What is Considered Long Term Travel? Let’s Explore

If you ask the majority of people, they will probably say that long term travel is a dream of theirs. Months backpacking through Europe or seeing the world by cross-continental cruise. Who doesn't want to experience something entirely new?

But what exactly qualifies as long term travel? And is it something you should consider?

What's required in order to do it? Are there visa or travel insurance requirements you need to know about?

In this guide, we will take a look at extending travel - what it is, what you need to know, and whether or not it might be something for you.

What is long term travel?

You might be surprised to hear this, but there is no global definition of "long term travel".

Different people, businesses, and sites categorize it as different things. You might see it categorized anywhere from 30 days to a year or more!

At Insurte, we consider long term travel to be any trip that exceeds 90 days in length, but you can use the term however you see fit 🙂

What do you need to know before traveling long term?

Before heading off on an extended stay, there are a few things that you should know.

• Visa(s) may be required. Depending on how long you're traveling for and which country/countries you intend to visit, you may need to apply for one (or multiple) visas. Make sure you look into the conditions for entry for any and all countries on your list.
• You might not be able to work while abroad, even if your job is fully remote. It's easy to think that since you're able to work remotely, you can travel the world and do so, but unfortunately, it isn't as simple as that. Many countries require you to have a specific visa permitting you to work while on their soil, even if your job is remote and for a business back home. The same is true if you are self-employed. If you were planning on working while overseas, check whether or not you're legally allowed to carry out any professional activities.
• Travel insurance may be required - especially if you're applying for a visa. Depending on your destination, it may be a mandatory condition for entering the country. Check official embassy websites and/or visa application centers to learn which entry requirements you must meet.
• You may need proof of lodging. Even if you aren't applying for a visa, depending on where you're traveling to, you may be required to show proof of lodging when you pass through border control. This is another reason it's so important that you research each country's travel regulations and guidelines before you finalize your plans.

Do people work while they travel long-term?

Yes, sometimes!

Whether or not long term travelers work while abroad depends on their individual needs, the business that they work for, and their legal right to work in the country that they're visiting.

Most of the time, travelers need to hold a valid visa in order to work during their time overseas. For example, if you visit the Schengen area (a collection of 29 countries in Europe, including France, Spain, Italy, and other popular destinations), you can't work unless you have a visa that explicitly allows it.

With the growth of remote-friendly options, some countries have jumped on the opportunity to offer "digital nomad" visas, increasing their tourism economy. While only select countries offer them (like Malta, for example), digital nomad visas allow a more simplified way to experience a new culture while maintaining your 9 to 5.

What are the best countries for long-term travel?

It really depends on what you're looking for! With that said, the Schengen zone is an attractive choice. When you get a visa for a country in the Schengen zone, you typically get access to 29 countries in Europe.

Some countries require travelers to apply for residency for longer stays, which could have some benefits for travelers. But again, it's so dependent on what you're looking for and the purpose of your travels.

How long can you travel in Europe?

If you're a US or UK citizen (among several others), you can travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days without a visa. There's an important detail that you need to pay attention to, however. The 90-day limit counts no matter which country or countries you visit in the zone. You can't exceed 90 days in total.

This means that if you want to visit France, Spain, and Italy in one extended trip, you have a 90-day limit - not per country. Total.

Then, you must leave the entire Schengen zone for 90 days before you're allowed re-entry unless you obtain a long stay visa.

If you're hoping to travel to the Schengen area for longer than 90 days - 6 months, for example - you would need to get a long stay Schengen visa.

On the contrary, if you hold a passport from India, China, or several other countries, you are required to apply for a Schengen visa to enter the area regardless of the duration of your stay. Whether you're planning to spend one day in the zone or 100, a valid Schengen visa is required.

Typically speaking, long stay Schengen visas vary in length, granting permission for anywhere from 90 days to 12 months. Some options may also be renewable, depending on the country, visa, and the purpose of your excursion.

Should you go on a long-term trip?

It's a big question! There are so many benefits to exploring the world for a longer period of time. With that said, there are also some serious things to consider before you set sail on the adventure of a lifetime. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before heading abroad long term.

• Do you have the time to commit to a long trip? Perhaps you're on a gap year, retired, or on sabbatical. Make sure you have time away from your responsibilities at home.
• Do you have the finances to support a long trip? Traveling abroad, even when being frugal and making economical choices, is expensive and costs add up quickly. From airfare and trains to accommodations and food... and that's not even considering activities.
• Are you able to make plans for your responsibilities back home? Whether it's rent, a pet, your car, or something else, it's important to have a plan about how you'll manage and maintain all of your responsibilities.

Advantages of long-term travel

The advantages of long term travel are numerous. Some of the benefits include:

• The opportunity to discover a new culture, opening your mind to another way of living.
• The ability to see new parts of the world!
• The chance to learn a new language or new skills.
• An occasion to make friends around the world, increase your network, and build long lasting connections.
• The experience of a lifetime where you'll create lifelong memories to add to your repertoire.

Cons of long-term travel

While the perks of traveling abroad long term are truly incredible, there are a lot of things to consider.

• Traveling can be expensive. While there are great hacks to save money, there are some costs that are unavoidable.
• Organizing your responsibilities. If you have a lease, mortgage, or others that depend on you, it can be quite the game of chess to sort out everything to make sure it's all taken care of.
• It can be lonely at times. Traveling gives you so many incredible memories, many which will last a lifetime. But it can also be lonely if you're flying solo and living out of your luggage, especially if you don't know anyone where you are going.
• There is a lot of prep work. If you're someone who likes planning and paying attention to the details, this might sound like fun. If you're someone who doesn't, it might sound more like a headache. From looking up entry requirements and visas to fine-tuning transportation schedules and hotel arrangements, there are a lot of things to do to get ready for a long trip abroad. We think it's worth it, though 😉

So, what do you think? Will you be planning a long term trip abroad? It's time to get packing!

FAQs: Long term travel