As an American living abroad, I’m often questioned about my financial situation. Many ask how I earn income and fund my travels while living outside my home country. In reality, it’s not much different from how I would earn income while living in the United States. I think there’s also a misconception that travel and living abroad are very costly, but oftentimes living abroad can be less expensive than living in your home country. However, funding this type of lifestyle can pose a challenge and sometimes you have to get creative when earning income while abroad. In this blog post, I’ll share some of my tips and the best ways to earn money as an expat while living abroad, based on my own experience and research.
#1: Remote Work
When I first moved abroad to Istanbul in 2021, I was working remotely for a U.S. based company. I was hired during the Covid-19 pandemic and my position was fully remote WFH. I realized that instead of working from my home country, I could produce the same results while living abroad in another country.
At the time, I spoke to management about my plans, and the company didn’t have a problem with me moving abroad and working from another country. Of course relocating to a different time zone meant later work hours, but it was never a huge issue for me as I’m a night owl and Istanbul is lively into the late hours of the night.
Whenever someone asks me for advice on earning income while living abroad, my first suggestion is to find a 100% remote position based in their home country. Thanks to the rise of remote work, many companies are now open to hiring employees who work from different parts of the world. This means you can earn a salary in your home country while still enjoying the benefits of travel and living abroad.
To find remote work opportunities, you can search for job openings on websites like Indeed or Glassdoor while filtering for “fully remote” positions. You can also search on remote job search engines such as Remote.co. Many large-scale companies with locations across the world tend to be open to fully-remote positions. Keep in mind that fully remote positions tend to be more competitive, so ensure your resume and cover letter are strong to help you stand out from other applicants.
#2: Teach English
One of the best ways to earn income while living abroad is to teach English. Oftentimes native English speakers are sought after abroad to teach the language in schools or private tutor companies. In Istanbul, there were many international schools hiring native English speaking teachers.
Depending on your new country, you may not even need formal teaching experience or education in the field. Oftentimes tutor companies and schools seek individuals with a Bachelor’s degree (in any field) and a 120-hour certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). There are many online programs out there to get you TEFL certified, and oftentimes the courses cost a few hundred dollars and only require a couple months of time. The certification never expires, which is a bonus.
Additionally, you can also offer private tutoring services, either in person or online. While living abroad, I’ve relied on my 120-hour TEFL certification to tutor English online. Tutoring online has given me more flexibility to make my own schedule and travel around as I please. I tutor on a few different tutoring platforms, but always recommend Cambly as a good starting point for teaching English.
Cambly is a conversational platform in which English-speaking tutors match with English learners from around the world to assist with their language learning goals. Cambly does not require teaching experience or education, which is why I believe it’s a great place to start for new tutors. The pay is lower than other platforms (around $10-12 USD an hour), but the student base is more consistent than other platforms and they also offer resources for lessons. The sessions don’t require advance planning, as many students simply want to practice speaking to you through casual conversation.
If you’re interested in learning more about tutoring on Cambly, you can click my affiliate link to learn more and sign up here.
#3: Freelance Work
One of the most popular ways to earn money as an expat is through freelance work. There are endless opportunities to work remotely, no matter where in the world you are. From writing and graphic design to web development and digital marketing, there are countless skills that are in demand. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr make it easy to find clients and start earning money.
Tap into your strengths and skills. If you have a hobby or passion, consider turning it into a “side hustle” or a steady income source. If you save up enough money before moving abroad, you can rely on a financial cushion while you settle into your new country and get your freelancing journey off the ground.
I started making content for fun on TikTok after moving to Istanbul to share about my new life abroad. Over time, I built a following off of my travel content. Now, in addition to my travel blog and TikTok, I sell travel guides on Thatch and also offer consultations to individuals interested in moving abroad or traveling to Istanbul. What began as a creative outlet has now become a way for me to earn income.
If you’re looking to learn a new skill to use for freelancing abroad, Skillshare is a great place to start. Skillshare is a popular online learning platform that offers thousands of courses in a wide variety of subjects, from graphic design and writing to coding and photography. Many of the courses focus on practical skills that you can immediately apply to your freelance work. For example, if you want to become a freelance writer, you can take courses on writing for different audiences, creating effective headlines, and building a freelance writing business. These courses can give you the tools you need to start pitching clients and building a successful freelance career. If you’re interested in learning on Skillshare, you can sign up to receive 1 month for free using my affiliate link here.
#4: House & Pet Sitting
House and pet sitting has become a popular option for travelers and individuals living abroad. As a house and/or pet sitter, you’ll be responsible for taking care of someone else’s home and pets while they’re away. This can be a great way to save money on rent or accommodation costs. It also eliminates the need to search and secure housing in a foreign country (which can be one of the biggest hurdles for expats).
Oftentimes there is no financial compensation, rather you are given free housing in exchange for taking care of the homeowner’s space and pets while they’re away. However this can be a great option for slow travelers who have another source of income. Many house and pet sitting jobs offer a range of dates from a couple days to a few months, which allows for more flexibility. If you want to travel around a particular country, you could hop around the region through a few different house sitting jobs over the course of a few months. You’ll have the freedom to travel around and explore while simultaneously saving money on the biggest expense while traveling: accommodation.
There are several websites that you can use to find opportunities, such as TrustedHousesitters, HouseCarers, and MindMyHouse. These websites connect homeowners with house and pet sitters, and allow you to create a profile showcasing your experience and skills. You can also browse through listings in different countries and apply for the ones that interest you.
#5: Become an Au-Pair
Being an au-pair provides a great opportunity to earn money while traveling and living abroad, especially if you love working with children and want to experience a different culture. As an au-pair you live with a host family and provide childcare in exchange for accommodation, a weekly stipend, and often the opportunity to take language classes or explore the local area.
One of the biggest benefits of being an au pair is the opportunity to live with a host family. This can be a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and make connections with locals. You’ll also have the opportunity to improve your language skills, especially if you’re living in a country where the primary language is not your native language.
In terms of compensation, au pairs typically receive room and board, a weekly stipend, and sometimes additional benefits like transportation or language classes. The amount of compensation will vary depending on the country and the family. To become an au-pair, you typically apply to an au pair agency or directly to a host family. You’ll have less freedom to live independently, but you’ll be earning income and saving money on accommodation.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you click the links. These affiliate links and partnerships help support my business 🙂
My Travel Links & Recommendations:
The Best Travel Health Insurance: Safety Wing
My Favorite Travel Credit Card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Tutor English Online from Anywhere: Cambly
My Travel Guides: Thatch
Best Hotel Deals Up to 70% off: Wndr
My Istanbul Travel Guide E-Book: Here
The Best Travel Products: Amazon
Learn Turkish with Turkishle Courses: Turkishle
One Month Free of Online Classes: Skillshare
