Ever dreamt of working from exotic locations and exploring new places while still keeping up with your job? In 2024, becoming a digital nomad is more achievable than ever! This lifestyle lets you blend work with travel, giving you the freedom to choose your work environment and daily routine.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to become a digital nomad this year, including practical steps to find remote work and tips for balancing work and travel. Plus, we’ll explain why Estonia is a prime destination for digital nomads, and one of the reasons is the ease of establishing a business remotely. If you’re planning to launch your venture, it’s crucial to gather insights on how to maintain high-quality service. Understanding and enhancing customer satisfaction is key to business success, no matter where you operate. For this, various customer satisfaction tools can be highly beneficial, helping you measure and improve the experience for your clients.
Estonia in Numbers – characteristics Estonia
Estonia, located in Northern Europe on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, is a small yet vibrant country known for its rich history and modern advancements. With a population of approximately 1.3 million people, Estonia offers a unique blend of traditional charm and cutting-edge technology.
One of the country’s standout innovations is its e-Residency program, which has become a global leader in digital identity. This program allows entrepreneurs and professionals worldwide to conduct business seamlessly across borders. According to the latest data from SimplBooks.ee, Estonia has welcomed over 112,700 e-residents, who have established more than 30,200 Estonian companies. In March 2024 alone, the program saw 1,077 new applications, underscoring its growing appeal and effectiveness in supporting remote business ventures.
In addition to its innovative e-Residency program, Estonia shines in tax competitiveness. The Tax Foundation’s International Tax Competitiveness Index (ITCI) evaluates the tax systems of 38 OECD countries based on factors such as corporate taxes, individual taxes, consumption taxes, property taxes, and international tax rules. Estonia ranks highly for providing a favorable tax environment that promotes investment, supports businesses, and benefits workers, making it an attractive destination for global entrepreneurs.
Who is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who leverages technology to work remotely while traveling or living in different locations. Unlike traditional office workers, digital nomads are not tied to a specific place and often work from various destinations around the world. This lifestyle allows them to blend work with their passion for travel, experiencing new cultures and environments while maintaining their career.
Digital nomads typically use digital tools and platforms to perform their job tasks, which can include anything from writing and design to programming and consulting. Their work can be done from coffee shops, co-working spaces, or even beaches—wherever they choose to set up their temporary workspace. While it may seem that being a digital nomad is all about spontaneity and doesn’t necessarily require a formal business plan, having one can be a smart move, especially when seeking funding for a business. Estonia offers a wide range of programs that support remote entrepreneurs with grants and resources.
Interestingly, despite their adventurous lifestyle—living in caves, on boats, or exploring mountains—digital nomads often use traditional marketing strategies just like any other local business. Whether it’s promoting their services or products, they combine both traditional and digital methods to reach their audience and grow their ventures.
This lifestyle is appealing for its flexibility and freedom, offering the chance to create a unique work-life balance. However, it also requires strong self-discipline, reliable internet access, and effective time management skills to ensure that work responsibilities are met while exploring new places.
Digital Nomad Entrepreneurs in examples
Vertex is a wood framing design software offered as a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution, which allows all employees to work remotely, regardless of their location. Vertex Systems provides high-quality CAD and PDM/PLM software solutions to various industries around the globe. We help industrial companies enhance and transform their processes by automating product design, data management, manufacturing, and construction workflows.
This type of company is particularly well-suited for digital nomads, as employees are not required to work from a physical office and can instead manage projects remotely from anywhere in the world.
The same situation applies to other leading software companies. Dashboa offers SEO automation solutions for its clients. They enjoy working with digital nomads and communicate with them via Slack and other messaging platforms.
Regardless of the sector—be it SEO, marketing, or link building—you have the opportunity to become a digital nomad.
Digital nomads can enhance their business growth by utilizing a fractional CMO to manage marketing strategies, providing expert guidance without the need for a full-time commitment
How Estonia Makes Digital Nomads Work Fully Remotely
Estonia is a pioneer in creating a welcoming environment for digital nomads and remote workers through its innovative programs. Here’s how Estonia supports a fully remote lifestyle:
E-Residency initiative
Estonia’s e-Residency is a groundbreaking initiative that provides a secure, government-issued digital identity for online authentication. This program offers:
- Digital Access: Remote entrepreneurs can access Estonia’s e-services, allowing them to establish and manage a company online.
- Business Operations: You can register and run a company, declare taxes, and handle banking and payments with minimal bureaucracy and low costs.
- Application Process: Apply online at e-resident.gov.ee. The process typically takes 3-8 weeks.
- E-Residency Kit: Once approved, you can pick up your e-Residency kit from designated pickup points around the world after verifying your identity.
