You left the office. You escaped the commute, the open-plan noise, the mandatory team lunches. You built a life where you work from anywhere, answer to nobody, and move on when a place stops feeling right.

And yet somehow, you are busier than ever.

Not busier in the bad (old) way, but busy in a new, self-imposed way that is harder to argue with because you chose it. You track your productivity. You optimise your mornings. You have a system for everything. When you arrive in a new city, you find the best coworking space, sign up for a gym, and research local meetups. You are, in our language of nomad culture, crushing it.

So why does something still feel off?

🌱 Health insurance for nomads & expats

🧠 You brought the mindset with you

The digital nomad promise is freedom. But researcher Dave Cook spent four years tracking 16 digital nomads and found something uncomfortable: in practice, nomadic life requires more discipline and self-management than conventional employment, not less. The freedom you imagined, where the tension between work and leisure simply dissolves, doesn't arrive. Instead, you become the CEO, the HR department, and the IT support of your own life simultaneously. Cook (2020) found that nomads rarely anticipate this when starting out and that the work of keeping work and leisure separate takes constant, active effort.

Add to this the pressure to prove yourself across time zones, stabilize your income, and maintain a personal brand, and what you have is a person spending 6 to 8 hours a day in pure performance mode. Not just working. Performing productivity.

A 2025 study by Regmi and Manandhar, examining hustle-culture behaviors among working professionals, found that work involvement, feeling driven to work, and even enjoying your work independently predicted higher anxiety when combined with blurred boundaries and overcommitment. That last finding is essential:

Even loving what you do can make things worse if you never properly step outside of it.

⏸️ The trap of optimized rest

Here is where it gets interesting. Most of us know we need to rest. We have read the articles. We know about burnout. So we try to rest, but we rest the same way we work. Intentionally. Efficiently. With outcomes in mind.

We take up running to improve our health metrics. We start meditating to boost focus. We learn a language to add a skill. We document everything for content. Even the holiday becomes a productivity race.

Iso-Ahola and Baumeister (2023), in a review published in Frontiers in Psychology, found that what makes something function as leisure is not the activity itself but the felt sense of freedom and intrinsic motivation around it. The moment an activity becomes goal-oriented, externally pressured, or tied to an outcome, even a self-imposed one, it stops working psychologically as leisure. You can be sitting on a beach and not be resting.

You can be doing nothing and still be on.

Their research also found that people who perceive leisure as wasteful score lower on happiness and higher on depression, anxiety, and stress. That belief that time has to earn its keep is the invisible tax we as nomads pay on every moment we are not producing something.

🌀 What your brain does when you stop

There is a network in your brain that only activates when you are not focused on a task. Neuroscientists call it the default mode network. For a long time, it was considered the brain's idle state. A background noise while the important stuff happened elsewhere.

It is not. Poerio et al. (2017), publishing in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, found that the default mode network supports some of the most complex and valuable cognitive functions we have: creativity, emotional processing, social cognition, memory consolidation, and the refinement of personal goals. It is the network that helps you make sense of your experiences, process difficult emotions, and generate ideas that task-focused thinking cannot reach.

The catch is that you cannot access it while optimizing. It requires mind-wandering. It requires what the research calls perceptual decoupling: a genuine stepping back from external demands. Not a productivity break. Not a five-minute meditation before the next call. A real, sustained absence of goals.

This is what a hobby can give you. But only if you let it be pointless.

🎨 The case for doing something badly

A scoping review by Cleary et al. (2025), drawing on 11 studies across multiple countries, found consistent evidence that hobby engagement reduces depression, lowers anxiety, and improves life satisfaction. One of the most striking findings came from a 12-year longitudinal study of 8,780 adults by Fancourt et al. (2020):

People who took up a hobby were 32% less likely to develop depression.

And for those already experiencing depression, the odds of recovery improved by 272%. Not because they got good at their hobby. Because they showed up for it.

A separate study of nearly 3,000 workers in Shanghai by Li et al. (2019) found that having hobbies mitigated the mental health damage of long working hours across all groups, regardless of how many hours they worked. The hobby functioned as a buffer, not a reward.

The Cleary review also highlighted research by Koehler et al. (2023) on hobby musicians, which found that autonomous motivation, doing it because you genuinely want to, feeling absorbed in the activity, produced greater well-being than any amount of skill development or external recognition. What was predicted was not improvement. It was absorption.

This matters enormously for nomads. The instinct is to approach a hobby the way you approach everything else: with goals, progress tracking, and a plan to get better. But the research suggests that is precisely the wrong approach.

The moment you start optimizing your hobby, you have converted it into work.

And work is what you already have too much of.

🧳 Why hobbies are harder on the road

If hobbies are so beneficial, why don't more nomads simply have them?

Because the nomadic lifestyle creates specific structural barriers that most hobby advice ignores.

Cook (2020) found that separating work from leisure requires active effort for nomads. It does not happen by default. You are often working from the same café where you relax, on the same laptop you use for everything else. The physical and psychological boundaries that help other people switch off simply do not exist in the same way.

Then there is the continuity problem. Many hobbies rely on consistency, a regular class, a local team, or a piece of equipment you cannot carry. When you move every few weeks or months, those structures collapse. You start over constantly, which makes depth impossible and frustration likely. I know what I am talking about: After 15 years of swing dancing, I am still at the beginner-intermediate intersection, as I find it difficult to enroll in regular local class setups.

The MBO Partners 2025 Digital Nomad Trends Report found that 19% of nomads cite loneliness as a persistent challenge, a figure that has remained stable for years. Hobbies that involve community, a choir, a dance class, a climbing gym, and an improv standup comedy group are among the hardest to sustain when you are always the newcomer.

And underneath all of this is the belief Cook identifies in his research: that digital nomads have absorbed a neoliberal model of personal responsibility in which every hour must justify itself. Taking up watercolor painting when you could be working on your business feels, to our nomad brain, like bad planning.

🌱 What actually helps

The research does not suggest you need to become a dedicated hobbyist with a five-year plan. It suggests you need something, really anything, that you do purely because you want to, that asks nothing of your professional identity, and that you are willing to be bad at.

A few things that tend to work in the context of nomadic life:

Pick something that cannot become content: If you can monetize it, brand it, or turn it into a newsletter, your brain will. Choose something that resists that. Drawing badly in a sketchbook, venturing out for bird watching, and cooking a meal in your simply equipped kitchenette.

Let continuity be optional: You do not need to get better. You do not need to maintain a streak. You need to pick it up when you feel like it and put it down without guilt. That freedom is not laziness. It is the condition that makes it work psychologically.

Resist the urge to research it to death: Our nomad reflex is to optimize before starting. Which running shoes, which meditation app, which language learning method? For a hobby, this is counterproductive. The bar is simply: start, and notice that you wanted to.

Give it time that feels wasteful: If you are doing it efficiently, you are doing it wrong. The value is in the purposelessness.

💬 If things go deeper than a hobby can reach

Sometimes what feels like a need for rest is something more. Burnout, persistent anxiety, and the particular loneliness of long-term nomadic life can reach a point where a sketchbook and an afternoon off are not enough.

Genki World Premium covers mental health care, including talk therapy with a psychologist or psychotherapist, psychiatric visits, and therapy apps, all subject to a 6-month waiting period and prior approval. If you are at that point, knowing your insurance has you covered is one less thing to worry about.

Being a nomad means you have already done the hard work of building a life that looks nothing like the default. This is the next, quieter step: building a part of that life that serves no purpose at all. Your brain has been waiting for permission.

How to deal with loneliness as a digital nomad

Feeling lonely on the road? From coworking to online communities: practical tips to combat isolation and find your people as a digital nomad.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

7 digital nomad challenges and how to overcome them

Think nomad life is all sunsets and freedom? Here are 7 challenges every digital nomad faces and practical tips to overcome each one.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

3 productivity myths

Do you remember Sam, the multi-faceted talent who managed to have a full-time job, some side hustles, passion projects, and multiple hobbies besides being able to make time for friends and gym classes? If you think, she is a multitasking genius, you err. And if you think, she must have

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

This guest post is contributed by Brent Hartinger, screenwriter, author, and nomad of nine years. Together with his husband, Michael, he writes the popular newsletter Brent and Michael Are Going Places about their travels around the world. Genki has been their trusted insurance along the way — because the best adventures deserve the best backup.

Some of the best experiences of my life have happened while traveling. But some of the worst experiences of my life have been being sick while traveling.

Even being physically uncomfortable while away from home can make travel much less fun. Who wants to be out experiencing the world when you’re tired, constipated, or just out of sorts?

Fortunately, I’ve been traveling continuously for nine years now, and I’ve learned a few things about staying healthy on the road.

The most important lesson is that, when it comes to health, everything is related. Getting a good night’s sleep helps you stay physically active, which helps you eat better, which helps your digestion, which helps you get a good night’s sleep!

This is true everywhere, of course, but it’s especially important while traveling.

Here’s how I stay feeling good no matter where in the world I am.

😴 How I get a good night’s sleep

The single most important aspect of staying healthy while traveling might also be the most difficult: consistently getting a good night’s sleep.

After all, you’re in unfamiliar locations and climates, often in noisy city centers, on a variety of different — often crappy — beds (with equally crappy pillows). And you might also be dealing with jet lag!

But even with all this working against you, it’s not hopeless.

Here’s my strategy:

• I turn off any media devices an hour before I go to bed, and I read a book for at least 15 minutes every morning before I look at my device.
• When booking a room or apartment, I pay close attention to the size and quality of the bed, searching reviews and asking questions of the host, and also asking about any noise issues.
• If the pillows are bad, I simply buy new ones, especially if I’m staying longer than a week.
• On difficult nights, I used to use sleeping aids like Unisom and melatonin — and this is still an option before a particularly early flight.
• But these days, if I don’t fall asleep right away, I do ten rounds of four-seven-eight breathing: inhaling for four seconds, holding it for seven and exhaling for eight, counting out the numbers. Then I count backward from 300 by threes. I might have to do this twice, but I almost always drift off.

🍎 How I eat well

Okay, sure, you might be on vacation, and part of vacation is enjoying yourself. But exactly what part of the vacation do you most want to enjoy? Because if everything is related, health-wise, then you’re going to pay for eating too much rich food — or simply too much food.

Here’s how I pace myself:

• If I know I’m going to have a “decadent” meal, I eat lighter and healthier the rest of the day. And honestly, I never waste that decadent meal on breakfast, because I find fresh fruit, oatmeal, and cheese better than boring ol’ bacon and eggs anyway.
• Since restaurant food is usually fairly rich, I never eat more than one meal a day out (and hopefully not even that). And rather than a restaurant salad (with nutrient-less lettuce and a rich dressing), I order a side of veggies — preferably steamed. Also, if I don’t like a dessert, I simply don’t eat it, saving my occasional “sweet” allotment for something wonderful.
• Fried food always sounds good in theory, but I always end up feeling terrible afterward and regretting it. So I usually give it a pass. And honestly, unless you’re eating fish-and-chips in England, do you really want fried food in an exotic location anyway?
• When buying groceries, if I buy “junk” (like a bag of chips), I always balance it with at least three nutritious, equally-easy-to-eat snacks (like a bag of cut veggies, some rice cakes, and a jar of mixed nuts).

💦 How I stay hydrated

This one is a challenge for me. On the one hand, staying hydrated is really important for overall health — and even slight dehydration can cause a headache, affect your mood, increase anxiety, and impair your memory.

On the other hand, when traveling, the “bathroom” situation is almost always unpredictable, and I have a bladder that is not my friend. So for me, avoiding an embarrassing travel accident or even an urgent search for a bathroom takes precedence over always staying fully hydrated.

But I still pay close attention to my overall hydration.

Here’s everything I do:

• I start almost every day with a full glass of water (before drinking tea or coffee). But I also plan my day so there will almost certainly be a bathroom at some destination in the next two hours.
• Throughout the day, I may drink less than usual, but I also monitor my thirst and the color of my pee — making sure it’s still pale yellow. I drink water as needed.
• I limit alcohol and caffeine (which are both diuretics), and also sugary drinks and salty food, which all increase the possibility of dehydration.
• And when I get back to my apartment or hotel room in the afternoon or evening, I immediately drink a large quantity of water — hopefully, early enough that I won’t end up peeing all night. But if I do have to get up, I use the method I mentioned above to fall back asleep again.

🏋🏻‍♀️ How I stay in shape

On a shorter trip, I give myself permission to discontinue my regular workouts. Besides, I’m probably so busy that I get plenty of exercise just by walking.

But if I’m on a trip longer than a week, I think it’s important to maintain my regular workout schedule: thirty minutes of weightlifting and sit-ups, and forty minutes of aerobic exercise at least every other day.

Here’s how I do it:

• I try to book hotels or Airbnbs with a fitness center. If that’s not an option, I get a membership at a local gym (but I never pay the outrageous “guest” membership fees. Instead, I simply visit nearby gyms, explaining that I’m visiting for a month or two, and I ask about any specials or discounts. There’s almost always a gym with a much more reasonable rate.)
• If there’s really no gym available — or if there’s a worldwide pandemic — I also travel with a jump rope and resistance bands, which I use for a HIIT workout in a nearby park, and I also run stairs, including the stairwell in any building where I’m staying.

⚙️ How I stay “regular”

Somewhere between 30% and 70% of travelers experience diarrhea during or directly after an international trip, and almost everyone gets constipated at some point.

When you travel, everything is working against your digestive system: your diet, your schedule, and maybe even your altitude. You’re also more stressed than usual.

Worse, I have IBS, so travel was definitely a challenge for me. But after nine years of being on the move, this is a dragon I have (mostly) slayed.

Here’s how:

• Remember when I said that when it comes to being healthy, everything is related? Indeed, if you sleep and eat well, stay active, and remain hydrated, you’re 90% of the way to keeping your digestive system within normal parameters, especially after the first week or so.
• I take a daily fiber supplement, and I always carry Pepto Bismol pills and Imodium.
• And when it comes specifically to food poisoning, I wrote an entire article devoted to helping you prevent it.

🤒 How I avoid getting sick

Finally, what about simply avoiding various minor illnesses: colds and flus and the like?

Plenty of people swear by different concoctions: Airborne tablets or vitamin C supplements.

But I’m very rarely sick, and here’s how I do it:

• I still wear a mask in airports, airplanes, and other particularly crowded areas. And on a plane, I immediately turn on the air vent above my seat.
• I frequently — some might say obsessively — thoroughly wash my hands.
• I take a daily vitamin.
• And once again, since everything is related, I try to sleep and eat well, stay active, and remain hydrated, which — duh — I also think are the most important things anyone can do to avoid getting sick.

☂️ International Health Insurance with Genki

Genki Native

• Who is this for: Digital nomads, expats, and other long-term travelers who want complete health cover.
• Region of cover: Worldwide (limited in Canada & USA).
• Period of cover: As long as you want. Life-long if you wish. The minimum contract is 1 year with a monthly payment plan.
• Home country: Genki Native is available for people from every country (even nomads without any legal residence). You can choose to have limited or full cover in your country of citizenship.
• Genki Native Basic: Genki Native Basic covers necessary medical treatment (inpatient and outpatient treatments) at any licensed doctor or hospital up to €1,000,000 per year. That includes accidents and emergencies, as well as common illnesses and injuries.
• Genki Native Premium: Genki Native Premium also covers preventive care/check-ups, plus dental, vision, maternity, mental health, and more. Genki Native Premium has no overall limit for medical costs and also includes full cover in your country of citizenship.
• Monthly costs: Genki Native starts from €180 a month (prices for ages 20-34). The monthly costs depend on the result of a medical questionnaire, your age, the chosen deductible, and the region of cover (incl. or excl. USA and Canada).

Thailand is the most popular destination in our network, by a wide margin. Of the nearly 10,000 real, paid insurance claims we've processed, 2,946 happened in Thailand. That's more than Indonesia, Germany, Vietnam, and the UAE combined.

Which means we have more data on getting sick in Thailand than almost anywhere else.

This isn't survey data or estimates. These are actual invoices from hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, filed by real people, paid by us. Here's what the data actually shows.

🌱 Travel health insurance for nomads

📋 The short version

• Most visits are cheap. Half of all Thailand claims are under €120.
• The genuinely scary costs happen, but rarely, 92% of claims are under €1,000.
• Scooter injuries are real and common (469 cases), but they're usually not catastrophic at Thai prices.
• Food poisoning is more expensive than most people expect, and Thailand is pricier than Indonesia for it.
• Back pain and physiotherapy are quietly one of the most common reasons people make claims.
• Dental care is genuinely cheap here. The data confirms what nomads have always said.

🩺 What actually lands people in a Thai clinic

Here's the breakdown of our 2,946 Thailand claims by category:

"Other" accounts for a large long tail of less-common diagnoses not listed here.

A few things stand out immediately.

Injuries are the most common single category, 469 cases, representing the biggest slice of real incidents. In Thailand, "injuries" almost always means scooters. ICD-10 codes don't tell us the cause, but the destinations and the diagnosis patterns make it clear.

Respiratory infections come in second. Air conditioning everywhere, constantly moving between countries with new pathogen exposure, and irregular sleep. Nomads get sick a lot. This is the category most people underestimate.

Food poisoning is less common than its reputation, but when it hits, it hits harder than a typical clinic visit. More on that below.

🛵 Scooter accidents: the real numbers

469 injury claims from Thailand. The costs:

The median is reassuring. Most scooter incidents, a road rash, a sprained wrist, a gash that needs stitches, come in around €100 at a Thai private clinic.

The 90th percentile (€420) is the more useful number. It means 9 out of 10 injury claims cost less than €420. That's the cost of a "serious but not catastrophic" incident.

The mean (€461) is pulled up by a small number of very expensive cases, fractures requiring surgery, serious head injuries, extended hospitalization. These happen, but they're uncommon.

The €17,265 worst case is a real number from a real claim. That's the tail risk insurance is for.

How does Thailand compare?

