Planning Long-term Travel — 3 Months and Beyond

Quit everything, pack your rucksack, set off: here is how to turn the dream of the big trip into a concrete plan.

1. When Does It Count as Long-term Travel?

There is no single official definition, but the travel community has reached a consensus: anything from three months onwards counts as long-term travel. Below that, most people speak of an extended holiday or extended travel. The boundary is not arbitrary — from around 90 days, requirements change fundamentally: tourist visas expire, statutory health insurance no longer fully covers you, and you need a different strategy for finances, accommodation and communication.

Long-term travel can be broadly divided into three categories: the 3-to-6-month trip (often a gap year, sabbatical or first major backpacking tour), the year-long trip (a classic round-the-world journey spanning multiple continents) and the open-ended trip, where the return date is deliberately left open. Each variant requires different planning — but they all have one thing in common: without structured preparation, the adventure can quickly turn into organisational chaos.

Rule of thumb: the longer the trip, the less you plan the route in detail — but the more thoroughly you prepare finances, insurance and bureaucracy.

2. Preparation: Flat, Insurance, Finances

Preparing for long-term travel ideally begins 6 to 12 months before departure. Here are the most important areas to work through systematically:

Your flat or home

Your home is often the biggest ongoing expense. You have three options: Terminate your lease (saves the most, but you need a new place when you return), Sublet (rent is covered by the subtenant; you need written permission from your landlord) or Keep it and leave it empty (expensive, but psychologically the safest anchor). If you terminate, consider storing your furniture — self-storage units cost from about 30 to 80 euros per month, depending on size and city.

Resignation vs. Sabbatical

Before you resign, check whether your employer offers a sabbatical model. Many companies allow an unpaid break of 3 to 12 months — your position is secured and social insurance often continues. If a sabbatical is not possible: plan enough lead time for your notice period, secure a good reference and ideally build a network for re-entry before you leave. Freelancers and the self-employed have it easier — they can often continue their work remotely.

Finances

Emergency fund: At least 3,000 to 5,000 euros as a readily accessible reserve
Travel budget: Calculate separately (see section 4), ideally in a dedicated account
Running costs: Review all subscriptions and contracts — cancel, pause or adjust
Credit cards: Take at least two cards from different providers (e.g. Wise + a traditional bank card)
Power of attorney: Grant a trusted person bank power of attorney and a general power of attorney

Further preparations

Vaccinations: Consult a travel health specialist at least 3 months beforehand (Hepatitis, rabies, yellow fever depending on region)
Passport: Must often be valid for 6 months beyond entry — check in good time
International driving licence: Apply at your local authority, costs approx. 15 euros and is valid for 3 years
Post: Set up mail forwarding or ask a trusted person to check your post
Digitise everything: Scan all important documents and store them in the cloud (passport, insurance certificate, driving licence, vaccination record)

3. The Best Routes for Long-term Travel

Every route has its own character. Here are the four most popular options for long-term travellers — from the classic round-the-world trip to the European Interrail adventure.

Classic Round-the-World Trip (6–12 months)

The grand loop around the globe: Southeast Asia — Australia/New Zealand — South America — North America or in reverse. A round-the-world ticket (e.g. from Star Alliance or oneworld) costs from 3,000 to 5,000 euros and allows 3 to 15 stops. Alternative: book individual flights flexibly, which is often cheaper if you plan few intercontinental switches. The round-the-world trip suits anyone seeking maximum variety — different cultures, climate zones and landscapes in a single journey.

Southeast Asia Loop (3–6 months)

The classic for beginners: Thailand — Laos — Vietnam — Cambodia — Malaysia — Indonesia. Affordable (from 800 euros/month all-in), excellent backpacker infrastructure, simple visas, safe transport routes and a huge international community. The loop can be extended at will — Myanmar, the Philippines or Sri Lanka are natural additions. Ideal for anyone who wants to maximise travel time on a small budget.

Latin America Route (4–12 months)

From Mexico through Central America to Patagonia — or as a focused tour through Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. Latin America offers unbeatable landscape diversity: Caribbean beaches, Andean peaks, Amazon jungle and desert landscapes. Costs are 1,000 to 1,800 euros per month. Spanish skills are a huge advantage — an intensive course in Guatemala or Colombia (from 150 euros/week incl. accommodation) is worthwhile as a starting point.

Europe by Rail (3–6 months)

Travel across Europe with the Interrail Global Pass (from approx. 600 euros for 2 months) — no flights, no jetlag, maximum flexibility. Popular routes: Scandinavia loop, Balkans tour, Iberian Peninsula or the Mediterranean classic (Italy — Croatia — Greece). Europe is more expensive than Asia or South America (1,500–2,500 euros/month), but offers excellent infrastructure, no visa worries for EU citizens and short distances between completely different cultures.

