What expat means? And what is a digital nomad?
An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of the person’s upbringing. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (‘out of’) and patria (‘country, fatherland’)”. Digital nomads are people who are location-independent and use technology to perform their job. Digital nomads work remotely, telecommuting rather than being physically present at a company’s headquarters or office. This is the rough definition of what means to be an expat or digital nomad, but those constantly shift.
How digital nomads make money? And who are expat employees?
Digital Nomads take gigs (assignments) from job sites dedicated to serving employers offering remote jobs and those seeking them. Examples are Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. Meanwhile, expats work for companies like Airlines (like our founder did), construction companies, the finance industry, and other global sectors.
Can you become a digital nomad?
Any tech-savvy with an entrepreneurial mindset has the potential to become one. The question of how to become a digital nomad, however, has ample ways to be answered. The best way to discover is to visit some of the websites that offer gigs (jobs) for digital nomads ( Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer, for example) and see if you are able to perform some of the remote jobs listed there. If yes, it is an open road to you.
Where do digital nomads pay tax? Are expat benefits taxable?
The question about expats, digital nomads, and taxes is dependent on where you are traveling, how long you will be there and where are you from originally. Many countries have international agreements to avoid dual taxation, therefore you just pay taxes in the place where you have your income (or where your company is registered). A Brazilian or Argentinian citizen, living in UK or Germany will not need to pay taxes in both his original country and where he lives. The US is one of the few exceptions since they require its citizens to pay taxes no matter where they’re living. However, if you meet certain requirements you can get an exemption. If you want to learn more about your specific case, contact us!
What is Colligere Expat Consultancy?
We are a business whose mission is to offer you access to the best professionals that an expat and digital nomad needs. Sworn translators, lawyers, insurance and real estate agents or immigration assistants, all curated by our battle-tested expat consultants which will help you to have peace of mind while abroad. Learn more about our myriad of services and our discounted packages.
Is there any other question you would like to see answered at this FAQ about what means to be an expat or digital nomad and our company? Any doubt about moving away from home? Ask us here!
