A new study has revealed the personal and professional challenges faced by British digital nomads, with nearly a third reporting mental health struggles while working abroad.

The Global Living Report, compiled by bunq, Europe's second-largest neobank, surveyed almost 5,000 international workers to uncover the realities of the increasingly popular digital nomad lifestyle.

Among the most striking findings, 31% of British expats reported struggling with their mental health while living abroad. The same proportion admitted they had felt the need to hide aspects of their personal identity, such as political views, religious beliefs, or sexuality, due to cultural differences in their host countries.

The research also highlighted the personal sacrifices many make for the nomadic lifestyle. Nearly a third (31%) of respondents revealed they had missed important milestones such as weddings or funerals of close friends or family members, with 12% specifically missing a funeral.

While financial freedom is often touted as a benefit of international remote work, the reality appears more nuanced. Although 28% of British digital nomads reported increased savings and 22% felt more financially secure since leaving the UK, over a quarter (29%) found themselves either financially less secure or spending more than anticipated.

Work-life balance, another commonly cited advantage of the digital nomad lifestyle, proved challenging for many, with one in six (16%) British respondents struggling to maintain healthy boundaries between work and personal time.

The survey also revealed what UK digital nomads miss most about home. After friends and family (27%), British cuisine ranked second (14%), with respondents longing for staple foods. British humour (12%) also featured prominently on the list, with some (9%) even missing the UK's famously changeable weather.

Career impact was another area of concern, with a quarter (24%) of British digital nomads reporting that their international lifestyle had negatively affected their career trajectory. Only 20% said their employers were fully supportive of their remote work arrangements, despite the post-pandemic shift toward more flexible working policies.

To navigate these challenges, one in ten British digital nomads admitted to either hiding their lifestyle from their employer or avoiding disclosing it during job applications.

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."

Despite the challenges, the report indicates that for many, the rewards of international living outweigh the sacrifices. One in five British digital nomads reported building stronger relationships while travelling, and nearly a quarter felt more financially secure due to the flexibility of choosing where to work.

The full bunq Global Living Report 2025 provides additional insights into the realities of the digital nomad lifestyle across different nationalities and demographics.

by Olivia Palamountain | GLOBETRENDER