How to become a Virtual Assistant in 2026
- The VA Village
- Dec 31, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 6
If you’re thinking about becoming a Virtual Assistant in 2026, or you’re already working as one and quietly questioning whether this is how it’s supposed to feel, you’re not alone. The VA space has shifted a lot over the last few years, and many people are trying to work out where they fit within it now. This post is here to talk honestly about what becoming a Virtual Assistant actually looks like today, what’s realistic, and how to build a business that supports your life rather than constantly competing with it.
Contents:
FAQs
Why should I become a Virtual Assistant?
Do you ever feel like your need for flexibility is seen as a negative?
You know you're brilliant, skilled and capable - yet the moment life needs some wiggle room (a doctor’s appointment, a school play, or the fact that you’re a night owl, not an early bird), it can feel like that brilliance suddenly counts for less.
Flexibility is one of the biggest reasons people choose to become a Virtual Assistant.
Traditional employment doesn’t work for everyone. The 9-to-5 model tends to reward being visible, predictable and available, rather than actually being good at your job. And lots of people - me included - need flexibility for all sorts of reasons:
parenthood
chronic health conditions
neurodivergence
caring responsibilities
or simply doing your best work in a non-traditional environment
This need does not make you less professional or less valuable, despite what it can feel like sometimes.
Running your own business as a Virtual Assistant gives you back control. You get to set your schedule, decide what flexibility looks like for you, and create a way of working that actually fits your life instead of constantly fighting against it.
But first - what actually is a Virtual Assistant?
What is a Virtual Assistant?
A Virtual Assistant (usually shortened to VA) is an independent, skilled professional who provides remote support to businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to large corporations, both in the UK and internationally.
There isn’t just one type of VA. Virtual Assistants can offer support across areas such as:
administration
personal assistance
customer support
marketing and content
systems and operations
tech and platform support,
which means most people already have skills they can use straight away rather than starting from scratch.
If you’re struggling to picture what that actually looks like in practice, this blog on 80+ services you can offer as a Virtual Assistant is a good place to explore the different pathways available.
Becoming a Virtual Assistant is a brilliant route to achieving guilt-free career freedom, because you become the CEO of your own schedule. You set your hours and your rates, choose your clients, and define your work environment.
Your need for flexibility stops being a hindrance and becomes the foundation on which you build a business that works for you (not the other way around).
The benefits of becoming a Virtual Assistant
When you become a Virtual Assistant, you stop managing someone else's clock and start deciding your own. This isn’t just “work from home”. It's work when, where, and how you’re at your best.
You decide when your deep work happens - maybe it’s an early golden hour, or a late-night hyperfocus session - and schedule your client communications around it.
You get to create a workspace that works for your body and mind and supports your individual needs. That might include:
a standing desk or walking mat
movement or screen breaks when you need them
music blasting, total silence, white noise, or variety throughout the day
endless Diet Cokes if that’s your thing (it’s mine, very important!)
Because your work fits around your life, you can be properly present for the moments that matter, including:
school runs, parent-teacher meetings, plays and sports days
medical appointments, dentist appointments, a cheeky Botox top up (definitely classed as medical)
time for yourself - gym, nails, spa - all those things that usually fall by the wayside
You choose your services, you choose the clients you want to work with, you choose the price you want to charge. And you can change these things whenever you want.
You get to chase shiny objects. By which I mean, if you want to learn something new, you can. If you want to invest in something, you can.
This does not mean total freedom every day, but it does mean far more control than most traditional roles allow.
Why it makes sense to become a Virtual Assistant
Quite apart from all of the benefits to you, the world of work fundamentally changed during COVID, and it hasn’t changed back. Small businesses and sole traders know they need support, but many aren’t ready or willing to employ staff. They want reliable, skilled help without the commitment, cost and risk that comes with hiring.
Often, they’re looking for someone adaptable. Someone who can:
handle admin and organisation
keep systems running smoothly
manage inboxes, diaries and processes
hold them accountable
help them keep up with changing tools and trends, AI included
Virtual Assistants sit right in the middle. They bridge the gap between no support and employment, offering flexible, professional help that can grow with the business.
There is also a continuing shift around life-work balance. More people are looking for work that gives them control of their time, without sacrificing income. That means more people setting up businesses - and more business owners = more need for Virtual Assistants.
How Virtual Assistants make money
Many flexible jobs require you to sacrifice income. The Virtual Assistant career is different: you stop selling your time cheaply and start selling your expertise.
As a Virtual Assistant, you transition from earning a fixed, limited salary to setting your own competitive rates. There are different ways to price your services and you can choose the model that best suits your services and your life:
hourly rates
monthly retainers
service packages
project based pricing
Many VAs start hourly because it’s simple. Over time, lots move into retainers or packages, where clients pay for ongoing support or specific outcomes rather than time alone. If pricing feels confusing, this post on hourly rates vs packages, retainers vs ad hoc or both goes into much more detail.
