[The Ultimate Guide to Travel and Living] Detailed Explanation of Travel and Living Requirements, Income, Employment, Insurance, and Digital Nomad Plans

The meaning of travel and common lifestyles

"Sojourning" generally refers to temporarily leaving one's place of origin to live in a foreign country or place for a medium to long period of time, from several months to several years, while maintaining a regular daily routine and in-depth local experience, and integrating into the local community. Therefore, it is neither short-term tourism nor permanent immigration.

Comparison of Sojourning, travel, working holidays and digital nomadism

1. Stable source of income during the stay

To sustain a nomadic lifestyle, the most important thing is to ensure that your income can support your expenses for an extended period in a different location. To maintain financial stability, nomads should ensure that their work can be done remotely or that they have sustainable side income before departure, and they should also have some liquid funds as an emergency reserve.

2. Budget planning for the travel destination

Once you have a stable income, you need to calculate the cost of living in your destination and then create a monthly budget based on your major expenses. Since the cost of living can vary greatly between different countries and cities, you should also consider your income and expected expenses when choosing a destination. Your income should be at least 20% higher than your budget, and you should reserve at least three months' worth of living expenses to cope with unexpected situations and avoid financial pressure.

3. Travel insurance coverage

During your travels, if you unfortunately fall ill or have an accident, you will need to rely on the local healthcare system and bear substantial medical expenses yourself. Therefore, comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Having suitable travel insurance helps travelers receive timely support in emergencies and alleviates financial pressure. Travel insurance typically covers personal belongings, lost luggage, and travel delays, making it especially suitable for travelers who frequently carry electronic devices.

Besides the scope of coverage, travelers should also check the coverage period, regional applicability, and flexibility of the insurance plan when choosing one. If the traveler's stay exceeds the maximum coverage period for each trip under the annual travel insurance, they should purchase single-trip travel insurance to ensure comprehensive coverage throughout their stay. Since some insurance plans have different fees depending on the travel region, travelers who need to travel to different areas should also check the coverage areas of the relevant insurance plans to avoid coverage interruptions.

4. Tourist visa

To reside abroad, one needs to hold legal residency rights. Visa policies vary from country to country; some offer short-term visa-free entry, while others require a tourist visa or a long-term residency visa. After choosing a destination, travelers should carefully review the local visa types, maximum stay periods, and visa application procedures to avoid violating local laws and regulations.

5. Accommodation Arrangements

Unlike short-term tourism, long-term stays require living and working in a residence for an extended period. Therefore, when choosing accommodation, comfort, practicality, and convenience should be considered. If you are unfamiliar with the destination, it is recommended to rent a unit for 1 to 2 weeks first to experience the actual living environment, internet performance, and nearby community amenities before deciding whether to rent long-term.

6. Time difference

When deciding on a destination, travelers need to consider whether their daily work rhythm will conflict with the local time zone. If the work involves remote meetings and communication with clients, time differences need to be taken into account. If traveling to Southeast Asia, the time difference with Hong Kong is smaller, making it easier to maintain the original work pattern. If one wishes to live in Europe while clients mainly reside in Asia, adjustments to their work hours will be necessary, potentially requiring working day and night.

7. Taxation

Income and work earned while traveling may involve cross-border tax and legal issues. Therefore, when choosing a place to live, you should first understand the local tax regulations and whether the relevant visa allows travelers to work remotely. If you want to learn more, you can consider consulting a professional tax advisor to avoid violating local laws.

When creating a monthly budget, expenses should be divided into fixed and variable costs. A cost of living database can be consulted when evaluating these costs. Numbeo obtains real-time price data for the target city and makes predictions based on the following five dimensions:

1. Accommodation: Approximately 35% - 50% of the budget.

Renting in a different city usually involves a monthly rental model. Travelers can choose their preferred accommodation model according to their needs, but it should not exceed half of their budget.

• Common Accommodation Options
• Co-living: Sharing a kitchen, living room, and workspace helps with quick integration into a community, but individual space is limited, requiring mutual accommodation of lifestyle habits.
• Airbnb: Offers greater flexibility and relatively complete amenities, but quality varies; careful review of accommodation reviews and price comparisons are necessary.
• Local rental platforms: Prices are usually lower, but you need to have some local language skills and carefully check the unit and contract.
• Serviced apartments: Fully furnished, safe environment, hotel-style management and regular cleaning, but usually more expensive.

2. Food: Approximately 20% - 30% of the budget.

If you are living in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, eating out is usually very cheap and may be more cost-effective than cooking at home; however, in places like Portugal, Spain, Japan, or South Korea, eating out frequently can cause your budget to skyrocket, so you can choose to cook at home to reduce costs.

3. Transportation: Approximately 5% - 10% of the budget.

Transportation costs mainly include the subway, bus, or using Grab/Uber ride-hailing services. If you need to travel frequently, you may consider purchasing a local transportation monthly pass.

