What is the Best Online Digital Nomad Community in Europe?
Traveling to Europe soon? In this article you will find a list of popular Facebook groups. Joining online communities will help you plan your travels and of course meeting other digital nomads. The best time to visit would be during the Spring/Summer weather from May to September.
A Blooming Digital Nomad Community in Europe
The digital nomad community in Europe is thriving. Digital nomads prefer Europe as their nomadic destination for several reasons. There is lots of travel with short flights, historical sites, rich culture, and a majority of the countries are safe. Compared to the United States, there are also lower living costs, especially in the South and Eastern countries.
Digital nomad Facebook Groups in Portugal
One of the biggest digital nomad hubs in Europe is Portugal. Digital nomads enjoy visiting Portugal as it is a safe and expat-friendly nation. It offers everything a remote worker seeks while traveling to a foreign country. From good internet connection, fantastic surf, delicious food, close to nature, exciting culture, and cheap rent to 300 days of sun a year.
Do you think Portugal would be your favorite digital nomad community in Europe?
Digital nomad Facebook groups in Spain
Spain is another well-liked destination among digital nomads as it is known for its affordable living conditions. Read here tips about how to find the best accommodation for digital nomads. The country has warm winters and a fast internet connection, two essential things remote workers consider. Another plus aspect is how Spain provides digital nomad visas to grow the digital nomad community, permitting internationals to live in the country while working remotely for foreign companies.
While Portugal and Spain are the largest nomad hubs, more exciting places are to explore. Online communities can help you to find out more about a specific location. They can tell you exactly when and where you need to be to meet up with digital nomads. See a list of other digital nomad communities below:
If you are traveling through Europe and are unsure where you are going, communities like these can be very helpful. Part of traveling is being curious and entering the unknown. We hope that you found a digital nomad community in Europe on this page to help you. Sometimes though, it’s more relaxed when you are prepared and have a plan of what you want to see. You can learn more about each city in Europe via Nomad List.
Europe has many options and this is what we love about it! The different cultures, landscapes and foods definitely will bring you an enriching experience. Since 2021 more countries welcome digital nomads with open arms by giving a unique digital nomad visa.
So what will your next destination in Europe be this summer? Let us know in the comments below and tell us about your trip!
09: How To Achieve Financial Freedom With Digital Nomad Dean
When you’re constantly traveling and working remotely, achieving financial liberty can be tough. Though, every person has different definitions of wealth and freedom means. According to Dean Kuchel, the Founder of the Israeli Digital Nomads Community, wealth revolves around friends and knowledge. While freedom is the digital nomad lifestyle. Having visited over 103 countries, Dean outlines his 8-year nomadding journey. As a previous consultant that recently quit his job, he currently lives on passive income. In this episode, he provides tips on financial planning from passive income, investing, and saving to the biggest challenges in his nomad lifestyle.
“Wealth in terms of money and for me the most important part of it is to be able to say no to something like declining a job offer.”
How digital nomad Dean stared his digital nomad journey
Dean, the Founder of an Israeli Digital Nomads Community, has been nomadding for eight years. Previously, he was a consultant focused on customer success for various tech companies – e-commerce, security, etc. Though, he built enough savings to sustain him and allow him to shift to the digital nomad lifestyle – which is the fate he desired. Dean did not choose to become a digital nomad. Initially, he moved to San Francisco for a career, worked remotely for a few months, and met people at coffee shops who inspired him to discover the digital nomad lifestyle. Eventually, he found himself traveling around 103 countries while working remotely.
In this article we cover:
Achieving financial freedom through passive income, investing and saving
What is wealth and freedom
Tips and recourses to achieve financial freedom
Biggest challenges of digital nomad lifestyle
Achieving financial freedom through passive income, investing and savings
This episode covers some great tips about how to achieve financial freedom. Passive income is a popular topic also within the digital nomad community. Dean is not the only podcast guest who talks about this. Anastasia and Tomar also created passive income streams before starting their digital nomad journey. You can find this episode and the show notes here.
We would love for you to listen to the entire conversation with Dean. Here we list some of his tips about creating passive income and what he did to achieve financial freedom:
Passive income streams worth $5k per month. It does fluctuate, and his goal is to bring it up to $30k a month.
