Your First Week in Taiwan: The Complete Setup Checklist for Digital Nomads

You just landed at Taoyuan Airport with a DN Visa and a laptop. Now what?

Most Taiwan guides tell you about night markets and bubble tea. Nobody walks you through the unglamorous stuff: getting a SIM card that actually supports tethering, figuring out why there's a musical garbage truck outside your window at 8 PM, or discovering that you literally cannot open a bank account without a residence card.

I've lived in Taiwan and helped dozens of friends navigate this exact first week. This is the checklist I wish someone had given me.

TL;DR

Day 1-2: SIM card + EasyCard + cash withdrawal. Do these at the airport before you leave.
Day 3-4: Set up your payment strategy (crypto card or Wise, since you can't get a local bank account).
Day 5-7: Neighborhood orientation. Learn your garbage truck schedule, find your work spots, stock your fridge.
Total first-week budget: ~$150-300 USD (excluding rent). Monthly cost of living in Taipei averages ~$2,200 USD according to NomadList.
The single most important app: LINE. Your landlord, delivery drivers, and half of Taiwan's infrastructure runs on it.

Before You Leave Home

Get these done before you board the plane. Scrambling to download apps on airport WiFi is not how you want to start.

Documents to prepare:

Passport (with at least 6 months validity)
Printed copies of your DN Visa approval, income proof, and insurance certificate
2-3 passport photos (for SIM card registration, gym memberships, etc.)

Apps to download now:

LINE (Taiwan's WhatsApp. Non-negotiable.)
Google Translate with the offline Chinese language pack
Google Maps (far better than Apple Maps in Taiwan for transit routing and scooter navigation)
Uber (works in Taiwan, English interface, your existing account carries over)

Other prep:

Notify your home bank you'll be transacting in Taiwan, or they'll freeze your card on the first ATM withdrawal.
Taiwan uses 110V / 60Hz with Type A and Type B plugs (same as the US and Japan). If you're coming from Europe, Australia, or the UK, bring an adapter. Devices labeled "100-240V" just need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.
Sort out international health insurance. DN Visa holders cannot join Taiwan's National Health Insurance (it requires an ARC residence card + 6 months of continuous residence). The DN Visa itself starts at 3 months and can be extended up to a maximum stay of 2 years, but it never comes with an ARC. You're on your own for medical coverage the entire time.

Day 1: Airport to Connected

You have three things to do before you leave the airport: get a SIM card, get an EasyCard, and get cash. In that order.

SIM Card

Go to the telecom counters in the arrivals hall. Three carriers operate here: Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信), Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大), and FarEasTone (遠傳).

For remote workers, get a physical SIM with a local phone number. You'll need that number for everything: LINE verification, YouBike registration, some bank services, and your landlord's preferred contact method.

Quick price comparison (2026, 4G unlimited data, airport counter prices):

Carrier	5 days	10 days	30 days
Chunghwa Telecom	NT$300	NT$500	NT$1,000
Taiwan Mobile	NT$300	NT$500	NT$1,000
FarEasTone	NT$300	NT$500	NT$1,000

All three carriers now charge the same airport prices. Pre-ordering on Klook or KKday can save you 10-15%.

My recommendation: Chunghwa Telecom has the best coverage outside Taipei (matters if you plan to work from Hualien or Tainan). Their day count is also more generous: "activation day + X days" rather than strict 24-hour blocks.

Heads up: As of 2026, the SIM card fee (~NT$300) is no longer deductible from your data plan across all three carriers. Airport counters accept cash only. Pre-ordering on Klook or KKday is usually cheaper.

What about eSIM? Fine for short trips, but you won't get a local phone number. That's a dealbreaker if you're staying more than a week.

EasyCard (悠遊卡)

Buy one at any convenience store (7-Eleven or FamilyMart) in the airport for NT$100. Top it up with NT$500 to start.

This card is your daily driver for:

MRT (subway) and buses
YouBike (public bike sharing)
Convenience store purchases
Some parking lots and vending machines

In northern Taiwan, EasyCard (悠遊卡) is the default. If you're heading to Kaohsiung, iPASS (一卡通) is more common, but honestly the coverage overlap is nearly 100% in 2026. Just grab whichever is available.

