Iberian visa changes | Japan popup | Hypno | Issue #0025

We’ve gone back to our roots with a new section and resource this week - connecting nomads with a growing database for groups and chats in digital nomad destinations.

Loneliness/meeting other nomads was one of the most popular answers in last week’s poll about what help you need as a nomad, so hopefully this will help find people before or when you arrive at your next spot 🤝

That’s not all this week…

🇯🇵 The perfect way to see Japan as a nomad?
🇪🇺 European dn visas get a little tougher? to land
😵‍💫  Lose a little control to GAIN control of your future
🏝️ Last minute spots at an island retreat for entrepreneurs

Happy Valentines Day on Friday! 💕

NEWS
Is the Iberian peninsula still a draw?

The most popular digital nomad visa of 2024 - Spain’s offering - has seen what always seems to happen when something is successful…a tougher route to entry.

As reported by Nomad Embassy last week, the minimum income requirements have seen a hike for 2025. Conversations with a couple of nomads last week even before this was announced were centred around the general cost of Spain increasing, so this won’t go down well for some nomads who had an Iberian summer planned.

Spain remains a popular option, and they aren’t alone in changing the rules. Portugal have made even more changes. Nomad Embassy dropped a useful comparison of the two which include the latest updates.

WHAT ELSE…

🇦🇪 Influencers get the nod Talking of visas, content creators (and teachers btw) are amongst those now eligible for the 10-year Golden Visa for Dubai.

🔖 More red tape Though in theory, Thailand’s new digital version of the long-suspended TM6 might actually make it quicker to get in from May ‘25.

✈️ The good days aren’t over! It felt like the dirt-cheap European flight days were over. There are ways to grab them though…

🌙 Travel ideas for the night owls Five of the best night time adventures around the world.

🍿 Will ChatGPT become “Y”? A public spat is back in the news. Will we see a change of the guard at OpenAI - or maybe even X!

GET CONNECTED

The Digital Nomad was born from the desire to connect nomads with each other in Chiang Mai, where it isn’t always as easy as it should be. We’re building a resource for nomads in as many cities and countries as possible, and getting a lot of help from you in the community in doing so.

See the list of groups, chats and websites in your current or next destination here:

If you are in a nomad hotspot (or anywhere there is a community of digital nomads that has a digital presence) then help us all out and share any communities you are in or know of with this quick form.

DESTINATIONS
The easiest way into nomadding rural Japan

April is cherry blossom time in Japan - sakura - probably the most iconic and special time to take in the Land of the Samurai. However, digital nomadding away from the usual suspects - Toyko, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukoyoka - and getting an authentic Japan experience is not so easy.

Luckily, Alt_Coliving love Japan so much that they have a popup coliving for the month of April, with spots still available. It’ll be in the less-traveled and beautiful Kotohira, and you’ll be treated to a local guide assimmilating you into the local culture.

You’ll also cowork, colive and of course make new friends and connections.

There is an online meetup this Friday 14th to find out more and chat to the guys at Alt_ about it - you can join it here. In the meantime check out this comprehensive run-through of the experience you’ll get.

SPREAD THE WORD

Have you been forwarded The Digital Nomad by a friend? If so, don’t miss out on future issues by getting it every Tuesday.

Or do you have digital nomad friends, or ones planning to be? They could use a quick weekly fix of what’s happening in their world, so share this link or share on your socials with the links at the top of this newsletter.

POLL

HEALTH & WEALTH
Hypno means taking control, not losing it

A couple of weeks ago we polled you on your use of holistic practices. Unsurprisingly, meditation came out top. Slightly surprisingly, hypnosis came in last, but it does come with its share of myths and preconceptions.

We met Greg Prasker at Nomad Summit, someone who found hypnosis in the darkest of times, and it changed the course of his life. Now, he uses it to help nomads, entrepreneurs, and business owners battle the obstacles holding them back from genuine success.

So Greg, Warrior seems like an important word in your approach.
I help business owners and entrepreneurs to hit the next level - the ones who’ll fight for it - whether in their bank accounts or life in general. To achieve this the focus is hypnosis, but there’s a little coaching in there too.

What do clients get when they work with you?
The goal is to locate those invisible obstacles in your subconscious that are preventing the hustling, busting your ass, and all those sales calls, translate to money. You haven't hit the level you desire because something in your subconscious is blocking you. We’ll break into that barrier.