Build a 6-9 months emergency fund so you can say no
Equity and dividends by investing in real estate and boutique hotel groups
Investing in the foreign stock exchange
He lives a comfortable life, but he doesn’t purchase things to show off. His number #01 piece of advice to everyone is to invest every dollar and start today. Even if you haven’t started yet, it’s never too late.
The meaning of wealth and freedom
Every person has their meaning of wealth and freedom. To a majority of people, wealth measures how financially comfortable you are.
For him, wealth goes beyond that. It is about being able to say no and being comfortable with declining a job offer. Dean fears working in a job he does not genuinely like. Instead, his driving force is being confident to reject that offer and focus on where his passions lie.
Dean believes freedom stems from a digital nomad lifestyle. He may prefer visiting places he’s familiar with and meeting past friends, but Dean states exploring every beautiful corner of the world is what he truly enjoys.
Tips and recourses to achieve financial freedom
Dean claims that his pursuit of nomadic experiences is what helped him garner his own financial independence. In other words, by going to various places and learning from all walks of life, he recognized how to save money wisely while traveling and working remotely.
He offers personal tips and recourses for digital nomads to achieve this financial freedom. First, he suggests reading several relevant books a week, connecting with digital nomad communities, and listening to podcasts from men who drop their financial independence tips – e.g., how to invest like a boss. Next, he recommends how to manage your passive income as well as invest and save:
Create passive incomes
Keep in mind that this can always fluctuate – e.g., Dean’s is at $5k/month, but his goal is to reach $30k per month.
Investing for digital nomads
Set a 6-9 months emergency fund.
Invest every dollar – whether that’d be the foreign exchange or elsewhere. Aim for investments that generate 10%-15%. Rely on doing real estate in syndicates and boutique investment groups as the equity and dividends are in the companies.
Digital Nomads and saving
Start saving as young as possible!
Don’t bother flaunting or showing off your wealth through luxurious goods – nice cars, shoes, watches, clothes, etc.
You’re mistaken if you think it’s too late to begin saving your money. The best time to pursue a dream is now.
Overall, Dean encourages digital nomads to constantly scout for investment opportunities as they can easily lead you to that desired financial freedom. With saving, it is never too late to start. Make sure also to enjoy the process, travel the world, and have fun.
The biggest challenge in his nomad lifestyle
On the surface, a nomadic lifestyle may appear luxurious and facile. However, that is not the case. Like every other lifestyle, it comes with its challenges. Dean shares some of his difficulties in the digital nomad lifestyle. Even when achieving financial freedom goals, he emphasizes how some other aspects will always suffer.
The depth of connections
The pain of leaving friends and family
Building strong relationships
Nevertheless, even the darkest obstacles lead to fortune. For instance, Dean mentions how saying yes to every socializing opportunity is what brings light to those difficulties. The beauty of a nomadic lifestyle blesses you with longtime and meaningful friendships that you would never anticipate. Meeting someone new is like his first step remedy to overcoming some of these challenges, as you never know what can blossom from those interactions.
Quick takeaways for nomads that want to achieve financial freedom
Achieving financial freedom
Take every chance you have to invest every dollar. But obviously, be conscious of the trends, understand how it works. Prepare a 6-9 month emergency fund and start saving from a very young age. Avoid showing off and flaunting your wealth and Rely on others for help and inspiration – digital nomad communities, books, and podcasts.
Everyone has different definitions of wealth and freedom.
Don’t shy away or be afraid to say no to a job offer – especially when it is not truly something you want. Nevertheless, say YES to every opportunity you have where you can meet new people. Some days, it can lead to amazing friendships!
Don’t underestimate the challenges of the digital nomad lifestyle.
It comes with a lot of emotional pain as you foster great new connections, then you can leave abruptly. You also must leave your family and friends as you’re constantly on the go.
8 digital nomad books to jumpstart your digital nomad lifestyle
Whether you are starting or planning to become a digital nomad, would like to work remotely or build your online business while traveling, we all have questions. In this article, you will find 8 amazing digital nomad books to help you on your new journey. Taking the leap and shifting your lifestyle can be as exciting as overwhelming. These books are filled with practical tips and lifestyle advice.
