Traditional professions on the move: doctors, lawyers and others in digital nomad mode

By: Bruna Bozano

Buy a airfare to Punta Cana and serving a client via video call while contemplating paradise before your eyes may seem like a fantasy or something completely unattainable, but every day more people are living this reality. 

With a laptop and a good connection, healthcare professionals, lawyers and educators can serve clients from anywhere in the world. 

Digital nomadism – the ability to work remotely without a fixed office – is growing globally, with estimates of up to 80 million people adopting this lifestyle by 2025. 

In Brazil, the trend accelerated with the Covid-19 pandemic and the regulation of remote work in several areas. 

According to a survey by UFPR, 28,3% of Brazilian digital nomads work in the communications field (25% in marketing). Although professions such as advertising and IT dominate this universe, doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, veterinarians, designers and teachers also adapt their careers to the remote model. 

Below, we analyze how each of these careers can maintain activity “without physical presence” and provide practical tips for following this path.

Lawyers and remote legal work

In the Law, working from home has become a common reality. Many lawyers – especially freelancers and consultants – have adopted digital nomadism, taking advantage of electronic hearings and online petitions. 

With electronic process systems (eproc, PJe, SAJ) and videoconferencing, Judiciary hearings take place remotely, as well as meetings and customer service. 

In fact, the period of isolation showed that lawyers can represent clients from anywhere: a online labor lawyer, for example, can participate in hearings via Zoom and deliver documents via electronic signature (ICP-Brasil certificate).

During the pandemic, many law firms have formed mixed teams and legal correspondent systems – partner lawyers in other cities who represent clients in local hearings. In the nomadic model, the lawyer himself can be hired as a remote correspondent or create a virtual office, maintaining a fixed fiscal address but providing online services. 

Practical suggestions: Lawyers can offer consultations via video conference, set up online legal courses (there is already demand for digital compliance, legal marketing, and remote social security law) and participate in platforms for providing legal services. There are groups and social networks dedicated to independent lawyers, where they exchange demands; participating in these communities broadens the reach. 

Lectures and webinars on Law have also become an additional source of income – a professional who specializes in a certain area (labor, tax, etc.) can sell courses or live broadcasts online.

The majority of digital nomadism in the legal profession is among freelance lawyers. They may have a virtual office in a coworking space or even a post office box and can move around freely. Essential tools include video conferencing applications (Zoom, Teams), cloud-based legal software (to control processes and deadlines) and electronic signatures. 

Teleworking in the legal profession improves quality of life – lawyers eliminate traffic, gain flexibility and can organize their time between clients and rest. Finally, it is necessary to pay attention to OAB rules: keep registration records up to date, comply with reports and issue receipts via MEI or another appropriate tax registration. But from a practical point of view, the virtual environment today supports work in any location.

Architects and engineers in virtual projects

Architects and engineers can work together on the same 3D BIM model, accessing cloud projects from any city. 

Technologies like BIM (Building Information Modeling) allow multiple professionals to edit a 3D project simultaneously on cloud servers. In addition, online CAD platforms (AutoCAD 360, Revit Cloud Worksharing, Archicad BIMcloud) make it possible to draw plans, perform structural calculations and monitor detailed projects via the Internet. Communication with clients and construction teams also occurs via videos and drones: for example, a civil engineer can guide a local surveyor via cell phone call and see drone images in real time.

This remote work, more common in international offices, has gained ground in Brazil due to the need for isolation. By opting for nomadism, architects and engineers take their personal computers or access virtual servers to work on projects. 

Practical suggestions: Investing in online tools is essential – there are specialized SaaS software that keep the digital model centralized and integrated with virtual drawing boards. Using secure VPNs or VPN Gateway (corporate network) also guarantees remote access to office files, even when away. Physical visits to construction sites can be carried out sporadically, but many details are delegated to partners on site (an engineer can guide assistants via WhatsApp or Google Meet). It is important to keep a record of approvals at CREA/CAU: in Brazil, an electronically signed project requires a digital certificate, but there is no barrier to designing or calculating works remotely. Websites for engineering or architecture freelancers (Workana, Upwork, 99Freelas) and professional social networks (Behance, LinkedIn) are useful for attracting projects.

A good example of adaptation is the use of BIM method: As the diagram above illustrates, instead of each professional drawing on separate 2D sheets, everyone shares a single digital model. This integration makes it possible for an architect in the South of the country and an engineer in the North to collaborate simultaneously. Due to the demands for flexibility, software engineers and cloud architects have also excelled in fully remote jobs, showing that technical knowledge combined with infrastructure allows projects to be carried out anywhere.

Designers: creativity that fits in your backpack

The design universe is one of the most adaptable to digital nomadism. In addition to the traditional graphic design and the crescent UX / UI, other areas such as fashion design, jewelry, interior design e product design also benefit from mobility. This is because the creative process, research, development and presentation of projects, can be done remotely, as long as you have a good laptop, specialized software and a stable connection with clients and suppliers.

Na fashion, for example, nomadic designers do everything from creating digital collections to monitoring production with suppliers in different countries. Many use tools like CLO 3D or Adobe Illustrator for virtual modeling, and share prototypes through cloud platforms. While traveling, they take the opportunity to research local trends, visit trade shows and look for new materials. Some even launch their own 100% digital brands, with e-commerce sales and on-demand production. 

