Moving Abroad, but Where? Why the Time Zone Matters More Than the Weather

Once again I've been reading about the problems people run into. And I noticed that almost every discussion among people planning to emigrate starts with the same question: moving abroad, but where? Portugal or Spain? Thailand or Bali? Cyprus or Malta?

Most of the answers then revolve around taxes, weather and the cost of living. All important. But if you want to work remotely, there's a question that comes even before that. And I found it in three Reddit threads that, at first glance, have nothing to do with each other.

Case 1: "No, a Remote Job Doesn't Mean You Can Work from Anywhere"

That's roughly the title of a post on r/expats (see the original post). The headline alone says a lot: apparently so many people there ask "I have a remote job, which country can I move to?" that someone had to spell it out once and for all.

The core of it: your employer, tax law and social security all have a say. Many companies only allow remote work within their own country, because otherwise they take on obligations abroad. So before you pick a country, you need to find out whether your income is even allowed there.

Case 2: Getting Up at 4:30 for Germany

On r/digitalnomad, someone asks how to work for a European company from South America and cope with the time difference (see the original post).

The answers are a small reality check. One person works from Uruguay for a British company and starts at 6:00 in the morning, finishing at 14:30. It works for him, but it took him a while to get used to it. Another tells of a friend who works for Germany and gets up at 4:30. Someone who spent a month in Argentina working on Central European time writes: it was tough, and he needed a nap almost every day. And one person's advice is short: if you regularly have early meetings on European time, don't do it.

Case 3: "Work for the Time Zone You Want to Live In"

The third case comes from r/uruguay (see the original post). Someone asks which country to go to for work. Between a few joke answers there's a sentence I'd frame on the wall: work remotely for the time zone you want to live in, and live wherever you want. For many, that means working for the UK or Germany and living in, say, Valencia.

You don't really need more strategy than that.

The Four Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Country

When I put the three cases together, a different order emerges than in most country rankings. If you want to work location-independently, ask these first:

1. Am I Allowed to Work from There?

Get written confirmation from your employer or client that working from the destination country is allowed. If you're self-employed, talk to a tax adviser about what a move means for your business. Within the EU a lot is easier; outside it you often need a visa that explicitly covers remote work.

2. How Many Hours of Time Difference Will I Have to My Clients?

This is the point most people underestimate. If you work for clients in the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), countries with zero to two hours of difference are ideal: Portugal is one hour behind, Spain, Malta and Croatia are on the same time, Cyprus and Greece are one hour ahead. Thailand is five to six hours ahead of Germany depending on the season, which is still workable for morning calls with Europe. South America is four to seven hours behind depending on the country, and that's exactly where the 4:30 stories begin.

3. Is the Internet Reliable?

For video calls you need a stable connection. Don't test it in a hotel, but in the apartment where you would actually live.

4. Only Then: Costs, Taxes, Lifestyle

This is the level where most people start. It's important, but it only comes once the first three questions are settled. For tax and residence questions: always work with an adviser who knows both countries.

The Best Country to Move To? It Depends on Your Clients

There is no best country to move to for everyone. There's the best country for the way you work. A rough guide:

• You want to hold conversations with people in the German-speaking countries, for example in remote sales: stay in Europe or in a time zone with no more than two hours of difference. Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, Spain or Greece are a good fit.
• You mostly work in writing and on a flexible schedule: then Thailand or Southeast Asia are workable too, as long as you keep a fixed time window free for calls.
• You want to go to South America: then go with your eyes open. Either you work asynchronously, or you get up early. Both are possible, but not for everyone.

For the Self-Employed: Where Are Your Clients?

If you're self-employed and moving abroad, you ask yourself the same question from your clients' point of view. Your regular clients in the German-speaking countries want to be able to reach you. You no longer find new clients at the local networking evening, but online. Advertising on Facebook and Instagram reaches people in the German-speaking countries no matter where you are. But when someone gets in touch, you want to call back while they're still at their desk. Here, too, the time zone wins.

A Small Test Before You Commit

Write down your two or three favorites and walk through a typical working day for each country: when does your first call with Germany start in local time? When does your last one end? When are you free? If you notice for one country that your dream life falls exactly into the hours when you have to work, you have your answer. This simple calculation has saved many an emigration plan, because it connects the wishful thinking with real everyday life.

What You Get Out of It

You want to get out and you have ten countries in your head. Every list online says something different, and the more you read, the less sure you become.

If you choose your country to fit your work instead of adapting your work to the country, you emigrate once instead of twice.

Here's what you gain:

• A clear order. Permission, time zone, internet, then costs. That shrinks your list of countries from ten to two or three.
• Fewer nasty surprises. The experiences from South America show how hard the wrong time difference can be. Now you know that in advance, not after your third alarm at 4:30.
• A decision that fits your income. Whether it's remote sales or your own business: you choose the place where your clients can reach you easily.

No article can decide for you which country is the right one. But you can now ask the question better.

What This Looks Like at Plaith

Plaith is based in Cyprus, one hour ahead of Germany. We help self-employed people and small businesses win customers predictably through Meta Ads. At Plaith, 6 specialists, combining people and AI, take care of videos, ad messaging and campaign management, from €26 a day plus a one-time setup.

We're also looking for sales partners who work remotely, whether you already live abroad or are still deciding where to go. If that's your path, find out how to become a partner.

If you want to know whether Plaith is right for your business, book a short call with René. Fifteen minutes, no sales pressure, and we'll tell you honestly if it's not a fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Should I Move If I Work Remotely for Germany?

The easiest choice is a country with little time difference, for example within Europe. Check beforehand whether your employer allows you to work from abroad.

Can I Move to Any Country with a Remote Job?

No. Employment law, taxes, social security and visas depend on the country. Many employers only allow remote work within their own country.

Is South America Workable for Remote Work on German Time?

Workable, but exhausting. Accounts from people doing it show start times between 4:30 and 6:00 in the morning. If you work asynchronously, it's easier.

What Is the Best Country to Move To?

The country where you're allowed to work legally, where your clients can reach you easily and where you feel at home. There's no answer that fits everyone.