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Are You Working From Home (WFH) If You Aren’t Actually at Home?

Is it still WFH if you’re not at home? Discover the rise of workations, how they differ from traditional remote work, and what companies need to know about compliance. Learn how Vamoz helps teams work from anywhere—legally and stress-free.

Cédric Aebischer

Cédric Aebischer

·

May 22, 2025

Tokio

The line between home and work just got even blurrier

“WFH” used to be simple: you worked in your home office, maybe in your slippers, definitely with your coffee machine nearby. But fast forward to 2025, and “home” could mean your family villa in Portugal, a lakeside Airbnb in Sweden, or your parents’ apartment in Tokyo.

So… is it still WFH if you're not actually at home?

Welcome to the age of workations and remote abroad—where flexibility has evolved from staying out of the office to working wherever you feel most inspired.

WFH vs. Workation: What’s the difference?

Here’s how the two compare:

Category

WFH (Home Office)

Workation / Remote Abroad

Location

Your primary residence

Temporary location—often travel-related

Setup

Familiar desk, routine, Wi-Fi you trust

New environment, possibly scenic or international

Vibe

Comfortable and stable

Refreshing, flexible, often closer to leisure

Purpose

Day-to-day productivity

Combine work with travel, family time, or exploration

Challenges

Cabin fever, monotony

Time zones, Wi-Fi, legal compliance

Risks

Minimal

Tax, visa, labor law issues if not planned properly

Why workations are on the rise

The shift toward working from anywhere isn’t a fad—it’s a response to changing employee expectations. People want more from work than a paycheck—they want freedom, trust, and purpose.

According to YouGov, over 50% of remote workers in the U.S. are interested in workations this year, especially younger professionals who value experience over traditional perks.

For many, workations are:

  • A way to spend more time with family abroad

  • An opportunity to reconnect with their roots or culture

  • A chance to reset creatively and mentally

Is it productive? Or just a holiday in disguise?

It’s a fair question—but most people don’t take workations to slack off. In fact, many say they’re more productive when they step away from their usual environment.

Benefits people report include:

  • Fewer distractions from office chatter or errands

  • Greater focus in quieter, unfamiliar settings

  • Mental clarity from a change of scene (aka “green desking”)

  • Extended stays with loved ones without using up annual leave

The key? Having a setup and policy that supports productivity, not undermines it.

But wait—what about compliance?

Here’s where it gets serious. Workations feel like freedom, but behind the scenes, international regulations still apply. It’s not just about a stable Wi-Fi connection—it’s about staying compliant with local labor, tax, and social security laws.

If you’re letting employees work from abroad—even temporarily—you’ll need to think about:

  • Duration limits (many countries allow a short stay before tax laws kick in)

  • Visa rules (you can’t always work on a tourist visa)

  • Social security obligations (such as A1 forms in the EU)

  • Company liabilities (insurance, safety, remote protocols)

This is exactly where Vamoz can help. Our platform simplifies cross-border compliance so you can say yes to flexible policies without the legal headaches.

So... is it still WFH?

Technically, yes. But the “home” in WFH is getting a global makeover. Whether it’s a cozy Paris flat, a family home in India, or a cabin by the sea in Cornwall, the spirit of WFH—autonomy, trust, and work-life integration—is still alive and well. It's just got better views.

What matters most is that employees feel empowered, supported, and able to do their best work—wherever they choose to do it.

Ready to support global flexibility—without borders or stress?

At Vamoz, we help companies turn “work from anywhere” into a compliant, structured benefit that employees love. Whether you're building a workation policy from scratch or refining an existing one, we’ve got your back.

👉 Book a demo to learn how we support smooth, compliant remote abroad programs.

Or follow us on LinkedIn for global mobility insights.

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