bunq unveils the results of its survey of 5,000 digital nomads on mental health, finances, personal relationships and access to healthcare abroad.
bunq, Europe’s second-largest neobank, has surveyed nearly 5,000 digital nomads to uncover the realities of life on the move. While life on the move brings new opportunities, it also comes with trade-offs. Nearly a third (31%) have missed key life events like weddings or funerals, whilst one in three (31%) admit they’ve faced mental health challenges while adjusting to life abroad. Yet for many, the rewards outweigh the sacrifice – over a quarter (28%) report saving more and 22% feel more financially secure since embracing an international lifestyle.
Mental health challenges on the road
While the thrill of new experiences is exciting, the reality of digital nomadism can be challenging. Among British respondents, a third (31%) admitted to facing mental health struggles whilst living abroad, often feeling homesick as they adjust to life away from familiar comforts. This figure is lower than that reported by Spanish (47%) and French (48%) digital nomads, but it remains a notable concern for those embracing a transient lifestyle.
Another aspect impacting mental well-being is the need for self-censorship. One in three (31%) British digital nomads report feeling the need to hide aspects of their identity, such as political views, religious beliefs, or sexuality, due to cultural differences in their host countries. However, some (17%) also report that exposure to diverse cultures has strengthened their values and self-awareness.
The personal cost of living abroad
The shift to an international lifestyle has a mixed impact on personal relationships. 1 in 5 (20%) British digital nomads report that their relationships with friends at home have suffered, with many speaking less frequently or not at all. This disconnect extends beyond everyday conversations to key life events, with nearly one-third (31%) of respondents admitting they had missed important milestones such as weddings or funerals.
Despite these sacrifices, the experience of being a digital nomad also fosters new social connections. One in five (20%) British digital nomads report that they have built stronger relationships while travelling, demonstrating the potential for meaningful bonds beyond borders.
Financial and career impacts
Financial security is one of the major motivators for pursuing a digital nomad lifestyle. A quarter (28%) of British digital nomads report an increase in savings compared to when they lived in the UK, while 1 in 4 (24%) feel more financially secure due to the flexibility of choosing where to work. Additionally, 1 in 5 (19%) believe that this lifestyle has positively influenced their career development.
However, not all career impacts are positive. A quarter (24%) said their career had suffered due to their international lifestyle, citing missed job opportunities (5%) and career stagnation (3%) as key concerns. Only 20% of British digital nomads reported that their employers were fully supportive, despite the growing acceptance of remote work post-pandemic. To navigate these challenges, 1 in 10 (10%) of UK digital nomads have either hidden their lifestyle from their employer or avoided disclosing it during job applications.
Home comforts top the list of things missed
When asked about what they miss most from home, British digital nomads overwhelmingly cited friends and family (27%) as their greatest longing. However, closely following in second place was British cuisine (14%), highlighting the strong cultural attachment to staple foods such as cottage pie and fish and chips… or maybe even a chow mein. British wit (12%) ranks as a unique cultural loss, with British digital nomads reporting a stronger longing for humour than any other European nationality surveyed. Even the often-criticised British weather (9%) made the list, alongside a broader sense of British culture (8%) and the familiar sounds of home (7%).
Bianca Zwart, Chief Strategy Officer at bunq, said: “At bunq, we’ve seen firsthand the changes in the way people approach work, travel, and life. It’s not just about freedom – it’s about the richness of experience. Digital nomads aren’t leaving things behind; they’re building something new.”
