Living a life of adventure, whether that means hopping between countries or working remotely from diverse locations across the globe, can be exhilarating. However, frequent travelling and digital nomadism come with their own unique challenges, especially when it comes to preparing for the unexpected. Many globetrotters neglect to plan for events such as sudden illness, injury, or worse, assuming such concerns are far down the line or unnecessary amidst their active lifestyles. But legal and financial security should never be sacrificed for the sake of mobility.
The reality is that unexpected events can occur anywhere and at any time. Being constantly on the move, away from home, possibly lacking consistent access to trusted medical facilities or legal professionals, makes it all the more critical to have plans in place. Estate planning may sound like something reserved for property owners, elderly individuals, or families with complex assets. In truth, even a solo remote worker with a laptop and a modest bank account benefits greatly from having their affairs in order.
The first step in responsible planning involves cataloguing all assets, regardless of size or value. For digital nomads, these might not include homes or classic cars, but they often involve a combination of online financial holdings, physical possessions kept in storage or at a family member’s home, personal electronics, cryptocurrency, and even intellectual property like websites or content libraries.
Make a comprehensive inventory of everything you own. Include digital assets, such as email accounts, social media profiles, cloud storage, virtual workspace subscriptions, and shared drives. Ensure all login information is stored securely in a password manager with clear instructions for access laid out in separate documentation. Remember, you don’t need to be wealthy to have assets worth protecting and passing on.
A legally valid will remains one of the most basic, yet vital components of a sound plan. It outlines who should receive your belongings and how they should be distributed. For people constantly travelling, it’s best to work with a solicitor who understands international circumstances. If your travels span multiple countries—particularly ones where you own or intend to own property—research if special legal provisions or separate wills are advisable under each jurisdiction.
Consider selecting an executor who is not only trustworthy but also informed about the logistics of your lifestyle. Someone who understands what digital footprints entail, who knows where your assets are located, and who can handle navigating cross-border legal matters can provide immense peace of mind. Some nomads choose to name a professional executor, especially if family or close friends are not geographically close or equipped to manage the responsibilities.
In the event that accidental injury or illness leaves you unable to make decisions about your healthcare or finances, establishing power of attorney becomes paramount. This legal document designates a trusted individual to act on your behalf. For long-term travellers, having a durable or enduring power of attorney ensures that someone can handle matters such as paying your bills, managing investments, or coordinating care without needing to return home.
You might consider two separate types: a financial power of attorney and a health care proxy (also known in many parts of the world as a health and welfare power of attorney). Ensure the assigned individuals understand your values and lifestyle choices. It’s also helpful for these documents to be accessible remotely and filed correctly as per local legal expectations.
Alongside appointing healthcare proxies, consider drafting a living will (or advance healthcare directive). This document outlines your preferences for medical treatment in case you’re incapacitated and unable to communicate. For global citizens, making these wishes clear avoids confusion in foreign medical systems that may approach treatment differently and may not be subject to the same laws as your home country.
It’s prudent to translate your directive if you’re frequently residing in non-English-speaking countries and carry a copy either on your person or as part of an electronic health record system. Some nomads now wear medical ID jewellery or keep emergency QR code cards in their wallets that link to this essential information.
A crucial aspect often overlooked is the management of one’s digital legacy. This includes everything from online banking to social media accounts, subscription services, unpublished creative works, blogs, email accounts, and cloud-stored documents. Services offered by Google, Facebook, Apple and other tech companies now allow users to nominate a legacy contact or create an inactive account manager designation to manage or delete content posthumously.
Make a list of online accounts with their respective instructions. While login credentials shouldn’t be included in your will due to changing passwords and potential security risks, placing them in a reputable password manager and giving access to a designated confidant with instructions is a wise move. Outline what should happen to your content: Should your blog remain as a memorial? Should crypto be liquidated and distributed to a charity?
Travel and life insurance deserves particular attention. Not all life insurance policies cover frequent travel, nor do they necessarily apply in every country. Look for insurers offering coverage for expatriates and those whose lifestyles are predominantly international. Verify whether your policy covers repatriation in the event of a medical emergency or death abroad. It can be a significant logistical and financial burden on loved ones, which a well-prepared plan should anticipate.
