Perpetual Traveller - Rationale

Rationale

Some PTs are wealthy individuals whose primary motivation is tax avoidance. It is possible for a non-national to live for several months, and in some cases even own property, in many countries without becoming a legal tax resident and therefore eliminating paying income tax.

For example, most European countries allow tourists to spend up to three months (and in some cases six months) in the country without being considered a resident or being required to file a local tax return.

Similarly, it is possible to spend up to 122 days each year in the United States without being considered a resident—or being required to file a US tax return. This workaround is applicable only for non-US citizens who are not permanent residents and earn no income in the United States.

In general PTs can, by moving between countries on a regular basis, be able to legally reduce or eliminate their tax burden. Other PTs may adopt this lifestyle for self-ownership reasons, seeking to be free from government authority, interference and "The System".

Besides the aforementioned economic reasons, some people become PTs from philosophical or existential reasons, feeling unable and/or unwilling to commit to residency.