Why Life Insurance Finally Mattered to Me: A Digital Nomad’s Wake-Up Call
I never really thought about life insurance. Not seriously, anyway.
It always seemed like something for other people: older folks, married couples, parents with a mortgage and a golden retriever.
Me? I was freelancing, hopping countries, living out of Airbnbs and coworking spaces. Life insurance felt irrelevant-something for “someday,” not now.
Then I applied for a long-stay visa in Portugal.
The form was easy-name, passport, last entry date-until I hit this line:
I froze.
I realized I had nothing. No plan, no backup, not even a clue what my options were.
For the first time, my “freedom” felt less like adventure and more like exposure.
What if something happened to me?
Who would help my family?
Would they be left scrambling, halfway across the world?
I Googled it, and realized I wasn’t alone.
Digital nomads, freelancers, expats-we avoid life insurance because it feels complicated, too official, too grown-up.
But here’s the reality:
Many countries (especially in Europe) want you to have it for long-term stays.
It’s not just about health insurance-life insurance matters, too.
If something tragic happens, local governments don’t want to be responsible for you.
It sounds dramatic, but it’s practical.
1.
I thought you needed a fixed address, a 9-to-5, a family.
But there are insurers who specialize in digital nomads, remote workers, expats-even if your address changes monthly.
No medical exam, no problem if you’re abroad.
After a few health questions, I had a policy.
2.
I expected life insurance to cost hundreds per month, especially for someone overseas.
But I found a term policy for under $25/month-less than two lattes and a croissant at a Lisbon café.
If you’re under 40 and healthy, it’s surprisingly cheap.
And for the first time, I thought:
“That’s all it takes to not leave my parents with a nightmare?”
3.
It wasn’t required, but when I submitted my visa with proof of life insurance, the official actually paused and said, “You have life insurance too? That’s… very responsible.”
For the first time, I felt like I was showing up for my own life-not just drifting through it.
Below is a chart showing estimated monthly premiums for a basic term life insurance policy in 2025 (non-smoker, healthy applicant):
| Age Group | Monthly Premium (USD) |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | $15 |
| 30–39 | $25 |
| 40–49 | $40 |
| 50–59 | $70 |
| 60+ | $120 |
Source: Industry averages, 2025
:
The younger and healthier you are, the cheaper your policy.
Don’t wait until “someday”-it gets more expensive every year.
Research insurers who cover expats, remote workers, or digital nomads
Compare at least three quotes-don’t assume it’s too expensive
Check if you need a medical exam (many don’t require it)
Make sure your policy is valid internationally and for visa requirements
List your beneficiaries and keep your family informed
: Can I get life insurance if I don’t have a permanent address?
A: Yes-many international insurers accept flexible addresses or even “care of” contacts.
: Is it really worth it if I don’t have dependents?
A: Even if you don’t have kids, life insurance can help your family cover costs and logistics if something happens.
: Does life insurance help with visa applications?
A: Increasingly, yes-many countries see it as a sign of responsibility and financial planning.
[How Digital Nomads Can Choose the Right Health and Life Insurance in 2025]
[Visa Application Insurance Requirements: What You Need to Know]
[Term vs. Whole Life Insurance: Which Is Better for Expats?]
You don’t need to be married, own a house, or have kids to buy life insurance.
You just need to care about the people you’d leave behind-and admit that even a suitcase life deserves a little responsibility.
For me, life insurance wasn’t about fear.
It was about finally saying: “I’ve got this part covered.”
And that feels pretty damn good.
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