Cash

Hit the ATM in the arrivals hall. Taiwan Bank ATMs (台灣銀行) have the lowest fees for international cards.

How much cash do you need? More than you think. Night markets, small restaurants, traditional markets, and many breakfast shops are cash-only. Budget NT$500-1,000/day for the first few days until you figure out where cards are accepted.

Getting to Your Accommodation

The Taoyuan Airport MRT runs directly to Taipei Main Station in ~35 minutes for NT$160. Trains run from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. After that, you'll need a taxi (~NT$1,200) or Uber.

Day 2-3: Digital Life Setup

LINE Is Non-Negotiable

LINE is not just a messaging app in Taiwan. It's infrastructure.

Your landlord will send you the WiFi password on LINE. Delivery drivers will call you through LINE. Restaurant reservations, group chats with building residents, even some government services run through LINE.

Set it up with your new Taiwan phone number. Add your landlord immediately.

Food Delivery

Uber Eats has a full English interface (it follows your phone's language setting). foodpanda is mostly Chinese-only. If you can't read Chinese menus, stick with Uber Eats for the first week.

Both accept foreign credit cards. This is one of the few places your Visa/Mastercard works without friction.

Navigation

Google Maps is significantly better than Apple Maps in Taiwan. It shows real-time bus arrival times in 5 major cities, has comprehensive restaurant reviews, and supports scooter-specific navigation (which accounts for lane restrictions that are unique to Taiwan). Apple Maps works for basic directions but lacks the transit depth.

Mobile Payments Reality Check

Here's the bad news: LINE Pay and JKOPay (街口支付) require a Taiwan national ID or ARC (residence card) to register. DN Visa holders don't have either. You're locked out of Taiwan's two biggest mobile payment platforms.

Your options: Apple Pay or Google Pay with your international card (accepted at chain stores and newer restaurants), or cash. This is exactly why the next section matters.

Day 3-4: Banking and Money

This is the single biggest friction point for digital nomads in Taiwan, and almost no guide covers it honestly.

The brutal truth: you cannot open a real bank account without an ARC. The DN Visa does not come with an ARC. The only exception is Chunghwa Post (中華郵政), which allows passport-only accounts, but the functionality is extremely limited (basic deposits and withdrawals, no online banking, no mobile payments).

So how do you actually manage money for months in Taiwan?

Your Payment Strategy: A Decision Framework

	Wise	Oobit (Crypto)	Cash Only
Setup	USD 9 one-time, instant virtual card	Free, KYC required	Just an ATM card
FX rate	Mid-market rate (best traditional)	0% FX fee	Bank rate + 1-3% ATM fee
Works at	Visa/MC merchants	Visa merchants + Apple Pay/Google Pay NFC	Everywhere
Mobile payments	No local integration	Apple Pay, Google Pay	N/A
ATM withdrawal	Yes (small fee)	Yes via NFC at supported Visa ATMs	Yes
Crypto	No	USDT/BTC/ETH auto-convert to TWD spend	No
Best for	Conservative users who want simplicity	Crypto-native DNs who want maximum flexibility	Backup for night markets

My recommendation: carry both a Wise card and a crypto card. Use Wise as your stable daily driver. Use a crypto card like Oobit for NFC tap payments at convenience stores and restaurants (it supports Apple Pay and Google Pay, which means you can tap-to-pay almost anywhere that accepts contactless).

Bitget Wallet Card is another option worth watching: it supports LINE Pay integration, which effectively gives you access to Taiwan's most popular mobile payment system without a local bank account. That's a game-changer if it works as advertised (zero top-up and conversion fees within the free tier, 1.7% fee on non-USD transactions above the limit).

ATM Tips

Taiwan Bank (台灣銀行) ATMs charge the lowest international withdrawal fees
Most ATMs cap single withdrawals at NT$20,000 (~USD 625)
7-Eleven ATMs accept international cards but charge higher fees
Always choose "no conversion" when the ATM asks. Let your card issuer handle the exchange rate.

