The essence of work life balance, a digital nomad lifestyle embraces both work and travel. By taking your laptop and travelling both domestically and internationally, you can enjoy new experiences every single day.
One of the best places in the world to be a digital nomad is the UK. Offering a wealth of cities, each with their own distinctive cultures and personalities, the UK also features co-working spaces.
Laying the foundation to effectively balance work and travel, the UK is a veritable paradise for digital nomads. This is true whether you want to take things day by day or meet adventure head on and explore a new city every weekend.
How to be a digital nomad in the UK
When it comes to packing up your home and embracing the life of a digital nomad, there’s many different layers to consider. While on the surface, a digital nomad lifestyle seems simple, there’s important concepts to research, understand and account for.
While there’s no set process for being a digital nomad in the UK, there are certain things that every nomad will need to plan for. Firstly, accommodation. Based on budget related measures, will you be staying in a hostel or hotel or will you need to rent an apartment?
Once elements relating to accommodation are considered, the next thing to think about is budgeting. Taking the time to implement a realistic budget will inform decisions both large and small. For example, budget will dictate how many times a week you eat out. It will also determine whether you spend the working day in a cafe or a dedicated co-working space.
Aspiring digital nomads will also need to consider elements relating to travel. The UK is comprised of four nations- England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and each country has many different cities complete with must-see attractions.
By taking the time to research the different countries and their associated cities, you can make informed travel decisions. One such decision? Working out whether you will be staying in the same location for months on end or travelling from one stop to the next.
The best cities for a digital nomad in the UK
The UK is home to some of the world's most picturesque and culturally diverse cities. From seaside towns like Brighton to tourist attractions such as London, the options are seemingly endless.
Brighton, England
For nomads wanting to work with a backdrop of piers and pebble beaches, look no further than Brighton. Home to numerous festivals and events, there’s always something happening in this seaside town nestled on the south coast of England. The inherent lively atmosphere is perfect for digital nomads wanting to mix work with fun.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland’s capital city is overflowing with history. Perfectly blending historical architecture with a vibrant culture and a simply stunning natural beauty, Edinburgh is a sight for sore eyes. With its mix of a thriving art scene and a food and drink scene, there is something for every digital nomad to enjoy. For example, hike the hills in the daytime and work from home at night.
London, England
A list of the best cities for digital nomads in the UK isn’t complete without mentioning London. With famous landmarks around every corner, London can be explored by day and by night. Offering convenience in the form of a robust public transport network and affordability thanks to a plethora of free museums, nomads can experience life to the fullest here.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
With stunning natural scenery and plenty of famous landmarks, the capital of Northern Ireland shouldn’t be overlooked. A great destination for digital nomads, Belfast has low living costs. This makes it easy for nomads to balance their desire to see new sights all while sticking to a budget.
Cardiff, Wales
Mixing natural beauty with historical beauty, Cardiff is also known for its urban convenience. A relatively small city, there are pubs and bars aplenty to sit and stop for a drink while witnessing the Welsh spirit, particularly if there’s rugby on. From museums and landmarks to bites to eat in tea rooms and boat rides on the lake, digital nomads have plenty to explore.
Manchester, England
With a great mix of activities, Manchester is full of charm, particularly when it comes to digital nomads. Think affordable activities and a low cost of living, all combined with a lively nightlife scene and an all encompassing sports scene. After working during the week, wind down on the weekend with strolls through historic neighbourhoods or world famous museums.
The most popular co-working spaces in the UK
The UK is known for its deep ties to history, however, this doesn’t stop the associated countries from adapting to the times. With this in mind, there are a host of small and large co-working spaces dotted across the UK, from England and Scotland to Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Located in London are the popular co-working spaces of LABS and The Office Group. LABS, a minimalist loft space has been designed with the intention to facilitate both individual and collaborative work. Meanwhile, The Office Group boasts gyms, roof gardens and cafes to ensure that wellness remains at the fore, even when at work.
- Belfast is also home to multiple co-working spaces ranging from The Foundry to Headspace. These popular companies offer flexible workspaces and all the amenities needed to put in a good day's work.
