Known for its high standards of living, its natural beauty that’s ideal for outdoor lovers, and work-life balance, there are many reasons to want to work and travel in Scandinavia. Learn more about jobs you can have while travelling in Scandinavia that are great for you.
But what are the requirements to do that? And what jobs can you have while on the move, exploring all that this subregion of Northern Europe has to offer?
Work nomadically
One of the easiest ways to travel and work is to land yourself a job that allows you to work remotely. However, there are some things you’ll need to do your research on when it comes to being a digital nomad in Scandinavia.
If you are from an EEA, EU or Schengen country, then you’re in luck: you’ll be able to work nomadically with no need for a work permit or visa. You will have to register in whichever country you find yourself in though, should you stay there for longer than 3 months.
Unfortunately, if you hail from elsewhere in the world, getting the right to work in Scandinavian countries is a little more complicated. In both Sweden and Denmark, you will need to prove that you are working for a company or clients based in that country to obtain a work permit.
While Norway differs, offering the Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa, it comes with its own hoops to jump through. The cost to apply is approximately €600 and you will be expected to have a yearly income of around €35,000. For more information on how the Scandinavian working world works, check out dailyscandinavian.com.
Remote jobs
Although there are certainly lots of boxes to check, working in Scandinavia is very possible. All it takes is getting your ducks in a row, and a clear idea of a nomadic career path to follow. So, what are your job options?
1. Virtual Assistant
This is a position that demands a variety of skills, from calendar optimisation and overall organisation to writing, marketing, social media management, and sometimes some designing. So, if your wheelhouse involves a little bit of everything, then this could be a great choice for you.
If you’re working full-time as a virtual assistant for a company, then you’ll need to make sure you have some kind of office set-up available to you, even when you’re travelling. That could look like the corner of your hotel room or a co-working space.
In that office space, a stable internet connection is vital. As are noise-cancelling headphones to ensure that your meetings aren’t disturbed by the comings and goings around you. While you’re travelling, you run a greater risk of distractions seeping into your working life. Invest in the tech you need to mitigate that.
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2. Freelance Writer
If you have an eye for detail, a passion for words, and the ability to consistently meet deadlines, then why not consider becoming a freelance writer? There is a plethora of blog posts, articles, listicles, and website copy out there for the taking. So polish up your pitch-writing skills to start forging a career.
Once you’ve published a few pieces, consider setting up a website to show off your portfolio to continue attracting new clients. Not only will this make you look more professional, but you’ll be able to let your writing do the talking. Remember to keep your portfolio updated with your most recent work.
While you may not need an office set up, a quiet corner, free from distractions is never a bad idea so that you can transform your ideas into high-quality copy with ease. And most importantly, ensure you have cloud storage of some kind. A rookie digital nomad mistake is having to start an article from scratch because you had technical problems and forgot to back up your files.
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3. ESL Teacher
Regardless of prior experience, or which field you’ve previously worked in, so long as you’re proficient in English, you can train to become an ESL teacher. What’s more, with the possibility to complete your training course online, you can learn to teach from anywhere in the world.
The industry standard is the 120-hour course, and it will consist of a variety of modules that will cover teaching methodology, the ins and outs of English grammar, and much more. You’ll also get the opportunity to pick the brains of experienced tutors who can give you first-hand insights into the ESL industry. For more information on courses read this blog article from The TEFL Org.
Once you’ve qualified, your next step is finding clients. In terms of starting out as an online English teacher, you have two choices. You can apply to online teaching companies, which often provide teachers with the lesson material and handle the marketing side of things. Alternatively, you can go completely freelance and focus on your own preferred niche.
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4. Programmer
If you don’t mind spending a lot of time staring at a computer screen and are adept at problem-solving, then programming could be a good fit for you. Like teaching, this is a position you can opt to either do freelance or by working for a company that allows remote working.
Things to consider include that you may find yourself working in a fast-paced role that requires you to learn new information regularly. While it could feel as though your training for this job never really ends, continued education could also make for very engaging work.
Another plus is that most programmers have a standard working day, from Monday to Friday, with no need for weekend availability or evening hours. So wherever you find yourself in Scandinavia, you’ll be able to clock off, just like everyone else, and make the most of your weekends exploring.
Overall, what makes a job great for you while you’re travelling in Scandinavia will depend on what it is you’re looking for in said job. There are many ways to explore a country and often countless things to do while you’re there and not on the clock. But what makes a job the right fit for you is your own personal goals and interests.
Jobs You Can Have While Traveling in Scandinavia That Are Great For You, written dedicatedly for Daily Scandinavian by Gemma Jackson. Gemma is a London-born poet and freelance writer currently based in Italy. Her publications include Fil/Uh (Salò Press, 2023); Aprire (Broken Sleep Books, 2020); and Delineate (Blurb, 2016). Her work has also appeared in Litmus, DATABLEED, Molly Bloom, Adjacent Pineapple, and most recently, Londnr Magazine.