Thailand's injury costs are among the lowest in our network, significantly cheaper than Japan (€231 median), the UAE (€174), or Mexico (€90 median but €855 at the 90th percentile). Indonesia is similar to €98 median.

The lesson: getting injured in a cheap country tends to be cheap. The anxiety about Bali is often misplaced compared to the anxiety about Tokyo.

🤢 Food poisoning

207 claims. This is where Thailand surprises people.

That median of €210 is roughly double the median injury cost. Why? Food poisoning that requires medical attention often means IV fluids, hospital admission, and a day or two of monitoring, especially in severe cases. A clinic visit for a bad meal turns into an overnight stay surprisingly quickly.

Thailand is also more expensive for food poisoning than Indonesia (median of €177), despite similar street food cultures. This likely reflects differences in hospital pricing rather than illness severity.

The worst case in our data (€7,560) involved extended hospitalization. Those cases are uncommon but real, that's why the 90th percentile matters.

💆 Back pain and physiotherapy: the quiet epidemic

This one surprises people.

There are more musculoskeletal claims in our entire dataset than food poisoning claims, 998 versus 619. Thailand follows the same pattern. Physiotherapy alone accounts for 103 claims in Thailand, with a median invoice of €71 per session.

The cause isn't mysterious. Long flights, bad posture at café tables and co-working spaces, irregular exercise, sleeping in unfamiliar beds. Chronic pain doesn't get Instagram posts. It gets physiotherapy appointments.

Most nomads don't think of "I need six sessions of PT" as an insurance situation. But it is, and at €71 a session, it adds up quickly.

🦷 Dental care

54 dental claims. Median cost: €57.

That's not a typo.

Thailand is genuinely one of the most affordable places in the world for dental work, and the data confirms it. The median invoice is €57, with even the most expensive dental claim in our Thailand data coming in at €903, likely involving a crown or a complex procedure.

For comparison: Germany's median is €142, the UAE's is €184.

Dental tourism in Thailand is a real phenomenon, and the numbers back it up.

💶 How much does a typical visit cost?

Looking at all 2,946 Thailand claims:

For most visits, a respiratory infection, a sprained ankle, a GI bug, you're looking at €90 to €200 at a Thai private clinic. That's a manageable number. It's not nothing, but it doesn't ruin a trip.

The overall median across all Thailand claims is €120. The mean is €311, pulled up by the long tail of serious cases.

When things go wrong enough to require hospitalization, the median jumps to €2,136 and the mean to €3,888. Inpatient care is where costs become genuinely large, and where insurance earns its cost.

✈️ What this actually means for your trip

Most healthcare interactions in Thailand are affordable. A clinic visit for a standard illness or minor injury costs around €100-200 at a private hospital. Thailand's private hospital system is excellent, many are internationally accredited, and significantly cheaper than Western equivalents.

The tail risk is real. The 90th percentile for injuries is €420. The worst case is €17,265. If you're uninsured and a scooter accident puts you in hospital for a week, the bill will be large. Not "sell your house" large, but large enough to derail a long trip.

Food poisoning is more expensive than the entry price. The cases that require IV fluids and monitoring cost €500–1,000 or more. Plan accordingly.

Physio and dental are genuinely cheap. If you need either, Thailand is one of the best places in the world to get it done.

Insurance in Thailand pays out at a high rate. Our median claim benefit paid is €94 versus a median invoice of €120, covering most of the cost after any applicable deductible or copay.

🔬 A note on the data

These figures come from Genki's real, paid insurance claims, only cases where the claim was justified, partially justified, settled, or goodwill-approved. We excluded rejected claims, missing-document cases, and anything still in process. The Thailand sample covers claims from late 2023 through early 2026.

Categories are based on ICD-10 diagnostic codes and diagnosis text. ICD codes capture what was diagnosed, not the cause, so "injuries" include scooters, hiking accidents, and falls, but we can't separate them. In Thailand, scooters account for the vast majority, anecdotally and based on diagnostic patterns.

Invoice Amount is what the provider billed. Genki's actual payout can be lower after deductibles or copays.

Thailand for nomads

Do you plan to travel to Thailand? We inform about entry requirements, health-related topics, travel and health insurance.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

You've been to nomad events before. Maybe a coworking retreat, a conference, or a meetup. You showed up, talked to a lot of people, exchanged Instagram handles, felt energized for a few days, and then watched it all quietly fade. A few weeks later, you were back to the same familiar hollow feeling: a full contact list and nobody to call.

Bansko Nomad Fest is different. Not just a little different: structurally, fundamentally different in the way it creates connection. People who attend once come back year after year. Not primarily for the talks or the mountain scenery (though both are excellent), but for the friendships. Deep ones. The kind that survive time zones and years apart.

So what is it about BNF that makes this happen? And can you trust that it will happen for you, too?

The answer lies in something more interesting than good vibes or lucky chemistry. It lies in the structure of the event itself.

🌱 Travel health insurance for nomads

🤔 Most nomad events leave you with contacts, not friends

If you've ever felt lonely despite a busy social life on the road, you're not imagining things. There's a specific reason nomad connections tend to stay shallow — and it has nothing to do with you personally.

Deep friendship requires three ingredients: time, repetition, and vulnerability. Research suggests it takes roughly 50 hours of shared time to move from acquaintance to casual friend, and over 200 hours to build a truly close friendship. Most nomad events give you two days and a group chat. Mathematically, that's not enough.

There's also the "temporary person" problem. When both people know a connection is short-term, there's an unspoken agreement to keep things light. Why invest deeply in someone you'll say goodbye to in 48 hours? So both sides hold back, and the connection never gets anywhere.

If this resonates, you might want to read my piece on digital nomad loneliness, which goes deeper into why this happens and what usually helps. But for now, the point is this: most nomad events, despite their best intentions, are structurally designed for contacts, not friends.

BNF is the exception. Here's why.

🏔️ Why the setting matters more than you think

Bansko is a small, walkable mountain town. The old town is compact most of the coworking spaces, cafés, restaurants, and event venues are within a few minutes' walk of each other. You can't really scatter. You can't disappear into a city of millions between sessions.

This matters enormously for connection.

At a city conference, every session ends, and people disperse across restaurants, neighborhoods, and hotel rooms. You have to actively engineer a reason to see the same person again. At BNF, you just... keep bumping into them. At the coffee shop before the morning keynote. On the walk to the park for unconferences. In the queue for the bonfire shuttle. Repeatedly, naturally, without effort.

The mountain setting also strips away something that city events preserve: the performance. There's something about fresh air, mountain views, and a town that shuts down at a certain hour that makes people drop the "elevator pitch" version of themselves. Conversations get more honest faster. People share things they wouldn't necessarily share at a networking event in a glass-fronted conference center.

⏱️ Ten days is long enough to start something real

Most nomad conferences last two to three days. BNF runs for ten.

This sounds like a logistical detail. It's actually the most important thing about the event.

The first day or two at any social gathering are awkward. You're still in first-impression mode, giving your 30-second introduction, asking where people are from. Real connection doesn't happen here — it happens after the awkward phase burns off and something more genuine takes over.

At a two-day event, you never get past the awkward phase. At BNF, you do. By day three or four, you stop introducing yourself and start continuing conversations. By day six, you have in-jokes with people you'd never met eight days ago. By the end of the week, you feel something genuinely hard to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it: a sense of being known.

Ten days in a small mountain town with the same group of people gets you past the time threshold that most nomad events never reach. That's not magic. That's just enough hours finally accumulating.

🔁 You keep seeing the same people, and that's the point

Repetition is the engine of trust. This is not a feeling, it's neuroscience. The brain builds safety and familiarity through repeated exposure to the same people in the same contexts. It's why the friend you see every Tuesday feels closer than the one you had an intense conversation with once six months ago.

At BNF, repetition happens whether you plan it or not.

The same faces appear at morning yoga, at the unconference park in the afternoon, and at the square in the evening. You don't have to create the repetition, the format does it for you. A small town, a shared schedule, ten days. The same people, over and over, in slightly different contexts. That's exactly what the brain needs to move from person I met to person I trust.

This is the structural reason BNF produces deeper friendships than most events. It's not that the people are exceptional (though they often are). It's that the conditions for trust-building are built into the format itself.

💬 The unconferences create vulnerability by design

One of the hardest parts of building a deep connection is that someone has to go first. Someone has to say something real before the other person feels safe enough to reciprocate. In most social settings, especially nomad ones where everyone is performing a version of living my best life, nobody goes first. And so the conversation stays on the surface forever.

BNF's unconference sessions change this dynamic at scale.

The unconferences are participant-led discussions on any topic. And the topics people choose to discuss are often remarkably honest: loneliness as a nomad, the pressure to always seem like you're thriving, relationship challenges on the road, money anxiety, and identity after years of constant movement. When someone stands up in front of thirty people and says, I want to talk about how hard it is to feel at home anywhere, something opens up in the room.

These sessions create the first step to vulnerability in a group setting. And the first steps in groups are contagious. After someone shares something honest publicly, it becomes much easier to continue that conversation one-on-one afterward. The unconference becomes the opening; the real connection happens in the conversation that follows.

🌙 The evenings do what daytime events can't

There is a particular quality to connection that happens late at night, around a fire, or waist-deep in a hot spring with people you've known for four days.

The daytime program at BNF is structured and stimulating — talks, workshops, unconferences, and activities. All of it is valuable. But the evening events do something different. Bonfires in the woods, pool parties at the hot springs, karaoke that somehow goes until 2 am, spontaneous conversations on the main square that were supposed to last twenty minutes and lasted three hours.

Shared rituals create bonds. Shared silliness, dancing badly at karaoke, laughing at a botched airsoft mission, and watching the sunrise after the closing party create a specific kind of intimacy that structured daytime networking simply cannot replicate. You remember the people you were ridiculous with. You feel close to them in a way that transcends the usual nomad-acquaintance dynamic.

The evenings at BNF are not just fun. They are, quietly, doing most of the friendship-building work.

🔄 People come back, and that changes everything

A significant proportion of BNF attendees return year after year. Some have been coming since the very first edition in 2020, when it was 50 people in a coworking space. This creates something that most events never develop: a community with depth and history.

When you arrive at BNF for the first time, you're not arriving in a room full of strangers. You're arriving in an existing community of people who already know what it feels like to be here, who already have the vocabulary for it, who are genuinely excited to welcome someone new into something they love.

Returning attendees bring their established friendships and extend them outward. First-timers get pulled into circles that already have warmth and trust. The whole thing compounds — each year adding new people to a foundation that gets richer over time.

This is rare. Most nomad events reset each year completely. BNF accumulates.

💡 How to make the most of the connection opportunity

The conditions at BNF are exceptional — but you still have to show up for them. A few things that specifically help with depth rather than just breadth:

Go to the unconferences: This is where the honest conversations happen. Even if a topic feels uncomfortable, that discomfort is usually a signal that it's worth sitting in. The people you meet in those sessions often become the people you stay in touch with for years.

Stay for the full ten days if you can: The first few days are for meeting people. The last few days are for going deeper with the ones you want to keep. Leaving early cuts off the best part.

Choose quality over quantity: It's tempting to meet as many people as possible. Resist it. If you find yourself in a genuinely good conversation, stay in it. Miss the next session if you have to. One real connection is worth twenty surface-level ones.

Follow up the same day: Names and faces blur quickly during BNF. When you have a conversation that means something, connect before you part ways, not tomorrow, not after the closing party. Right then.

Let yourself be known: BNF creates the conditions, but the connection itself requires you to take the first step. Ask a question that goes beneath the surface. Share something you're actually finding hard. The other person is almost always relieved that someone went first.

🎉 A proof of concept for a different kind of nomad life

BNF doesn't solve the loneliness that many nomads carry. One week in the Bulgarian mountains isn't a permanent fix for the deeper structural challenges of a life in motion.

But it does something almost as valuable: it gives you a proof of concept. Evidence, felt in your body, that a deep connection is possible in this lifestyle. That the "temporary person" dynamic is not inevitable. That the right conditions, enough time, enough repetition, enough shared experience, can produce friendships that last long after the mountain town empties out.

Many of the people who describe their BNF friendships as the deepest of their nomad life aren't exaggerating. They're describing what happens when you finally get the ingredients right.

And often, the people you meet at BNF become exactly what we wrote about in our piece on nomad loneliness: your portable inner circle. The 3 to 5 people who know you across time, who you invest in regardless of geography, who make the rest of the nomad life feel less lonely.

That's worth a week in the mountains.

Bansko Nomad Fest 2026: first-timer’s guide

First time at Bansko Nomad Fest? Here’s everything you need to know — tickets, accommodation, what to expect, and how to survive the FOMO.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Digital nomad loneliness: 500 contacts, no one to call

You know hundreds of people, so why do you still feel lonely? Here’s why nomad connections stay surface-level and what actually helps.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Making friends as a nomad: places, events & more

Making friends as a digital nomad is harder than it looks. From coworking spaces to retreats, cooking classes to safaris, here’s where to find your people on the road.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

You have a packed calendar. A group chat for every city you've ever visited. People to grab coffee with in Lisbon, a coworking buddy in Chiang Mai, and a hiking friend from that retreat in Bali. By any measure, your social life looks full.

And yet, something feels hollow.

If you recognize that feeling, you're not alone. And importantly, you're not ungrateful, antisocial, or doing the nomad life wrong. You may simply be experiencing one of the least-talked-about challenges of life on the road: being socially busy and deeply lonely at the same time.

This article isn't about where to meet more people. It's about why connection keeps slipping through your fingers and what actually helps.

🌱 Travel health insurance for digital nomads

🍽️ The difference between being social and being connected

There's a term that keeps coming up in conversations about nomad mental health: emotional malnutrition. It describes the experience of having plenty of social contact, for example, at dinners, coworking sessions, meetups, and events, but still feeling emotionally hungry. Like eating food that looks good but has no nutritional value.

The reason this happens is that the brain doesn't just need social interaction. It needs specific kinds of interaction to feel truly nourished:

• To feel known: not just liked, but genuinely understood by someone who's seen you across different moods, moments, and versions of yourself
• Consistency: the same people showing up repeatedly over time, which is how trust actually forms
• Vulnerability: conversations that go below the surface, where something real is exchanged

Most nomad socializing, by its very nature, delivers very little of any of these three things. And so no matter how many people you meet, the hunger remains.

🔁 Why standard nomad advice keeps you stuck

The usual advice to join a coworking space, go to a meetup, and find your community on Discord is not wrong. These are genuinely good starting points. But they solve a different problem.

They solve where to find people. They don't solve how to build depth with them.

In fact, there's a paradox that many long-term nomads quietly recognize: the more events you attend, the more acquaintances you accumulate, and the lonelier you can feel. Because each new connection reminds you of how many connections you've started and never finished. One study on digital nomad loneliness described the experience as "almost like dating but with friends, you meet someone once and never see them again, and it becomes draining."

Attending another meetup won't fix that. It might even make it worse.

🧱 The real reason connections stay surface-level

It's not that we nomads are bad at friendship. It is the structure of nomadic life that works against depth in three specific ways.

1. You never cross the time threshold

Researchers suggest it takes roughly 50 hours of time together to move from acquaintance to casual friend, and over 200 hours to build a close friendship. When you're moving every few weeks, you almost never reach even the first milestone with any single person. You collect the opening chapters of a hundred friendships and finish none of them.

2. Everyone is a "temporary person"

When both people know a connection is short-term, there's an unspoken agreement to keep things light. It's not dishonest — it's self-protective. Why invest deeply in someone you'll say goodbye to in two weeks? The problem is that both people apply this logic simultaneously, so the connection never deepens on either side.

3. You've been hurt by goodbyes more than you realize

Every time you leave a place, you lose something. A rhythm, a familiar face, a friendship that was just starting to feel real. Over months and years of this, many nomads develop a subtle emotional guardedness — a habit of not investing too deeply because the ending is already written. This self-protection is understandable. But it becomes a wall that keeps loneliness in as much as it keeps loss out.

🔬 What deep connection actually requires

Here's the uncomfortable truth: deep connection isn't a personality trait or a lucky encounter. It's the output of three ingredients, consistently applied over time.

• Time: There are no shortcuts here. Friendship needs accumulated hours. Not one deep conversation, but many ordinary ones. Not one intense weekend retreat, but weeks of seeing the same person in different contexts and moods.
• Repetition: The brain builds trust through patterns. Seeing the same person at the same café on Tuesday mornings does more for a sense of connection than attending ten different social events. Routine creates a kind of relational safety that novelty simply cannot.
• Vulnerability: Someone has to go first. Depth doesn't happen by accident; it happens when one person decides to share something real, and the other person meets them there. In nomad circles, where everyone is performing a version of "living my best life," this first step is rarer than it should be.

This is why the slowmad lifestyle, staying in one place for two to three months rather than a few weeks, isn't just a logistical preference. It's a mental health decision. It gives you the raw material that connection requires: enough time and repetition to actually get somewhere.

🌱 5 shifts that actually help

These aren't a directory of places to go. There are changes in how you approach the connection itself.

1. Treat slowing down as a mental health choice, not a compromise

Many nomads feel like staying somewhere longer is a sign they're not fully embracing the lifestyle. Reframe it. Choosing to stay three months instead of three weeks is an investment in your own well-being. The freedom to move doesn't mean you're obligated to.

2. Invest in repetition over novelty

Instead of always seeking new social experiences, find one or two people in your current location and show up for them consistently. The same coffee, the same coworking spot, the same Tuesday evening walk. Repetition isn't boring — it's the foundation of trust.

3. Be the one who goes deeper first

Most nomad friendships stay surface-level because everyone is waiting for the other person to make it real. Ask a question that isn't about travel or work. Share something that isn't polished. Admit that you're finding something hard. One genuine moment often unlocks a completely different quality of conversation — and the other person is usually relieved someone went first.

4. Build a portable inner circle

Rather than trying to build deep friendships in every new city, invest in maintaining a small group of 3 to 5 people across the world who you genuinely keep up with. Not a group chat — individual relationships, regular voice notes, scheduled calls, shared rituals that don't depend on geography. These are the people who know you across time. They are irreplaceable.

