Is it hard to find a remote job? Let me tell you what "remote" actually means in 2026.
You scroll job boards and see hundreds of remote positions.
Feels like opportunity is everywhere.
Then you look closer.
"Remote - US only"
"Remote - must be UK resident"
"Remote - Spain, Portugal, Germany"
"Remote - specific timezone required"
Remote is not remote anymore.
It's a fragmented mess of legal, tax, and compliance constraints disguised as flexibility.
Here's what to check before you apply:
Country restrictions
Many "remote" roles require you to be a legal resident of specific countries.
The EU market looks open but locks you into one nation.
Timezone requirements
"Flexible" often means flexible within a 3-hour window of their headquarters.
Contract type
Some companies only hire through local entities.
Others need you to invoice as a contractor from specific jurisdictions.
Salary transparency
Good companies open their bands.
In the EU, regulations are pushing this.
If they hide the number, ask yourself why.
The US market has thousands of remote jobs.
But "remote" there means remote within the US, for people already legally able to work there.
You're also not competing with your city.
You're competing with everyone in your legal hiring zone.
Before applying, read beyond the title.
The word "remote" alone tells you almost nothing.
What's the most misleading "remote" job listing you've come across?