The best digital nomad books to start your remote lifestyle
These three digital nomad books are essential for people who want information about becoming a digital nomad or would like an extra push to change their conventional lifestyle. These books talk about mindset, creating your own rules, and setting boundaries.
The art of non-conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World
The Art of Non-Conformity is a great book to take the first steps to enter the digital nomad world. This book helps you make your new lifestyle a reality and offers advice on what things you can start doing to make it happen. It challenges common concepts about the work culture and helps us follow the path that is more aligned with our priorities. There are many topics discussed such as travel hacking, unconventional living, and developing the right mindset. It is a must-read for anyone that needs a little push to leave their conventional lifestyle and find out which path to pursue.
Every digital nomad will benefit from the advice and tips in this book. It talks about working remotely and how to escape from the idea that we have to work in an office . This digital nomad book shows employers and employees how they can work harmonically from any place, any time fully remote. If you are someone that is interested by the thought of working remotely and leaving the conventional life behind, Remote is the book for you.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and in Business
This book is the perfect match for someone that’s at a starting point. It helps you understand yourself and your subconscious behaviors. It focuses on how the creation, forming, development, and retention of habits occur and how you can change those habits. From losing weight, sleeping routines to saving money, The Power of habit, concentrates on the importance of the pursuit of habits to achieve your dream lifestyle. You will find real-life examples and tips to help you become a digital nomad or make a career shift.
Best digital nomad books for entrepreneurs who’re building a business
With these books, you will find the motivation you need to start your entrepreneur journey. These books share real stories, case studies, and a set of mistakes to avoid.
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich
The 4-hour workweek is one of the most known digital nomad books on shifting lifestyles. It was published in 2007 by Tim Ferris and has been an inspiration for many people worldwide. It’s a great introduction to how you can use technology in innovative ways and how you can work less and get more done. Tim Ferris talks passionately about this lifestyle change. He uses also real-life examples with useful step-by-step instructions. This will help you improve not only your time management but also increase your productivity. His way of thinking offers a different perspective on your approach to work.
If you have had the idea of becoming an entrepreneur and you still haven’t made that jump, this is your book!
The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future
This book will teach any potential entrepreneur, how to build a successful online business from the ground up. Chris Guillebeau, the author and a nomad entrepreneur himself, talks about the challenges and the popular belief that you need a large financial investment to build a business. The book presents fifty studies of people who have succeeded with their business, initially investing less than one hundred dollars. With all these examples, come the exact income numbers, popular mistakes to avoid, and essential insights.
These two books will give you a better perspective on what to expect during this lifestyle, practical tips, and financial tips to achieve this sustainably!
Digital Nomads With Confidence: 101
This list wouldn’t be complete without the newest book for digital nomads on the horizon! It’s our own book that we created in collaboration with 20+ experienced digital nomads. ‘‘Digital Nomads With Confidence! 101 Answers To Overcome Daily Challenges And Become A Successful Digital Nomad.’’ arms you with 101 answers about the digital nomad lifestyle. This book talks about all the common challenges digital nomads have throughout their journeys. It covers day-to-day topics such as expanding your social circle, finding the ideal digital nomad home, and making money online. Consider it your companion to travel and work remotely from anywhere.
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
Are you a digital nomad (or in the process of becoming one) with a tight budget? You have found your digital nomad book! The author Rolf Potts, disagrees with the perception that traveling requires a large amount of money. He shows through personal stories, the life of a digital nomad from a travel perspective. From how to finance long-term travel on a modest budget, advice on how to adapt to a nomadic lifestyle, and tips to decrease the culture shock. This book is a must-have for those who want to become digital nomads. It can help you decide what to take into consideration before starting this lifestyle, and give you solutions to possible problems and struggles that occur on the way.
Digital Nomads: How to live, work and play around the world
This is the perfect handbook for anyone in the process of becoming a digital nomad or who already is. The two authors Esther Jacobs and André Gussekloo write down true stories of nomads in all kinds of situations. This book is filled with information for making your digital nomad lifestyle successful. They answer questions like where is the best place to live, how to meet other nomads, and how to travel on a budget. You will find helpful advice on taxes, productivity tips, and travel essentials.
We hope that this list gives you a great start to pursuing your digital nomad lifestyle. Happy reading! If you are interested in more real-life nomad and entrepreneur stories, make sure you check out The Digital Nomads Daily Podcast.Here we share tips and give you advice with our guests about how to start your nomadic life.