5. Connect with locals, not just nomads

Nomad-to-nomad friendships have a structural problem: both of you are leaving. Local friendships don't have an expiry date. They offer something nomad communities genuinely cannot — a sense of rootedness, continuity, and being known in a specific place. They take more effort to build, but the depth they offer is of a different kind.

💔 The part nobody talks about: grieving the friends you leave behind

There is a cost to this lifestyle that rarely makes it into the travel blog version of nomad life.

Every city you leave, you leave something behind. A friendship that was finally getting real. A sense of belonging you'd started to settle into. A person who knew your coffee order, your current mood, and your complicated feelings about going home.

Over time, these accumulated losses do something to you. Not dramatically but quietly. You start to hold back a little more with each new person you meet. You stop letting yourself get too attached, because you already know how the story ends. It's a rational adaptation. And it slowly makes genuine connections harder and harder to find.

If you recognize this pattern, it's worth naming it — not to wallow in it, but because unprocessed grief has a way of quietly running the show. Acknowledging that the goodbyes were real losses, that the friendships mattered, that the endings cost something — this is not weakness. It's the honest accounting that allows you to open up again.

🌍 A different kind of social life

You don't have to choose between the nomad lifestyle and deep human connection. But you do have to be more intentional than most advice prepares you for.

The goal isn't a wider social life. It's a more nourishing one. A few people who really know you. Friendships you invest in across distance and time. The willingness to slow down long enough for something real to form. The courage to go deeper first, even when it feels risky.

That's a different kind of social life than the one nomad culture tends to celebrate. It's quieter, smaller, and less photogenic. But it's the kind that actually fills you up.

Does this resonate with you? Come share your experience in the Genki Discord community.

How to Be Less Lonely as A Nomad

Being a digital nomad comes with many perks, such as the freedom to work from anywhere and the opportunity to travel the world. However, it can also come with its own set of challenges, including feelings of isolation and loneliness. In this article, we’ll explore some practical tips and strategies

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

6 Tips on How To Maintain Friendships

The digital nomad lifestyle offers numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. However, it can also present challenges when it comes to maintaining existing friendships. In this article, we will explore effective strategies for nurturing long-lasting connections with friends, despi…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

How to Make Friends as A Nomad?

[Latest update 2025, November 12] As a digital nomad, making new friends can be a challenge, but there are various ways to meet like-minded individuals while traveling. One way is to stay at a coliving space that offers a ready-made community of remote workers who share your passion for travel

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Eight hundred nomads. Forty nationalities. One mountain town in Bulgaria. Every June, Bansko Nomad Fest turns a quiet ski resort into the most exciting community gathering in the nomad world, with keynote talks, hot springs pool parties, mountain hikes, bonfires, and the kind of conversations that change how you think about work, travel, and life. If you've been on the fence about going, consider this your sign.

If you're thinking about attending Bansko Nomad Fest 2026 for the first time, this guide is for you. We'll cover everything you need to know: what it actually is, what a typical day looks like, how to get there, where to stay, and most importantly, how to make the most of the week without burning out by Wednesday.

The short answer to "is it worth it?" is yes. But let's figure out the details.

🌱 Travel health insurance for nomads

🏔️ What is Bansko Nomad Fest?

Bansko Nomad Fest (BNF) is the world's largest annual gathering of digital nomads, remote workers, and location-independent entrepreneurs. It takes place every June in Bansko, Bulgaria, a small mountain town in the Pirin range, about two hours from Sofia.

It started in 2020 with just 50 people in a coworking space and a town square. By 2025, it had grown to 800+ attendees from over 40 countries. The 2026 edition runs from June 20-30 and is expected to be the biggest yet.

What makes it different from a regular conference is hard to put into words until you've experienced it. It's part conference, part festival, part mountain workation, a week-long pop-up community where the same faces keep appearing at morning yoga, afternoon unconferences, and late-night rakija sessions. By the end of the week, it genuinely feels like a small town where you know everyone.

"I felt right at home, even thousands of kilometres away from my birthplace, with people I've just met and whom I 'only' shared one week." BNF attendee

Bansko Nomad Fest is organized by Coworking Bansko, and Genki is proud to be the health partner for the event.

👤 Who goes to Bansko Nomad Fest?

The short answer: people who work remotely and are curious about the nomad lifestyle at every stage of the journey.

You'll meet first-time nomads who just quit their office jobs, veterans who've been on the road for a decade, freelancers and entrepreneurs, software developers and content creators, solo travelers, couples, and everyone in between. Attendees come from dozens of countries, with a particularly strong showing from Europe, North America, and Australia.

One thing that makes BNF unusually welcoming for first-timers is that arriving solo is completely normal. The whole event is designed around connection, so you won't be standing awkwardly in a corner. You'll have a structured reason to talk to someone new every hour of the day.

If you're not yet a full-time nomad but you're curious about the lifestyle, that's welcome too. The FAQ says it clearly: everyone engaged in or interested in the nomadic lifestyle is welcome, no matter where they are on the journey.

📅 What does a typical day look like?

One of the most common surprises for first-timers is just how packed the schedule is. Here's what a typical day looks like:

Morning

• Free yoga or fitness session in the park
• Morning energiser
• Keynote sessions on two stages (roughly 9 am 1 pm) with 50+ speakers across the week covering entrepreneurship, AI, marketing, sustainability, remote work, personal development, and more

Afternoon

• Unconference sessions in the park (roughly 2 pm onwards), participant-led discussions on any topic, from nomad taxes and dating as a nomad to affiliate marketing, mindfulness, and real estate in Bansko. Anyone can pitch a session on day one.
• Free and paid activities: hiking, white water rafting, archery, airsoft, cycling, bear sanctuary visits, and more
• Coworking time if you need to get work done

Evening

• Communal dinners (paid and self-organized)
• Evening events: opening party in the town square, bonfire night in the woods, hot springs pool party, speed networking, trivia night, comedy night, karaoke, and a closing dance party

But the honest truth? You cannot do everything. There are often 10 to 20 things happening simultaneously. This is both the magic and the challenge of BNF, and I'll come back to how to handle it.

🎟️ Tickets and pricing

BNF offers several ticket tiers to suit different budgets and levels of involvement:

• Weekend & Social Pass — access to social events and evening program only
• Standard Ticket — full access to keynotes, unconferences, and social events
• Silver Package — standard access plus extras
• Industry Ticket — for those who want to promote their brand or business during the event

Prices start at around €195 for the standard ticket at super early-bird rates, rising as the event gets closer. Add-ons like the pool party and hot springs (approx. €35), bonfire night (approx. €15), and spa day (approx. €50) are booked separately through the festival app.

Tip: Buy early. Prices increase in stages, and the cheapest tiers sell out. Check the official website at banskonomadfest.com for current pricing and availability.

🏡 Where to stay

The single most important accommodation tip: stay central. Bansko's main square and old town are where almost everything happens: talks, unconferences, dinners, and spontaneous hallway conversations. If you stay a 20 to 30-minute walk away near the gondola area, you'll spend the week hurrying uphill when you just want to pop back to your room between sessions.

Staying central means you can:

• Return to your room for a quick nap between sessions
• Grab a jacket before the evening bonfire without missing the shuttle
• Bump into fellow attendees naturally throughout the day

Book early. Accommodation in Bansko during festival week fills up fast. Many regular hotels are familiar with BNF and will greet you warmly upon arrival. Look for options around the main square and old town streets.

If you're planning to stay beyond the festival, which I would recommend (more on that below), you'll find a wide range of apartments and longer-stay options at very reasonable prices.

✈️ How to get to Bansko

Most attendees fly into Sofia (SOF) and then travel to Bansko from there. The last leg of the journey is straightforward:

• Shuttle: the easiest option, dropping you directly in town. Shuttles run frequently around festival dates. Book in advance, especially if arriving on peak days.
• Bus: daily buses run from Sofia's Central Bus Station to Bansko. The cheapest option, though slower.
• Taxi or private transfer: comfortable and direct, good for groups splitting the cost (roughly €130-€180 per car).
• Rental car: worth it if you plan to explore beyond Bansko, for example, hot springs in nearby Banya village, hiking starting points in Pirin National Park, and the capital, Sofia, are all within reach.

Pro tip: Join the official BNF Telegram group to coordinate ride shares with other attendees arriving around the same time. It's a great way to meet people before the festival even starts.

Try not to arrive too late in the evening on your first day. Checking in while it's still light, taking a walk through the old town, and easing into the social flow make the first morning much less overwhelming.

💡 10 tips for first-timers

1. Arrive a day or two early: Pre-fest events and informal meetups start before the official program. Arriving early gives you time to settle in, explore the town, and start meeting people in a lower-pressure environment before the intensity ramps up.

2. Clear your work schedule: BNF is not a normal working week. The official FAQ puts it plainly: keep your work commitments to a minimum. If you need to work, aim for 2–4 focused hours early in the morning before sessions start, and set aside a couple of mornings for deep work. Don't schedule client calls or product launches for this week.

3. Prepare a 30-second introduction: You will be asked "so what do you do?" approximately 200 times. Have a short, clear answer ready: who you are, what you do, and what you're hoping to get from BNF. It removes a lot of social friction.

4. Download and use the festival app: The BNF app is where sessions, activities, and premium events are listed and booked. Browse the activity list two weeks before the event and reserve your spots for anything you really want to do. Popular activities sell out. The details for downloading the app will be sent only to ticket holders.

5. Go to the unconferences: The formal keynote sessions are great, but the unconferences are where the real magic happens. These informal, participant-led discussions in the park are more intimate, more interactive, and often more useful. Anyone can pitch a session on day one if there's something you want to talk about, put it on the board.

6. Don't try to do everything: You will have FOMO. This is unavoidable and universal. Every single person at BNF has it. Accept it early, pick the sessions and events that genuinely interest you, and let the rest go. The best moments are often the unplanned ones — a spontaneous conversation over coffee, a last-minute hike with new friends, a late-night chat that goes on far longer than expected.

7. Follow up the same day: You'll meet dozens of people. By the end of the week, names and faces blur. When you have a good conversation with someone, connect on Instagram or LinkedIn before you part ways, not later. Later never comes during BNF.

8. Go to at least one evening event, even if you're tired: The evening program is where BNF transforms from conference to community. The bonfire night in the woods, the hot springs pool party, and even a slightly chaotic karaoke session. These are the memories people talk about for years. Show up tired. You'll find energy you didn't know you had.

9. Talk to the locals: Bansko has a warm, growing community of local residents and long-term nomad residents who call it home. Some of the best conversations at BNF happen outside the official program, at a local café or a family-run restaurant. Don't spend the whole week only talking to other festival attendees.

10. Stay longer than the festival: This is the advice that almost everyone who's been gives, and almost every first-timer ignores. Many attendees end up staying weeks or the whole summer. Once the festival ends, Bansko slows down, and something quieter and more special emerges: a genuine community of people who chose to stay. If your schedule allows, book your return flight for at least a week after the festival ends. You'll be glad you did.

🧠 How to handle the overwhelm

The truth is: BNF can feel genuinely overwhelming, especially in the first few days.

The schedule is relentless. There are always multiple things happening at once. You're meeting new people constantly, processing new information, staying up later than you should, and trying to be present for it all. By midweek, many attendees hit a wall.

Here's how to navigate it:

• Build in quiet time deliberately. A solo walk, a coffee alone, an afternoon nap. These aren't wasted hours. They're what allow you to show up fully for the rest of the week.
• It's okay to miss sessions. Nobody attends everything. The people who enjoy BNF most are the ones who curate their experience rather than trying to optimize every hour.
• Quality over quantity. It's tempting to collect as many new contacts as possible. But a few real conversations will serve you far better than twenty surface-level ones. If you find yourself in a good conversation, stay in it, don't rush off to the next thing.
• Protect your sleep. Late nights are part of the BNF experience, but three consecutive four-hour nights will catch up with you. Pick your late nights wisely.

If the social intensity gets to you, you're not alone, and you're not doing it wrong. Even the most extroverted attendees need to recharge somewhere in the middle of the week.

🌍 What to do in Bansko beyond the fest

Bansko is worth exploring beyond the festival program. A few highlights:

Hot springs at Banya: a short drive from Bansko, the thermal baths at Banya village are a favorite for relaxation. A pool party version is usually included as an official BNF activity.

Pirin National Park: one of Bulgaria's most beautiful national parks is right on Bansko's doorstep, with hiking trails ranging from gentle walks to full-day mountain routes. Fresh air and mountain views after an intense week of networking are deeply restorative.

The old town: Bansko's historic old town, with its cobbled streets, stone houses, and traditional mehanas (taverns), is beautiful to wander in. Try the local food: banitsa, shopska salad, and, of course, Bulgarian wine.

Bear Sanctuary Belitsa: about 45 minutes from Bansko, this sanctuary gives a second chance to bears previously used for entertainment. Worth a visit, both for the experience and the cause.

Sofia: if you're arriving early or staying after the festival, Bulgaria's capital is only two hours away and worth a few days of exploring.

🎉 See you in Bansko

Bansko Nomad Fest is genuinely difficult to explain to someone who hasn't been. It's intense and overwhelming and sometimes chaotic, and also one of the best weeks many nomads have ever had.

What makes it special isn't the keynotes, the activities, or even the beautiful mountain setting (though all of those help). It's the people. A week of genuine connection with hundreds of others who understand this lifestyle, who don't need the nomad life explained to them, who share the same complications and joys, does something to you that's hard to shake.

Go with an open schedule, an open mind, and lower expectations than you think you need. The week tends to exceed them anyway.

Upcoming nomad events in 2026

Last updated: April 2026: One of the best aspects of our nomadic life is finding community, personal growth, and gathering at places around the world. Find your tribe on a cruise crossing the Atlantic, in the Bulgarian mountains, or on an exotic island with beach bonfires. 🌱 Travel health insurance…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Last updated April 7, 2026: Do you plan to travel to Thailand? Check Thailand’s entry requirements first and get your worldwide health insurance before you take off.

🌱 Health insurance for Thailand

🇹🇭 Entry requirements for Thailand

• Visa: Check out this site to see if you are exempt. The visa application must be submitted online (e-visa) at least 3 weeks before the expected date of departure.
• Digital Nomad Visa: Valid for 5 years. Multiple 180-day extensions within 5 years. Proof of roughly €12,500 in your bank account and no tax obligations.

✈️ How to get to Thailand

• Plane: Flights to Thailand are available from several national and international carriers. The national airline is Thai Airways, which flies from dozens of global locations. Bangkok Airways offers international flights to and from destinations within Asia.

🏡 How to find a place

• Airbnb: During the wet season (May to October), the average monthly price for an apartment or private room in a shared house on Airbnb is €450 to €550. During the cool season (November to February), the average monthly price is between €550 and €800. Airbnb is a great option to check out short-term stays.
• Facebook: When looking for a mid-term rental, it might be worth monitoring some Facebook groups, such as 'House for Rent in Chiang Mai' and 'Expat Services - Bangkok, Thailand', including 'Apartment and Condo for Rent'.
• Coliving: Thailand is also known for its nomad scene, often found in coworking and coliving spaces. Here are our 3 top spaces worth checking out:
• Bangkok: LITA Bangkok: For €700 per month, you can book yourself in the beautiful area of Bangkok, which is known for providing one of the most significant nomad communities and networks in the area. Located at the center of it all, this charming five-story shophouse was a former warehouse and office owned by a local Thai-Chinese family. Fully revamped with provisions of comfort and style, LITA Bangkok encourages guests to explore the city and experience authentic local living from this little alley at the heart of Bangkok's new Central Business District.
• Chiang Mai: Hub53 Coworking and Coliving Space: For €165 per month, you will find rooms that fit any nomad's budget and needs, from standard superior rooms to roomy king-sized accommodations. Residents also have 24/7 access to the coworking space, allowing them to work at any time. Hub53 is a coworking, coliving, and community space designed to help digital nomads and travelers make the most of Chiang Mai. Those looking to escape the 9-to-5, see the world, pursue their passions, or build the next great app will find a home at Hub53. Here, you will find yourself a brief 8-minute walk from Nimman Road and some of the best restaurants and cafes Chaing Mai has to offer.
• Koh Lanta: KoHub, founded over 8 years ago, is a community-focused coworking and coliving space that is open from November to April. Kohub is available for around €1,200 per month, including private accommodation on-site, daily meals, and community and coworking spaces. You can combine Koh Lanta easily with Phuket and Krabi. Or hop on a short flight to Koh Samui.

🚌 Public transport

• Metro and BTS: This applies only to Bangkok. The city offers a modern public transportation network, linking the airports to the city and the numerous districts to each other. A great way is to purchase the Rabbit card and top it up with a small amount.
• Tuk Tuk: This multicolored 3-wheeler is the most authentic form of transportation. Since it’s a tourist favorite, it tends to be expensive, costing anywhere between €2 and€ 4. However, we’d recommend at least one ride for the sheer experience! Make sure you know a few Thai phrases so you don’t get charged an absurdly high fee.
• Taxi: Bangkok has the highest ratio of taxis to people worldwide! Owing to the meter system that was implemented several years earlier, this mode of transportation is highly reasonable. The price starts at €2, then €0.50 for the first 2 km, followed by €0.50 per additional km. If you’re traveling a short distance, it might be better to opt for a motorcycle taxi instead. It begins at only €1.
• Grab: Grab is not necessarily cheaper than meter taxis. However, unofficial reasons why a Grab driver in Thailand may refuse a ride include, e.g., if you are carrying takeaway food, a pet, or if the ride is too short. They may also refuse a ride when they are unsure of how to get there or if they don't speak English. If all these hurdles are off the table, Grab is a good way to travel around the cities.
• Songthaew: Essentially a tiny pick-up truck with two rows of seating at the back, Songthaews are one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to get about smaller towns. A little buzzer on the roof will alert the driver to stop, after which you can make a payment of 10 Baht or more.

