Anyone here a “digital nomad” (or thinking of being one)?

[Aridane]

Strange term but it seems to be a thing.

With my office shut, I’m toying with the idea of working remotely overseas and instead of my sofa at home (LOATHE working from home). It’s just a thought at the moment, no concrete plans.

But if I did it, it would probably be the EU as 1) same time zone, and 2) until end of year still enjoy EHIC reciprocal care.

Has anyone done this or thinking of doing this?

I have a feeling a lot of the going on about the corporate stuff have really never done this before and so are jumping through hoops to over-explain that side of the equation.

If the OP leaves the U.K. for less than 3 months, it won’t trigger a tax issue for her company. This is especially true if she goes to let’s say Spain for 3 weeks, France for 5 weeks and then Italy for 3 weeks. It’s not enough time in each country to trigger anything.

This is also one of the reasons why people in some roving jobs get moved around by their companies every 4 to 6 weeks. This isn’t as hard as some posters are making it out to be.

My employer did WFH as emergency just because of lockdown. I told them I was going back to my Parents and the managers had to give consent because it was to work from normal residence. That was 150 miles in England.

If you are only doing it for a few months it might be OK - but there are still formalities to be gone through as it is not legal to work for a UK company in another country without declaring it. As a PP mentioned, the EHIC is only designed for people who are temporarily in the country fr tourism purposes, not if you are working there - in that case you have to pay social security and be part of the health system there.

www.gov.uk/guidance/paying-employees-working-abroad gives some tips as to what your employer might need to do.

You might be able to get away with it for a few months only without the authorities noticing, but as I mentioned previously if you or your employer get caught, the penalities can be quite stiff as it is deemed that you have evaded paying your social security contributions.

This is different from tax residency which is determined by length of time spent in a country. But if you are resident in a country and work there, you are expected to pay social security in that country, unless you are temporarily detached as per one of the exemptions on the GOV.UK website.

Absolutely no reason not to up sticks for a month or two somewhere. Find an airbnb or a serviced apartment and have a change of scenery. Why not.

@TreestumpsAndTrampolines - that’s exactLy it!

@GetUpAgain / don’t tempt me!

@kersh33

Thanks for explaining the difference between tax residency and social security obligations.

Where do you want to go, by the way?

@BoogleMcGroogle

Not yet determined - but toying with the idea of Madeira a) warm, b) Covid free and Reasonably rigorous precautions, c) free health care and d) decent Wi-fi, and e) cheap accommodation

It's going to make such a difference to the job market. WFH, I mean.
When people choose careers I can see them avoiding jobs that can't be done from home such as nursing and going for office based jobs where you can have the option of home working.
And many of the support jobs in city centres such as catering, transport and cleaning won't be needed if people aren't commuting. Where will these people find work?
And if people choose to work from a lower taxed country will companies refuse and risk losing them or will many move to pleasanter surroundings and cheaper property.
Sorry, not really relevant to the OP.

It sort of is relevant, @MistressMounthaven, as I loathe not being able to go into the office and I don’t Celebrate WFH. In fact if we all become remote workers at my organisation, I will look for an alternative position where there is a physical office with physical people in it

My compromise in these circumstances is at least to have a change of scene from my sofa / kitchen work surface since the office is off limits

If you are in certain regulated professions (eg Financial Services) there can be a problem with providing services from a location where the company is not registered. So, you may need to check that depending on your job.

The company I work for is moving to WFH for ever. The question of working from home abroad has been raised and we have been told we cannot do it, even for staff who have the right to work in the EU post-Brexit. There are EU offices, but staff there have different terms and conditions. We may move within the U.K. only.

@daisypond - hope do you feel about WFH permanently ?

I’m not so keen, and lots of staff are profoundly unhappy. Most don’t have the space to work from home. Those wishing to go abroad are pushing hard on getting clarification on why it’s not being allowed.

In terms of healthcare, don't forget that reciprocal arrangements aren't the same as having free NHS healthcare, just that you would be entitled to the same as the citizens of the country you are in. That might mean paying and reclaiming a percentage back (as in France for example) but not the full amount of what your care actually cost.

What are the tax implications?

My closest friends daughter has been doing her highly paid HR'ish job, that is largely USA related, from her husbands Ibiza house for the the last 6 weeks. And no one even knows!

Me and DP working from Aus ATM....takes a few late nights but is lovely

Here's a useful article for you OP BBC News - Coronavirus: Can I work from home overseas?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53524486

@FaffingForEngland - Madeira government has pledged free healthcare for Covid

Thanks, @Firefliess - good introductory article

[quote Aridane]@FaffingForEngland - Madeira government has pledged free healthcare for Covid[/quote]
Surrey, I missed you were thinking of Madeira. What about other health issues? I'm only really familiar with France, and you definitely wouldnt be covered for all health costs there, as the French aren't and we only get the same as they do.

@FaffingForEngland

Sort - meant to say that healthcare in Madeira / Portugal is generally free AND the Madeira government has pledged free health care (and accommodation) to visitors unlucky enough to be Covid positive while in Madeira

SORRY , not SORT

I thought a digital nomad would be someone who moves regularly to avoid all connection with the internet........ that sounds a better option (so stress and annoyance free - but not for online workers obviously).