4. Budget: What Does a Year of Travel Cost?

The crucial question. The answer depends heavily on the region and your travel style. Here is a realistic cost breakdown for 12 months, based on the experience of thousands of long-term travellers:

Cost item	Budget	Mid-range	Comfort
Accommodation	4,000 €	8,000 €	14,000 €
Transport (flights + local)	3,000 €	5,000 €	8,000 €
Food & drinks	2,500 €	4,500 €	7,000 €
Activities & entry fees	1,000 €	2,500 €	5,000 €
Insurance	500 €	700 €	1,200 €
Visas & fees	300 €	500 €	800 €
Miscellaneous (SIM, laundry, …)	700 €	1,300 €	2,000 €
Total (12 months)	12,000 €	22,500 €	38,000 €
Budget: mostly Southeast Asia, hostels, street food. Mid-range: mix of Asia, South America and Europe, private rooms. Comfort: worldwide route, hotels, restaurants.

Money-saving tips: Slow travel dramatically reduces transport costs — staying one month in one place instead of moving on every week saves 30 to 50 percent. Cooking in your accommodation instead of eating out every day cuts food costs by half. Also: book flights mid-week, use local airlines and plan overnight trains as combined transport-plus-accommodation.

5. Insurance: Long-term Travel Health Insurance

The most important insurance for any long-term trip is overseas health insurance. Statutory health insurance barely covers you outside the EU, and even within the EU the EHIC card only provides basic cover. Standard travel health insurance is limited to 42 to 56 days — for long-term travel you need a specialist policy.

What to look for

Maximum travel duration: Some policies are valid for 12 months only, others can be extended indefinitely
Repatriation: Must be included — a medical evacuation can cost six-figure sums
Pre-existing conditions: Excluded by many providers — declare them honestly in your application
Home country cover: Important if you return home intermittently
Excess: Lower premium, but you pay at every doctor's visit — not recommended for long-term travel
Dental: Often only emergency pain relief is covered — a dental check-up before departure is essential

Well-known providers for long-term travellers include TravelSecure (Würzburger Versicherungs-AG, from approx. 35 euros/month), BDAE (expat specialist, flexible durations), HanseMerkur (well-established for young travellers) and Genki (specifically for digital nomads). Compare policies carefully — over a year, even small price differences add up.

Reiseversicherung für deinen Urlaub

Auslandskranken-, Reiserücktritts- und Storno-Versicherung von der Würzburger Versicherungs-AG. Testsieger-Tarife ab 9,90 €.

Auslandskrankenversicherung

Reiserücktritt & Storno

Jahres-Policen verfügbar

Reiseversicherung vergleichen

* Weiterleitung zu TravelSecure.de (Würzburger Versicherungs-AG).

6. Accommodation for Long-term Travellers

Long-term travellers need a different accommodation strategy than short-break holidaymakers. Anyone travelling for months cannot book a hotel room every night — neither financially nor mentally. Here are the best options:

Holiday Rentals & Long-term Lets

Through platforms like FeWo-direkt you can find holiday rentals with kitchen facilities that are often heavily discounted for monthly stays. In Southeast Asia you can get a furnished studio from 200 to 400 euros per month, in southern Europe from 500 to 900 euros. The advantage: you have a kitchen (saves on food costs), privacy and a sense of home. Always negotiate a discount for longer stays — most hosts offer 15 to 30 percent off for bookings of a month or more.

House-sitting

On platforms like TrustedHousesitters or MindMyHouse, you look after someone's home (and often their pets) while they travel — in exchange, you live rent-free. Especially in Australia, the UK and France there are hundreds of listings. The annual platform fee (80 to 130 euros) pays for itself after the first sit. Downside: you are tied to one place and must care for animals or garden.

Workaway & Voluntouring

Through Workaway, WWOOF or HelpX you work 4 to 5 hours per day on a farm, in a hostel or for a social project — in return you receive free accommodation and meals. A fantastic way to immerse yourself deeply in local cultures while protecting your budget. Platform fees are 40 to 60 euros per year.

Co-living Spaces

Co-living is the trend for long-term travellers and remote workers: furnished rooms in shared apartments with fast internet, communal kitchen and community events. Providers like Selina, Outsite or Sende offer flexible monthly rates from 500 to 1,200 euros. The advantage: you instantly connect with like-minded people and have a productive work environment. Especially popular in Lisbon, Bali, Mexico City and Tenerife.

Find a Holiday Rental for Your Long-term Trip

On FeWo-direkt you will find thousands of holiday rentals worldwide — many with monthly discounts for long-term stays.

Discover holiday rentals on FeWo-direkt

* Redirect to FeWo-direkt. Their terms and conditions apply.

7. Digital Infrastructure: Bank Account, SIM, VPN

In the digital world of 2026, it is easier than ever to access your money and stay connected from anywhere on the planet. Still, there are a few pitfalls you should know about.

