Working remotely has been an increasingly common practice over the past few years. On one hand, conditions have forced everyone to be more mobile, and on the other, digital nomadism has become a desirable lifestyle. The opportunity to work from different parts of the world sounds quite enticing. Europe stands out as a destination because of its excellent conditions. Proximity to cultural hubs, open borders agreements, fast internet connectivity, etc. are key factors. However, working remotely requires a lot of self-discipline and taking ownership of the process, which can be quite challenging. If you're starting your adventure now, this article is the one for you!
Pros of working remotely:
Higher productivity
It is reachable mainly due to the fewer distractions in the work process. When you're out of the office and there's no constant gathering of people around you, small talk is reduced and this helps you focus your thoughts more clearly on the work at hand. The lack of overall interaction with people, going for coffee and communal lunches also ensures you stay focused and productive.
Organising the work process
Working remotely allows you to make your own individual activity process. You can tailor it to your daily tasks and work out the best routine for you. Discovering a working formula helps productivity significantly. If you haven't found one yet, observe yourself and try different options considering your side commitments. You can also look for online platforms to organize tasks to help yourself even more.
Flexibility according to productivity hours
Everyone has felt times when they are not focused enough in their work, but are under pressure to get certain tasks done. In most cases, working remotely gives you the chance to tailor your workload to your own productivity clock. This type of work is suitable for fields and positions that allow you to listen to yourself and apply creativity. This way, new ideas come through, dictate the work process and set the best time to complete projects.
Time spent with loved ones
One of the greatest benefits of working remotely is the opportunity to be with your family. This quality time helps to relax the brain and recharge. You can channel that energy into walks with loved ones or enjoyable activities that bring your family together.
If you have children, a job of this nature would help with balancing their care and your work commitments. You'd be able to devote time to the toddlers and be an example of how a balance between work and pleasure could be achieved with desire and ambition.
Health improvement
Less time spent travelling from A to B opens up the possibility for more sport activities. These can take different forms according to your preferences. Your quality of life also improves because of the reduction in stress and the constant feeling of being late and rushed. During the extra time, you will also be able to pay attention to preparing a healthy meal instead of buying a quick one on your way to the office.
Many people have long commutes in urban environments that expose them to systematic inhalation of traffic fumes. Apart from being unpleasant, this can also lead to unwanted health problems. On the other hand, if you are an introverted individual who respects your personal space, travelling at the busiest hours by public transport certainly affects you. It is an extra mental strain that negatively affects your health. If this impact has already started, you can safely consider the opportunities that working remotely provides and go for it.
Freedom in the choice of work location
Your dream office may not be in an office building, but in a cozy cafe or near a pool. Location independence gives remote workers many options. Changes in the work atmosphere help to gather inspiration and escape from the monotonous routine. If you love the mountains, why not work from a favorite cabin?
Build trust and loyalty
Working remotely requires your employer’s complete trust. There may be a mismatch of expectations at first, but over time, synchronicity and loyalty are built on both sides. Respecting personal boundaries and respecting employees' time are the keys to improving the process and forming a reliable remote team.
Expanding job opportunities
The mobility that working remotely allows, opens new horizons. If you choose this type of work, you can apply for a position that is in a foreign company. This way, you can work for a market of your choice and accommodate your preferences. In case you are working remotely for a country where your job position pays well, you can afford to live in a new place or move to a bigger city without worries. More and more people are moving to small towns with lower costs of living where their income is more than sufficient.
Cons of working remotely:
Lack of high self-discipline
Organising your own workflow can be a minus if you haven't built discipline and consistency by now. With no one to constantly supervise, you need to learn to give the necessary importance and attention to the work yourself. In order to be more organised, make a schedule for the times of day you want to work. During these, direct your full attention to the process and do not allow yourself to be distracted.
Decreasing motivation
Although you would have more free time to devote to enjoyable pursuits, the desire to work may decrease. Lack of motivation can come from the monotony of the environment and workflow. For this, you need to find ways to diversify and focus your attention on work.
Communication gaps
If you don't have a pattern of communication in place, the likelihood of a mismatch in task performance is high. This is a major reason for organising multiple meetings and discussing all the details. To avoid prolonging your own work, insist and demand precise agreements on the desired results with the rest of the team. Be dedicated and committed to what is happening.
Lack of social interaction
Although working remotely is more efficient because of the lack of distractions, the reduction in face-to-face communication visibly affects workflow. Many people feel isolated and don't fully belong to their team. This downside can affect you greatly if you are a communicative extrovert personality. In case you need frequent physical meetings with colleagues to make your work flow more smoothly, working remotely for a longer period of time could be a challenge for you.