Digital Nomad Visa
Digital Nomad Visa is designed for remote workers who wish to temporarily live in Estonia while working online. It offers:
- Temporary Stay: Allows you to stay in Estonia for up to one year.
- Eligibility: Suitable for digital nomads working online independently, whether for an employer registered abroad, their own company, or as a freelancer with clients mainly outside Estonia.
- Application Process: Apply at your nearest Estonian Embassy. The process takes up to 30 days.
- Visa Pickup: Collect your visa at the nearest Estonian Embassy. Standard visa rules and procedures apply.
Advanced Digital Infrastructure
Estonia provides robust digital infrastructure to support remote work:
- High-Speed Internet: Reliable internet access across the country, essential for seamless remote work.
- Digital Services: Comprehensive online services for business and personal needs, including government services and banking.
- Co-Working Spaces: Numerous co-working spaces that offer productive environments and opportunities for networking.
Supportive Business Environment
Estonia’s business environment is tailored to support international entrepreneurs:
- Simple Tax System: A clear and efficient tax system designed for international business operations
- Startup Ecosystem: A thriving startup community with ample resources and support for new ventures.
- Tech Integrations: Estonia is home to numerous startups and firms that specialize in providing seamless integrations with banks, tax systems, and e-commerce platforms like PrestaShop and WooCommerce. For example, SimplBooks, an Estonian accounting software, offers integrations that simplify business management.
With these programs and resources, Estonia offers an ideal setting for digital nomads to work remotely while experiencing life in a modern, tech-forward country.
How to Apply for an e-Residency Card?
If you want to apply for Estonia’s e-Residency and manage your business remotely, here’s a simple guide to get you started:
First, visit the official e-Residency application page and complete the online application form. This form will ask for your personal details and information about your business plan. Once you’ve filled it out, you’ll need to pay the application fee online. This fee covers the processing and issuance of your e-Residency card.
Next, submit the required identification documents, such as your passport or national ID card, and a recent photograph. After submitting your documents, your application will be reviewed, which typically takes between 3 to 8 weeks.
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a notification. You can then pick up your e-Residency kit from a designated pickup point near you. This kit will be available at various locations around the world, and you will need to verify your identity again when you collect it.
With e-Residency, you can apply to start a company entirely online, manage your business remotely, and access Estonia’s digital services. This means no paperwork, physical meetings, or bureaucracy—just a streamlined, digital way to do business from anywhere, backed by the Estonian government.
You will receive your unique Personal Number, which will also serve as your Tax ID when dealing with tax authorities. Additionally, there are other important numbers such as the Registry Code, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and VAT Number. To learn more about these, explore this startup tax ID guide.
Funding Options for Digital Nomads
Estonia is a hub for ambitious entrepreneurs, offering a range of funding options and resources to support e-resident businesses. Some of the key funding programs include Accelerate Estonia, Ajujaht, BaltCap, Beamline, Chamber of Commerce, Change Ventures, Cleantech Estonia, Cocoon, Creative Destruction Lab Estonia, and Creative Estonia. These programs provide various forms of support, from accelerator programs and private equity investments to mentoring and development opportunities. To be eligible for these funding schemes, a business plan is required.
Protect your Brand in Estonia
Protecting your brand or trademark in Estonia involves a few key steps to ensure your intellectual property is safeguarded. First, you should register your trademark with the Estonian Patent Office (EPV). This process involves submitting an application that includes details about your trademark, such as its design and the goods or services it covers. Once your trademark is registered, it grants you exclusive rights to use it within Estonia and helps prevent others from using a similar mark in a way that could cause confusion.
Additionally, it’s wise to monitor the marketplace for potential infringements and consider international protection if you plan to operate beyond Estonia. The Estonian Patent Office also offers resources and guidance on maintaining and enforcing your trademark rights. By taking these steps, you can protect your brand’s identity and ensure its integrity in the Estonian market.
Get an SME FUND 2024 Voucher for a Trademark Registration
Many digital nomads choose to register a trademark for their business to protect their intellectual property. The SME FUND 2024 program, introduced by the European Commission, offers significant support in this area. It allows businesses to reclaim 75% of the fees paid for trademark registration, making it easier and more affordable to secure your brand.
This program is not limited to Estonia; it extends throughout the entire EU, providing broad support for entrepreneurs across member states. By taking advantage of the SME FUND 2024 voucher, businesses can reduce their financial burden and ensure robust protection for their intellectual assets, facilitating growth and innovation.
About Paweł Krok
Pawel Krok (PR: contact@eesticonsulting.ee) is a respected expert in business consulting and corporate management. At Eesti Consulting, he helps lead important projects and build international connections. With a strong background in finance and planning, Pawel is committed to promoting sustainable business practices and global economic growth. His recent work with the World Bank shows his dedication to tackling global issues and making a positive impact.