Some digital nomads turn to international insurance providers who bundle life, health, and travel into a comprehensive worldwide policy. While more expensive, the security of knowing you are covered irrespective of your current time zone is often worth the cost.
Many people who adopt a minimalist lifestyle for life on the road still own real estate or maintain belongings in storage. Leaving these assets unmanaged could lead to disputes or neglect over time. Assign a trusted friend or caretaker back home to oversee physical assets and consider establishing a property management agreement, which sets expectations and limits on their role.
If your property is rented out while you’re travelling, include terms in your will regarding the continuation of leases and how rental income should be managed. Similarly, ensure storage units, safes, or bank deposit boxes have clear instructions regarding access, especially if rental payments are made from accounts that might be frozen upon your death.
The moment your lifestyle crosses borders, your planning needs to follow suit. Because legal systems vary greatly between countries, assets held in other locations may be subjected to different succession laws than those of your home country. Some countries favour forced heirship, others recognise handwritten wills, while some do not acknowledge foreign granting of power of attorney.
Enlist the help of a solicitor who specialises in international estate matters. In some cases, it’s advisable to establish a central will that outlines global intentions alongside localised wills for regions where you hold significant assets. Make sure that these documents do not contradict one another, as doing so could bring legal challenges.
It’s also worth noting that tax obligations after death can differ drastically depending on your country of domicile, citizenship, or the nature of your residency status. For individuals with dual nationalities or extended residence in a second country, a qualified tax advisor can help minimise liability and ensure your heirs do not face unnecessary complications.
Trusts can be effective tools for those whose nomadic lifestyles span years, or who maintain complex financial situations. These legal arrangements allow a third party (the trustee) to manage and distribute assets on your behalf, often avoiding probate—a lengthy and public legal process.
Establishing a revocable living trust can help ensure continued management of assets without court interference. In regions where inheritance can be contested or where access to digital or financial tools may be delayed through personal death, trusts provide a stable mechanism for supporting loved ones or protecting business continuity.
Once you’ve crafted the components of your plans, don’t let them sit in a drawer. Digital copies, stored securely in encrypted cloud storage, should complement physical originals. Regularly update your information to reflect your changing lifestyle. As you move countries, open new accounts, change insurance providers or even as relationships evolve, it’s crucial to review documents accordingly.
Consider investing in services that manage and securely store your legacy documents online, with protocols ensuring they are delivered to the right individuals only under specific conditions. Additionally, leave clear instructions with loved ones about how to find and handle your plans.
Include a document that lists the location of all estate planning elements: where your will resides, who holds the power of attorney, where your password manager can be accessed, and whom to contact for professional assistance. Keeping even a small emergency contact card with your passport summarising this can offer crucial direction if something unexpected happens abroad.
A significant yet often ignored step is simply communicating your plans. This doesn’t mean giving full spreadsheets of your finances to each relative, but making your values and intentions clear goes a long way. Letting executors, doctors, or key people know what you’ve prepared will help them act swiftly and respectfully if needed.
Often, the most difficult part is starting this conversation. For digital nomads and frequent travellers who may already diverge from traditional life paths, it’s particularly meaningful to demystify these conversations so family and friends don’t feel disempowered if called upon to manage things.
Ultimately, crafting this set of legal safeguards does not signal pessimism; rather, it enhances your ability to explore the world with confidence. By planning for the unexpected, you reduce the burden on loved ones and ensure your values, identity, and assets aren’t lost in bureaucracy or legal limbo.
An adventurous life and thorough planning are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they complement each other. Whether you’re spending six months in Bali, freelancing from Lisbon, or hopping between continents every few weeks, having your legal and financial house in order allows you to live freely—without leaving chaos behind.
Estate planning is not just for the wealthy, elderly, or settled. For digital nomads and frequent travellers, it is an essential act of responsibility and care. By creating a will, appointing power of attorney, protecting digital assets, and ensuring international legal alignment, you gain not only protection but also peace of mind. It’s a small investment in time and effort that secures your legacy, empowers your loved ones, and strengthens your freedom to live life on your own terms.
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