Features

Coronavirus: Expat Mag takes stock of the situation...
Health system
Coronavirus: Expat Mag takes stock of the ...
204, 404. This was the official number of cases of Coronavirus around the world on Wednesday afternoon with 157 countries and territories affected. As the World Health Organization (WHO) declares the world emergency by calling the virus a pandemic, leaders in affected countries are sounding the alarm. Lockdown, closure of institutions, non-essential public places and borders ... Drastic measures are taken to prevent the spread of the virus. The latest statistics indicate a total of 6,518 deaths worldwide, including a higher and increasing rate in China, Italy, South Korea, Iran, Spain, Germany, France and the United States. Here is a country by country breakdown of the most affected territories.  
The Coronavirus situation in Italy
Italy
The Coronavirus situation in Italy
The Coronavirus outbreak has had the world holding its breath since the beginning of this year. While China has managed to minimize the spread of the virus, Italy is now the most affected countries of all and has been under lockdown since the 9th of March in order to contain the virus.
Portugal as a retirement haven: end of an era?
Tax
Portugal as a retirement haven: end of an ...
The amendment has sent shockwaves across the expat community in Portugal. On the 27th of January, the Portuguese government announced it would be reconsidering the fiscal advantages non habitual residents benefit from: tax exemption on foreign earned assets is officially over. Does this mean the end is in sight for Portugal as an expat destination?
Professionals: More than 50% of expats want to come back to their home country...
Everyday life
Professionals: More than 50% of expats want ...
A study run by Expat.com and aiming at uncovering the repatriation habits of expats has found 65% of working expats seek work abroad but only want to live abroad temporarily. Indeed, only 35% of them consider permanent expatriation. Out of which a certain amount ends up coming back anyway.
A third of retirees shorten their expatriation
Everyday life
A third of retirees shorten their ...
A survey run by Expat.com in November 2019 aims at uncovering the repatriation habits of expatriates. An important part of the survey was dedicated to understanding the approach of retirees to settling abroad. When they plan to live abroad, do they leave for a set duration or do they want to settle abroad permanently? And do they change their minds while abroad? The current survey shows that one in three retirees shorten their expatriation.
Expat.com study: Find out about expats repatriation behaviour
Expat.com study: Find out about expats ...
In September 2019, Expat.com invited expatriates to participate in a survey which aimed at uncovering their expatriation habits. Do expats usually settle abroad permanently or temporarily? How often do expatriates cut their life abroad short?
Moving from a liberal to a more conservative country...
Everyday life
Moving from a liberal to a more conservative ...
Moving abroad is a massive change. Uprooting your life to a whole new country is, in itself, no easy feat. And this can become even harder when moving into a country with a completely different way of life, laws and regulations that are the opposite of what you've always known like when you move from a liberal to a more conservative country. So how do you deal with this?
Expatriation in Hong Kong: The end of an era?
Hong Kong
Expatriation in Hong Kong: The end of an era?
The fall is non-negligible. In its latest report, ECA International (Employment Condition Abroad) ranked Hong Kong as the 93rd most attractive city for expatriates. The city stood at the 50th place in the 2018-2019 edition of the ranking. Hong Kong is far behind other major Asian cities: Tokyo is 3rd. Singapore keeps its 1st place (2019-2020 figures). How to measure the real impact of the current context - political crisis, coronavirus - on the attractiveness of Hong Kong? What effects on the attractiveness of Hong Kong to investors, professionals and other expatriates?
The new UK immigration policy
England
The new UK immigration policy
If you've been following the news, then chances are, you already know that after a long three years, the UK has finally decided to move forward with its divorce from the European Union. One of the main issues politicians promised to tackle with Brexit was immigration. Fearing the loss of jobs for native UK citizens, the government's introduced a new points-based immigration system that'll go into effect on the 1st of January 2021. Thinking of immigrating to the UK after that date? Then here's what you need to know.
Is it time to go back to your home country?
Moving
Is it time to go back to your home country?
When we move to a new country, we hope desperately that everything will work out and that we'll stay for as much as we plan to and maybe more. But unfortunately, things don't always work out. Whether it's due to personal circumstances or the law, there comes a time when some expats may have to either move back to their home country or somewhere else. But when you're dealing with a difficult personal situation, how do you know if you should persevere just a bit longer, or it's actually time to move on? We discuss some important factors to base your decision on.
The importance of diplomatic representation in your host country
Formalities
The importance of diplomatic representation ...
Settling down in a new country is no easy feat. Getting your head round all the new laws surrounding residency and your rights as a resident but also, if you want to, staying in touch with your home country's political and economic life is a lot to take in. Usually, embassies and consulates are present to help you settle in. But what exactly are their use to an expatriate? And more importantly, can one settle in a country where there is no diplomatic representation?
The Netherlands as an expat destination: Should you?
Netherlands
The Netherlands as an expat destination: ...
Recently, ECA International released its list of top 20 most livable cities for European expats. Four out of the 20 top cities were found in the Netherlands with The Hague, Eindhoven and Amsterdam all being in the top 10. Quite obviously, this country is a highly attractive destination for those wishing to relocate. But why? In this article, we'll dissect the good (and the bad) of the Netherlands so you can decide for yourself if it's a good destination to move to.
Everything you need to know about freelancing as an expatriate
Work
Everything you need to know about ...
Paris is the number one city in the world for freelancing, according to Small Business Prices, a British business information site that has released, earlier in February, its ranking of the best cities to become a freelancer. When it comes to professional trends and working styles, one thing is certain: we have entered the age of the ‘digital nomad.' Around the world, professionals are abandoning office life in search of freedom and freelancing - armed with a passport and a laptop, their office might be a hammock in Thailand, a café in New York or a coworking space in Buenos Aires. But what if you don't want to move from place to place? How possible is it to establish yourself as a freelancer in a new country? What about visas and taxes? This article is a great place to start if you're thinking about making the leap into international freelancing.
Eight types of expats you have met during your time abroad...
Everyday life
Eight types of expats you have met during ...
Whether you've been living abroad for a while or you have just arrived, if you have an expat circle of friends, then you have definitely met the following types of expats. And if there is a type you cannot quite assign to anyone, then it is probably you!  P.S: We did not need to carry a study to find this out, we have enough expats here in our Expat.com's team ;)
Tips on how to settle in an unsafe area...
Everyday life
Tips on how to settle in an unsafe area...
Numbeo has just released its list of the safest and the least safe cities in the world. Abu Dhabi, Doha, Taipei, Quebec city and Charjah in the UAE are the safest cities while Caracas, Port Moresby in New Guinea, Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria and Durban in South Africa are the least safe, Numbeo found. But should the safety levels of a country stop you from living your expat dream? Realizing your dream expat destination is not as safe as you might have thought doesn't mean you can't still have an amazing time. It just means you have to be smarter about it. Read on for some helpful tips on how to settle in and stay safe after you've moved.
Where you should move as a digital nomad in 2020
Work
Where you should move as a digital nomad in ...
More and more professionals worldwide are now switching to digital nomadism which makes it possible to work anywhere in a flexible way. Becoming a digital nomad also means being on the run for new opportunities at all times, with fast internet as your main tool. A recent survey conducted by Small Business Prices gives an insight into current digital nomadism trends and the places you should move to, given their benefits for your career.
Rising rent prices in Europe
Accommodation
Rising rent prices in Europe
While rents in expensive cities like London, Amsterdam, or Munich seem to have stabilised at the end of 2019, there was a significant rise in many European cities that used to be relatively affordable. The HousingAnywhere International Rent Index gives an insight into the saturated property market in Europe and what you should expect in the coming months.
The most family-friendly cities
Children
The most family-friendly cities
Movinga, a company which specializes in moving families abroad, has just published the results of their study on how family-friendly 150 cities around the world are. They took into consideration a total of 16 factors including quality of life in the city and the country, the unemployment levels, the quality of air, healthcare, safety, parental leave... Here are the top 5 best countries for families.