Currency Exchange

If you need to exchange physical USD/EUR, Bank of Taiwan (台灣銀行) offers the best rates. Airport counters are slightly worse but acceptable for small amounts. Avoid hotel exchanges.

Day 4-5: Home Base Setup

The Musical Garbage Truck

This will confuse you. Every evening (typically around 6-9 PM), a garbage truck drives through your neighborhood playing Beethoven's "Fur Elise" or Badarzewska's "A Maiden's Prayer." You are expected to physically walk outside and hand your garbage to the truck.

The rules:

General waste: must go in government-issued trash bags (buy at convenience stores or supermarkets, NT$1-5 per liter depending on size)
Recyclables: paper, plastic, glass, metal. Separate them and hand to the recycling truck that follows the main truck.
Food waste: goes into the bucket attached to the truck. Separate cooked and raw food waste.
Schedule is usually Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat. No collection on Wednesday and Sunday.
Each city has an app to track the truck's real-time location. Search "[your city name] 垃圾車" in your app store.

Pro tip: ask your landlord or a neighbor for the exact time and pickup spot. Missing the truck means storing garbage in your apartment until the next collection day.

Drinking Water

Do not drink tap water in Taiwan. The water treatment plants meet international standards, but building pipes (especially in older apartments) can leach rust and other contaminants.

Your options:

Buy a simple water filter pitcher (NT$300-500 at any PX Mart)
Use the water dispensers at convenience stores (free if you have a reusable bottle, or buy bottled water for ~NT$20-25)
Boil tap water for at least 1 minute

Convenience Stores Are Your Lifeline

Taiwan has over 13,000 convenience stores (the second-highest density in the world, after South Korea). 7-Eleven and FamilyMart are not just snack shops. They're service centers.

What you can do there:

Pay bills: utilities, phone, parking tickets, taxes
Receive packages: online orders can be shipped to any store for free pickup (店到店)
Print and scan: 7-Eleven's ibon kiosks support cloud printing (upload at print.ibon.com.tw, get a code, print at any store)
ATM: 7-Eleven has 24/7 ATMs that accept international cards
Top up EasyCard
Buy train and bus tickets
Laundry detergent, instant meals, coffee (seriously, FamilyMart's drip coffee is NT$25 and decent)

WiFi Check

On your first day in the apartment, run a speed test. If the WiFi can't hold a stable video call (aim for 20+ Mbps upload), your backup plan is tethering from your phone SIM. Most unlimited plans support tethering.

If you need a dedicated workspace, see the next section.

Day 5-7: Neighborhood and Work Routine

Finding Your Work Spots

Cafes: Taipei has a strong cafe culture, but not all cafes welcome laptop workers for hours. Look for places with power outlets and explicit "work-friendly" vibes. Louisa Coffee (路易莎) is the most DN-friendly chain: affordable, good WiFi, outlets everywhere.
Coworking spaces: CLBC and Changee are popular in Taipei. Day passes run NT$300-500.
Libraries: Taipei Main Library (台北市立圖書館) has free WiFi and air conditioning. Underrated option.

Grocery Shopping

PX Mart (全聯): Taiwan's biggest and cheapest supermarket chain. All signage is in Chinese, but the layout is intuitive. Great for basics.
Traditional markets (傳統市場): cheapest fresh produce and meat. Cash only, Chinese only. Go in the morning.
Costco: Yes, Taiwan has Costco. Your international membership works. Good for bulk Western staples.

Getting Around

Beyond the MRT and buses (both covered by your EasyCard):

Uber: works with your existing account, English interface, foreign credit card accepted. Easiest option.
yoxi: Taiwan's local ride-hailing app. Supports English and credit card payment.
LINE TAXI: works through the LINE app, but the interface is mostly Chinese.
Taxis: flag them on the street. Base fare ~NT$70-85. Have your destination written in Chinese characters on your phone to show the driver.

