Expat news

To stand out on the international job market and further strengthen the position of the European Union, the European Commission announced the creation of a European diploma. What does this mean for potential international students in Europe?

Looking for a new real estate investment? Futuristic cities, artificial islands, and self-sustaining megacities await you as the Gulf States roll out the red carpet for wealthy expatriates. Competing with each other, they are embarking on mega-projects to attract foreign investors. Here's an overview.

According to the current Italian prime minister, it could soon be possible for Italian expats to benefit from healthcare in Italy while living abroad. In fact, a bill proposed by the Fratelli d'Italia party aims to allow this against an annual contribution of 1,500 euros to the national health system (SSN). 

If you're planning to move abroad, you're perhaps in the middle of the process of obtaining your visa and residency permit. One of the required documents is proof of financial means. Apart from the often exorbitant amount, how can you prove you have sufficient funds to live in your chosen country?

Happiness is a complicated matter. Philosophers have tried to define it, economists have tried to measure it, and expats, well, expats are trying to find it. Several surveys look at happiness from a geographical angle. Their goal is to determine whether location has an impact on your emotional well-being. And, as it turns out, it does. But the rest isn't that clear.

With the rising costs of moving abroad on the one hand and tougher or more flexible visa requirements on the other, global immigration policies are ever-changing. Here's an overview of the latest updates to help you plan your move.

The 27 European Union member countries voted on December 30, 2023, for the partial entry of Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen area, effective from March 31. What does this mean for current and prospective expatriates?

The G20 summit in September 2023 might not have resulted in significant announcements, but it provided India, as the host country and G20 president at the time, with an opportunity to showcase its prestige to the world. Foreign heads of state were welcomed with the red carpet treatment, even if it required hastily constructing new infrastructure to conceal slums. The goal was to lavish guests with hospitality to attract more business leaders and foster additional partnerships. Will this be enough to attract and retain foreign talent?

Amidst economic downturns, inflation crises, political tensions, wars, immigration policy changes, and restricted student quotas, some argue that 2024 isn't notably worse than past years. Yet, we've experienced better times. However, should prospective international students review their plans to study abroad?

Bringing your pets along during your travels has always been cumbersome, requiring more planning, more paperwork, and considerable fees. With international pet relocation fees skyrocketing in various countries, expatriates have to rethink their plans. Here's what you need to know about the cost of moving abroad with pets.

Several countries are grappling with labor shortages and are adapting their immigration policies accordingly. There's a high demand for skilled workers, although they may face challenges due to policies aimed at prioritizing national employment. Balancing the encouragement of local employment with promoting international mobility poses a significant challenge for governments. 

Combating international tax fraud remains a work in progress. Although far from complete, governments are pleased to note significant advancements since cooperation was bolstered. Tax authorities find an unexpected ally in their efforts to monitor foreign bank accounts: social media.

Major changes are on the horizon for the widely-used H-1B visa, with potential impacts on other visa categories. Additionally, significant hikes in visa fees are expected, posing a substantial consideration for those planning to relocate to the United States. Here's what you need to know.

Recent studies show that more Americans are moving abroad than ever before. The United Kingdom is challenging Canada as the most popular English-speaking destination, while the United States' other neighbor, Mexico, remains the second most preferred destination. New Zealand is also increasingly popular. Better life-work balance and a lower cost of living are the leading reasons for moving abroad.

With around 3.5 million British expats living in different countries all around the world, it comes as no surprise that a large number of them consider it to be the best decision they've ever made. A recent study by iFast Global Bank, which polled 600 adults, showed that over two-thirds of British expats were happy with their move abroad. The remaining one-third of expats polled decided to move back home, as they couldn't deal with being away.

There's a profession often overlooked in discussions about moving abroad: how do artists sustain themselves in a foreign country? Is it feasible to earn a living through art in pursuit of creative freedom? This aspect of artistic life is seldom addressed in visa regulations for artists, yet it holds significant importance, impacting how artists practice their craft overseas.

Before enjoying the happy life of an expatriate couple, there might be a few administrative issues to check out. Have both spouses drawn up a prenuptial agreement? Is there a risk that the matrimonial property regime will change with the international move? These questions are even more critical if you have your own assets. Here's an overview of matrimonial property regimes around the world.

The naturalization process in some countries involves a citizenship test in addition to an interview and a language proficiency test. These citizenship tests can be written or oral and check expats' knowledge of the host country's history, laws and core values. Their implementation has been controversial, but these tests have nonetheless become standard across multiple countries – the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, and South Korea.