The Digital Nomad Dating Guide [Expert Tips & Advice!]

The nomadic lifestyle certainly possesses a unique charm - the breathtaking views, immersive culture, and unforgettable memories. But it can also make finding someone special to share these experiences more challenging.

Dating as a digital nomad isn’t just a matter of landing in an exotic locale, meeting a captivating stranger, and setting off on an exhilarating adventure. It often revolves around setting realistic expectations, honing communication skills, and learning the art of planning travels with someone else.

VIDA Select’s team of dating experts has been helping singles find love all over the world since 2009. We’ve designed this digital nomad guide to help you navigate your quest for love while living your best life!

Let's start with some basic tips for dating while traveling…

3 Expert Digital Nomad Dating Tips

#1: Use The Right Platforms

Using mainstream dating apps as a location-independent professional can be extra challenging, especially when you’re looking for something long-term. Many local singles might not be open to the idea of a long-distance relationship or relocating for love.

Using a dating app designed specifically for digital nomads can make it much easier to find like-minded singles.

FairyTrail, TourBar, and Nomad Soulmates are 3 of the most popular dating apps for nomads. 

You can also try dating apps geared toward finding travel companions, such as Miss Travel and TravelGirls. 

But using these niche dating apps comes with one caveat: the user pools are much smaller than mainstream platforms like Bumble, Hinge, Badoo, etc. 

So you may also want to add one or two more popular apps to the mix to cast the widest net.

Many of them have location-changing features, like Tinder’s Passport and Bumble’s Travel Mode. That allows you to start swiping before you get there, and hopefully have a few promising dates lined up as soon as you disembark. 

But to avoid wasting time with incompatible matches, it’s generally best to be upfront about your penchant for travel.

#2: Check Out Shared Spaces For Professionals

Co-living and co-working spaces have been steadily gaining popularity in the digital nomad community. 

These accommodations provide all the essentials: a comfortable bed, fast Wi-Fi, and a suitable workspace, all in a shared environment. 

Some countries have rolled out the red carpet for digital nomads by creating dedicated villages.

These unique spaces provide a comprehensive environment where remote workers can live, work, and connect with like-minded, adventurous, location-independent individuals. 

One of the more notable examples is the Digital Nomad Valley Zadar in Croatia, which offers an inspiring workspace that has become home to hundreds of digital nomads.

Surrounding yourself with people living a similar lifestyle significantly enhances the likelihood of finding your ideal partner.

#3: Dive Into Local Life 

Immersing yourself in the local culture maximizes the opportunities to meet someone new. Think beyond the dives, cafes, and hidden gems. 

You can find community events and volunteer opportunities listed on websites like Idealist, All for Good, and VolunteerMatch. These platforms allow you to filter according to your interests, skills, and available time. 

And depending on the length of your stay, another great option is to join a sports team or fitness group.

You can also keep an eye out for digital nomad conferences, online groups, and the like, as they help fellow nomads connect. You may even find an attractive new travel companion. 

You’ve Met Someone - Now What?

Navigating a brand-new relationship can be tricky enough without throwing travel into the mix. When you’re traveling with someone you don’t know all that well, there a few things to think about before packing your bags and grabbing your boarding passes. 

Make Safety Your Priority 

Safety should always be a primary concern, especially when you're about to explore unknown territories with someone new. 

Nomad dating apps like FairyTrail and TourBar prioritize user safety by integrating ID verification into their sign-up process. You’ve also got the option to use various background check services before going all-in with your new travel partner. 

It’s good to share your travel plans with someone, like a family member or friend who isn’t accompanying you. Keep your contact apprised of your itinerary, who you’re traveling with, and the best way to contact you. 

Learn The Art Of Collaborative Planning

Digital nomads often fall into two categories: meticulous planners or spontaneous adventurers. 

With a companion in the mix, there can be a little turbulence if one of you embraces spontaneity more than the other. Making deliberate choices about where to stay and how long to stay there helps ensure expectations stay aligned. 

Have An Exit Strategy

The digital nomad life is as unpredictable as it is exciting. Today, you might be basking in a glorious beach sunset in Bali, only for tomorrow to find you wondering why on earth you chose this particular travel companion. 

Savvy (and safe) nomad daters plan an exit strategy ahead of time.

Have a backup plan, have enough money saved or room on your credit card to cover a sudden departure, and recognize when it's time to say goodbye. Nomad dating is indeed a thrilling ride, but an exit plan ensures that your trip doesn’t turn into a nightmare. 

Popular Digital Nomad Destinations

More than 35 million people worldwide embrace the lifestyle, so it’s no surprise that various platforms that cater to digital nomads have conducted surveys and collected data on the top destinations.  

If you're attracted to the energizing combination of vibrant city life and dynamic street markets, Bangkok (Thailand) is right up your alley. Ranked in the top 5 by the Nomad List, Bangkok impresses nomads worldwide. 

Thailand's peaceful and budget-friendly city, Chiang Mai, is also an irresistible choice for digital nomads.

For those who like a mix of cultural heritage and modern lifestyles, cities like Lisbon (Portugal), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Barcelona (Spain) cater wonderfully to nomadic inclinations.

Have you thought about Croatia? Zagreb, one of the largest and culturally rich cities, offers awe-inspiring views of the Sava River. Known for its diverse economy and high quality of living, Zagreb could easily be your next nomadic home.

Depending on how long you’re thinking about staying in a particular place, it might be wise to investigate getting a digital nomad visa. Although these visas are not obligatory for remote workers, they can be favorable if you're planning to stay a while.

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) provides a bevy of information on how digital nomad visas vary from conventional work visas and how to go about applying for one. 

If a romantic tour across Europe sounds like your jam, ETIAS also shares tips on seamless travel between Europe and the Schengen Area.

Not all of these attractive locations currently offer digital nomad visas, but there are plenty of exciting destinations that do.  

As the digital nomad movement continues to gain momentum, more countries recognize the unique lifestyle and economic advantages it offers. 

Georgia, Croatia, Malta, and Estonia were among the early adopters of digital nomad visa arrangements. They recognized the potential economic benefits the digital nomad community could provide and acted swiftly to welcome them.

According to the VisaGuide World Digital Nomad Index, Spain, Argentina, Romania, the UAE and Croatia rank among the best countries for digital nomads. That’s due to factors like internet speed, living costs, healthcare, and tax aspects.

With over 40 countries now providing (or planning to provide*) their versions of digital nomad visas, the list of nations keeps growing:

The Best Way to Meet Singles While Living The Nomad Life 

Swiping, matching, messaging… meeting compatible singles is already time consuming, and it’s even harder managing it all while traveling.

Why not let VIDA handle the daily grind of modern dating for you? We can help you date in just about any major city around the world, doing everything from optimizing your profile to all the swiping and messaging. 

All you do is show up for dates with compatible local singles who are excited to meet you.

Intrigued? Find out exactly how the process works here!