🏘 Where to stay in Bangkok

The cost of living for expats is around €900 to €1,500 a month. Bangkok is a vast city, and it depends on where you stay and what you find. The cost of living for ex-pats is a lot more than for locals, and the shorter you stay, the more you will pay. One of the most expensive ways to rent a place is by booking through Airbnb. You can calculate the cost of living with nomadlio.

• Ekkamai: For a middle budget of around €800 rent (no Airbnb), check out Ekkamai in the Sukhumvit area, with easy access to the BTS line, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, and gyms. Ekkamai is an area where traditional Thai culture blends in with the modern lifestyle.
• Thong Lo: If you have a bigger budget, stay where the upper-class Thais live, for example, in Thong Lo. Surrounded by trendy bars, hip eateries, and boutiques, this is a place where you find many expats, too. You can expect to pay around €900 a month for a modern apartment in a condo (no Airbnb booking).
• Sathorn: With an even bigger budget for rent, stay in the Sathorn area. This centrally located neighborhood is near Lumpini Park, a green oasis in the city center, and an excellent spot for a run or walk.
• Phra Kanong: When visiting Bangkok on a tight budget, check out the Phra Kanong area, which is very local with a smaller expat community.

🧑🏻‍💻 Where to work from in Bangkok

Coworking spaces

• Wolf Coworking: Located in the Silom/Sathorn area, Wolf Coworking space is a professional coworking space with a nice nomad and expat community that mixes with local Thai entrepreneurs and freelancers. Memberships start at €96 a month.
• The Work Loft: This well-designed loft-style coworking space, located in Silom, grants its members 24/7 access. A 1-month membership costs 110 Euro, and you have several floors to choose from.

Coffee shops

• Too Fast to Sleep: This coffee shop in Siam is a 24/7 spot, mainly for students, but nowadays, you'll also find nomads working here. Too Fast To Sleep is for you if you don't mind a little noise here and there, as it can be crowded with studying groups. The significant advantage is the long open hours, which is excellent when working in another time zone.
• Yolo Cafe 15: The baristas take their job very seriously here, and you can find delicious art in a cup, from vegan to non-vegan, little snacks, and a chat with the staff. If you're here for work, you'll also find tables, Wi-Fi, and plugs. Yolo Cafe 15 is located in Sukhumvit Soi 15.
• AIS Design Center: Located in Sukhumvit, the AIS Design Center offers lightning-fast internet with a download speed of around 600 Mbps. Although it's a coffee shop, if you want to work, you need to purchase a day pass. The downside is that the temperature is cold, and many nomads leave after a few hours as they can't move their fingers anymore. Some people like those temperatures, though, so if that is you, this is your place.

🏘 Where to stay in Chiang Mai

The nomad capital, Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, is around 20% to 30% less expensive than Bangkok. The cost of living for expats can go down to €800 to €1,000 a month - if you want to stay on a budget. Of course, you can find beautiful villas and big apartments for a lot of money in Chiang Mai.

• Nimmanhaemin: Especially when arriving in Chiang Mai for the first time, Nimmanhaemin, short for Nimman, is a great place to land in. Northwest of Oldtown, you find here the most elaborate coffee bars, popular restaurants, the Maia shopping mall, and many condos rented by expats and long-term nomads. Nimman provides everything you need, from groceries to gyms, yoga studios, and coworking spaces.
• Old Town: Maybe a bit more touristy in parts, Old Town offers the traditional Thai style of living, featuring wooden houses, smaller condos, well-designed hotels, and low-rise shopping facilities spread out in squares and alleys. You'll find coworking spaces here, for example, Punspace, as well as restaurants and bars ranging from low to upscale, along with sightseeing and walkable, cycling-friendly streets. Living in Old Town means living in the former Lanna capital, surrounded by moats, ancient city walls, temples, and historic sites.
• Nong Hoi: If you prefer to live closer to the locals, with fewer tourists and fewer facilities that cater to Westerners, try out Nong Hoi. Home to the Wung Kam Kum temple complex, Nong Hoi is an interesting area for families and also for budget travelers.

Asia on a budget: 6 destinations for less than 1,200 Euro a month

Updated: 2022, Dec 7th: While it is getting autumn in the northern hemisphere, it is time to think about where to spend the winter. If you are dreaming of white powdery beaches, artsy cafés, and delicious street food, but you are on a budget and you struggle to decide on

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🧑🏻‍💻 Where to work from in Chiang Mai

Coworking spaces

• Punspace: A serious coworking space with 3 locations spread over Chiang Mai. Memberships start at €70 a month. Punspace is well known for its community lunches and events. They attract the serious nomad. Sometimes, the space is so quiet that even dropping a pen gets you looks from your coworkers. However, aircon, outside work spots, as well as meeting rooms, phone booths, and shared desks make Punspace a great coworking space in Chiang Mai.  
• Yellow Coworking: Surrounded by lush flora, Yellow Coworking can't help but relax and inspire. With 16,000 square feet of coworking space, finding a spot at the table isn't a problem. The space offers shared and private office spaces, meeting rooms, event areas, soundproof phone booths, YouTube streaming rooms, recreational zones, and other coworking facilities for digital nomads, remote workers, and roaming IT expats. The monthly rate starts from €90 a month.

Coffee shops

• Artisan Café: Artisan is a secret coffee shop gem tucked away in Chiang Mai's southern districts. Dark wooden tables, hanging plants, and specialty coffee make this café an excellent spot to chat with a friend or work in one of the nooks for a few hours.  
• Ombra Caffe: Located in the Nimman area, on a dead-end street, Ombra Caffè is an excellent spot for brunch and breakfast. With its indoor and outdoor seating areas, tasty food and coffee, and superb working tables, Ombra Caffe is an excellent choice for a work session.
• Buristro at Buri Siri: Buri Siri is a boutique hotel that also doubles as a café and coworking space for digital nomads. The best part? They have strong wifi and a large pool for you to take a dip if you need a break. To access the space, you’ll need to purchase a day pass.

🏝️ Thai islands

Thailand would not be complete without mentioning its stunning islands. The best islands for nomads are

• Koh Lanta: "Lanta" has one of the last individually run coworking spaces that survived the massive Covid closure of spaces. KoHub, founded more than 7 years ago, is a community-focused coworking and coliving space open from November to April. You can easily combine Koh Lanta with Phuket and Krabi.
• Koh Phangan: The small island is located close to Koh Samui and Koh Tao, two world-class diving spots. The island of Koh Phangan has a strong hippie vibe, a coworking space, and all the tropical island atmosphere you're looking for.
• Koh Samui: Located next to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, Koh Samui is a well-known destination for water sports, island life, nature, hiking, wellness, and a digital nomad lifestyle. For work, visit Coffee Connections, which stands out as a beacon of inspiration driven by the passionate and dynamic duo behind it: Marina and Luke. Coffee Connextions This extraordinary coworking space goes beyond the conventional concept, offering a unique environment where community, creativity, and wellness intersect harmoniously.

🚊 How to travel around Thailand

• Train: Thailand is one of the few countries in the region with a decent rail network. It covers 2,796 miles and is one of the best and cheapest ways to get around the country. A monthly train pass costs €33.50.
• Bus: Since trains don’t go everywhere in Thailand, taking the bus is your next best option. Buses are the widest form of transportation here. You can go anywhere in Thailand by bus. Though they often watch bad Thai movies with the sound turned up too loud and blasting the air conditioning, they are a comfortable and spacious ride.
• Taxi: For shorter distances in Thailand, it is possible to get from A to B by Taxi, and it’s not too expensive. For example, a taxi from Bangkok to Hua Hin costs around 2,000 baht, which is roughly €50 for a nearly 3-hour journey. So if money isn’t an issue, then getting to and from particular places is possible via taxi.
• Scooter rental: Renting a scooter in Thailand is a budget-friendly option. Depending on the exact location, you could see different prices. To rent a scooter costs €65 a month.

🎖Must see in Thailand

• The Golden Mount temple in Bangkok is built on top of a hill, offering a 360-degree view of the city. You can walk up its long staircase, where you find fountains, statues, and various gongs that you can play to attract luck.
• The Grand Palace in Bangkok is the most visited tourist site in the city. Built in 1782, the year Bangkok officially became the country’s capital after the fall of the Ayutthaya and Thonburi kingdoms, the complex includes more than 100 buildings, palaces, and pavilions. A 1.9-km-long wall surrounds it. The king of Thailand still performs official ceremonies in the complex.
• Khao Yai National Park was the first national park established in Thailand and is the country's third-largest. Covering an area of 2,168 square kilometers, it is a vast site to visit. The park comprises rainforests and grasslands, which together support a large number of animals you can see. There are an estimated 300 species of birds in the park, as well as bears, elephants, deer, gibbons, and macaques. There are a couple of waterfalls in the park that are well worth visiting and are easily accessible by car.
• Koh Lanta: Located in the Andaman Sea, Koh Lanta is a beautiful island that is only 20 km long. There are 17 dive shops on the island, and some of the most beautiful diving in the world is to be had in the sea surrounding the island. Famous dive sites include Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, which are considered the best in the area. When staying on Koh Lanta, check out Kohub, the island's only coliving space, featuring a colorful international mix of nomads.

💡 Good to know

• Internet: The median internet speed for fixed broadband is approximately 189.14 Mbps for downloads and 153.68 Mbps for uploads.
• SIM card: Although the country offers many internet providers, DTAC has quickly become one of the most popular options for tourists visiting Thailand who want quick and easy connectivity. You can buy SIM cards at the airport, in local shops, and even at convenience stores.
• Digital nomad community: The majority of digital nomads are probably found in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Check out Bangkok's weekly digital nomad meetup.
• Currency: In Thailand, you pay in the Thai Baht. 1 Euro = 35 Baht. You can exchange euros at the airport, and many places have official currency exchange services.
• Climate: Thailand's climate is subtropical throughout most of the country, resulting in year-round hot and humid weather conditions. The wet season starts from May to October. During the colder season, November to February, the hot season is March to May.
• Safety: Thailand is generally a safe country for travelers. Yes! Thailand is rated as one of the least dangerous countries in Southeast Asia for travelers. There is a history of social unrest and violent conflicts in parts of the country, but crimes in tourist areas are rare.

🚧 What to avoid

• Burning season: The city of Chiang Mai lies in a valley surrounded by mountains. Chiang Mai has an extensive burning season, which typically occurs between January and March. Some days, the smoke is so thick that you can't see it for a couple of meters. It is highly to avoid.
• Malaria: According to the WHO, “malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural (especially forested and hilly) areas of the country, mainly toward the international borders, including the southernmost provinces. There is no risk in cities (e.g., Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya), urban areas, Samui Island, and the main tourist resorts of Phuket Island” (WHO). The risk of catching malaria is higher in the border areas between Myanmar and Cambodia.
• Dengue fever: Another painful disease, and I talk from personal experience, is dengue fever. You can get it through bites from the Aedes mosquito, which is primarily active during the day. There is not much you can do except use mosquito repellent. However, tests and treatment can get costly.
• Traffic accidents: Accidents caused by traffic are the third most common cause of injury in the kingdom, and 74% of all traffic accident deaths are attributed to motorbike drivers. Around 80% of all accidents are caused by young men in their early 20s. Although the WHO recommends an urban speed limit of 50 km/h, the urban speed limit in Thailand is 80 km/h, which experts find alarming. Add the manual enforcement of traffic laws to control alcohol levels, speed limits, and helmet laws, and you can imagine why Thailand is ranked high in fatality rate for traffic accidents. The average annual fatality rate for traffic accidents has been around 2ok people in the past 10 years.
• Hands Off the Monks: Don’t touch monks. This mainly applies to women, as they are not allowed to come into physical contact with Buddhist monks. If you want to give something to a monk, don’t hand it to them directly. Put it down so they can pick it up. A monk will do the same if he wants to give anything to a woman. Remember this if you donate or provide alms at a temple.
• Don’t withdraw small amounts from ATMs: The reason for this is that even if your home bank charges zero or low fees for overseas ATM withdrawals, Thai banks typically do not. Users with overseas cards are charged 220 Baht (approximately €6) for each withdrawal. Thailand is still largely a cash-based society, so you’ll need to get used to using ATMs again.

🚴🏻‍♀️ How to stay healthy

Stay active

• Muay Thai: If you want to study the ancient art of Muay Thai, which better place is out there than Thailand? By the way, Genki’s health insurance covers Muay Thai. So, let’s get ready to rumble!
• Yoga: If kickboxing is not your thing, why not follow the ancient yogis? Thailand offers wonderful yoga retreats and drop-in yoga classes in most tourist areas. Check out BookYogaRetreats by Tripaneer for ideas to book your yoga teacher training or your next yoga retreat in one of the many beautiful and unique resorts.
• Outdoor activities: Thailand offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Outdoor activities include surfing, running, hiking, cycling, canoeing, or SUP. Sander from Go To Thailand selected some outdoor activities that give you an idea of what you can do in Thailand.

Sick in Thailand: Real Healthcare Costs from 2,946 Insurance Claims

What does it actually cost to see a doctor in Thailand? Real data from 2,946 insurance claims: scooter accidents, food poisoning, dental care.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Health risks

• Water quality: Although tap water meets international standards in Bangkok, few people drink it.  And it’s the same across the country: Thais always drink bottled water. So, stay safe and do the same, regardless of where you're visiting.
• Air quality: In April 2022, the PM2.5 concentration in Thailand's air was four times higher than the WHO's annual air quality guideline value. This means the Thai population breathes in air that is too polluted, which will affect their health.

🪪 Digital Nomad Visa Thailand

• Financial requirements: Proof of roughly €12,500 in your bank account.
• Fee: €250.
• Length: Valid for 5 years. Multiple 180-day extensions within 5 years.
• Health insurance: You need travel health insurance that covers the entire length of your stay, such as Genki Traveler.
• Income tax: Depends on your income.

Countries with Nomad Visas

The rise of remote-working people has increased over the past years, and many countries hope to benefit from the new form of tourism by issuing digital nomad visas. This new type of visa allows you to stay in a country longer than the average tourist visa. A digital nomad visa

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Easy travel planning for Asia

Are you looking for the top digital nomad hotspots in Asia? Or for destinations off the beaten track? Maybe you are budget-sensitive and you are looking for affordable but cozy destinations. Browse through this list of places in Asia, organized by interest. From chilled beach extensions to the top t…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Vietnam for nomads

[Last update: February 16, 2023] Cycling along the coast of central Vietnam, camping in Halong Bay, hiking through the rice terraces of Sapa, or sipping a cocktail overlooking the skyline of Saigon - Vietnam is a colorful country. Vietnamese are brave and resilient people showing the world how to me…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Laos for nomads

[Last update: February 20, 2023] Sabai dii in Laos - the land of one million elephants! The country that often looks like the film location of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book is covered by thick forests and it is home to some of Asia’s rarest species: The Indochine Tiger, the Asian

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Last updated: April 2026: One of the best aspects of our nomadic life is finding community, personal growth, and gathering at places around the world. Find your tribe on a cruise crossing the Atlantic, in the Bulgarian mountains, or on an exotic island with beach bonfires.

🌱 Travel health insurance for nomads

🇺🇸 Running Remote in Austin, Texas, USA

Running Remote is one of the most significant events for entrepreneurs and small businesses that want to transform their companies into remote-first teams.

Daily workshops, talks, and sessions focus on remote work, the future of work, business, and innovation, tailored to companies.

USA east coast for nomads

The east coast of the United States of America is full of history, culture, and bustling metropoles. From the vibrant cities of New York and Miami to the charming towns of Asheville and Charleston, this region is a must-visit for any traveling digital nomad. The east coast is also home

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🇹🇼 Taiwan Digital Fest 2026 in Taitung & Hualien, Taiwan

Taiwan Digital Fest is a month-long event for digital nomads and remote workers, taking place along Taiwan’s east coast. It combines practical workshops, community meetups, and outdoor experiences in Taitung and Hualien. The format is flexible, with activities spread across the month rather than a single conference week.

Taiwan Digital Fest is ideal for nomads who prefer immersive, slower formats over classic conferences. Instead of packed schedules, the focus is on community, learning, and exploring Taiwan’s nature and local culture. A good fit if you want to combine work, travel, and meaningful connections.

Taiwan for nomads

The island of Taiwan is located east of mainland China, and despite fighting for its sovereignty and independence, Taiwan is a peaceful and multicultural modern country. Taiwan has the size of Belgium but with a population of 23 million residents. More than 50 % of the island is uninhabited land, ra…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🇪🇸 Nomadbase Live in Tarifa, Spain

Join the Nomadbase community in Europe’s southernmost town for a perfect mix of professional development and seaside relaxation. Engage in inspiring workshops, connect with fellow nomads, and experience the laid-back lifestyle of Tarifa.

Expand your network, develop your skills, and enjoy one of Europe’s best kitesurfing destinations.

Spain for nomads

Updated 2023, June 14th: There are many reasons why Spain is an amazing country: Colorful festivals, blue flag beaches, vibrant nightlife, and world-renowned cuisine, which is more than tapas. Famous holiday destinations in mainland Spain include Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia and popular beaches…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🇧🇬 Bansko Nomadfest in Bansko, Bulgaria

Join the Bansko Nomadfest, an annual get-together for digital nomads around the world to celebrate life, freedom, and connections. And the best part: Our Genki team will be there. Come and say hello!

This conference is set up as a mix of talks, workshops, activities, networking, and an evening party.

Bansko Nomad Fest 2026: Your complete first-timer’s guide

Eight hundred nomads. Forty nationalities. One mountain town in Bulgaria. Every June, Bansko Nomad Fest turns a quiet ski resort into the most exciting community gathering in the nomad world, with keynote talks, hot springs pool parties, mountain hikes, bonfires, and the kind of conversations that c…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Bulgaria for nomads

Last updated 2022, October 10th: Historic towns, exotic beaches, and majestic mountains are just a few phrases to describe the Balkan state of Bulgaria, but there is still so much to see! The land of Spartacus, the fighting gladiator, is nestled cozily between the Black Sea, Romania, Serbia, Macedon…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🇮🇪 Nomad Conference and Fest in Ireland

Join the Nomad Conference and Fest this fall in Ireland. The event is designed for experienced nomads, remote workers who want to start the digital nomad journey, advocates, and experts alike.  