No design of jewelry, digital nomadism finds space in 3D modeling and e-commerce. Software such as RhinoGold and MatrixGold allow you to create jewelry virtually, which is then prototyped by 3D printers and produced by partner studios. Many designers sell their pieces through international marketplaces such as Etsy, Shopify or Amazon Handmade, while maintaining a mobile creation base. There are also Brazilian designers who travel with small collections and partner with local boutiques for temporary exhibitions or sales in pop-up stores.

The interior designers quality products can develop projects remotely using modeling and rendering software such as SketchUp, Revit, and Blender. They exchange information with clients via video conference, send digital mood boards, and present 3D layouts with augmented reality. Budgets, schedules, and specifications can be managed via online tools, and site visits can be made by partners or hired on a one-off basis. Some professionals use drones and 360° cameras to view spaces from a distance and optimize their layouts.

Practical suggestions: Regardless of the field, nomadic designers should maintain an updated online portfolio on platforms such as Behance, Dribbble or their own website. Working with collaborative tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, Trello, Notion) makes it easier to communicate with clients and teams. It is recommended to invest in lightweight equipment, such as notebooks with high graphics performance, tablets for digital sketching and external HDs. In addition, many designers transform their expertise into digital products – such as e-books, courses, templates and creative kits – that generate passive income and can be sold via Hotmart, Creative Market or Gumroad.

Another possibility is to participate in international design competitions and virtual fairs, which promote the visibility of personal brands even without a physical presence. Fashion and jewelry designers can also collaborate with foreign brands or startups, acting as consultants or freelancers. There are also specific platforms that connect creatives with global brands – such as 99designs, Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.com.

The important thing is to create a disciplined routine, with a portable structure and active channels for contacting the target audience. Creativity does not need a fixed zip code – it feeds on the diversity of cultural, visual and emotional references that the world has to offer. And this is what many Brazilian designers have been proving: whether creating jewelry in Paraty, prints in Bali or collections in Lisbon, design can — and should — circulate.

Infrastructure, tools and bureaucracy

To adopt digital nomadism you need more than just willpower: you need to have reliable infrastructure. In Brazil, the quality of the internet varies greatly, but large cities offer stable connections (with broadband of tens of Mbps). 

Frequent travelers should invest in portable 4G/5G modems and check local coverage. Many urban and tourist destinations (such as Florianópolis, São Paulo and even medium-sized cities) already have coworkings equipped, ideal for working at shared desks. It is also possible to rent virtual offices or temporary workstations – these spaces offer wired internet, meeting rooms and a contact network.

In the question digital tools, the list is extensive: communication apps (Slack, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp Business), project management apps (Trello, ClickUp) and videoconferencing apps (Zoom, Google Meet) are essential for almost all professionals. Specific software, such as EHR (electronic health records) for doctors or AutoCAD for engineers, must be compatible with remote access. Electronic signature platforms (DocuSign, e-CNPJ with ICP-Brasil certificate) allow you to sign contracts online. 

In terms of productivity, VPN and cloud storage apps (Dropbox, Google Drive) help you keep your documents safe and accessible, even when you’re traveling. For translating and communicating, online translators and language classes can be essential in international destinations.

As regards bureaucracy, the nomadic Brazilian needs to take care of the basics: opening a company or MEI to issue invoices, paying taxes correctly (ISS, IRPF on services rendered). Many create a CNPJ (MEI) to regularize income as a freelancer. Lawyers can set up simple partnership offices, doctors can keep CRM active in their base region, etc. One tip is to use digital certificate (ICP-Brazil) — Lawyers, accountants, engineers and other freelancers often need this to access public systems and sign projects. Although there are no legal barriers for Brazilians to work abroad, long-stay visas should be checked in case of extended stays abroad – some countries already offer specific visas for digital nomads.

Platforms freelance and networking help attract international clients: Workana, Upwork and 99Freelas connect Brazilian professionals to remote projects from all over the world. In addition, it is worth following draft laws and visas: Brazil has already instituted a special digital nomad visa (Law 14.506/2022), making it easier for foreigners to come and work remotely here. 

In practice, for Brazilians, the main focus is on maintaining good financial management (using PIX, payment machines trendy, international digital wallets, etc.) and update professional contacts online (LinkedIn, industry Slack/Telegram groups).

Future trends

Digital nomadism is no longer exclusive to IT professionals and is influencing established careers. Brazilian statistics show a change in profile: although startups and marketing lead, the number of freelance professionals migrating to remote work. The digital market as a whole grew 30% in just one year, generating 389 thousand new jobs in 2022, which indicates the expansion of sectors that support a flexible lifestyle. Improvements in infrastructure (5G, fiber optics) and advances in collaborative technologies (virtual reality, artificial intelligence) are expected to make even more remote activities possible. Professions that currently depend on presence, such as physiotherapists and even part of veterinary medicine, may gain new tools (augmented reality for diagnostics, for example).

On the horizon, trends point to hybrid formats and exchange of experiences. Offices can hire distributed teams, and tourist cities – such as Florianópolis – invest in coworking and events for digital nomads, creating supportive communities. New labor laws may also emerge to regulate home office on a global scale, facilitating international contracts. Thus, the future of these careers will combine technical specialization with high mastery of digital tools. The conclusion is clear: doctors, lawyers, teachers and other traditional professionals are no longer restricted to a single address – they can take their skills wherever they want; all they need is a good connection and creativity to reinvent their work routine.