Expat news
Everyday life
This year, Christmas and New Year's Eve will be like no other, with popular events like Christmas markets, concerts and shows being cancelled. Still, you can choose from a wide range of free and paid online activities to keep yourself busy even though you're locked down and away from your loved ones. Here are some tips.
Everyday life
For most of us, Christmas is all about having a beautifully decorated Christmas tree under which we gather to get our Christmas gifts. It's also the time for family celebrations over a grand dinner. However, your host country may have some unusual Christmas traditions that can surprise you.
Everyday life
This year, New Year's Eve will be different for most of us, regardless of the country where we live. With lockdown and health restrictions, including travel bans and limits on social gatherings, many will welcome the New Year alone at home or in small groups. Expats tell us how they are planning to celebrate New Year's Eve away from their loved ones.
Everyday life
It can be hard for expats to observe their culture and traditions during this festive season. Amid lockdowns and health restrictions, many of you haven't been able to travel back home and spend the holidays with your families. So if you're having the blues of your home country, here are some tips for keeping your traditions and culture alive, though virtual.
Moving
It's been nearly a year since the COVID-19 crisis tore thousands of families apart. While many expats chose to stay in their host country, and others were stranded abroad due to travel restrictions, some chose to reunite with their family in their home country. They talk to Expat.com about how hard it was in the beginning and where they stand today.
Everyday life
If you've recently moved abroad, especially to a tropical country, Christmas will probably be different from what you're used to. But what is Christmas like without the snow and the cold, and a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace? While Christmas is celebrated in most tropical countries, even in the southern hemisphere, some of them have their own traditions.
Everyday life
This year, we'll all be having a Christmas like no other. While some countries are locked down, and others have travel restrictions in place, travelling back home to celebrate with your loved ones is not an option. As adults, we're more likely to compromise with the current situation. Still, for children who are used to celebrating with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, it might be much more complicated. So here are some tips for getting your children into the Christmas spirit amid the pandemic.
At this very time last year, the whole world was waking up to a new disease and had no idea that we would need to come to terms with a whole new way of life because of it. The first few cases of COVID-19 were first detected in Wuhan, China. A year later, are things back to normal in this town? Looking back on 2020, what do expats living in China have to say?
Health system
Last week, the United Nations Commission voted to classify cannabis as a less dangerous drug. Of the 53 member states of this committee, 27 voted for while 25 others are against. However, the legalisation of medical cannabis has been debated in many countries for several years. So how have countries been dealing with this issue until now?
Work
The global health crisis had a significant impact on the global labour market, leading to a rising unemployment rate. Finding a job abroad can, therefore be a tedious task. Still, there are other options to consider, like doing an internship or volunteering abroad. Young expats talk to us about their experience and about the benefits of gaining international work experience.
Everyday life
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Christmas is going to be different in most countries this year. But being unable to go on vacation, to reunite with your loved ones back home, or enjoy the usual events and activities in your host country due to health restrictions and social distancing doesn't mean you should sit down and get bored at home. Here's how you can get into the Christmas spirit even though the crisis is keeping you away from the rest of the world.
Other Types
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Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Turnout Project
If you're an American living abroad, you can vote in the 2026 elections for US Senate, House, and more! This guide will walk you through the simple process and direct you to a simple form that makes requesting your ballot easier than ever.
Work
You might assume that office life is much the same everywhere: fairly standard working hours, the occasional overtime, and organizational differences from one company to another. But moving abroad can quickly challenge that assumption. Workplace habits are deeply influenced by local culture, from what people wear to how they interact with colleagues. So what is considered perfectly acceptable in your new country, and what might be frowned upon? Here are seven workplace habits that reveal just how differently office culture can be understood around the world.
Everyday life
Using AI to plan a move abroad may seem like a quick and convenient solution. It can compare destinations, explain visa procedures, and help organize your relocation. However, inaccurate information, outdated advice, and a lack of human understanding can put your expatriation project at risk. So, how much should you really rely on AI?
Australia
For years, Australia has been one of the world's most sought-after destinations for international students. Its world-class universities, high standard of living, and generous post-study work opportunities have attracted hundreds of thousands of young people hoping to build a future abroad. But that appeal is beginning to fade. As the government continues to tighten its immigration policy, it has once again increased the cost of its post-study work visa, making it one of the most expensive of its kind in the world. Combined with stricter eligibility rules and fewer pathways to long-term residency, the changes are forcing many prospective and current international students to rethink their plans. Is Australia slowly becoming a study destination reserved for those who can afford to pay the price?
Everyday life
Are retirees really the "wealthy elite" they're often portrayed as? In reality, retirement incomes vary widely, and so do living standards. For expat retirees, the picture is even more complex. Beyond everyday expenses, they must also navigate inflation, hidden costs, rising healthcare bills, and policy changes that can all have a significant impact on their budget.
Accommodation
Buying your own property is a major milestone, and for many expats, an exciting new chapter. But purchasing a home abroad involves more than finding the right property. Your relationship status can have a significant impact on your rights as a buyer and the legal protections available to you. Whether you're married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, are you equally protected when buying property overseas?
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