This conference features talks, workshops, activities, networking, and an evening party.

🇬🇷 Athens Nomad Fest in Athens, Greece

Athens Nomad Fest, scheduled for September 18–25, 2026, in Athens, Greece, is a premier event celebrating the digital nomad lifestyle.

It brings together digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and remote professionals from around the world for inspiring talks, mastermind groups, and networking opportunities.

Greece for nomads

[Last update: May 23, 2022] Zeus, god of the sky, chief Greek deity, as well as ruler, protector, and father of all humans was born in Crete, the biggest island of the Hellenic Republic. His weapons, the thunderbolts, helped him to defeat the Giants. His home was Mount Olympus, where

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🇵🇭 Nomads in Paradise on Siargao Island, Philippines

Surf-break mornings, keynote afternoons, and beach-party nights—the inaugural Nomads in Paradise brings the global tribe to the Philippines’ surf capital for a week of skills and sunsets.

Daily yoga, ice bath, breathwork, and an island-hopping finale make “vacation vibes” an official part of the program.

Philippines for nomads

Palawan, Bohol, and Boracay are just three of many marvelous places in this exotic island paradise. Breathtaking volcano landscape, dense rainforests, and crystal clear waters on white-powdery beaches are just a few of the reasons why thousands of honeymooners travel to the Philippines every year.…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🇬🇧 🇺🇸 Nomad Cruise Southampton to New York

Seven days, one ocean crossing, one floating conference: Nomad Cruise brings its signature “workation at sea” to the Atlantic, sailing from historic Southampton to the iconic skyline of New York City. Expect a unique mix of focused work, curated talks, peer-led workshops, and spontaneous networking moments as you cross the ocean. With reliable onboard Wi-Fi, structured programming, and a tight-knit community, this is less about the destination and more about the people you meet along the way.

Cabin pricing hasn’t been released yet, but the waitlist is already open. Based on previous transatlantic cruises, prices are expected to start around €2,000–€2,500 for a shared cabin, depending on category and booking time. If you’re considering joining, it’s worth signing up early, as these crossings tend to sell out quickly.

13 tips for nomads on cruise ships

Have you ever thought of taking a cruise as a digital nomad? When thinking of cruise ships, you might think of elderly couples tanning at the pool deck, sipping sparkling wine, and playing boccia. This picture might be correct for some cruise lines. But there are so many different cruise

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

USA east coast for nomads

The east coast of the United States of America is full of history, culture, and bustling metropoles. From the vibrant cities of New York and Miami to the charming towns of Asheville and Charleston, this region is a must-visit for any traveling digital nomad. The east coast is also home

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🇵🇹 The Nomad World Fest in the Algarve, Portugal

Join The Nomad World Fest in the sun-drenched Algarve region of Portugal. Set in the coastal town of Albufeira, this four-day festival blends expert talks, masterminds, hands-on workshops, and beachside fun, all aimed at celebrating freedom, connection, and personal growth. Speakers cover remote work, AI, Web3, co-living, and the future of work, making it a great mix of inspiration and practical takeaways.

Portugal for nomads

Last updated 2022, November 28th: Portugal has played the underdog role for many years, traded as a hidden gem but never really experienced real hype compared to its famous neighbor Spain. While France and Spain welcomed nearly 90 million and 84 million international tourist arrivals in 2019, Portug…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

The Super Early Bird waitlist is now open — past editions were priced between €69 for a Basic Pass and €220 for a Premium Pass, so joining the waitlist early is the best way to secure the lowest rate.

🇯🇵 Colive Fukuoka in Fukuoka, Japan

For the entire month of October, Colive Fukuoka transforms Japan’s startup hub into a living lab of coliving, culture, and collaboration, featuring 100+ seminars, ramen tech tours, and a Digital Nomad Summit.

Only 30 coliving rooms are available for a full-month stay. Book early if you want a tatami mat for your mastermind sessions.

🇹🇷 Türkiye Nomad Fest in Alanya, Turkey

Now in its second edition, Türkiye Nomad Fest returns to Alanya's Mediterranean coast for a week of business growth, connection, and cultural immersion. Hosted at the Anjeliq Nomad Hotel — a space built for location-independent living — the festival brings together solopreneurs, remote professionals, founders, and creators for keynotes, hands-on workshops, unconference sessions, and well-being activities, all with sea views and warm October sunshine.

Expect workshops covering AI tools, marketing, client acquisition, and productivity, alongside daily yoga and mindfulness sessions and peer-led unconference discussions on scaling businesses and achieving financial freedom. A good fit if you want to wrap up the nomad festival season somewhere warm, affordable, and genuinely off the beaten conference track.

Turkey for nomads

Turkey - A country located in Asia as well as in Europe, influenced by Greek-Roman, Ottoman, Anatolian, and Islamic cultures is the gateway from Western Oxidant to Eastern Orient. Located on the silk road, Turkey was part of old international trade routes that connected the Chinese Empire with the E…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🇵🇹 Founder Island Fest in Madeira, Portugal

Wrap up the nomad year in style on one of the Atlantic's most beautiful islands. Founder Island Fest brings together around 100 entrepreneurs, founders, and remote professionals for a week of expert talks, masterminds, skill-sharing workshops, and daily wellness sessions — all set against Madeira's dramatic cliffsides and ocean views. Organized by Michelle Maree of The Nomad Escape, the event is deliberately designed to go beyond surface-level networking, with a strong focus on real business growth and genuine connection.

The daily rhythm balances morning workouts and yoga with afternoon sessions and evening social events — a pace that makes the week feel as restorative as it is productive. Premium tickets include luxury accommodation, daily breakfast and dinner, making it a good all-in-one option if you want to end the year somewhere warm, inspiring, and surrounded by people worth knowing.

🇹🇭 Nomad Summit & Nomad Week in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Nomad Summit, one of the most prominent gatherings for digital nomads and remote workers, is taking place this year in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Known for its vibrant community and inspiring talks, the summit offers valuable insights into location-independent work, networking opportunities, and personal growth.

Attendees can expect a dynamic blend of workshops, expert speakers, and social events in a city renowned as a global hub for digital nomads.

Thailand for Nomads

Do you plan to travel to Thailand? We inform about entry requirements, health-related topics, travel and health insurance.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🇿🇦 Nomad Week Cape Town, South Africa

Scheduled for February 17-26, 2027, in Cape Town, South Africa, this week-long event includes inspiring keynotes, unconference sessions, outdoor adventures, and vibrant social evenings.

Nomad Week Cape Town offers opportunities for connection, growth, learning, and giving back in a vibrant, collaborative environment.

South Africa for nomads

From hip city life in Cape Town to the endless expanses of the South African savannas, the southernmost part of Africa offers plenty of adventures. The country has more than 290 conservation parks and is home to almost 300 mammal species, about 860 bird species, and 8,000 plant species.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

This guest post was developed in collaboration with the team at Entity Inc. At Genki and Entity Inc., we're both in the business of removing the friction that stands between you and a truly location-independent life.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Please consult a qualified tax professional before making decisions about your business structure.

🏦 The truth about US LLCs for digital nomads: what actually works

You've probably seen the advice. You're scrolling through a nomad Facebook group or Reddit thread, and someone asks: "Where should I register my freelance business?" Within minutes, the replies flood in: "Wyoming LLC. Tax-free. Easy." Hundreds of upvotes. Sounds too good to be true.

Here's the thing: it's not entirely wrong. But it's dangerously incomplete. A US LLC can be a genuinely powerful tool for running your location-independent business. But the "just get an LLC and pay no taxes" narrative that bounces around nomad communities? It leaves out the part that actually determines whether you owe taxes. And getting that part wrong can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Let's break down what's really going on. No jargon, no sales pitch, just the stuff you need to know before making a decision that affects your money and your peace of mind.

🌎 Why nomads love US LLCs

First, the positives, because there are real, practical reasons why so many digital nomads choose a US LLC.

Payment processing is the big one. If you're from a country where Stripe isn't available, a US LLC with a US bank account unlocks Stripe, PayPal Business, and other payment tools that are hard to access otherwise. For freelancers and service providers who invoice international clients, this alone can justify the setup.

Banking access matters too. Fintech-friendly banks like Mercury, Relay, and Wise let foreign-owned US LLCs open business accounts remotely, something traditional banks in many countries simply won't do for nomads without a fixed address.

Then there's credibility. A US-registered business with an EIN and a professional address signals legitimacy to clients, platforms, and partners. It's fast to set up (a few days), affordable (a few hundred dollars), and the compliance overhead is relatively light compared to incorporating in places like Singapore or the UK.

And yes, there's a real tax advantage on the US side. But this is where the story gets more nuanced than the Facebook comments suggest.

🚫 The "tax-free LLC" myth and what's actually true

Here's the kernel of truth: if you're a non-US person who owns a single-member US LLC and you perform all your work outside the United States, the IRS generally treats your LLC as a "disregarded entity." That means the LLC itself typically doesn't owe US federal income tax on foreign-sourced income. For freelancers, consultants, and service providers working entirely outside the US for clients anywhere in the world, this is broadly accurate — though the details can vary depending on your specific situation.

You can read more about how foreign-owned LLC taxation actually works here.

But here's the part that gets left out of the group chats: your personal tax residency still determines what you owe.

Think of it as three separate layers:

1. Where you're personally tax resident — this is where you owe income tax
2. Where your company is registered — this determines corporate-level obligations
3. Where your income comes from — this affects which country can tax it

The US LLC handles layer two and, in many cases, layer three. But it does absolutely nothing about layer one. And layer one is the one that matters most.

Here's a concrete example. Let's say you're a German freelance developer. You set up a Wyoming LLC, invoice your clients through it, and collect payments via Stripe into a Mercury account. The US generally won't tax that income, assuming it qualifies as foreign-sourced. Great. But Germany taxes its residents on worldwide income at rates up to 45%. Your LLC profits pass straight through to you personally, and Germany's tax office doesn't care that the US didn't take a cut. You'd typically owe the full amount in Germany.

This applies to residents of France, Spain, the UK, Australia, Canada, and most of Europe. If your country taxes worldwide income, a US LLC doesn't change your personal tax bill. It just makes it easier to get paid.

One more thing worth knowing: not every country recognizes US LLCs the way the IRS does. Some countries — particularly in the EU — may treat your single-member LLC as a corporation rather than a pass-through entity. This can create unexpected tax complications in your home country. It's one of those details that rarely come up in nomad forums but can have a real financial impact.

🪤 The "nowhere residency" trap

This is where another popular nomad myth comes in: the idea that if you never spend more than 183 days in any single country, you become "tax resident of nowhere" and owe taxes to nobody.

It's an appealing concept. And it's increasingly falling apart.

The 183-day rule is just one of many tests countries use to determine tax residency. Germany, Spain, and Australia all have additional criteria: domicile tests, center-of-vital-interests tests, and habitual abode rules. Spain's tax authorities have taken the position that if you can't demonstrate tax residency elsewhere, they may still consider you a Spanish tax resident. Australia uses four separate tests, and simply leaving the country doesn't automatically sever your tax obligations.

Then there's the banking problem. Under CRS (Common Reporting Standard), over 120 countries now automatically exchange financial information. Banks are required to identify your country of tax residence when you open an account. If you can't provide one, many banks won't take you as a client, or worse, they'll freeze your funds while they figure it out. There are real cases of nomads having five-figure sums frozen in business accounts because they couldn't provide a tax residency certificate.

Without valid tax residency somewhere, you also can't use Double Tax Agreements to avoid being taxed twice on the same income. The perpetual traveler fantasy sounds great on a podcast, but in practice, it creates more problems than it solves.

✅ When a US LLC actually makes sense

None of this means a US LLC is a bad choice. It means it's a good choice in the right circumstances. Here's when it genuinely works well:

You're a service provider working entirely outside the US. If you're a designer, developer, writer, consultant, or coach doing all your work from outside America, the LLC gives you US banking and payment infrastructure with no US federal tax on your earnings. That's a real, legitimate benefit.

You have tax residency in a territorial tax country. Countries like Panama, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Georgia, Malaysia, and the UAE either don't tax foreign-sourced income or have very low personal tax rates. Combined with a US LLC that's not taxed in the US, the result can be a legally minimal tax burden. This is the setup that actually delivers on the "low tax" promise, but it requires deliberate residency planning, not just showing up with a backpack.

You need payment processing access. If Stripe, PayPal, or other platforms aren't available in your home country, a US LLC is often the most practical path to reliable payment infrastructure.

You want credibility and structure. For freelancers building a client base, especially with US companies, a US entity adds professionalism and simplifies invoicing in USD.

⚠️ When it doesn't work (or makes things worse)

You live in a high-tax country with worldwide taxation. If you're a tax resident of Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, or similar countries, a US LLC won't reduce your personal income tax. The income passes through to you and is fully taxable locally.

You sell physical products to US customers. E-commerce is different from services. If your LLC owns inventory in the US or sells products to American consumers through Amazon or Shopify, that income is generally considered US-sourced and taxable. In that case, an LLC often creates more tax exposure than it solves. Depending on the situation, a C Corporation structure may be a better fit — it's taxed as a separate entity, which means income doesn't automatically pass through to you personally. But this comes with its own complexity, so professional guidance is important here. The IRS has also been getting stricter about this in recent years.

You skip compliance. Even if your LLC owes zero US tax, you must file Form 5472 with the IRS every year. Miss it, and the penalty can be $25,000 per form, per year. This catches a surprising number of nomads off guard. They hear "no tax" and assume "no paperwork."

You assume the LLC solves everything. The LLC is a business structure. It's not a residency plan, not a tax strategy, and not a substitute for understanding your personal obligations. Treating it as a one-step solution to the complexity of international taxation is where most people get into trouble.

📋 What to do before you form an LLC

If there's one takeaway from all of this, it's this: figure out your personal tax residency first. That's the foundation everything else rests on. And ideally, don't try to figure it out alone — a qualified international tax advisor can help you see obligations you might not even know exist.

Before you pick a state for your LLC, before you compare formation services, before you open a Stripe account, ask yourself: where am I personally tax resident right now, and where do I want to be? What are my obligations in that country? Does it tax worldwide income or only domestic income?

Once you've answered those questions, ideally with help from a qualified tax professional who understands international structures, you can choose the right business structure to sit on top of that foundation. For many nomads, a US LLC will still be the right answer. But it'll be the right answer for the right reasons.

A US LLC is a tool. A very useful one. But it's not a magic wand that makes your tax obligations disappear. The nomads who get the best outcomes are the ones who treat their business setup the way they treat their health: proactively, with good information, and with professional support when the stakes are high.

Don't build your financial life on advice from a Facebook comment. Your future self will thank you.

This article was written together with the team at Entity Inc., a US-licensed CPA firm that helps digital nomads and international entrepreneurs with US business formation, tax filing, and compliance. Founded by Vincenzo Villamena, CPA, a Forbes contributor and former PwC professional with 15+ years of experience in expat taxation.

☂️ International Health Insurance with Genki

Genki Native

• Who is this for: Digital nomads, expats, and other long-term travelers who want complete health cover.
• Region of cover: Worldwide (limited in Canada & USA).
• Period of cover: As long as you want. Life-long if you wish. The minimum contract is 1 year with a monthly payment plan.
• Home country: Genki Native is available for people from every country (even nomads without any legal residence). You can choose to have limited or full cover in your country of citizenship.
• Genki Native Basic: Genki Native Basic covers necessary medical treatment (inpatient and outpatient treatments) at any licensed doctor or hospital up to €1,000,000 per year. That includes accidents and emergencies, as well as common illnesses and injuries.
• Genki Native Premium: Genki Native Premium also covers preventive care/check-ups, plus dental, vision, maternity, mental health, and more. Genki Native Premium has no overall limit for medical costs and also includes full cover in your country of citizenship.
• Monthly costs: Genki Native starts from €180 a month (prices for ages 20-34). The monthly costs depend on the result of a medical questionnaire, your age, the chosen deductible, and the region of cover (incl. or excl. USA and Canada).

[Updated: April 2nd, 2026] Asia has no shortage of popular destinations for digital nomads, but some of the most rewarding places are the ones that don’t get much attention.

This article looks at countries that receive fewer tourists yet still offer a good lifestyle for remote work. The following five countries are calm, interesting, and easy enough to settle into for a while.

You won't find big crowds or polished nomad hubs here, just places with their own rhythm and room to breathe. If you’re curious about trying something quieter, these five countries are a good place to start.

🌱 Travel health insurance for Malta

#1 🇱🇦 Laos

Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s most overlooked gems for digital nomads. It is calm, affordable, and full of natural beauty. It’s uniquely positioned between Thailand and Vietnam, making cross-border travel simple, while still offering a much slower pace than its busy neighbors.

Nomads come here for the waterfalls, mountain towns, temples, and that unmistakable "Jungle Book" atmosphere.

If you base yourself in Luang Prabang, you’ll find The Desk*, a coworking space that attracts writers, designers, and nomads who prefer quiet focus over hustle culture. Laos is well-suited for slow travelers, so people who want nature, inspiration, and gentle routines rather than a party scene. If you want a deeper dive, you can link to your Laos guide on Genki’s site, even if it’s due for an update.

*Update: The Desk unfortunately closed its doors.

Laos for nomads

[Last update: February 20, 2023] Sabai dii in Laos - the land of one million elephants! The country that often looks like the film location of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book is covered by thick forests and it is home to some of Asia’s rarest species: The Indochine Tiger, the Asian

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

#2 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s most underrated nomad destinations, offering a mix of beaches, surf towns, wildlife, and ancient culture — all within a few hours’ travel from each other. It’s easy to reach from tourist hubs such as Bangkok, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore, and once you’re there, getting around the island is affordable and straightforward.

Nomads love it for the balance of abundant natural beauty, a friendly local culture, and pockets of solid infrastructure, without the crowds of Bali or Thailand. When visiting Sri Lanka, check out Outpost Coliving in Weligama.

