One of the most common questions about becoming a digital nomad is how to get started. We want flexibility, stability, and the ability to pick where we spend our working hours. But how do we achieve that?
The Remote Traveler had the chance to sit down with Camile Sardina, an entrepreneur, author, and digital nomad currently residing in Madrid, Spain, to answer that question. Her story about starting her professional life in New York City and moving across the World is about achieving balance.
Sardina's journey starts in New York City. Having graduated with a Public Relations degree, her first job was with a remote startup.
"Remote is all I knew, and it's all I still know."
Her newfound flexibility allowed her to lean into her passions while earning an income.
"It didn't take me till my mid-20s to ask, why aren't I taking advantage of travel right now? I decided to combine the two - a career and travel. I don't necessarily need a long-term lease; I can just hop around."
Making the decision to add travel to the mix is often the first step toward becoming a digital nomad. But even for those with opportunities, it can be hard to pick up and go.
Camile started small, working with travel groups at the time, like Map&Move, to travel around the U.S. and Canada. But the travel love bug bit her instantly, and within one year, she had booked her first solo trip to Europe.
Because of her love of travel and her ability to work remotely, Camile has become quite an experienced world traveler. "I initially thought I'd move to Italy, but after visiting Madrid, I felt at home," she explains.
Spain's digital nomad visa was launched in January 2023. It explicitly encourages remote freelancers and business owners to visit Spain as part of its Startup Act.
Foreign W2 employees might find it hard to obtain this specific visa, but others are available.
The visa requirements are straightforward and similar to other criteria required by other countries:
"I had to gather many documents and undergo an FBI background check. Luckily, I can do the background check from Spain, but remember that that's only one piece of the puzzle," Sardina told The Remote Traveler.
The visa application process continually evolves, making it hard to know whether you are working with the most correct and up-to-date information. One way to help stay on top of the process is to hire an immigration lawyer and even consider meeting with several people.
"Different lawyers gave different advice, which was confusing at times but worth the insight I gained," she adds.
Camile has been undergoing the process while in the country, which has given her time to adjust to her new environment and given her an advantage.
"After you collect all the items and meet their requirements, you can submit your visa application. And if approved, you'll have the visa for three years, and extensions are possible. A super important piece of information: If you submit your digital nomad visa paperwork in Spain, you can stay in Spain beyond the 90/180 Schengen Rule until you get an answer."
VisaGuide.World further describes the rule:
"The 90/180-day rule is a Schengen policy that applies to non-EU/EEA nationals visiting the Schengen Area. This rule determines the maximum time individuals can spend within the Schengen Area during a specific period. As such, the 90/180-day rule exists to monitor short-stay visitors and ensure that no one overstays in the Schengen countries and stays illegally."
The process is complicated but not impossible, and digital nomads like Camile, who are actively living the application process, are a wealth of info for others wanting to try the same thing.
When moving as a digital nomad and business owner, it is essential to embrace your new home's culture while protecting your responsibilities. How do we juggle all of that at once?
For Camile, the answer is language and community. Already conversational in Spanish, she enrolled in an accelerated language program to help her become fluent.
"I genuinely want to learn more about the country and the culture. I genuinely want to embrace it."
She also used Facebook groups, which introduced her to local communities, new activities, and to fellow American expats in Madrid.
One of the most significant differences she's faced is the pace at which day-to-day life moves. New York moves a mile a minute. Madrid's slower, more relaxed atmosphere may be a shock in comparison.
Luckily, the local Madrid community has made adjusting easier by being incredibly inviting for her and expats like her to participate in their way of life.
The move has had little impact on her business, thanks to the remote nature of her career.
"There are changes because of the different time zones, but all my clients know my business is remote. The people I hire for projects work in different areas, often in different time zones."
Working in a different time zone and with different operating hours can also take some getting used to. Still, with determination and organization, Camile assures us it will take a little while to get used to the difference.
It takes a certain mindset to become a digital nomad. For many, the most important thing is being adaptable to new situations.
"Being flexible and open to change is crucial," Sardina advises. "You must be adaptable because being in a different country will have nerve-wracking culture shocks. You need to be able to go with the flow,"
You don't have to be extroverted or even an experienced world traveler to be a successful digital nomad, but you must be flexible.
Secondly, Camile urged those looking to travel to "Take advantage of the opportunity while you can."
"You never really know how long you'll have that opportunity of working remotely. So, if you have the opportunity, hop on it. Be bold and live in a different country. Choose a new home base if you can."
Don't feel like you have to wait for the perfect time to go. Picking a new home base can also make it more accessible to explore even greater areas.
Finally, she recommends building a digital skillset.
"Travelers should try fine-tuning skills that would allow them to work digitally if that's what they want. They have to think of any job that can be done via a computer and a phone."
Even if you are just interested in short-term travel, having a profitable digital skill set can only be good. She suggests researching coding, writing, graphic design, or even music production.
Camile's journey inspires us and shows us that being a digital nomad is possible for anyone. Embracing different cultures and new paths to success can be powerful.
People don't have to be confined to an office to build a career; there is more than one way to grow, have fun, and manage responsibilities. It is possible to do it all.
Camile's story is just beginning. The World is her office, an approach to life and work that may be worth considering for yourself.
Camile Sardina is the founder and CEO of Evolist Media, the author of Change Makers, a freelance writer, and a producer/host who does it all as a digital nomad.
Her work and thought leadership have been featured in U.S. News and World Report, mitú, CanvasRebel, BoldJourney, BUST, Teen Vogue, Elite Daily, LADYGUNN, and more. Change Makers alone garnered endorsements and praise from Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Ashton Kutcher, and the organizers of the Women's March.