate potential new homes. Now through this site, you can benefit from those years of on-the-ground experience. But remember: successful emigration demands more than wanderlust. Meticulous research and planning separate dreamers from those who successfully relocate.