Sri Lanka for nomads

Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon until 1972 is a producer of some of the finest teas in the world. It is home to the world’s oldest recorded tree, a 2,200-year-old sacred fig tree in Anuradhapura. Sri Lanka is the only country in the world where you can see the

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

#3 🇹🇼 Taiwan

Taiwan is one of the easiest places in Asia for digital nomads to settle into, yet it stays surprisingly under the radar. It offers reliable high-speed internet, safe cities, great public transport, and a café culture that makes it easy to hop from place to place.

With direct flights from all over Asia, including Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, its capital, Taipei, is extremely well connected.

Taiwan for nomads

The island of Taiwan is located east of mainland China, and despite fighting for its sovereignty and independence, Taiwan is a peaceful and multicultural modern country. Taiwan has the size of Belgium but with a population of 23 million residents. More than 50 % of the island is uninhabited land, ra…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

#4 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek has cozy cafés, coworking spaces, fast internet, and a small but welcoming international community, yet the country still receives far fewer tourists than its neighbors. Thanks to visa-free entry for many nationalities and affordable living costs, it’s a great alternative for nomads.

Outside the capital, life slows down. Hike to Issyk-Kul Lake and Ala-Archa National Park, experience unique yurt stays in the countryside, or try out horseback riding in the Tien Shan Mountains. The best time is spring and autumn with mild temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius.

The Full Digital Nomad Guide to Bishkek - Digital Nomad World

Full Digital Nomad guide to Bishkek | Where to live & Best things to do | Find remote jobs | How to prepare for living in Bishkek

Digital Nomad WorldBecca

#5 🇳🇵 Nepal

Despite bordering two tourism giants (India and China), Nepal feels calm and grounded, and it’s far easier to navigate than many first-time visitors expect. Kathmandu and Pokhara both offer working-friendly cafés, reliable internet, coworking spaces, and a nomad scene that’s small but welcoming.

Nepal attracts digital nomads who prefer a slower pace of life, fewer events and festivals, but more outdoor activities and cafe-hopping. You don't need to skip Nepal just because you won't trek Mount Everest.

Nepal for nomads

Nepal is a landlocked country situated in South Asia, bordered by India to the south and China to the north. It has a population of approximately 29 million people and its capital city is Kathmandu. Nepal is known for its diverse geography, including the Himalayan mountain range, which includes Moun…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

5 Least Traveled Countries

It might take a while to get there, and you may need to spend a bit more, but once you arrive, you will have truly earned it. Here are the five least-traveled countries in the world. 🌱 Worldwide Travel Health Insurance💡Genki Traveler is a travel health insurance with worldwide cover.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Asia Made Easy

Are you looking for the top digital nomad hotspots in Asia? Or for destinations off the beaten track? Maybe you’re budget-sensitive and looking for affordable, cozy destinations. Browse through this list of places in Asia, organized by interest. From chilled beach extensions to the top trending dest…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

This guest post is contributed by Matthew Kirkham, founder of Pangia. Genki and Pangia are on the same mission to make our lives easier and gain more time for what matters: Making the most out of this one precious life.

Pangia's best deal ever.

I’m Matthew, founder of Pangia.

I hate admin.
I hate feeling ripped off.
I love adventure.

With me so far?

There’s a strange lie we all politely ignore about living globally.

We love the sunsets, the freedom, and the “I might stay an extra month.” But there are real costs to being a globe-trotter: forming real community, lasting relationships, and, of course, the admin. Bookings, delays, check-ins, check-outs, and walk-abouts for stable WiFi after the cafe that Google Maps says is definitely open are definitely closed. Just update your hours, guys, seriously.

It’s the constant, teeth-grinding, low-level friction of the world still being designed for someone who lives in one place, with one phone number, one SIM, clear work hours, and a ‘stable routine’ that gets in the way of us living a ‘full life’.

Pangia’s primary goal is to make at least one part of that something you don’t have to think about anymore.

Because when you live globally, mobile connectivity isn’t nice to have. It’s the foundation for everything else.

No internet means no maps. No Uber. No banking. No work logins. No 2FA. Just you, standing in an airport trying to join the Wi-Fi while locals whoosh past you. And the worst part is how normal this has become, like it’s just the price you pay for freedom...

The telecom industry (like so many other industries before it) has always responded with more choices.

More gigabytes. More days. More countries. More bundles. More comparison tables. More "valid for 7 days, 2 bonus days if you start it on the 3rd Monday of the month"… It’s all sold as flexibility. Flexibility? I want freedom. Do I look flexible to you?

But here’s the thing… It’s not flexibility, it’s friction. I hate friction when things can be frictionless. That’s why Pangia is boring.

We built one global unlimited eSIM that just works, in 105 countries (and counting). One SIM. One plan. No top-ups. No switching. No mental maths. I land in a country, and I get a cheeky welcome text.

If you want to check exact coverage by country, it’s here. Genki members get our eSiM for just $19 per month, paid annually, or $35 per month, which is like $0.63 a day for something you probably rely on every single day. And yes, we get asked a lot: why is it priced like this? And even funnier: why don’t we make it more expensive? I was really inspired by a Jeff Bezos quote I heard once:

There are two kinds of companies: those that work to try to charge customers more and those that work to charge customers less. We will be the second

The answer is simple: we’re not trying to extract maximum profit from a problem people already hate. Yes, there are interesting economic and technological reasons we’ve been able to keep the price down, thanks to better switching technology under the hood and better deals with providers (because our customers stay with us, and Telcos LOVE that). But we pass those savings straight on to customers instead of turning this into another “nomad tax.” Pangia exists to become one less thing to think about, not a premium stress product. Again, decisionless. If it’s the right price and works phenomenally, we keep our customers happy.

To put it bluntly: global life is already admin-heavy enough.

Your internet connection shouldn’t be a recurring existential crisis.

For me, decisionless design architecture is always the gold standard.

DON’T MAKE ME THINK.

I personally want to arrive at my Airbnb with peace of mind that when the advertised ‘super fast WiFi’ is down, I’m safe. Or when I venture out on a hike for a little bit of adventure, a little bit of danger - I can get back home safely, or at least make my way to eat some Nasi Goreng.

So, that’s how we think about building products:

• Peace of mind
• Don’t make me think
• Make it as cheap as possible.

For those of you who are builders, makers, engineers, and creatives out there - I hope you take this as an invitation to do more, cut the price, and allow only fun surprises - so your customers have to do less.

We all have enough sh*t to worry about.

Like sunsets and the best Nasi Goreng… ok, I’ll stop.

If you want a set-and-forget global eSIM that works moments after you land, without switching plans, calculating gigs (seriously, who thinks in gigs), or timing days to expiry.

Thanks, Genki, for letting us share what we’re up to, and hey, you, reader?

Stay brilliant, now go watch a sunset and tell someone you love them.

- Matthew Founder, Pangia

Do US LLCs really save digital nomads on taxes?

This guest post was developed in collaboration with the team at Entity Inc. At Genki and Entity Inc., we’re both in the business of removing the friction that stands between you and a truly location-independent life. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, o…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Setting up the ideal workplace

Although the digital nomad lifestyle has many advantages, like freedom, flexibility, unique travel experiences, and new friendships, it doesn’t come with the ideal workplace. How often have you worked sitting on small bamboo stools, wooden restaurant chairs, or wobbling tables in coffee shops? How…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

☂️ International Health Insurance with Genki

Genki Native

• Who is this for: Digital nomads, expats, and other long-term travelers who want complete health cover.
• Region of cover: Worldwide (limited in Canada & USA).
• Period of cover: As long as you want. Life-long if you wish. The minimum contract is 1 year with a monthly payment plan.
• Home country: Genki Native is available for people from every country (even nomads without any legal residence). You can choose to have limited or full cover in your country of citizenship.
• Genki Native Basic: Genki Native Basic covers necessary medical treatment (inpatient and outpatient treatments) at any licensed doctor or hospital up to €1,000,000 per year. That includes accidents and emergencies, as well as common illnesses and injuries.
• Genki Native Premium: Genki Native Premium also covers preventive care/check-ups, plus dental, vision, maternity, mental health, and more. Genki Native Premium has no overall limit for medical costs and also includes full cover in your country of citizenship.
• Monthly costs: Genki Native starts from €180 a month (prices for ages 20-34). The monthly costs depend on the result of a medical questionnaire, your age, the chosen deductible, and the region of cover (incl. or excl. USA and Canada).

It might take a while to get there, and you may need to spend a bit more, but once you arrive, you will have truly earned it.

Here are the five least-traveled countries in the world.

🌱 Worldwide Travel Health Insurance

#1 🇳🇷 Nauru

Nauru lies more than 2,500 km from the Australian coast, making it one of the most isolated countries in the world. The island receives between 200 and 1,000 tourists annually due to the absence of direct international air service, its proximity to the mainland, and limited capacity to accommodate visitors. The closest bigger island nation is Papua New Guinea, with 1,300 km.

Nauru looks completely different from other Pacific islands. While the coast is framed by turquoise water and coconut palms, the interior has a raw, almost lunar landscape shaped by decades of phosphate mining. You can circle the entire island by car in about 25 minutes.

#2 🇹🇻 Tuvalu

Tuvalu lies deep in the central Pacific between Australia (about 4,000 km northeast) and Fiji (about 1,100 km north), with Hawaii more than 4,300 km to the northeast. You can only get there via Fiji Airways via Nadi, and return flights from Australia usually cost between €900 and €1,600, depending on the season. Only around 4,000 tourists visit Tuvalu per year.

Often cited as the least-visited country on Earth, Tuvalu is a quiet collection of atolls with a slow rhythm of life, pristine lagoons, and a looming climate change story as its very existence may change by 2050.

#3 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands

Scattered across the central Pacific, the Marshall Islands sit roughly between Hawaii, the Philippines, and Australia. The easiest way to get there is via United Airlines’ Island Hopper from Guam or Honolulu, a legendary multi-stop route connecting tiny atolls across Micronesia. This small island nation counts roughly 6,000 tourists per year.

Known for some of the clearest waters on Earth, the Marshall Islands offer a rare mix of untouched reefs and lagoon life. Bikini Atoll is world-famous among advanced divers for its ghostly WWII shipwrecks. And many islands are so narrow that you can watch sunrise and sunset from the same spot without moving more than a few steps.

#4 🇳🇺 Niue

Niue, known as the Rock of Polynesia, is located between Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands. New Zealand is only a 3.5-hour flight away with regular flights from Auckland to its capital, Alofi. Because of its proximity to New Zealand, Niue receives around 10,000 visitors per year, despite a population of only 1,500.

Niue is so safe and community-oriented that locals often leave their keys in the car and their doors unlocked. If you love snorkeling, diving, or cliff jumping, Niue might be for you.

#5 🇰🇮 Kiribati

Kiribati is located northeast of Fiji and is connected via flights to Nauru, Fiji, and Australia. Kiribati is the only country in the world that sits in all four hemispheres, north, south, east, and west, because it reaches the equator and the international date line.

Kiribati offers a blend of exotic beach life, WWII history (including bunkers and shipwrecks), and cultural daily life centered on traditions such as ceremonial dances, gatherings in the maneaba (community houses), artisanal crafts, and fishing.

🎯 Where to next?

If you’re tired of crowds and yearn for something off the beaten path, these under-the-radar countries can be your reminders that travel can still be surprising and challenging.

Underrated Nomad Spots in Asia

Asia has no shortage of popular destinations for digital nomads, but some of the most rewarding places are the ones that don’t get much attention. This article looks at countries that receive fewer tourists yet still offer a good lifestyle for remote work. The following five countries are calm,

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

9 alternative destinations in Europe

Do you feel shock waves hitting your body each time you search for accommodation? I surely do. Just arrived in Barcelona and I thought I would spend some weeks here but: Wow! The price for short-term accommodation is insane! And websites like idealista.es are an amazing help, but only

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

[Latest update 2025, November 12] As a digital nomad, making new friends can be a challenge, but there are various ways to meet like-minded individuals while traveling.

One way is to stay at a coliving space that offers a ready-made community of remote workers who share your passion for travel and work.

Coworking spaces also provide an excellent opportunity to interact with other remote professionals and form meaningful relationships, as they often host networking events and social activities.

But besides making new friends at work-related places, browse through our list of locations, interests, events, and experiences that help you to make new friends along the way.

🌱 Worldwide travel health insurance for nomads

🏙️ Locations

Coliving space

Coliving spaces are a great way to make new friends as a digital nomad because they offer a ready-made community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for travel and remote work.

In a coliving space, you can easily strike up a conversation with someone in the shared living areas or during organized activities and events.

Additionally, coliving spaces often feature shared areas and facilities, such as coworking spaces, communal kitchens, and game rooms, which offer ample opportunities to socialize and get to know your fellow digital nomads.

Many coliving spaces also organize group outings and excursions, which is another excellent way to bond with other community members.

5 Small City Colivings

Being a nomad has many advantages, and we all know some of them. One disadvantage is that nomads need to settle in new places quickly if they want to make a place feel like home. A concept that can help get to know people quicker is by staying in coliving

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

9 rural coliving spaces

Barcelona, Berlin? Why not change up the travel plans to places like Bolzano, Bad Belzig, and Batumi? We introduce you to 9 coliving spaces in Europe’s countryside worth adding to your bucket list. 🌱 Travel health insurance for Europe💡Genki Explorer is a travel health insurance with wo…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Coworking space

Coworking spaces are popular among nomads, as they offer an opportunity to work in a professional environment and interact with other nomads.

Coworking spaces also provide a sense of community, where individuals can share ideas and collaborate on projects. This environment creates a natural setting for building friendships, as individuals spend time together, share experiences, and develop connections based on mutual interests.

Moreover, coworking spaces often host networking events, workshops, and social activities, providing ample opportunities for digital nomads to meet new people and form meaningful relationships.

Our 7 Favorite Coworking Spaces

Surely, you know the advantages of coworking spaces and the range of amenities and services, such as high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and printing facilities, which can make remote work easier and more efficient. Our list is mainly focused on community-focused coworking spaces. Although many cow…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Asia’s Best Coworking Spaces

Certainly, you’re familiar with the benefits of coworking spaces and the array of amenities and services they offer, such as high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and printing facilities, all of which can enhance the convenience and efficiency of remote work. Our focus primarily centers on coworking s…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🎨 Interests

Dancing

A dance class offers an opportunity to meet people with similar interests in a fun and social setting. Dancing can be a great icebreaker and help build connections quickly.

In addition, dance classes often require partnering up, providing an opportunity to interact and bond with classmates.

Finally, participating in a regular dance class can provide a sense of community and belonging, which is especially important for those living a nomadic lifestyle.

Cooking

Cooking classes are a fun way to meet people because everyone is focused on creating something together and sharing a meal in the end. As you chop, stir, and taste, it feels natural to chat with the person next to you about where they’re from, their favorite dishes, or travel stories.

Many classes are small and social by design, making it easier to break the ice than at a big, anonymous event. Plus, sitting down to eat what you’ve cooked together often turns into deeper conversations and can be the perfect moment to suggest staying in touch or planning another meetup.

Creative workshops

Creative workshops, such as pottery, painting, photography, or writing classes, bring together people who enjoy expressing themselves and trying new things. The relaxed, hands-on atmosphere makes it easy to talk without the pressure of “networking,” because you always have the project in front of you as a natural conversation starter.

Joining a series of workshops instead of a one-off event also means you’ll see the same faces again, which helps you slowly build trust and familiarity. Over time, sharing ideas, offering feedback, and laughing about small mistakes can turn into genuine friendships with locals and other travelers.

🎤 Events

Digital Nomad Meetup

Attending digital nomad meetups is an excellent way to connect with other nomads and expats.

Although digital nomad meetups can turn into superficial small talks that make you feel like you are wasting time, give it a try.

Focus on one or two people who interest you, and don't hesitate to ask if they'd like to connect via WhatsApp or Facebook.

Retreat

From writing retreats to yoga retreats, from mindfulness to business, retreats are an intimate way to meet new people.

The group of people you meet might feel more like-minded as nomads in your local coworking space. Retreats focus on specific topics and aim to help the participants solve, improve, realize, or grow in a certain direction.

The group setting can be very intimate depending on the retreat size. This makes it easier to connect with the other participants.

Retreats typically offer a variety of activities and workshops that encourage interaction among participants, making it easy to form connections.

Upcoming Nomad Retreats in 2025

Discovering community, personal development, and connecting with people worldwide are some of the most rewarding aspects of our nomadic lifestyle. And there is no better way than joining a nomad retreat. Whether you seek like-minded individuals during a cruise, amidst serene mountains, or on a seclu…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Conference

Attending a remote work conference is an excellent way to meet other digital nomads and build new connections.

These events bring together like-minded professionals from various backgrounds and industries, providing ample opportunities to network and socialize.

With workshops, keynotes, and social events, remote work conferences offer a balance of professional development and social interaction.

Upcoming Nomad Events in 2025 & 2026

Last updated: July, 2025: One of the best aspects of our nomadic life is finding community, personal growth, and gathering at places around the world. Find your tribe on a cruise crossing the Atlantic, in the Bulgarian mountains, or on an exotic island with beach bonfires. 🌱 Travel health insurance…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Festival

Going to a festival is a great way to meet like-minded individuals who share your interests and hobbies. Whether it's music, art, or culture, festivals attract people from all over the world and offer a fun, relaxed environment for socializing.

Festivals often have designated areas for meeting new people and networking, making it easy for digital nomads to make new friends and potentially even business connections.

🤿 Sports

Gyms

Gyms are a great way to make new friends because they provide a common interest and a sense of community.

Being a part of a gym allows you to meet people with similar fitness goals and lifestyles, and provides a natural opportunity to start conversations and connect with others.

Additionally, participating in group fitness classes or joining a workout group can create a sense of accountability and shared motivation toward achieving fitness goals, leading to stronger connections and friendships.

Gyms often organize social events or activities outside the gym, such as hiking or running groups, which can offer additional opportunities to meet new people and form connections.

