Expat news
Ireland
As one of the world's most open economies, Ireland is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign workers. The island nation's assets include double-digit growth and hiring sectors. Let's look at what makes it one of the most attractive countries in Europe for building a career.
Work
With Brexit, the world expected the United Kingdom's decline, especially considering the successive reforms seen as aggressive towards immigrants. However, if immigrants were gone, the British economy would suffer from persistent labor shortages. While labor shortages remain a reality, the growing presence of immigrants is real, too. Foreign interest in Britain is growing, even as the government tightens the screws. How do we explain this paradox?
Accommodation
Will the housing crisis affect the policies of major immigration countries? Inflation is driving up all costs worldwide, and rents are no exception. Countries are becoming increasingly expensive with fewer housing options available. This situation could benefit other countries that are also trying to attract expats, especially international students.
Visas
Labor shortages and demographic crises are driving states around the globe to reform their immigration policies. While some are introducing new visa policies to attract and retain expatriates on their territories, not all foreigners are treated equally. Let's have a closer look at the latest measures and how they affect international travelers, workers and students alike.
Schools & studies
Since the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020, students from the European Union are longer eligible for domestic tuition and tuition loans in the UK. Instead of a maximum of £9,250 per year for an undergraduate degree, EU students must now pay £15,000- £70,000 per year. Unsurprisingly, this has led to a sharp decline in the number of European students enrolling in British universities. These students now prefer to go to Germany, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Canada, where tuition fees are more affordable.
France
The new school year in France starts on a harsh note. A cut in school grants has been announced. This is likely to be a headache not only for international students but also for French families living abroad. Beyond the rising student cost of living, this measure sounds like a long-lasting crisis.
Schools & studies
Despite the impact of the Covid pandemic, student mobility is back on track. In fact, it's on the rise, reshuffling the deck regarding favorite destinations for international students. Last June, Campus France published its study on global student mobility. Here's a closer look at the most popular countries with international students. Where are international students coming from? What regions of the world are the most mobile?
China
Faced with an anti-espionage law that worries expatriates, China is relaxing its business visa rules for foreigners conducting business activities in the country. Other measures have been introduced to make it easier to obtain certain visas and residence permits. Here's how it works.
Accommodation
Published in the Official Gazette on June 2, Spain's new real estate law has been in force since June 30. The law was urgently introduced to regulate Spain's strained real estate market and facilitate access to housing, especially in "stressed areas". The new law tightly regulates rents and puts tenants and landlords on an equal footing. So what do you need to keep in mind when buying property in Spain?
Visas
In multiple Western countries, prospective international students from Africa face visa rejection rates of over 30-50%. Data from Canada, the United States and France show extremely different visa acceptance rates for international students from different parts of the world – even if they've all been accepted by recognized universities. Those from Europe and North America are rarely rejected; those from Asia and Latin America have a higher visa rejection rate, while over half of qualified Africans don't manage to get a visa. Africans are often required to submit more documents with their visa application, and they face racism-driven suspicion from visa officials.
Visas
Governments are taking action in a world still facing significant labor shortages and grappling with inflation that is pressurizing budgets. Some are opting to relax the rules for hiring foreign talent, while others are moving in the opposite direction by imposing restrictions to curb immigration. Here's what you need to know.
Italy
Italy, which already has one of the strictest laws on surrogacy, is taking another historical turn. Does this imply new challenges for parenthood and abortion rights? What is the situation like in other countries?
Saudi Arabia
When it comes to moving abroad for work, salaries, professional growth, and work/life balance are crucial considerations. Some countries are known for higher salaries, while others are making efforts to attract foreign talent with lucrative compensation packages. As a prospective expat, how can you make the best decision?
Work
Why are companies struggling to recruit despite labor shortages? In countries like France, Germany and the UK, recruitment difficulties are hampering the dynamism and growth of the labor market. What does this mean for professionals with moving abroad plans? Is it the right time to move overseas?
Visas
Canada has been facing a severe skills shortage for several years. Some fields, particularly Tech and innovation, are in a particularly critical situation and are seeking help from the government. The authorities subsequently unveiled new measures to attract and, more importantly, retain foreign talent.
Work
The ITUC released its latest Global Labor Rights Report in June 2023, coinciding with its 10th anniversary. What has changed in the past decade? Have there been advancements in workers' rights globally, or have we witnessed a setback? Which are the worst countries for workers?
Schools & studies
During the 75th Conference of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA), which took place between May 30 and June 2, education policymakers gathered in Washington to share their plans to attract more international students. The conference's themes were centered around inspiration and inclusion. Countries have recognized the importance of investing in welcoming and training international students to retain talent. So, which countries are currently the most attractive to international students?
Netherlands
Immigration remains a central topic of debate in the European Union. As France tries to heal the wounds of a week of riots (late June to early July), discussions about immigration have fueled debates, even though the perpetrators of violence were French citizens. During the same period, the European Commission published its Eurobarometer, analyzing the perception of immigration among Europeans.
Other Types
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H&R Block
Tax and retirement planning for US expats has never been simple—and 2026 adds a new twist. Alongside familiar considerations, the new Section 530A child savings accounts are entering the picture. The 530A program introduces a new opportunity for families abroad, adding to an already nuanced planning landscape.
Everyday life
Just a few years ago, living in a big city seemed to be a direct association with success. And so was moving to a big city. And a lot of expats, when relocating, were more driven towards big cities for this reason too. But things seem to be changing. If social media is to be believed (and yes, this is very debatable), a lot of people now prefer, given the choice, to settle away from the noise of a big city. Smaller sustainable communities are starting to emerge.
Children
We often talk about how difficult relocation can be for adults. You lose connections with friends and sometimes even family, you suffer from language fatigue, you need to adapt to a completely new way of life. This can be really hard on adults. But then what about children?
Work
Labor shortages in some sectors are playing out alongside unemployment rates that, depending on the country, remain stubbornly high. Young people are particularly at risk of failing to find work in their field or anywhere else. So, how are young professionals thinking about moving abroad in this climate?
Argentina
As an expat who has made South America's Southern Cone my home, I explained last year why Latin America is the new frontier and how to get residency here. This year, I've been spending a lot of time in the new Land of Opportunity: Argentina. After taking a chainsaw to inflation, President Milei has set his sights on citizenship by investment as the next lever to pull.
Everyday life
Expat life is often seen as an exciting adventure: a new country, new opportunities, and a rich cultural experience. Moving abroad represents, for many, a major life project — one filled with hope and the promise of a fresh start. When you make that move as a couple, it can feel even more reassuring. You're not going it alone; you have each other, with the shared belief that this change will bring you closer and create lasting memories together. And it truly can. But living abroad also brings profound upheaval: the loss of familiar landmarks, constant cultural adjustment, distance from family and friends, and sometimes a complete professional reinvention. All of these factors can unsettle not only your individual sense of balance but also the foundation of your relationship.
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