Bank Account & Credit Cards

Wise (formerly TransferWise): Multi-currency account with real exchange rate, debit card, free payments worldwide — the Swiss army knife for long-term travellers
DKB: Free current account, Visa debit card, fee-free withdrawals at many ATMs worldwide
N26 / Revolut: Mobile-first banking with good international terms and real-time transfers
Backup card: Always take at least two cards from different providers — in case one is blocked or swallowed by an ATM

SIM Card & Internet

eSIM: Services like Airalo or Holafly offer eSIMs for almost every country — activation in minutes, no card swapping needed
Local prepaid SIM: In many countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia) available for under 10 euros with generous data allowances
Tip: Dual-SIM smartphones allow you to use your home number for SMS verification codes and a local SIM for data simultaneously

VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is not a luxury but a necessity on long-term travel. It protects your data on public Wi-Fi, bypasses geo-blocking (home-country streaming services, online banking) and is essential in countries like China or Vietnam for many services. Reliable providers: NordVPN, Mullvad or Proton VPN — all from about 3 to 5 euros per month on an annual plan.

8. Taxes and Deregistration

The topic of taxes is complex but crucial for long-term travellers from many European countries. Here are the key rules at a glance:

Deregistering from Your Home Country

If you give up your home in your country, you may be legally required to deregister with the local authorities. Deregistration has far-reaching consequences:

Tax liability: With deregistration, unlimited tax liability in your home country ends — you are no longer automatically liable for tax
Health insurance: Statutory health insurance can be terminated (a dormant membership may be possible)
Pension insurance: Voluntary contributions are still possible — useful to avoid gaps
Voting rights: Usually retained as a citizen abroad, but may require an application
Bank account: Your bank account typically remains active even without a registered address

The 183-Day Rule

Anyone who stays more than 183 days per calendar year in one country becomes potentially tax-resident there. This means for long-term travellers: either consciously stay under 183 days per country or research local tax obligations. Countries like Georgia (1% flat tax), Portugal (NHR programme) or Dubai (0%) are popular among long-term travellers as tax bases.

Strongly recommended: consult a tax adviser specialising in expats before departure. Mistakes with deregistration or tax returns can be costly.

9. Coming Home: Reintegration After Long-term Travel

Hardly anyone talks about the return — yet for many long-term travellers it is the biggest challenge of the entire journey. After months or years of freedom, everyday life at home often feels alien, confining and overwhelming. This phenomenon is called Reverse Culture Shock and is completely normal.

Practical Steps

Housing: Start looking well before your return — the housing market in many cities is tight. Interim solution: furnished room or a temporary flatshare
Registration: Register with local authorities within two weeks of moving in
Health insurance: Re-enrol immediately — without insurance you are unprotected
Job search: Ideally start 2 to 3 months before returning. Travel experience is a plus on your CV — emphasise intercultural competence, self-reliance and adaptability

Arriving Emotionally

Give yourself at least 4 to 8 weeks to readjust. Do not try to see all your friends at once — dose your social contacts. Write down your experiences — a blog, a photo book or a journal will help you process the trip. And the most important thing: accept that you have changed. The world looks different after a long-term trip — and that is a strength, not a problem.

Compare Package Holidays as a Starting Point

Planning the first stop of your long-term trip? On CHECK24 you can find affordable package deals as a starting point — including flight and hotel.

Compare package holidays on CHECK24

* Redirect to CHECK24. We receive a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.

10. Frequently Asked Questions About Long-term Travel

?When does a trip count as long-term travel?›

Long-term travel typically starts from three months. Shorter trips are considered holidays or extended travel. Most long-term travellers are on the road for between 3 and 12 months, some for several years.

?What does a round-the-world trip cost for one year?›

A round-the-world trip costs between 12,000 and 25,000 euros per person, depending on travel style. In Southeast Asia, 800–1,200 euros per month is sufficient; in Western Europe or North America, budget 2,000–3,000 euros monthly. Flights, visas and insurance come on top.

?Do I need to deregister for long-term travel?›

If you give up your home, you are legally required in many countries to deregister with the local authorities. This affects health insurance, taxes and voting rights. If you keep your home, deregistration is not necessary.

?What health insurance do I need for long-term travel?›

A long-term overseas health insurance policy is essential. Statutory health insurance barely covers you abroad. Specialist policies are available from 30–60 euros per month, for example from TravelSecure, BDAE, HanseMerkur or Genki. Check duration, repatriation cover and pre-existing condition exclusions.

?Can I work during long-term travel?›

Yes, many long-term travellers work remotely as freelancers or remote employees. However, be aware of visa regulations in each country – a tourist visa usually does not permit working. Working holiday visas or digital nomad visas are alternatives.

?How do I resign from my job for long-term travel?›

First check whether a sabbatical is possible – this secures your position. If that is not an option, observe your contractual notice period and allow a buffer for the handover. A good reference ensures a smoother return to the workforce.

?Which route is best for beginners?›

Southeast Asia is the classic beginner route: affordable, safe infrastructure, well-connected backpacker community and straightforward visas. A 3-month loop through Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bali is ideal for a first long-term trip.

?What do I do with my flat during long-term travel?›

The three most common options: terminate the lease and store furniture (cheapest option), sublet (income covers rent; landlord's permission required) or keep it empty (expensive, but the safest anchor for your return).