4. Departure Costs and Emergency Reserves

In addition to monthly living expenses, travelers must also prepare initial start-up capital and emergency funds before departure, such as travel insurance, visa costs, deposits for local accommodation, one-way or round-trip airfare, and hotel transfer fees upon arrival. After calculating the monthly budget for living abroad, it is also recommended to prepare at least 3 months' worth of living expenses as an emergency reserve.

5. Tax Risks and Double Taxation

Hong Kong adopts the territorial source principle for taxation. If a person resides in Hong Kong and maintains an employment relationship with a Hong Kong company, and the contract is negotiated and executed in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department will generally still consider the income "sourced from Hong Kong" and will be required to pay Hong Kong salaries tax. Residency travelers should refer to the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department's regulations regarding the official double taxation exemption guidelines.

Most countries have a 183-day rule. If you stay in a country for more than six months on a tourist visa, you may be automatically considered a tax resident and face the risk of double taxation. Therefore, when applying for digital nomad visas for various countries, be sure to carefully read whether they include tax exemption clauses to avoid tax liabilities and legal risks arising from cross-border work.

Based on the criteria of a single person seeking a higher-middle-class quality of life, namely residing in a private apartment in the city center with stable and frequent internet access. With reference to the Numbeo 2026 Global Cost of Living Database, the core costs of living in the following 6 locations are approximately as follows:

For travelers, travel insurance is the most important protection for living abroad. Both annual and single-trip travel insurance are available for those residing overseas long-term, but it's important to pay attention to the terms and conditions.

While the basic coverage of single-trip and annual travel insurance is largely the same, their mechanisms, coverage periods, and applicable rules differ significantly:

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1. The "maximum per trip" for annual insurance coverage.

Sojourners should pay attention to the number of days spent away from Hong Kong when purchasing year-round travel insurance. Most annual travel insurance policies stipulate a maximum coverage of 90 days per trip; if this limit is exceeded, the insurance company will consider the entire trip "from day one," and it will not be covered. Therefore, if the trip exceeds the limit, travelers should purchase single-trip travel insurance directly.

2. Medical insurance coverage and pre-existing conditions

Living abroad for extended periods means relying solely on the local healthcare system in case of illness or accidents. While many insurance policies boast high "maximum reimbursement for medical expenses," many include specific limits, such as caps on outpatient and inpatient care overseas, limits on "follow-up medical care" upon returning to Hong Kong, and limits on "emergency medical assistance." Furthermore, most travel insurance policies exclude "pre-existing conditions." If a traveler seeks medical treatment abroad due to a recurrence of a pre-existing illness, the insurance company has the right to refuse compensation.

3. Electronic devices and personal belongings

For travelers who need to work remotely, cameras, mobile phones, and laptops are essential, and protection of electronic devices is crucial. When purchasing travel insurance, policyholders must pay attention to both the personal belongings coverage and the mobile communication device coverage. Personal belongings coverage usually includes cameras, but some insurance plans exclude mobile phones and computers from the total personal belongings coverage, and each policy typically only covers one electronic device. For information on travel insurance coverage for mobile devices, please refer to Kwiksure’s blog on Travel Insurance Mobile Protection.

4. Restrictions on high-risk sports activities

If you want to ski or dive during your stay, check whether your travel insurance plan covers high-risk activities, including depth and altitude restrictions. Most policies only cover amateur activities; professional or commercial diving activities are usually excluded.

Whether you can work while residing in a tourist country depends on the type of visa you apply for. Tourist visas generally prohibit any form of employment, including remote work, while some countries offer a digital nomad visa option that allows travelers to work legally and earn income.

Common types of working while traveling

Nomadic workers typically engage in remote work without geographical limitations. They only need electronic devices and internet access to work anytime, anywhere, and can communicate with clients via web conferencing and email. Here are some common nomadic jobs:

• Content creation
• Digital Marketing
• Software development
• design
• Online teaching and consulting
• Data Analysis

To maintain financial health while traveling, it is essential to ensure a stable cash flow. Different work styles directly impact time flexibility and income stability.

When choosing a place to live, the core logic lies in balancing the cost of living, visa feasibility, and daily work efficiency (such as time difference and internet access). Some countries have introduced Digital Nomad Visas, which vary in terms of income thresholds, renewal mechanisms, and residency obligations.

Living in Japan

To apply for the Japan Digital Nomad Visa, one needs to meet the threshold of an annual income of 10 million yen (approximately HK$500,000). The maximum stay for the visa is only 6 months and cannot be renewed. In addition, Japanese is the main language of communication in Japan, and the cost of living is relatively high. It is more suitable for high-income people who like Japanese culture and want to enjoy a short-term experience. Holders of the Digital Nomad visa are not covered by national health insurance, and travelers need to have medical insurance with a coverage of 10 million yen (approximately HK$500,000).

Living in Taiwan

The income threshold of Taiwan's Digital Nomad Visa is lower than in Japan, and the maximum stay can be up to two years. The local language, writing system, and culture are similar; there is no time difference, and the cost of living is lower, making it easier to adapt to compared to other places. This makes it suitable for Hong Kong residents who prioritize convenience and are concerned about language barriers. Those who reside in the country for 6 months or more are eligible for health insurance. However, travelers must hold proof of insurance that covers medical expenses and hospitalization.