Complete dependence on technology
Working remotely is directly linked to technology and its development. The idea of working from a small village in the French Alps is appealing, but you need to consider whether you have a strong enough signal, internet availability, technical support and numerous other details. Remember, securing these basic amenities is a must for making remote work a pleasure. If you don't currently have enough quality devices, you should consider purchasing some.
Blurring the boundaries of work and life
With a lack of experience with working remotely, many people are unable to get quality rest. The work process is prolonged and leads to demotivation and decreased concentration. To reduce this tension, you are required to learn to set boundaries and not check your email for new work notifications and emails during your free time.
Important questions on working remotely
If you have decided that you want to start working remotely you need to make a good plan. In case you already have one, you need to focus mainly on moving to a new location. Regardless of which of the two situations you find yourself in, ask yourself the following questions:
Where do you want to work from?
Before you start your search for a remote job in Europe, think about what kind of environment you want to live in. For this, you need to know whether you prefer a big city or a quiet little village on the outskirts. Climate conditions are also important. If you like long warm days, moving to Spain for a few months will suit you much better than settling in snowy Norway. This also applies to the nature you want to be surrounded by.
What are the specifics of the job?
If you already work remotely, you are familiar with the demanding requirements of the workflow. Some companies have specific location requirements for their employees even though they work remotely. Before undertaking a move to a new city or country for a period of time, inform your employer in advance of the change.
An important detail to consider before looking for a new location is internet access. Is there a well-established place in your chosen location that you can work from if you don't feel like staying in your home office, and what is the public attitude towards working outside?
In case you are yet to look for a remote position, take a good look at where the job market is rich with offers in your field. Study statistics and find a market where there is a high demand for professionals. Most remote positions in Europe accept English as a working language. Certainly, knowing other languages will help you find a better position. If you know more than one, consider a country where you can use it and get better working conditions.
To find a new remote job faster, join various digital nomad groups. Online job platforms are also a good option, but you need to keep an eye out for new offers regularly. Your CV should always be ready and when a good offer comes along, don't procrastinate.
What is the standard of living?
Research well the cost of living of the place you plan to move to. Your income should be sufficient to maintain a good standard of living. It is also important to consider your budget for moving to the new destination.
Finding suitable accommodation can be a difficult task. Rental prices for a short period of time in some countries are higher than those for 1 or more years. Be careful when looking and consider that some places will require a guarantee that you can pay your rent.
How long you can stay in the country?
The requirements to start working in Europe vary greatly depending on your nationality and willingness to stay. If you are an EU national, you are allowed to live and work for up to 3 months in another EU, EEA or Swiss country without a work permit. You are entitled to the same conditions as the national citizens in terms of access to work, working conditions and all other social and tax benefits. As a digital nomad, you can also exercise your profession freely during this period. If you want to stay longer than 3 months, you will need to register your residence and prove that you have employment, sufficient means to support yourself without state assistance, social security and health insurance.
Working remotely is increasingly common in Europe and many countries have passed or are about to pass legislation to grant visas to digital nomads. Thanks to visas, it is much easier to stay and working remotely is encouraged. Each country has different conditions for obtaining this type of visa. They are specific and related to the standard of living there. One of the basic requirements is to have health insurance and to cover a certain minimum income threshold. Once you have researched your chosen country, you will find out what level of taxes you will be paying, whether you need to have found accommodation in the country beforehand, whether your criminal record will be considered and other important details. Nomad visa fees are relatively low and vary depending on the country you choose.
Do you need health insurance?
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you can use your European Health Insurance Card if you need a medical check-up. It is your proof that you have health insurance that is administered in a European country.
In case you do not have an EHIC card or you are a citizen of a third country, you should take care of your health insurance. While travelling and living in a new place, unexpected things could happen to you and you need to be prepared. Insurance is a must in order to be able to get a digital nomad visa. Look for providers that offer the best health insurance plan for you and activate it before you make the move to Europe.
Remote working isn't just an exotic trend for the brave. It is increasingly desirable and easily achievable. Successfully transitioning to such a process requires excellent organization and anticipation of different situations. That's why it's a good idea to delegate some of your responsibilities. Our team of professionals can assist you with the transportation of your belongings, as well as their preparation and subsequent storage. To get more information, contact us for a free consultation via our chat bot or our contact form.