10 tips on how to stay fit

This article is dedicated to everyone who is not naturally super excited about daily workouts. It is for me - and those - who need some tricks to implement fitness into daily life, to understand that motivation is a myth and that hobbies can be fun ways of workouts, too.

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Yoga

Yoga studios offer a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who share an interest in health and wellness.

Attending regular yoga classes allows for consistent interaction with other practitioners, and the communal nature of the practice can foster a sense of connection.

Additionally, yoga studios often offer workshops and events outside of regular classes, providing further opportunities to meet new people and build relationships.

Running

Joining a local running group can be a fantastic way to meet new people, make friends, and stay healthy and active.

Running with a group provides a sense of community and shared accomplishment, making it easier to connect with like-minded individuals.

Additionally, running groups often organize social events outside of running, such as dinners or happy hours, which provide further opportunities to get to know your fellow runners.

Hiking

Joining a hiking group is another popular way to meet new people and form friendships.

Hiking is a great way to get outside and explore the natural beauty of a new location, while also providing a shared experience that can bring people together.

Hiking groups often attract people with similar interests and values, making it easier to connect with others.

And lastly, hiking is a low-pressure activity that allows for plenty of conversation and interaction, making it an ideal setting for forming new connections.

Tennis

Tennis is a social sport that people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy.

By joining a tennis club, digital nomads can participate in organized matches, events, and tournaments, providing them with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share their interest.

Playing tennis regularly is also a great way to stay fit and healthy while traveling.

🦁 Experiences

Group tour

Sounds like baseball caps and wristbands? Not quite. Group tours can be a great way to explore local areas and meet new people.

The shared experience of the tour can serve as a natural conversation starter and a bonding opportunity.

Ideas include free walking tours, wine tours, culinary experiences, cooking classes, zip-line adventures, or mountain bike tours. Check local Facebook groups, Meetup.com, or the local blackboard for advertisements.

Cruise

Booking a digital nomad cruise can be a fun and unique way to make new friends while traveling. Being surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who also work remotely can lead to lasting connections and friendships beyond the cruise.

Plus, with various activities and excursions planned, there are plenty of opportunities to socialize and get to know your fellow travelers.

13 tips for nomads on cruise ships

Have you ever thought of taking a cruise as a digital nomad? When thinking of cruise ships, you might think of elderly couples tanning at the pool deck, sipping sparkling wine, and playing boccia. This picture might be correct for some cruise lines. But there are so many different cruise

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Safari

Joining a safari in Africa is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals who share a love for adventure and exploration.

The group nature of a safari allows for natural socializing and bonding over shared experiences such as game drives, bush walks, and campfire conversations.

With the added excitement of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat, a safari can be a unique and unforgettable way for a digital nomad to make new friends.

🎀 Conclusion

Yes, making new friends as an adult takes more time. And yes, making new friends as a digital nomad is more difficult.

As adults, forming friendships can be challenging. We tend to be shy. We might have expectations. We are afraid the other has expectations. And many times we just haven't met the right person yet.

If you are looking to make new friendships, be curious and open-minded, and allow deep conversations. Listen with interest. And share with bravery.

Suggest connecting via WhatsApp or Facebook and ask for a second coffee or lunch meetup.

As nomads, we frequently change locations. A new city, a new local community, new Facebook groups, and the opportunity to join new digital nomad events. Once we bonded with our new nomad or local friends, it is just a matter of time until the next goodbye. And the cycle starts all over again.

So, being an adult plus a nomad feels doubly challenging.

I give the question back to you: How to make new friends as a nomad?

Please let me know your thoughts.

How to be less lonely as a nomad

Being a digital nomad comes with many perks, such as the freedom to work from anywhere and the opportunity to travel the world. However, it can also come with its own set of challenges, including feeling isolated and lonely. In this article, we’ll explore some practical tips and strategies for

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

6 tips on how to maintain friendships

The digital nomad lifestyle offers numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. However, it can also present challenges when it comes to maintaining existing friendships. In this article, we will explore effective strategies for nurturing long-lasting connections with friends, despi…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

[Latest update 2025, November 10] Thanks to our team member 🧑🏻‍🦱 Ray, this guide has been updated and is packed with local tips.

Between North Africa and Sicily, Malta is a small island on the southern tip of Europe that welcomes you with a Mediterranean climate, historical heritage, and a multi-cultural community with African, Arabian, and European influences.

Malta's newly announced Nomad Residence Permit is the government's response to what Malta has become famous for in the last few years: An entrepreneurial expat scene, nomadic lifestyle, and business networking events in a cultural setting.

🇲🇹 Entry requirements for Malta

Malta is an island, and entry requirements may be stricter than for overland travel in Europe. As a member of the European Union, you may need a valid Schengen visa or exemption. If you are an EU citizen, you can provide a valid national ID or passport. When entering Malta, make sure you check all the following points.

• Valid visa: For non-Schengen citizens, and a national ID/passport for Schengen citizens.
• Travel health insurance: Required for a Schengen visa. Check out Genki Traveler.

🌱 Travel health insurance for Malta

✈️ How to get to Malta

• Plane: Almost every European capital is connected to Malta International Airport (MLA) with direct flights. Popular airlines and low-cost carriers are Air Malta, Wizz Air, EasyJet, and Ryanair. Ryanair has announced six new routes to Glasgow, Gothenburg, Luxembourg, Norwich, Newcastle, and Palma, and has increased frequencies on 20 other routes, including Milan, Porto, Bucharest, and London. The airport is about 5 km southeast of Valetta. From the airport to Valletta's city center, it is a 15-minute ride by Uber or Bolt (€16-20), or a €2 (€2.50 in summer) bus ride (Route X4). Tickets can be purchased on board by card or cash.
• Ferry: From Sicily, you can take a ferry to Malta, which runs twice per day and takes 2 hours. The price for a one-way ticket is €70-90.

🚌 Public transport in Malta

• Taxi: Taxi in Malta is based on a fixed tariff. With the taxi app, you can easily book a licensed driver to get you around. A ride from the Airport to Valetta city center costs around €15.
• Bus: Generally, buses are a cheap way to get around Malta, but be aware that you may need to spend extra time due to unplanned delays. The tour from the airport to Valetta costs €2 but takes a little bit longer.
• 🧑🏻‍🦱 Ray's tip: If you’re staying in Malta for seven or more days, you can buy a Tallinja Card.

🏡 How to find a place

• Hotels: If you choose to book a hotel, make sure you check its location beforehand. Malta is under heavy construction, and the noise level is immense. Make sure to check if there is construction nearby, at least on the same block, as construction isn't just loud, it also starts early. My favorite hotel in Malta is Mr. Todd.
  🧑🏻‍🦱 Ray's tip: If you’re travelling here during late autumn or winter, the hotel price is a lot cheaper. You can get a 4- or 5-star spa hotel for €150 per night or less.
• Facebook: Check out Facebook groups like Housing for Digital Nomads & Remote Workers, which feature recommendations and short-term listings.
• Airbnb: The go-to booking system for rentals in many places. However, I did not find Airbnb helpful in Malta. The rental prices are completely off and don't match the quality you get. Especially when coming in the winter months, having an apartment without heating makes your stay miserable. I would suggest booking a hotel.
• Coliving spaces: This type of accommodation is for you if you want to integrate a social aspect into your stay and are okay with having your accommodation and workplace in one location. One of our team members stayed at the Evolve Coliving space for a couple of months and liked it for the community feel.
• Rental apartments: If you plan to stay three or more months, consider contacting local real estate agents. Agencies like Frank Salt or Quicklets have rental listings (though they often focus on year-long leases). Keep in mind that many landlords ask for a one- to two-month deposit and require a six-month lease. Flexibility varies from agent to agent. Also, note that Malta is a landlord’s market, with high demand, especially in areas like Sliema and St. Julian. As of 2025, a basic furnished one-bedroom apartment in Sliema starts around €1,300 per month, but if you stay in the west, north, or south, it will be cheaper.
  
  🧑🏻‍🦱 Ray's tip: Always negotiate a little on price or inclusions (e.g., ask if utilities or wifi can be included for a fixed rate). Agents or landlords assume you will negotiate the initial price down, except during the summer season.

🏘 Where to stay in Malta

• Sliema: Due to its infrastructure, busy nightlife, and variety of restaurants and pubs, most digital nomads tend to live in Sliema. During high season, rent can reach €1,200-1,500 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
• Saint Julian: Another seaside digital nomad hub, right next to Sliema. The town is known for being more urban, with a couple of tall buildings around, and its famous party mile, Peaceville.
• 🧑🏻‍🦱 Ray's tip Ħamrun/Gżira/Msida: If you want slightly cheaper rent but still good connectivity, consider Gżira (between Sliema and Valletta), Msida, or Ħamrun. These are more local towns, less touristy, where you can find better deals on apartments while still being a 10 to 15-minute bus ride from Sliema or Valletta. Gżira, for example, has new apartment buildings popular with students and remote workers, and it’s within walking distance of Sliema. The vibe is more relaxed. You won’t have the pretty, polished streets like Sliema, but you’ll find local bakeries and markets nearby.
• Sigggiewi: If you prefer a more rural, quiet lifestyle, Siggiewi is a hidden gem. The town is about 13 km southwest of Valetta and has a population of around 9,000. Rent for a furnished 1-bedroom starts at €500 upwards.
• 🧑🏻‍🦱 Ray's tip St. Paul’s Bay/Buġibba/Qawra: Malta's north has many resorts and long-term apartments popular with retirees and English language students. These towns are more laid-back beach towns, though a bit far from the central business hubs. Mellieħa is scenic, including Malta’s best sandy beach (Mellieħa Bay), and has a growing expat community.

🧑🏻‍💻 Where to work from in Malta

Coworking spaces

• Soho Office Space: Malta’s largest coworking brand, with three locations in Gżira, St. Julian’s, and Valletta. Soho offers open-plan hot desks, dedicated desks, and private offices. The interior is modern and startup-chic, with perks like free coffee, outdoor terraces, and social events. Prices start around €30 a day for a hot desk or €325 for a month for a dedicated desk that includes gym classes and facilities, and the monthly rate can be lower on long-term plans. Soho is popular with iGaming and fintech startups, making it a great place for business networking.
• Grand Central: Located in the heart of Valletta, Grand Central is a stylish loft-style coworking space with two sites, one on Archbishop Street and the other on Strait Street. It offers 24/7 member access, a kitchenette, and a roof terrace with panoramic city views. A monthly membership for a fixed desk is about €399, or €350 if you commit for three months. If you’re based in Valletta or want an inspiring historical setting, this is the go-to spot.
• 🧑🏻‍🦱 Ray's tip Mindo: A newer coworking in Mriehel, a business district slightly inland, offering both coworking and serviced offices. It’s less central for nomads, but worth noting if you end up working with any companies based in that area.

Coffee shops

• 🧑🏻‍🦱 Ray's tip Coffee Circus: A hip specialty coffee chain with several locations, for example, in Valletta, Sliema, and Marsalforn in Gozo. They roast their own beans and have a funky vibe. Importantly, they provide reliable high-speed wifi and plenty of outlets. You’ll often see other nomads typing away. Plus, they have vegan and gluten-free snacks available to keep you fueled.
• 🧑🏻‍🦱 Ray's tip Lot 61: An artisanal coffee roaster with a cafe in St. Julian’s (Paceville) and a new location in Valletta. Lot 61 is famous for its excellent coffee. It was named among Europe’s top 50 coffee shops. The St. Julian’s cafe has a few indoor and outdoor seats. Wifi is decent, and the vibe is relaxed during the day.

🚊 How to travel around Malta

• Uber and Grab: The best way to travel around the island is through Uber and Grab. Once you land at the airport, use the airport's wifi and set up your Uber or Grab ride. Uber and Grab are around 30% cheaper than meter taxis. Make sure to follow the app instructions and head to the official Grab pickup point.
• Public transport: Although there are buses on the island, the bus network is super slow and unreliable. I would use the bus only if necessary.
• Rental car: It is easy to rent a car in Malta. But there are many scams. The international car rental services are not the company itself but some outsourced local services using the brand's name. So Avis on Malta is not really Avis. However, the service is often bad; please check Trustpilot and Google Maps reviews, especially Avis. A recommended rental car service is Venicar. If you do rent a car, they may charge you double, and you may end up running after your money. Streets in Malta are very very (!) narrow. Finding a parking spot in towns is an absolute nightmare, and be aware that drivers drive on the left.  

🎖Must see in Malta

• Saint John’s Co-Cathedral, Valetta: The Roman Catholic cathedral was built in the 16th century by the knights of Malta and shows high Baroque architecture, rich decoration, and painted ceilings. The entrance fee is €15 per person.
• The Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua were home to the stranded knights of Rhodes, who were banished in 1522. With the Grand Harbor, knights could settle on Malta and start trading. Imposed bastions have been restored lately, but are still far from their former glory. The Three Cities are well connected with regular buses and a water taxi service from Valletta. You can also go there by taxi or car.
• Mdina: Mdina is the ancient capital of Malta and is also known as Città Notabile (the noble city) for its cultural and religious treasures. The historic town is famous for its enormous fortresses, and nowadays you can find cozy cafés and local restaurants in its small alleys.
• Gozo: Gozo is the second-largest island of Malta and is a bit more rural. It is easy to rent a car, scooter, Segway, or a Quad bike to get around on your own. Places you should visit include the ancient Citadella, the Ta Pinu Basilica, and the coastline, which offers small bays for relaxing and sunbathing. Getting to Gozo consists of a 20-minute ferry ride.

💡Good to know

• Internet: Malta’s recent nationwide fibre rollout by GO, with fixed-broadband speeds often exceeding 137 Mbps download and solid upload speeds, and providers advertising gigabit-capable fibre plans.
• SIM card: A Maltese SIM card is available for €10 from Epic or Melita (8GB). Epic SIM cards are also available at the airport.
• Digital nomad community: If you are not a member of a coliving or coworking space, a good option is the Malta Digital Nomads & Entrepreneurs Community on Facebook, which organizes and publishes events and get-togethers.
• Socket type: Type G (like in the UK)
• Cost of living: A one-bedroom apartment in a desirable area now often costs between €900 and €1,500, depending on the city, amenities, and season. Overall, digital nomad budgets tend to be €1,500-€2,500 per month, depending on lifestyle.
• Currency: The Official currency of Malta is the Euro.
• Climate: Malta has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot summers. The average temperature ranges from 12.5°C in February to 27.5°C in August.
• Safety: Generally, Malta is a safe place and ranks among the safest countries in Europe, ranking 31 out of 177 worldwide for women's safety.
• Food: Although the island is small, you can find 5 Michelin-starred restaurants in Malta
• Specialty coffee shops: The best places for specialty coffee are Lot Sixty One Roasters in San Giljan and in Valletta, Coffee Circus Tigne in Sliema, Coffee Circus Lisboa in Valletta, COFFEE & strangers Espresso Bar in Sliema, Loaf in Gzira, and 5 Beans Coffee in San Gwann.

🚧 What to avoid

• Walking on roads: Streets in Malta are narrow and lack sidewalks. Cars rush by, passing you fast and close, making walking on the road very dangerous.
• Cycling: Unless you like being stuck in traffic on narrow roads or cycling up super steep cobblestone streets, Malta is not for cycling.
• No heating: Although Malta is a relatively warm winter destination, it can get cold at night, especially in winter. Be prepared, when renting a private home, you won't have central heating. Make sure that you get electric heaters from your host.
• Weekends and spring break: Malta is a hub for low-cost carriers, attracting all sorts of people, especially younger adults looking for an extended party weekend. Sliema, St. Gilian, and the surrounding neighborhoods can feel like spring break at times. Try Malta in the off-season and escape to Gozo Island on the weekend.
• Construction noise: Many places around the world cite construction as a reason for decreased tourism. Also in Malta, you find construction sites all over the island. Make sure you ask your host beforehand.
• Crypto-Events & Gaming Festivals: Malta is THE hub for the gaming industry. Whether you hate it or love it, choose before because if you arrive in Malta during an international gaming convention or crypto summit, you will have difficulty getting accommodation.

🚴🏻‍♀️ How to stay healthy

There are endless ways to stay active and fit in Malta. From climbing the steps in Valletta to hiking the Marfa Watchtowers route or horse riding at Golden Bay, Malta is tiny but multifaceted.

Stay active

• Hiking the Marfa Watchtowers Route: The start and endpoint of this hike is Ghadira Bay. The route takes you to the chapel, the White Tower, and breathtaking viewpoints. Depending on your fitness level, the hike takes about 4.5 to 5 hours.
• Kayaking in Gozo: Malta is the largest of the 7 sister islands of the archipelago, but Gozo is known as the prettiest of the sisters. However, what about a kayak tour on the little Gozo island? You find 3-hour kayak tours here.
• SUP Yoga: Haven’t heard it before, but this one sounds fun! As the name suggests, SUP Yoga combines stand-up paddling and Yoga. The rate is €35 per person per session.
• Watersports: Many beaches offer watersports, such as windsurfing, wakeboarding (popular in Għajn Tuffieħa Bay), or diving. Equipment can also be rented locally or bought from Decathlon.
• Hiking: The countryside of Malta is perfect for nature lovers and Hikers. Even though Malta is small, there is still untouched countryside, with rocky scrubland, lush valleys, and spectacular coastal views. Check out the list of the 8 top Hikes in Malta here.

Health risks

• Water quality: In general, you can drink tap water in Malta.
• Air quality: The air quality in Malta is generally moderate.

⚓️ Long stay

Malta introduced a Nomad residence permit.

• Financial requirements: Proof of employment and a minimum yearly income of €32,400.
• Fee: €330.
• Length: 1 year. You can extend 2 times, for a maximum of 3 years in total.
• Health insurance: You need travel health insurance that covers the entire length of your stay, such as Genki Traveler.
• Income tax: None.

👾 Join our Malta channel

A place where we ask questions and share our experiences in Malta.

