You've got a remote job in the UK. Now you're thinking: can I work from Spain? Thailand? Bali? Just because I'm not in an office?
Yes, often. But there are rules: visa regulations, tax obligations, employment law, and visa status complications. This is complicated territory where mistakes cost money.
Here's the honest guide.
The 183-Day Rule (Residency)
What it is: If you spend more than 183 days in a country in a calendar year, you become a tax resident there.
What it means: You may owe tax to that country on your worldwide income.
Example:
- You work for UK company (earning £35k)
- You spend 6 months (184+ days) in Spain
- Spain may claim you owe Spanish tax on those earnings
Complication: Different countries count days differently, have different rules, and have tax treaties with the UK to prevent double taxation.
The reality: If working from abroad for 6 months or less, usually fine. If longer, you need to understand tax implications for that specific country.
HMRC Residency Tests
When you're a UK tax resident:
- You work in the UK
- You have a UK home
- You spend 91+ days in UK in year
- (Various other criteria)
When you might lose UK tax residency:
- You work abroad full-time
- You spend fewer than 91 days in UK per year
- You establish residency elsewhere
Important: HMRC uses multiple tests. Losing one doesn't mean you've lost residency. They look at the whole picture.
Real consequence: If you work remotely from abroad for a year and spend only 30 days in UK, HMRC might say you're not UK resident. Then you owe tax to the foreign country (or neither, if you're temporary).
Practical advice: If planning extended work abroad, speak to a tax accountant first (£200-500 consultation). It's cheaper than getting it wrong.
Visa Considerations
Standard Visitor Visas
Most countries allow tourists (visitor visas) for 30-90 days.
Important: Tourists can't work. Technically, remote work counts as working.
Reality:
- Many countries don't enforce this strictly if you're working online (not employing locals)
- If you're in Thailand for 2 months working remotely, rarely an issue
- If you're there 6+ months or seeking immigration status, it matters
Risk: Low for short trips, increases with duration.
Digital Nomad Visas (Growing Opportunity)
What they are: Visas specifically for remote workers. You can legally stay and work remotely for your non-resident employer.
Countries offering Digital Nomad Visas (2026):
Spain
- Visa length: 1 year
- Eligibility: Minimum €2,300/month income from abroad
- Cost: ~€600-800 fee
- Process: Apply at Spanish embassy, takes 4-8 weeks
- Living costs: £900-1,500/month depending on region
Portugal
- Visa length: 1 year (renewable)
- Eligibility: Minimum €2,700/month
- Cost: Small fee (~€30-50)
- Process: Apply via immigration office after arrival
- Living costs: £800-1,300/month
Italy
- Visa length: 1 year
- Eligibility: Minimum €1,500-2,000/month
- Cost: Small fee
- Process: Apply at consulate or in-country
- Living costs: £900-1,400/month
Greece
- Visa length: 1 year
- Eligibility: Minimum €2,500/month
- Living costs: £700-1,100/month
Estonia (Online)
- Visa length: 1 year
- Eligibility: Minimum €2,500/month
- Can apply fully online (unique)
- Living costs: £800-1,200/month
Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary
- Various digital nomad visas, less established but growing
Pros of digital nomad visa:
- Legal to stay and work
- Tax clarity (you're resident, foreign income usually not taxed if meeting conditions)
- Peace of mind
- Easy to extend or renew
Cons:
- Minimum income requirements (usually £1,500-2,500/month)
- Some countries slow processing
- Still need to track tax obligations carefully
Tax Implications: The Real Complication
Scenario 1: 2 Months in Spain (UK Tax Resident)
Your situation:
- You work for UK company (remote)
- You take 2 months working from Spain
- You're still UK tax resident (spend 300 days/year in UK)
Your taxes:
- UK: Pay income tax on UK salary (normal PAYE)
- Spain: No obligation (visitor, not resident, not enough days)
- Result: Continue normal UK tax, nothing additional
Action: None. Just inform your employer if needed.