Unlike being paid a low, fixed salary where your effective hourly rate is a bit miserable, VAs command significantly higher fees. The average rate for a VA in the UK is currently around £35 per hour. When you charge this rate, you don't need to work nearly as many hours to achieve a rewarding, sustainable income.
For many services, you can charge project rates based on the value of a defined output (e.g. social media packages or ongoing inbox and diary management), rather than time. Clients pay more for VAs who can solve specific business problems without the need for hand-holding.
This allows you to:
Work smarter, not harder (or longer): You can achieve a rewarding income that supports your life without having to perpetually hustle.
Scale without stress: By focusing on efficiency and charging based on your true worth, your financial success is dictated by your expertise, not your attendance record.
Three steps to starting your Virtual Assistant business in 2026
First, audit your brilliance: Don't start from scratch! List every skill you've ever used in a job, volunteer role, or even running your household. These are your marketable VA services. Need ideas? This blog post on '80+ services you can offer as a Virtual Assistant' is a great place to start!
Second, look for a role model: A quick search on any social media channel will turn up hundreds of VAs. Find one who has achieved what you want to achieve, and use them as inspiration. You don’t need to copy them, but seeing what’s possible really helps with confidence and clarity.
Third, find a cheerleader - or 50: Surround yourself with support from those who will build you up and cheer you on. If you have family or friends who don't understand the Virtual Assistant role or business ownership in general, their doubts may come across as unsupportive and cause you to question yourself. So, make sure you have people around you who actively encourage you. If you are looking for practical advice and unparalleled support from people who have been exactly where you are, then The VA Village is the place to be.
Want to make your journey to becoming a Virtual Assistant even easier?
If you’d like a clear starting point, grab our free ten step plan to becoming a VA. It walks you through the practical steps, from setup and pricing to compliance and finding clients, so you can move from thinking about it to actually doing it.
Key takeaways for starting your Virtual Assistant business
Becoming a Virtual Assistant in 2026 is about choosing a way of working that fits your life. Flexibility is not a weakness, it is often the reason people do their best work.
You don’t need to start from scratch. Most Virtual Assistants build their businesses around skills they already have, whether that is admin, operations, creative support or systems.
Demand for Virtual Assistants continues to grow as more businesses choose flexible support instead of employment.
Income is not tied to a fixed salary. Virtual Assistants set their own rates, choose how they work and can earn sustainably without working full time hours.
You do not need everything figured out on day one. Clarity comes from doing, confidence builds through experience, and your business evolves as you do. If you want more help to work out what’s next, our blog on how to get started as a Virtual Assistant is a useful next read.
FAQs
Do I need experience to become a Virtual Assistant?
No. Most Virtual Assistants start with skills they already have from previous jobs, life admin, or managing households and projects. Admin, organisation, communication and problem-solving all translate well. Experience grows quickly once you start working with real clients.
Can I become a Virtual Assistant part time?
Yes. Many VAs start part time and build around other commitments. One of the biggest benefits of working as a Virtual Assistant is that you control how much you work and when, so it can fit around family, health or another role.
How much does it cost to start as a Virtual Assistant?
You can do it for around £100 - with the initial costs covering your email address and contract template. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Most people can start with basic tools they already use, like email, a laptop and reliable internet. Costs tend to increase gradually as your business grows, rather than all upfront.
How long does it take to become a Virtual Assistant?
There’s no fixed timeline. Some people secure their first client within weeks, others take a few months while they build confidence and structure. Becoming a Virtual Assistant is something you grow into rather than wait to be “ready” for.
Is becoming a Virtual Assistant worth it in the UK?
For many people, yes. Demand for flexible business support continues to grow, and UK-based Virtual Assistants are well placed to work with both UK and international clients. Like any business, it takes effort, but it can be a sustainable and rewarding career.
Your next step: The VA Village
If you’re reading this and thinking “this makes sense, but I don't feel confident to do it on my own (or don't have time to research, or want to fast track your progress)”, that’s exactly why The VA Village exists.
The VA Village is a supportive community for people who want to build a Virtual Assistant business in a realistic, sustainable way. It’s a place to get clear on what you can offer, ask questions without feeling silly, and learn from people who are already doing the work.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you join. Most people don’t. You just need to be ready to take the next step with support around you.
If you’d like to explore what it’s like inside, you can find out more about The VA Village here.
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About the Author:
Kayleigh Johnstone is the founder of COZ & Co, an award-winning Business Support & Visibility Agency, and the creator of The VA Village. As a qualified EMCC Coach and Mentor, Kayleigh is dedicated to helping incredible women launch and grow profitable, flexible Virtual Assistant businesses. A recognised leader in the UK small business community and a Small Biz 100 featured entrepreneur, she provides a clear blueprint for VAs who want to stop chasing the 9-to-5 and build a guilt-free business that values their individual brilliance