08: Leaving the corporate world behind and reinventing yourself with Tarek
Our guest Tarek is a social entrepreneur who has been nomadding for more than 9 years. He learned that his mission was to give back to the local communities. His businesses, Nomads Giving Back and Nomads Skillshare, are his pride and joy and the start of something big. In this episode, he shares his love for meeting nomads. Tarek talks about his beautiful learnings and the cultural shocks. The last part of the episode covers the future of his business and his motivation to give back to local communities.
“I would ask everyone “How do you give back to the communities?” “How do you connect with locals?” Most of the time they would say “I don’t know, but if you figure it out let me know, because I want to do the same thing.”
How Nomads Giving Back started
After 12 years of living the corporate life and feeling unfulfilled, Tarek bought a one-way ticket to the unknown. He was certain about one thing though, he wanted to give back through social impact. During his travels, Tarek met a lot of travelers and got to know many digital nomads. He fell in love with their way of living and thinking. Especially those people who were going after their dreams, leaving the unconventional life behind, and facing their fears.
When Tarek started meeting these remote workers, he used to ask them “How do you connect with the locals?” “How do you give back to the community?”. The majority of whom he asked had no clue how to support local communities but we’re definitely open to it. He often got answers like “I don’t know, but if you figure it out please let me know”.
In this moment he saw the gap and a new opportunity entered his path. His new journey started and he called it Nomads Giving Back. Just like the name reveals, he wanted to help digital nomads and travelers to give back to local communities.
Traveling somewhere? Here are 3 ways you can give back:
Aside from donating money, there are many ways to give back to local communities. Tarek identified 3 ways of giving back and can help you do this. There are three categories:
Advocacy
Tarek describes this as using your voice for social good. And as the nomad community is getting bigger every year, this will have a lot of impacts. You are not only inspiring other nomads but also the people who are in your home country and follow your travels.
Volunteering
The Nomads Giving Back team has developed a volunteer matching program. If you are interested in giving back in some way through your skills, Tarek team can help you. They partner you with one of their social causes that they are close to, taking into account your skills and knowledge.
Fundraising or donations
Fundraising and donations are always a great way to give back to local communities. Tarek and his team have many ideas and are connected to local NGOs to help you. If you would like to know more about this go to the website of Nomads Giving Back.
Learning from cultural differences
One of the craziest things that Tarek did was drive across India for 4000 km in a rickshaw. For our readers who don’t know what that is, it’s a mix of a tuk-tuk and a golf cart that is used as a method of transportation in many Asian countries.
It was a wild ride because the rickshaw broke down around 20 times. At first, you might think that this is terrible but Tarek found himself in a magical moment. Funny enough, Tarek always received help within 2 minutes.
One time the engine broke so badly that there was no option other than to take it to the mechanic. This was 2 km away and a local offered to push the rickshaw to the mechanic shop. After 45 minutes of pushing in the hot sun, Tarek insisted on giving back some money for anything the guy would need. The man refused to get paid, instead all he wanted was to be his Facebook friend.
Allow yourself to reinvent yourself
When you travel or explore new cultures, you learn a lot. Everyone who joined the digital Nomads Daily Podcast so far experienced one or more life-changing moments. One of the things Tarek started to notice was the difference between the people who were back home and his new community.
This might sound harsh but sometimes the people who love us and the people who we grow up with, are actually holding us back from growing. Of course, this is not intentional but does happen. Simply because while you keep reinventing yourself, back home people keep holding on to your old identity because that’s comfortable for them and especially for yourself! Don’t let yourself hold back by what other people expect from you and allow yourself to reinvent yourself.
Learn and give back to local communities
Nomadsskillshare.com is the a new social enterprise Tarek and his team are currently working on. At Nomad Skillshare you will find courses that are perfect to start your nomad lifestyle or if you wish to get in touch with nomads. All courses are in English and 100% online through Zoom.