Scenario 2: 6 Months in Spain, Digital Nomad Visa
Your situation:
- You have Spanish digital nomad visa
- You're in Spain 6 months, UK 6 months
- You earn £2,500/month from UK company
Your taxes:
- UK: May argue you're still UK resident (depends on days in UK)
- Spain: Considers you resident under visa
- Risk: Double taxation or conflicting claims
What to do:
- Get tax advice from accountant (£300-500)
- Look up UK-Spain tax treaty (prevents double tax usually)
- File taxes in most likely residence country
- Keep detailed records
Scenario 3: 12 Months Abroad (Full Remote, Not UK)
Your situation:
- You spend all year in Portugal on digital nomad visa
- You work for UK company
- You have no UK residence
Your taxes:
- UK: Likely not UK tax resident (under 91 days)
- Portugal: Consider you resident (visa holder)
- Result: You owe Portuguese tax on worldwide income
Action:
- Consult Portuguese tax advisor
- Portugal has generous foreign income rules (can be tax-exempt first year sometimes)
- Understand obligations before committing
Employment Law & Contracts
Key question: Does your UK employment contract allow you to work from abroad?
Check your contract for:
- "Work location" (must be remote, not office-based)
- "Permitted locations" (does it restrict where you work?)
- "Notice to employer" (must you tell them where you're working?)
- "Data security" (are you in a secure environment?)
Reality:
- Most remote contracts allow working anywhere
- Some companies restrict certain countries (USA, specific risky countries) for legal/security reasons
- You should tell your employer where you're working (even if contract doesn't require it)
Action: Review your contract. Ask HR: "Can I work from [country] for [duration]?" Usually yes.
Practical Working Abroad Checklist
Before you go:
-
Check visa requirements
- How long can you stay? (Tourist visa: usually 30-90 days)
- Can tourists work? (Technically no, but usually not enforced for remote)
- Is a digital nomad visa available and worth applying for?
-
Understand tax
- Are you still UK tax resident? (Usually yes if trip under 6 months)
- Do you need to file taxes in the destination country? (Consult accountant if over 6 months)
-
Review employment contract
- Does it allow remote work from abroad?
- Should you notify your employer?
-
Test internet
- Will your broadband work for video calls abroad?
- Backup plan if internet fails?
- VPN if using public WiFi?
-
Check insurance
- Does your travel insurance cover "working abroad"?
- Do you need additional business liability insurance?
-
Tell your employer
- Ethical requirement: tell them where you are
- Professional requirement: ensure they're comfortable
- Data security: show you're working securely
Real Examples
Example 1: 3-Month Work-Holiday (Low Risk)
Plan: Work from Portugal for 3 months
Visas: Tourist visa (30 days), extend informally or move around
Taxes: None additional (still UK tax resident, under 91 days Portugal)
Employment: Okay from most contracts (remote, not prohibited)
Reality: Straightforward. Thousands of UK remote workers do this.
Example 2: 6 Months Spain (Medium Complexity)
Plan: Spain on digital nomad visa, 6 months
Visas: Digital nomad visa (1 year available, need €2,300/month income)
Taxes: Consult accountant (UK-Spain tax treaty, foreign income rules)
Employment: Probably okay (check contract, tell employer)
Reality: Doable, but need 1-2 hours with accountant to understand obligations. Cost: £300-500 for advice, ~£0-500 in actual tax depending on situation.
Example 3: 12 Months Thailand (Higher Risk)
Plan: Full year in Thailand
Visas: Tourist visas don't allow work. Thailand has no digital nomad visa (as of 2026). Technically illegal to work.
Reality: Many people do it (tens of thousands), but there's risk. Technically illegal. Risk of visa revocation, deportation.
Better plan: Get Elite visa, retirement visa, or business visa (more complex, but legal).
Taxes: Thailand taxes foreign employment sometimes—complicated.
Reality: Possible but requires research and acceptance of legal gray zone.
The Honest Truth
Short-term (1-3 months abroad): Easy. Go. No special arrangements needed. You're still UK tax resident.
Medium-term (3-6 months): Research destination, consider digital nomad visa if available, maybe consult accountant if over 6 months.
Long-term (6-12 months+): Get professional advice. Tax treaties, visa status, residency law differ per country. Could be £300-500 to get it right, much cheaper than getting it wrong.
Permanent move abroad: Definitely get professional advice. Your tax residency changes, employment law may apply in new country, visa status matters.
Job Boards For Remote UK Work (If Abroad)
If you want to earn UK salary while abroad:
- LinkedIn (filter for "UK remote")
- Indeed (UK roles, remote)
- We Work Remotely
- FlexJobs
Just remember: UK salary + low cost-of-living country = excellent financial position.