Expat Vs. Digital Nomad: The Differences In Travel Styles Are Bigger Than You Think

If you've ever traveled internationally and thought to yourself, "I could really see myself living here," you're certainly not alone. It's easy to fall in love with beautiful cities and picturesque towns we come across on our adventures, and even easier to feel inspired by other cultures. Many of us may dream of spending some time living abroad, but some travelers become so entranced with a place they've visited that they decide to move there either temporarily or permanently.

You'll encounter a few different types of people who choose to live abroad. Some may be retirees looking for more relaxation and a slower pace. Others may be families who decided to relocate and raise their children in a new country. Others may be working professionals who have the freedom to live and work wherever they choose. Some people who move abroad call themselves "expats" while others identify as "digital nomads" and there are a few key differences between the two.

Expat is short for expatriate, which is anyone who has left their country of origin to live in another nation around the globe. It's another word describing someone who is an immigrant, foreign worker, or migrant. Digital nomads are people who are working remotely while traveling. They can work from anywhere and often choose to move around frequently. They may work for a specific company or rely on freelance and contract jobs. A digital nomad may be an expat, but not all expats are digital nomads.

The digital nomad lifestyle has become incredibly popular in recent years. A digital nomad can work from anywhere as long as they have their computer and a solid internet connection. During the COVID-19 pandemic many businesses closed down their offices temporarily and allowed employees work from home to help prevent the spread of the virus without shutting down the work flow entirely. Many companies discovered the cost-saving benefits of remote workers and made the changes permanent. When countries around the globe began welcoming tourists again, some remote workers decided to travel abroad.

Now more professionals are seeking job opportunities that allow them the freedom to travel the world and there are plenty of awesome destinations for remote workers. They can show up for work each day, without physically showing up at the office. Software developers, programmers, graphic designers, and virtual assistants, are a few common jobs that may offer the opportunities to work remotely. Many freelance writers, designers, and other creatives have already been living the digital nomad lifestyle for years.

Digital nomads can be expats if they choose to relocate and live in another country, but they can also be digital nomads while traveling around their country of origin. Digital nomads often move frequently and stay in short term rentals like Airbnbs or hostels. They may try to obtain digital nomad visas and stay in a certain country for a few months or a few years before moving on.

You don't have to be a digital nomad to qualify as an expat — all you have to do is move abroad. Expats can be professionals who work in more traditional in-person jobs. Some expats move for better career opportunities within specific companies while others may be entrepreneurs who decide to start a business in another country. You don't have to work at all to be considered an expat — many people who choose to move abroad are actually retirees.

The main difference between the two is that expats tend to settle in one place whereas digital nomads tend to move around and country hop more frequently. Many expats apply for residency, a work visa, or even citizenship in their new country.

Living like a digital nomad is great for people who want to explore and experience a variety of different cultures and countries, but moving around frequently can become exhausting after a while. In an article on The Expat Chronicles via Medium, Judith BQ wrote, "Living the digital nomad lifestyle can leave you feeling ungrounded and unsettled. Feeling unsettled makes it difficult to maintain productivity and build a solid and sustainable routine. Living the digital nomad lifestyle made me crave stability." She preferred the expat experience and felt as though it was easier to connect with locals and build community while rooted in one place. She also felt as though the expat life was less stressful as she didn't have to worry about various visa requirements. Both options are wonderful in their own way, but it's important to consider your own lifestyle and travel preferences.