Spain for nomads

Last updated 2022, May 27th: There are many reasons why Spain is an amazing country: Colorful festivals, blue flag beaches, a vibrant nightlife, and world-renowned cuisine, which is more than tapas. Famous holiday destinations in Spain include Barcelona and Sevilla, the canary islands, or popular b…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Portugal for nomads

Last updated 2022, November 28th: Portugal has played the underdog role for many years, traded as a hidden gem but never really experienced real hype compared to its famous neighbor Spain. While France and Spain welcomed nearly 90 million and 84 million international tourist arrivals in 2019, Portug…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Italy for nomads

[Last update: June 9, 2022] Romulus and Remus, two twin brothers were born around 750 BC and abandoned by their parents, a vestal virgin and the god Mars. Condemned to die at the river banks of the Tiber, the river god Tiberinus saved the baby boys which were fostered by

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

Last updated 2025, October 20th: Every nomad will be in Bali at one point, as it is just the best place to live. Work close to the beach, surf the perfect wave, and enjoy sundowners and long beach walks.

The island is a magnet for travelers, nomads, and escapists, a vibrant place for artists, musicians, and creatives. Do you plan to travel to the island of the Gods? Check our guide for nomads.

🌱 Travel health insurance for Bali

🇮🇩 Entry requirements for Bali

• Valid visa: Visit visa exemption or visa on arrival for leisure purposes
• Return ticket: A return flight ticket to continue the trip to another country
• Proof of visa payment: Proof of payment of PNBP Visa on Arrival of 500,000 IDR (32 Euro)

✈️ How to get to Bali

• Plane: You can transit to Bandar Udara International Soekarno Hatta (Jakarta) before connecting to Bandar Udara Internasional Ngurah Rai (Bali). Alternatively, you can take a direct flight to Bali depending on your country of origin. The best way to connect transport is by using local taxis at an affordable price.
  - Airport to Canggu is a 19 km drive which takes 35 mins. A local taxi to Canggu costs around €20.
  - Airport to Ubud is a 36 km drive which takes about an hour. A local taxi costs around €25.

🏡 How to find a place

• Airbnb: In the dry season (April to October), the average price per month is €800 to €1,000 for an apartment or private room in a shared house on Airbnb. During the rainy season (November to March), the average price per month is between €1,000 and €1,200. Airbnb is a great option to check out short-term stays
• Facebook: When looking for a mid-term rental, it might be worth monitoring some Facebook groups, for example, BALI ❤️ LONG TERM Yearly/Monthly Rentals, BALI CHEAP HOUSE RENT, and Bali House Apartment Villa for Rent.
• Jungle-Eco Hotels: When in a tropical place, you might want to stay somewhere special. Or maybe just for a weekend or a little week. For these occasions, consider Munduk Cabins, Bambu Indah, and Sumberkima Hill.
• Coliving at Outsite Bali in Pererenan. For €1,760 per month, you can book yourself in the beautiful Outsite Bali, which is known for providing one of the biggest nomad communities and networks in the coliving space universe. Located just 45 minutes from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Outsite Coliving Bali is near Canggu's most popular restaurant and bar street. The space is close to the beach, too. Surfing, sipping organic coffees in cafés, and browsing through local handcraft and artisan shops are all within walking distance.

🚌 Public transport

• City Bus: Bali has a city bus called Teman Bus, and at the moment, all the buses are free in Bali, wherever you want to go within the available route. You can download the app for Teman Bus on Play Store to see the daily route and schedule for the buses.
• Bluebird taxi: A safe and reliable form of transport is taking a taxi, which you can find in every big city, at the airport, and at major plazas or sites of interest. The fare starts at around 0.50 Euro and every km is an additional 0.30 Euro. Make sure your driver knows the destination and is using the meter. You can pay for taxis in cash. When using the app, you can also pay via card.
• Other local taxis: The service works perfectly in Bali and is widely available. The price is negotiable, and it would be beneficial for the local economy. Smaller local taxi companies don't have an app or credit card payment system, so you need to pay in cash.
• Uber: Bali doesn’t have Uber, but you can get similar services with Gojek and Grab. They are widely available and often cheaper than taxis.

🏘 Where to stay

• Ubud: The cost of living in Ubud is about €1,000 to 1,900 per month, highly depending on the rent you pay. Ubud is a desirable place for digital nomads thanks to an abundance of coworking spaces and cafés with free wifi. There are great yoga studios, lots of daily events, an inspiring vibe of local entrepreneurs, expats, and travelers, and an attractive crowd of creative folks, too. You find people working in all kinds of industries, coming from Austria, Europe, and the USA. Most people come to Ubud for a couple of months per year.
• Canggu: The cost of living in Canggu is around €1,500 to €2,000 per month. The small beach town is not just a beautiful place to live, with its small green pockets of rice fields that surround the terrain, gorgeous beaches, semi-retro architecture, and delicious food. It is also a place of welcoming locals who keep cultural traditions alive and a growing nomad scene. The infrastructure offers everything you wish for, from fast internet connections to excellent restaurants, long-term accommodation options, and idyllic surroundings.
• Seminyak: A bit more affordable than Ubud and Canggu, Seminyak has a cost of living between €1,000 and €1,500 per month. Seminyak is one of the touristy areas with beaches popular for sunsets. It is a lovely area, but it depends on where you find a place to live. In Seminyak, you find surf spots, coworking, and good cafés.

Asia on a budget: 6 destinations for less than 1,200 Euro a month

Updated: 2022, Dec 7th: While it is getting autumn in the northern hemisphere, it is time to think about where to spend the winter. If you are dreaming of white powdery beaches, artsy cafés, and delicious street food, but you are on a budget and you struggle to decide on

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

🧑🏻‍💻 Where to work from

Coworking spaces in Ubud

• Outpost Ubud: This coworking gem in both Ubud and Canggu describes itself as “the coworking space Google would create if they opened in Bali.” With excellent amenities and a vibrant, productive, and engaged community of doers that supercharge your productivity, this environment is ideal. Outpost is the coolest spot to get your geek on. A month's membership starts at €130.

Coffee shops in Ubud

• Clear Cafe: In terms of atmosphere, Clear Cafe is a favorite spot among remote workers, and it probably provides the fastest wifi outside of a coworking space. It’s huge and airy, and very instagramable.
• Alchemy: A vegan cafe with a plant-based menu, located very close to Outpost Ubud. You find mouth-watering meals, comfortable chairs, and work spots in a cozy ambiance.

Coworking spaces in Canggu

• BWork: A beautiful coworking space with bright and modern work areas, different seating options, standing desks, and comfortable chairs. Choose to work inside or outside at the pool or on the terrace. BWork offers events, from social to sportive, from business to fun. Memberships are €140 for 100 hours (1-month validity), or €80 for 50 hours (2 weeks' validity).
• ZIN@Work: Technically a hotel, a café, and a coworking space, all together in one spot. ZIN@Work is an open-air bamboo coworking and meeting space with zero membership fees. You sit in breezy and spacious rooms of their bamboo pavilion.

Coffee shops in Canggu

• ZIN Cafe: Zin Cafe is a true blessing to have in Canggu, as it comes with a large open-air space in modern tropical design. The staff is very welcoming, and the work slots are great to work from. You find plugs everywhere and fast internet, too. It has a good variety of different areas to choose from.
• Milu by Nook: This huge café brings an interior that might remind you of Ubud, but you are directly in the heart of Canggu. It is entirely open air with lovely high ceilings and fantastic views over the rice fields. The café lacks power plugs, so come here with fully charged batteries.

Coworking spaces in Seminyak

• Biliq Bali: Biliq Bali is the first pay-per-minute coworking space on the island, making it one of the most affordable and flexible options around. Biliq Bali also serves up delicious tropical smoothie bowls and awesome coffees. Additionally, they also offer coliving.

Coffee shops in Seminyak

• KYND Community: This cool café is located in the Seminyak area, offers a great variety of food, and is laptop-friendly. KYND is a community of earth-conscious foodies serving up plant-based dishes and drinks for people who like to eat lightly – all in pinch-me-cute pink interiors with swings and instagramable lounges - the perfect spot for a short-term work session over lunch or brunch.

Other digital nomad-friendly coffee shops

• NOIR Cafe: Located north of Denpasar, this place offers a fast wifi connection and a comfortable setup, making it one of the must-see cafés you should check out.
• Pitaloka Sanur: Pitaloka is located on the other side of Bali, which is where you can catch incredible sunrises. The concept of the café is Dutch-inspired and its affordable menu and coffees are popular among locals and tourists alike.

🚊 How to travel around Bali

• Grab: Once landed at Denpasar Airport, use the airport's wifi and set up your Uber or Grab ride. Uber and Grab are around 30% cheaper than meter taxis. A taxi from Denpasar to Seminyak charges approximately 350,000 IDR (€23), whereas a Grab ride costs 60,000 to 70,000 IDR (€4 - €4.50). Make sure to follow the instructions on the app and get to the official Grab pickup point.
• Bluebird taxi: If you want to take a taxi and the drive is less than 5 km, make sure to go by meter. If you take a taxi long-distance, for example, from Denpasar to Ubud, negotiate the price with the driver beforehand.
• Private transport: A thumb rule is that if you want to go for some sightseeing and your route is longer than 5km or more than 4 hours, you might want to hire a private car and driver. A driver for one day costs approximately 600,000 IDR (40 Euro) minimum, but can also go up to 800,000 to 1,000,000 IDR (52 to 65 Euro), depending on route and hours.
• Car rentals: You can find all major international car rental services in Bali. Be aware that in Bali, you will drive on the left side of the road. Day rates start at €20.
• Renting a scooter: When renting a scooter in Bali, make sure that you always have your international driver's license with you, as this is the law. Many rental services don't ask for your driver's license, but you need to have one and keep it with you at all times when riding your bike. If you don't have an international driver's license yet, you can apply for one in your home country. Before paying for your rental bike, check it carefully, including brakes, wheels, and oil. Always wear a helmet and be aware that Bali is left-side traffic, just like the UK or Australia. An okayish rental bike should not cost more than 160,000 IDR (€10) per day. Extra tip: When renting a scooter in Bali, choose the bicycle route option on Google Maps, as these routes are often way more scenic with less traffic.

🎖Must see

• Tanah Lot Temple: Tanah Lot epitomizes the romantic island of Bali. Tanah Lot means land in the sea, a perfect fit for its unique offshore location. The silhouette of the Pura Tanah Lot is one of the most popular iconic features of Bali.
• Trekking to Mountain Batur: The Mount Batur sunrise hike proved to be one of the most incredible experiences you might have to date. When you want breathtaking views, an endorphin rush, and an outdoor experience.
• Penida Island: Just a 30-minute speedboat ride southeast of the Bali mainland lies Nusa Penida (Penida Island). Nusa Penida has a surface area of approximately 202 square kilometers. For an island that size, Penida is laden with hidden treasures, exquisite beaches, and lush jungle hills you want to see.
• Garuda Wisnu Kencana: Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is located on top of a limestone hill 263 meters above sea level. Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is approximately 250 hectares and it is planned to establish a statue there as a new Bali landmark. Initially, the park is designed to be one of the prestigious performance venues in Bali. If you are looking forward to seeing the historic Bali culture, this is the place to visit.
• Waterfalls and lakes: Bali is not only famous for its beaches, sunsets, and unique culture, but also for these natural attractions. The island of the gods offers beautiful lakes and waterfalls spread around the island. Ask your local neighbor, waitress, or driver for a hidden gem in the wild. You won't be disappointed.

💡Good to know

• Internet: The median internet speed for fixed broadband is about 21.68 Mbps download and 10.25 Mbps upload speed.
• SIM card: Although the country offers many internet providers, Telkomsel has the best coverage and speed. You can buy SIM cards at the airport, in local shops, and even in a convenience store.
• Digital nomad community: The majority of digital nomads are probably found in Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, Kuta, and Uluwatu. Check out the local Facebook groups to connect with fellow nomads.
• Currency: In Bali, you pay in the Indonesian Rupiah. 1 Euro = 15,500 Rupiah (IDR), or €10 is roughly 150,000 IDR. There are a lot of zeros, but you can exchange Euros at the airport, and many places are official money changers.
• Climate: The climate of Indonesia is almost entirely tropical. Being a tropical country, Indonesia does not have spring, summer, autumn, or winter; instead, it has just the two seasons of Rainy and Dry, both of which are relative. While there is significant regional variation, in most of the country (including Bali), the dry season is April to October, while the wet season is November to March.
• Safety: Bali is incredibly safe to visit, pretty much always. While petty crime has increased in the wake of the pandemic, with some street smarts and simple precautions, this shouldn’t be an issue for you. Pack away your bag under the seat on your bike, don’t hold your phone ready to be grabbed, and avoid wandering the streets at night – easy to do, and it keeps you safe.

🚧 What to avoid

• Money exchange on the street: You have to be careful when using money exchange on the street. Sometimes they will scam you if they notice that you are a first timer in Bali. You can find another option with a better and bigger office to exchange your currency.
• Tourist scams: Tourist restaurants, taxis, and other shops and services around the old town are known to rip off tourists. Stay alert, check your bill, your change, and the tax and fees they try to charge you.
• Kuta, Canggu, any place after midnight: You must be careful with snatchers. Most of the time, they will be in action at midnight or after your party time is over. So, make sure you keep yourself alert.
• Yellow fever: Check your vaccine status for other illnesses, such as measles, polio, or yellow fever. A vaccine against yellow fever is required to enter Bali when entering from a high-risk country. When coming from Saudi Arabia, you must prove a vaccine against meningitis. Please check the WHO statement on Indonesia here.
• Malaria: According to the WHO, “malaria risk exists throughout the year in most areas of the five eastern provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, and West Papua [...]” (WHO). Tourist areas, such as Bali or Java, are excluded. However, some mosquito repellents might protect you too.
• Dengue fever: Another painful disease, and I talk from personal experience, is dengue fever. You can get it through bites from the Aedes mosquito, which is primarily active during the day. There is not much you can do except use mosquito repellent. However, tests and treatment can get costly.
• Traffic accidents: Scooter accidents in Bali are common, and Indonesia has the highest fatality rate for traffic accidents. In 2016, more than 31k people in Indonesia died in traffic accidents. In 2020, the rate was still more than 23.5k (statista.com). According to the WHO, about 73% of the people involved in traffic accidents in Indonesia are motorcyclists. Additionally, one-third of people don’t wear a helmet. Although scooters are fun and give us freedom, make sure you get health insurance that covers accidents, and always wear your helmet. By the way, Bali is not the most pedestrian-friendly place, so be careful with your steps.
• Air pollution: According to IQAir, Indonesia ranked as the 9th most air-polluted country in the world in 2020. However, Indonesia is a big country, and air pollution varies from island to island. The most polluted areas are Java and Riau. Let’s check Bali. The areas around Jimbaran and Ubud are the most air-polluted regions in Bali, with IQAir indices of 73 for Jimbaran and 69 for Ubud (as of November 17th, 2021). According to IQAir, Jimbaran and Ubud show moderate data. The best air quality can be found in Kuta, Bali, with an IQAir index of 12, which is considered good air. For up-to-date data, please check this website.
• Water pollution: Unfortunately, tap water in Bali is not the safest to drink. Due to agriculture, industrial waste, and domestic sewage, the water quality in Bali varies from place to place. The safest way to drink water is by using a water filter or buying bottled water. You can see the entire lab report here.
• Food poisoning: The overall food quality in Bali is not a concern. The problem is that the water is used to wash food, cutlery, and dishes. Here are some tips on how to avoid the worst, e.g., Bali Belly (see next point): make sure plates, glasses, and silverware is dry before usage; drink only bottled or filtered water, and avoid drinks with ice cubes, as they might be made of tap water; wash fresh fruits and vegetables in salty water before usage; cut and peel fruits and vegetables yourself; avoid eating raw, uncooked, and ungrilled meat or animal products; avoid eating food at room temperature; have a look at the restaurants you eat, high turnovers are a good indicator for minimum quality standards.
• Hospital stays: Reef burn, Bali tattoo, and Bali belly —better known as surfing accidents, traffic accidents, and traveler’s diarrhea —are everyday emergencies in Bali. First, you want to have some numbers handy, and second, you want to know where to go.

🚴🏻‍♀️ How to stay healthy

Stay active

• Gyms: The classical way for your workout. Check out this list of some of the best gyms in Bali (by Flokq.com, February 3rd, 2021).
• Yoga: Another great way to stay healthy is by doing some Asanas. If you don’t want to practice yoga yourself, check out this list by Louise, Honeycombers.
• Outdoor activities are another fun way to stay healthy. You might want to go for a hike, chase waterfalls, paddle or surf the waves, swim laps in your pool, or cycle across the island. You have loads of options! Check out our article Surfing & Health.

Health risks

• Water quality: The tap water in Bali isn't recommended for drinking, so avoid it and stick to sealed bottled water.
• Air quality: The air quality in Bali is moderate. The most significant air pollution comes from the rising number of vehicles.

🪪 Long-stay visas & residency

The single-entry visa is one of the favorite options for medium to long-term stays in Bali. The visa allows for stays of up to 6 months in Bali. After these 6 months, foreigners can apply for a new single-entry visa for another 6-month period. This process can be repeated several times.

Digital nomad visa

Remote Worker Visa (E33G) Program

• Work: Proof of income outside of Indonesia
• Annual income: $60,000
• Bank balance: $2,000 in your bank account for at least 3 months
• Address: Proof of rental contract or accommodation booking for the entire time

Easy travel planning for Asia

Are you looking for the top digital nomad hotspots in Asia? Or for destinations off the beaten track? Maybe you are budget-sensitive and you are looking for affordable but cozy destinations. Browse through this list of places in Asia, organized by interest. From chilled beach extensions to the top t…

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann

The 5 least traveled countries: Are they worth it for digital nomads?

It might take a while to get there, and others are so small they are often overlooked: The 5 least traveled countries worth checking out. The following list introduces you to 5 countries with come with very little tourism, great authenticity, and very little popularity. But sometimes it is just

Genki Guide for Digital NomadsSarah Kuhlemann