How did you come into hypnosis and breathwork?
It found me, really. I tried to take my life. I grew up unhappy and had all these limiting beliefs that I’m helping to dispel. I studied hypnosis with a friend of a friend, but soon outgrew their level. Then I found a higher-level teacher through whom I really discovered how powerful it is.

And now you work mostly with entrepreneurs who have blocks?
I ran online groups for some time and the level of demand has just grown from there. Those who are pushing the 6-figure level but falling short seem to get the most from the program.

Ok, so what does working with you look like?
It’s a 1-on-1 three month program that is structured so that month one is clearing those limiting beliefs and obstacles so that month two and three can shift into rebuilding. You’ll write a contract with yourself, and walk out being who you came to me to be.

Anything people should stop believing about hypnosis if they haven’t tried it yet?
You are never out of control when being hypnosis. It is a heightened state of awareness that allows you access the most bad-ass place to be to make changes. I’d urge anyone to at least try it.

Check out this sample session to get a taste of what hypnosis with Greg might feel like.

Greg has spent the last few years travelling through, and studying, the Mayan culture of Central America and the spirituality of Southern and SE Asia, and works with nomads and entrepreneurs all around the world.

Get in touch with him to find out how it’ll help you.

We love to feature nomads and what you do that helps the rest of us. You can get featured for FREE too. Fill out this form.

BRAIN FOOD

Books - How the high achievers stay high achievers; The Motivation Myth.

Apps - Any of these likely to make traveling any easier for you?

Useful - Learn how to be a great communicator.

Music - Pick from retro playlists in a truly retro website and popup.

 If you have any recommendations we can share here, let us know.

MAKE DIGITAL NOMAD LIFE EASIER
Resources that are actually helpful

Check out our new resources page for the longer list. This gets added to every week, but here are a few notable deals or resources for this week:

• Mastermind Retreat - Join Max’s mastermind in Koh Lanta next month, focussed on accelerating growth for entrepreneurs and their businesses. Get 5% off using code DNN5%.

• Kaya Connections’ April retreat in Siargao - for entrepreneurs and business owners - that we featured recently is filling up fast. Mention The Digital Nomad for $50 off!

• VPN - NordVPN have a birthday sale on. You’ll get 73% off and 6 months free on most plans using this link.

• WiFi - Simo have knocked $100 off the the Solis 5G hotspot. Grab it here.

• Save money - Get the Global Nomad Pass for worldwide savings.

• Vietnam Nomad Fest - Tickets are still available. Get 10% off with code TIM at checkout.

Check out the new resources page for more useful tools and services.

THE LIST
Which airlines deliver the best cuisine?

Look, most of us regular travellers don’t really think too hard about what the dining experience might be like on a flight. But, if you are given a choice of airlines, why not pick one where it might at least be edible?

MoneySuperMarket gathered the ratings from 27,000 flyers, and these were the top ten at delivering food you might actually enjoy:

The middle east dominates the top spots, and notable is the absence of many of the big hitters. Find the rest of the top 20 here.

BE SEEN AND HEARD

We would love to hear from you if you have some valuable knowledge, products or services, information, or just a fun or crazy digital nomad story. Get more eyes on your thing, or maybe you just like sharing with fellow nomads!

Fill in this form if you want to feature for free in The Digital Nomad.

TRIVIA
How much local transportation do you use?

1. Japan’s iconic high-speed rail network is known by what name, which translates to "new trunk line"?

2. In the Netherlands, over 35% of daily trips are made using what mode of transport?

3. Which bus-like vehicle are you hailing in Manila to get around?

4. What Indigenous transport must travelers use to reach the remote base of Angel Falls in Venezuela?

5. The red truck synonymous with Chiang Mai, but seen around Thailand in different colours and models.

6. What horse-drawn mode of transport is typical of the snowy regions of Russia?

Answers below.

COFFEE BREAK

🔎 Fun - At least, if you’re a power-hungry, born leader.

📜 History - This day in 660BC is the day traditionally known as the foundation of Japan, with Emporer Jimmu ascending to the throne.

🌎 Science - Not sure we’d know much about any of them, but here are 5 ways the world could end.

📺 Watch - Get a fix of retro tv with this random show generator.

WHAT DID YOU MISS?

If you are new to The Digital Nomad - or just want to go back and read a previous issue - then you can find them all here.

ANSWERS

1. Shinkansen. 2. Bicycle (Fiets). 3. A Jeepney. 4. Curiara (a dug-out canoe). 5. Songthaew/Rod Daeng (or red truck to us!). 6. The Troika.