Other Types

Immigration update: Major policy shifts in the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond
Formalities
Immigration update: Major policy shifts in ...
Labor shortages and ongoing housing crises are heating up immigration policies. Should work permits be extended, or should there be a cap on the number of foreign nationals? It's a significant challenge for countries, with each one trying to introduce new policies to attract expatriates while combating rising living costs. Here's an overview of the latest changes.
A comprehensive guide to health insurance in Germany for newcomers
KLforExpats
A comprehensive guide to health insurance in ...
If you're planning to move to Germany, you've likely heard that Germany's healthcare system is one of the best in the world and is renowned for its efficiency, accessibility, and high standard of care. However, if you're new to Germany, understanding the nuances of its health insurance system can be confusing and complex - especially if you don't know the language!
Southeast Asia considers Schengen-inspired travel zone: What would this mean for expats?
Visas
Southeast Asia considers Schengen-inspired ...
As tourism industries continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit slowly, Southeast Asian nations are exploring the implementation of a visa system modeled after the European Schengen Area. This initiative aims to revitalize tourism and stimulate economic growth across the region.
Singapore expat exodus: Rising costs push out foreign talent
Cost of living
Singapore expat exodus: Rising costs push ...
Singapore regularly tops the list of the most expensive cities in the world. In 2023, it tied with Zurich in first place among the most expensive cities in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The same year, a report by Mercer called Singapore the best city for expats in Asia. However, in recent years, Singapore has been experiencing a continuous exodus of expats. Even those who have called it home for a long time are starting to reconsider.
Multinational layoffs: What does this mean for international job seekers?
Work
Multinational layoffs: What does this ...
The tech world, already shaken in 2022-2023, is still in turmoil. As AI continues to develop, other sectors will come under the scrutiny of multinational corporations. What does this mean for aspiring expats? Should this be seen as a risk for international recruitment?
Boosting European education: EU's plan for a European diploma explained
Schools & studies
Boosting European education: EU's plan for a ...
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?