The Nomad Relocation Checklist
Everything you need to do before, during, and after your first remote relocation. 60+ items, organized by phase.
Documents & Legal
6+ months out- Renew passport (must have 6+ months validity remaining)
- Check visa requirements for your destination(s)
- Apply for any required visas or digital nomad visa
- Make certified copies of all important documents
- Store document scans in secure cloud (Google Drive, 1Password)
- Check vaccine requirements and book travel health appointment
- Research tax residency obligations for your home country
- Notify your bank you'll be traveling internationally
- Apply for a no-foreign-fee bank card (Wise, Revolut, or Charles Schwab)
- Set up a virtual mailbox service for your home address
- Review any lease agreements or property obligations
- Set up power of attorney if needed for long-term absence
Insurance & Finance
3 months out- Purchase travel insurance with medical coverage (SafetyWing or World Nomads)
- Verify international health coverage and evacuation benefits
- Open a Wise account and fund with 2–3 months of expenses
- Set up a Revolut or N26 backup card
- Review and cancel any unused subscriptions and memberships
- Set up auto-pay for any recurring bills you're keeping
- Alert your accountant or tax advisor of your plans
- Research healthcare access at your destination
- Get 3-month supply of any prescription medications
- Dental and medical check-ups before departure
Tech & Work Setup
1–2 months out- Purchase or update your laptop (minimum 8 GB RAM, SSD)
- Invest in a quality portable monitor if you need a dual-screen setup
- Buy a travel router (TP-Link TL-WR802N or GL.iNet)
- Purchase a noise-cancelling headset for calls
- Subscribe to a VPN (NordVPN or ExpressVPN)
- Buy an eSIM or research local SIM options at destination
- Back up all work files to cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)
- Install 2FA on all critical work accounts
- Notify your employer or clients of your location change
- Set up a reliable video conferencing setup
- Test your remote work setup including internet speed requirements
- Create an offline work kit (key files, tools that work without internet)
Housing & Arrival Prep
2–4 weeks out- Book first accommodation (1–2 weeks of Airbnb or a hotel)
- Research neighborhoods and narrow down where you want to live long-term
- Find local Facebook groups for expats and nomads at destination
- Research coworking spaces and note addresses
- Identify the nearest hospital and pharmacy to your accommodation
- Learn 20 key phrases in the local language
- Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps offline)
- Research transportation (how to get from airport, public transit, etc.)
- Set up Airalo or buy a local data eSIM for arrival connectivity
- Pack a carry-on emergency kit: 3 days of clothes, charger, medications
- Arrange airport transfer or research taxi/ride-share options
- Share your itinerary and address with someone at home
First Month Settled
After arrival- Find and tour 2–3 month-rental apartments
- Negotiate a monthly lease (30–40% cheaper than nightly rates)
- Register with your home country's consulate or embassy (optional but smart)
- Open a local bank account if staying 3+ months
- Get a local SIM card (usually cheaper than eSIM for long stays)
- Find your regular coworking space or cafe
- Join local nomad/expat Facebook groups and attend one meetup
- Establish a daily routine and dedicated work hours
- Visit a local doctor for a wellness check-up
- Track all days spent in-country for tax purposes
- Review and update insurance coverage if needed
- Explore your neighborhood and surrounding areas
- Set a 30-day budget review date
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start the nomad relocation checklist?
Start the documents and legal phase at least 3–6 months before departure — passport renewal and visa applications alone can take 6–12 weeks. The banking and insurance phase should be complete 30 days out. The tech setup and arrival prep can be done in the final two weeks. Rushing the document phase is the most common and expensive mistake first-time nomads make.
Do I need a visa to work remotely from another country?
It depends on your destination and passport. A standard tourist visa does not legally permit remote work for foreign clients — you are permitted to be present in the country, not to conduct business there. Over 60 countries now offer purpose-built digital nomad visas that explicitly allow remote work. If your destination doesn't have one, a tourist visa combined with short stays under the tourist limit is the common workaround, but it carries legal ambiguity.
What banking setup do digital nomads need before relocating?
Open a Wise account for international transfers and local bank details in 10+ currencies before you leave — it takes 5 minutes and is free. Add a zero-fee debit card like Revolut or Charles Schwab as a backup ATM card. Notify your existing home bank that you'll be traveling internationally so they don't block your card on arrival. These three steps eliminate 90% of the banking friction nomads encounter in the first week.
What travel insurance do digital nomads need?
Standard travel insurance covers short trips, not the continuous long-term travel nomads do. You need a nomad-specific plan: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance covers emergency medical, evacuation, and trip interruption starting at $42/month with no commitment. World Nomads is better for adventure sports. Cigna Global is best for nomads who want full outpatient coverage including routine care. Get coverage before you leave — most plans don't allow enrollment mid-trip.
Tip: This checklist is designed to be printed. Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and select “Save as PDF” to get a printable copy you can tick off as you go. Or subscribe above to receive the formatted PDF version directly.