Income threshold for Taiwan's Digital Nomad Visa:

• Those aged 20-30 must have earned at least US$20,000 (approximately HK$160,000) in any one of the last two years.
• Applicants aged 30 or above must have a minimum income of US$40,000 (approximately HK$310,000).
• Or have previously been granted a digital nomad visa from another country.

Living in South Korea

To apply for the Korean Digital Nomad F-1-D visa, your annual income must be 1 to 2 times the per capita Gross National Income (GNI) published by the Bank of Korea in the year preceding the application date. Living in South Korea generally eliminates concerns about internet access, facilitating remote work. However, the cost of living is high in the Seoul metropolitan area, while communication outside the metropolitan area is primarily in Korean. Therefore, it is more suitable for those with Korean language skills or those interested in K-Pop and trendy culture.

Living in Thailand

Thailand is a top choice for many sojourners and digital nomads. The DTV Visa application process is relatively easy, and the cost of living is lower, making it suitable for those with limited budgets. The time difference is only one hour, so it won't significantly disrupt your work schedule. If you reside in a major city like Bangkok, locals are generally fluent in English, making it ideal for first-time remote workers. While medical insurance is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that travelers purchase travel insurance that covers medical and hospitalization expenses.

Living in Portugal

Applying for a D8 Visa in Portugal requires a monthly income of €3,280 (approximately HK$33,000), which is slightly higher than that in Asian countries. However, permanent residency can be applied for after five years of residence, making it ideal for remote workers looking to immigrate to Europe and experience a slower pace of life. Furthermore, Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, and many of its cities have well-established nomadic communities. If work is not affected by time differences, Portugal is a good option for temporary residence.

Living in Spain

The income threshold of the DNV Visa is 200% of the local minimum wage (SMI) for that year. In 2026, the minimum income requirement for a single applicant was €2,849 per month (approximately HKD 25,000), lower than Portugal, but with several key restrictions. The most attractive aspect for digital nomads is the Tax incentives system, the Beckham Law. Eligible individuals with an annual income below €600,000 are subject to a fixed tax rate of 24%, but freelancers and self-employed individuals are generally not subject to the Beckham Law.

Key work restrictions for DNV visas in Spain:

• At least 80% of revenue must come from outside Spain.
• Applicants must have worked with their current employer or client for at least 3 months.
• The employer or major client must have been operating for at least one year.

1. City Assessment and Cost of Living Tools

• Numbeo: The world's largest consumer price database is used before departure to compare differences in restaurant, rent, and supermarket prices between the target city and Hong Kong, and to formulate a living budget.
• Nomad List: Provides real-world internet speed, security index, weather, and nomadic community activity ratings for cities worldwide.

2. Cross-border money transfers and overseas consumer finance instruments

• Wise: Offers cross-border money transfer services with exchange rates closest to real-time rates on the market, with low transaction fees. Its virtual and physical debit cards support ATM withdrawals and multi-currency direct spending overseas.
• Revolut: Supports real-time currency exchange, overseas spending cashback, and includes built-in travel insurance and budget management functions.

3. International Cohabitation Platform

• Outsite: A global chain of co-living spaces designed specifically for remote workers, with rooms equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi and ergonomic office chairs, and featuring a high-quality nomadic community network.
• Selina: Boutique co-working accommodations around the world, combining the social atmosphere of youth hostels, co-working spaces, and local experiences.

4. Hardware Equipment: Lightweight Mobile Office

• Lightweight laptops: Recommended weight under 1.3kg, battery life over 10 hours.
• Noise-canceling headphones: Isolate noise in cafes, airports, or co-working spaces.
• Universal travel adapter + GaN charger: A compact, multi-port charger that can charge multiple mobile devices simultaneously.
• High-capacity power bank: Prepare high-capacity, fast-charging power banks that comply with the regulations of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department to prevent power outages during outdoor work.

5. Global Communication and Networking Tools

• Global SIM card: For those traveling to multiple countries, you can purchase a data plan upon arrival.
• Mobile Wi-Fi Egg/Backup Mobile Hotspot: In case you need to work in areas with poor network infrastructure.

6. Productivity and Time Management Tools

• Notion: It can be used to record travel itineraries, manage work progress, write documents, and store copies of important documents.
• Toggl: A time tracking tool that records the time spent on each work project, making it easy to provide billing details to international clients. Suitable for freelancers.

7. Network security and privacy protection

• Virtual Private Network (VPN): In addition to encrypting data transmission and preventing eavesdropping, it can also switch to a Hong Kong IP address, allowing access to geographically restricted company internal systems or bank websites.
• Password management tools: Prevent the loss of important passwords due to device loss when logging into different devices across countries.

8. Cloud Backup

• Instant cloud backup tools: Enable automatic syncing using Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud to ensure uninterrupted operation even if your mobile device experiences an accident.