Expat news
Greece
The Greek government has introduced new measures to streamline the Golden Visa process. Its goal is clear: make the programme more accessible, attract more foreign investors, and boost tourism.
New Zealand
New Zealand has rolled out a new visa aimed at attracting foreign investors since November 24, 2025. Unlike previous schemes, applicants won't need to set up their own company. Instead, the visa targets high-net-worth expatriates who want to invest in existing New Zealand businesses.
Oman
By easing residency renewals, Oman aims to attract more skilled professionals and investors. The change is a key step in advancing Oman Vision 2040 and its push for a more diversified economy.
Germany
The Merz government signed off on the decision on 29 October 2025—an unexpected step given the country's deep economic troubles. Yet the independent commission that issued the recommendation argues that the increase should boost household spending and, in turn, support overall economic growth.
Canada
Canada continues to captivate expatriates, but entering and staying is becoming increasingly difficult. The immigration slowdown is confirmed. The 2026-2028 plan prioritizes long-term economic immigration and curtails temporary immigration to Canada. Temporary expatriate workers and students are directly targeted by this slowdown.
Work
The European Union's Pay Transparency Directive, passed on April 24, 2023, introduces strict new rules to tackle gender pay inequality. Employers must now make salary information public and close any unjustified gender pay gap above 5%.
Thailand
The Thai government has launched an ambitious plan to simplify and modernize visa and work permit processes. The goals are clear: reduce paperwork, streamline procedures, enable real-time tracking, and speed up responses.
Portugal
Portugal has abruptly suspended its work seeker visa. A new law, published on October 22, 2025, officially ends the job-seeking visa program. The decision took immediate effect: all existing applications and scheduled appointments were cancelled by the government the following day.
China
It's no longer just tariffs fueling tensions between China and the United States. As the latest round of Trump's retaliatory measures takes effect on November 1, a new front has opened: the global competition for talent. Both nations are now racing to attract the world's brightest minds, and China's latest move in this contest is the launch of a new “tech talent visa.”
England
The government continues to take a firm approach to immigration, strengthening legal requirements and clamping down on illegal entry, yet acknowledging the UK's ongoing dependence on foreign labour. The Starmer administration has outlined a new strategy to reconcile these priorities and support economic growth.
Japan
A new development plan has divided opinions in the quiet town of Kutchan, bringing immigration debates back into the spotlight. At the same time, a recent incident has fueled fresh controversy. What does this mean for expatriates in Japan?
England
Childcare costs in the UK remain a heavy burden for many families. To ease the pressure, the government introduced the Tax-Free Childcare scheme in 2017, offering financial support to working parents. The scheme isn't limited to one type of childcare — it applies to a broad range of options, from registered childminders and nurseries to playgroups and holiday clubs. The government has recently introduced practical updates to make the scheme more accessible: faster application processing, simpler online management, and a smoother experience for parents.
Finland
Will countries ever escape the cycle of labor shortages? It's a question that continues to haunt nations struggling with workforce gaps. Waves of retirement and falling birth rates are draining the labor pool, leaving governments once again turning to foreign talent. But attracting expatriate families is no easy task. Finland, however, is experimenting with a new approach to win them over.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE is doubling down on its ambition to draw the world's best talent. A new wave of visa reforms aims to create a more flexible labor market and easier access for skilled professionals. With these measures, the Emirates are strengthening their position as a crossroads for trade, innovation, and opportunity.
United Arab Emirates
Now is the time to invest in Dubai real estate. On the one hand, new housing projects keep springing up. On the other hand, tenants and buyers are becoming fewer and harder to find. This slowdown in demand works in their favor, forcing landlords to roll out generous incentives.
Malaysia
A fresh destination is rising on the horizon for expatriates. Following in the footsteps of Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan, Malaysia is positioning itself as Southeast Asia's next “expat-friendly” state. How? By simplifying and accelerating visa procedures.
Visas
In the Gulf, the end of the oil era necessitates a new strategy: diversifying revenue and attracting foreign talent. Behind the big national visions—Saudi Vision 2030, We the UAE 2031, Oman Vision 2040, and Bahrain Vision 2030—lies the same reality: tomorrow's economy will be built with investors, entrepreneurs, and qualified expatriates. Golden Visa, Premium Residency, and Green Visa all signal a shared intent to simplify access to residency and strengthen the region's appeal.
Tax
Despite mounting opposition (critics have called for a massive strike on September 10), Prime Minister François Bayrou's virtual summer tour continues with a seventh episode dedicated to reducing government spending. In this series of educational explanations designed to make his budget easier to accept, the Prime Minister insists on the urgent need to restore public finances. One of his main weapons: more audits.
Other Types
Leisure
More and more expats are joining the “Dry December” trend — choosing to skip alcohol during the festive season as a way to regain balance and focus on well-being. Between cultural differences, social pressure, and the desire for a reset, this growing movement shows that sobriety is becoming a new form of self-care abroad.
Work
Where will expat trends move in 2026? With the new year underway, it's time to look back at the shifts that defined global mobility in 2025. What lessons stand out—and what lies ahead for expats in 2026?
Children
Many nations overlook the realities of repatriation. Because expats are seen as “coming home,” few imagine they might struggle to settle back in. But returning often requires a real process of reintegration, and for children born overseas, that adjustment can be even more significant.
Work
International organizations warn that the world is running short of social workers. Demand continues to climb as social and geopolitical tensions intensify across many countries. But the root of the problem often comes down to funding: the need for qualified professionals is growing, yet government budget cuts make it harder to recruit and retain them. This article takes a closer look at a profession under mounting global pressure.
Leisure
Partying isn't a weekend affair anymore. For a growing number of expats, primarily young adults, though not exclusively, life abroad revolves around late nights, spontaneous drinks, and afterparties that spill into the next day. From Lisbon to Bangkok, Barcelona to Bali, you'll meet carefree night owls who refuse to save their fun for the weekend. But how do they manage this pace? And more intriguingly, what drives this almost essential need to go out so often?
Schools & studies
If you want to save time and money, choose shorter programs — or at least that's what the most vocal AI enthusiasts argue. To them, the digital revolution has pushed long university degrees to the brink of irrelevance. We spend plenty of time comparing study destinations and universities, yet we rarely question the length of the program itself. Has AI truly made extended degrees unnecessary? And how might this shift reshape international student mobility in the years ahead?
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