You can find the courses below on Nomadsskillshare.com
How to get your dream online job
How to become a social media manager
How to become a virtual assistant
Nomads Skillshare also offers scholarships for locals to help local communities have a bigger chance of entering the remote work world. Through the Buy 1 Give 1 Program they ensure that local communities are not left behind by offering a scholarship to a less privileged student for every course purchased. Find out more at Nomadskillshare.com
Special offer: Get 10% Discount on all courses now with the code DIGITALNOM10
About Tarek
Tarek is a social entrepreneur with an MBA with honors from New York University and a career of working at top organizations like Goldman Sachs. In 2013, Tarek left the corporate world behind to explore the actual world.
After traveling to over 100 countries, running 25 marathons, and supporting social causes, in 2018 Tarek launched Nomads Giving Back. With the vision to inspire you to give back to the communities, you call home away from home. In 2020, Tarek and his team launched Nomads Skillshare!, a learning platform & community empowering you to learn the skills to live the life you imagined!
The Power of Planning with Digital Nomad Entrepreneurs Anastasia & Tomer
👇 Or listen in your fav podcast apps👇
Learn from digital nomad entrepreneurs Anastasia & Tomer:
🔥 How to become a digital nomad
🔥 How to build an online content business
🔥 How to shift to an online entrepreneur journey
🔥 How to check in with yourself regularly
🔥 Tips if you’re thinking about becoming a digital nomad
🔥🔥🔥 And so much more must-know digital nomad lifestyle tips for (aspiring) digital nomads!
“Sometimes you need to go through a short period of discomfort to create a lifetime of comfort”
The shift to an online entrepreneur journey
While working their regular 9 to 5 corporate job, they knew that they wanted to become entrepreneurs doing something creative. Even though they planned, what business they exactly wanted to build wasn’t clear yet. With savings and a passive income in the pocket, they started their online business journey. At first, Anastasia and Tomer spoke about the remote lifestyle and traveling via Instagram @Generationnomads and a blog. After a while, they found out that this wasn’t moving the needle. One they that stood out was that making money online as a content creator can be overwhelming. It requires the right mindset, some tech know-how, and of course, the right content. This is where they shifted their business into helping content creators like bloggers make money online by monetizing their content. They developed an online coaching program that walks you through the steps of making money online with your content.
Know the mindset that you are in that moment
You might not think of this when you dream about becoming a digital nomad but planning does come in handy. You need to have some sort of plan to make this sustainable so you can enjoy the journey longer.
It might sound boring but all you want to do is to make sure you enjoy your time as you have planned. Things Anastasia and Tomer typically plan or think about where to go next are for example where to work from and if there is community. It comes down to your intentions and what you want to get out of the trip or location. What is important is that you know what you are looking for and find a location that provides all you need. Funny enough is that also Digital Nomad Kristina and Taryn talk about this on the podcast. If you are just starting out and you have no clue what you want, visit your dream places and learn as you travel. Check in with yourself regularly and ask yourself:
How do I feel here?
What positive impact has this place had on my daily routine?
If this place had ______, then it would be the perfect place.
If this place had less of ______, then it would be the perfect place.
What do I want to feel in my next location?
Is it that I want to get out of this situation? How do I want to travel? What is it that I want?
While you are nomadding, don’t forget that all of this is a learning experience. There is no right or wrong as long as you are willing to learn from every single situation.
Keep an open mind
Planning is something that can help you make things go smooth but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes plans don’t go the way we expected and you need to adjust. In these situations, you must keep an open mind and check in with yourself. What do you need right now and what decision will help me get there? While you’re traveling anything can go wrong from small things to missing flights to larger things like safety issues.
This also happened for Anastasia and Tomer and found themselves in a situation where they thought it was perfectly planned but had to adjust to the situation. During their last days in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, they decided to go to the north of Brazil before heading back to Europe. Doing some last-minute research, they discovered how unsafe that area was, being the 7th most dangerous place in the world. Many questions started popping up and it was a stressful decision to go or not. After checking in with themselves they decided not to take the trip. Why? Because all they wanted was a relaxing trip to enjoy the tropical weather before going to Europe. A trip that could be very unsafe simply wasn’t what they truly desired. Canceling was the best option.
Tips if you’re thinking about becoming a digital nomad
Sometimes you need to go through a short period of discomfort to create a lifetime of comfort
Any kind of freedom that you want to create requires discipline first
You appreciate it so much more when it takes something to get it
Whatever you may need to make this happen, you already have it within you
You can start becoming who you want to be right now, you just need to make decisions