- In keeping with the historical vibes of Edinburgh, its co-working spot, the Melting Pot, is one of the oldest co-working communities in the world. Cardiff is also keeping a finger on the pulse with Gloworks, a 5 storey building complete with studio spaces and broadcast galleries for creatives.
- Another popular co-working space is that of Bloc in Manchester. Offering co-working spaces, a cinema room, yoga studio and independent coffee shop, this space exemplifies how great the digital nomad lifestyle can be.
When thinking about co-working spaces, it’s important to note that each company will have spaces that vary in size. Some membership options might be flexible while others might be a little more expensive. For those on a budget, it’s worth mentioning that there are smaller spaces that exist in different cities that tend to be a little more cost effective.
Internet availability in the UK
When operating as a digital nomad, an internet connection is key. This way, you can effectively and efficiently keep in touch with colleagues and clients or run a business entirely remotely.
Digital nomads in the UK will have no problem finding an internet connection across a variety of different settings. Take cafes, fast food restaurants, major shopping centres and transport hubs as an example. Each of these establishments typically offer free WiFi. While this is convenient, it’s important to remember that these connections may not be super fast nor safe.
Another option that UK digital nomads have is to purchase an eSim. Essentially a SIM chip that is added to your mobile device, you will be able to stay securely connected with friends, family and work.
For both a portable and stable connection, it’s worth looking into pocket WiFi. Offering a high speed internet connection, pocket WiFi makes it easy to download large files or work with complex design programs. Looking for other options? Don’t forget that co-working spaces are equipped with their own free Wi-Fi connections.
How are digital nomads taxed in the UK?
With the prevalence of remote workers, many countries have started to offer residence visas and permits for remote workers. These countries range from Barbados and Bali to Greece and Croatia.
However, there’s no such thing as a digital nomad UK visa. In fact, there isn’t even a digital nomad UK tax. With this in mind, digital nomads from other countries may be taxed as residents or non-residents.
A digital nomad will be taxed as a non-resident if they have spent less than half the tax year in the UK. This means that income such as rent, bank interest and dividends, workdays and pensions sourced from the UK will be taxed.
On the other hand, a digital nomad will be taxed as a resident if they have spent half the tax year or more in the UK. This means that you will be taxed on any income earned around the world.
Insurance for digital nomads in the UK
Before embarking upon the journey towards becoming a digital nomad, there are numerous different factors to consider and plan for. In fact, simply choosing a destination to travel to can be all consuming.
However, not at the very least considering travel insurance would be remiss. This is largely because when you’re travelling as a digital nomad, you will want to give yourself coverage.
While travel insurance can offer both broad and specific coverage, it’s important to note that some coverage options will differ between travelling for a holiday and travelling as a digital nomad.
With this in mind, a digital nomad might embark on their journey knowing that they won’t be home for many years to come. As a result of this travel, Australian residency and a Medicare card or equivalent might no longer be pertinent to hold on to. However, without this, Fast Cover, for example, cannot provide digital nomads with coverage.
Digital nomads should also be well versed in requirements surrounding sub-limits and what defines ownership. Without this knowledge, you could be in danger of having inadequate coverage for your tech equipment.
In terms of sub-limits, there is a sub-limit on all items of $750 or higher. With tech such as laptops and the like playing such a large role in the life of a digital nomad, individuals should look into specifying certain items and paying more for appropriate coverage levels.
Ownership requirements are also important for digital nomads to note. In essence, coverage is only extended to items you own. This means that if your laptop has been paid for by your company, any claims relating to damages would be denied. However, if nomads can prove that the damaged or stolen laptop was in fact theirs, coverage would be provided.
Becoming a UK digital nomad
In the age of remote work, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Rather than working from home on occasion, remote workers can effectively and efficiently work from different cities and even different countries.
With the ability to explore the world like never before and still earn a stable income, the lifestyle of a digital nomad is becoming increasingly adopted by people from all walks of life. From Europe and America to the UK, you can choose a new home base that aligns with both your personal and professional goals.
From weekends in Scotland and weekdays in London to co-working spaces in Belfast and boat rides in Cardiff, becoming a UK digital nomad means that there’s adventure around every corner.