Survival Mandarin

You don't need fluent Mandarin, but these 10 phrases will solve 80% of daily situations:

謝謝 (xiè xie) - Thank you
多少錢？ (duō shǎo qián?) - How much?
這個 (zhè ge) - This one (point and say it)
不要 (bú yào) - Don't want / No thanks
我要... (wǒ yào...) - I want...
在哪裡？ (zài nǎ lǐ?) - Where is...?
可以刷卡嗎？ (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma?) - Can I pay by card?
外帶 (wài dài) - Takeout
內用 (nèi yòng) - Dine in
聽不懂 (tīng bù dǒng) - I don't understand

Most Taiwanese under 40 speak some English. Don't be afraid to try Mandarin first, then switch to English.

Risk Disclosure: Things Nobody Warns You About

Traffic Safety

Taiwan's traffic is the #1 complaint among foreign residents. Scooters outnumber cars, and they don't always follow lane rules. As a pedestrian, never assume cars will stop at crosswalks. Always look both ways, even on one-way streets. Avoid riding a scooter until you've observed traffic patterns for at least a few weeks.

Scams Targeting Foreigners

Rental scams on Facebook groups (fake listings, deposits demanded before viewing)
Fake LINE messages asking for personal info
Overly cheap Airbnb listings that don't match reality

Health Emergencies

Go directly to a hospital ER (急診), not a small clinic, if it's serious. National Taiwan University Hospital and Taipei Veterans General Hospital have English-speaking staff. Bring your passport and insurance documents. You'll pay upfront and claim reimbursement from your international insurer later.

Natural Disasters

Typhoon season: July to October. Download the Central Weather Administration app and follow CWA alerts.
Earthquakes: Taiwan sits on an active fault line. Learn the "Drop, Cover, Hold On" protocol. Most buildings are earthquake-engineered.

Legal Boundaries

Your DN Visa prohibits local employment in Taiwan. This means no freelancing for Taiwanese clients, no local consulting gigs. You must work exclusively for non-Taiwanese entities. Violating this can result in visa revocation.

Mental Health

Culture shock is real, even in a place as convenient as Taiwan. The DN community here is smaller and less organized than Bali or Chiang Mai. Proactively join communities: Taiwan Digital Nomads Facebook group, Forumosa forums, and local language exchange meetups are good starting points.

FAQ

Do I need to speak Mandarin to survive in Taiwan?

No, but your quality of life improves dramatically with even basic phrases. Taipei is the most English-friendly city. Outside Taipei, English proficiency drops quickly. Google Translate's camera mode (point at Chinese text) is your best friend.

Is Taiwan safe for solo travelers?

Extremely. Taiwan consistently ranks among the safest countries in Asia. Violent crime against foreigners is rare. The main safety concern is traffic, not crime.

Can I use my foreign driver's license in Taiwan?

Only with an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country, valid for 30 days. After that, you need a Taiwan license (requires a written test available in English). Honestly, for the first few months, public transit + Uber is easier and safer.

How reliable is Taiwan's internet for remote work?

Very reliable. Taiwan ranks in the global top 15 for internet speed. Average fixed broadband is 150+ Mbps. 4G mobile coverage is near-universal, even in rural areas. The main risk is apartment-specific: some older buildings have poor internal wiring.

What's the best city for digital nomads?

Taipei: most infrastructure, English-friendly, expensive (budget ~$2,200 USD/month). Kaohsiung: half the rent, good food, growing DN scene. Tainan: cheapest, best food, but less English and fewer coworking options. For your first month, start in Taipei, then explore.

Conclusion

Taiwan's first-week learning curve is steep but short. Most nomads I know felt fully settled within 7-10 days.

The payment situation is the biggest hurdle: you can't open a bank account, you can't use local mobile payments, and cash is still king at night markets. A Wise card combined with a crypto card like Oobit covers about 95% of daily spending situations.

Everything else? World-class convenience stores on every corner, fast and cheap public transit, some of the best street food on the planet, and a cost of living that lets you save money while living well.

Bookmark this checklist. You'll reference it more than you think during that first week.