Features
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?
Everyday life
Experiencing pregnancy abroad often brings surprises. The treatments, habits, and medical approaches that catch expatriate women off guard are usually those they're discovering for the first time, such as new ways of thinking, cultural traditions, or unfamiliar healthcare practices. Some of these customs have deep cultural roots, while others prompt debate among medical professionals. Here are five countries and five very different approaches to pregnancy.
Work
It's probably not the first thing you think about. When starting an international career, you're focused on growing your skills, gaining experience, and building stability, not on your future pension. Still, it's worth asking: will the years you've worked abroad actually count toward your retirement?
Schools & studies
In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is assuming an increasingly significant role, including in education, expat parents are facing a new challenge: how to support their children in an international schooling system that's rapidly evolving. From personalized learning tools to AI-generated content, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we learn. So, how can parents help their children make the most of this educational revolution?
Work
Global economic instability is making companies more cautious. Temporary hiring is falling as businesses adjust to weaker demand. But is this slowdown only temporary—or the sign of a lasting trend? And what does it mean for expatriates?
Bulgaria
Thinking about where to relocate? The 2025-2026 expat trends highlight several emerging destinations, and Bulgaria is high on the list. Many expats now see it as one of the best places in Europe to begin a new chapter. Its growing popularity comes down to a few key advantages: a lower cost of living than most major expat hubs, a very competitive tax system, and a climate that easily rivals that of Mediterranean countries.
Work
Evaluating company performance to help professionals build stronger careers—that's the idea behind a new initiative from Singapore's Ministry of Labor. Since October 14, employees can, in just three clicks, discover the best companies to work for when aiming to grow their careers. These aren't necessarily large corporations, but rather organizations that actively support professional development. This tool can be especially valuable for expats seeking to advance their international careers. So, what indicators should you look at to ensure you're choosing the right company?
Everyday life
Life in the world's most bustling cities can be full of surprises. Many expats are attracted by the excitement of metropolises like Paris, Beijing, or Rio de Janeiro, exactly because they seek novelty and adventure. What aspects of life in big cities abroad have caught expats off guard, for better or worse?
United Arab Emirates
Attracting top talent from around the world is no longer enough. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has learned that to stay ahead and keep its global edge, it needs to do more than lure professionals with high salaries and career prospects. The real test now lies in getting them to stay. Retaining talent means offering something more profound—a sense of purpose, recognition, and belonging. That's the new challenge shaping the UAE's future.
Everyday life
The memory of your last family holiday abroad might still make you sweat. So, how could you possibly handle a complete relocation overseas, for months or even years, alongside your children? The thought alone may bring visions of stress and chaos. And yes, those challenges are real. But surprisingly, they can become a meaningful part of your family's journey abroad. It's not wishful thinking: life overseas with your children can be deeply rewarding, sometimes even joyful. So, what are the real benefits of moving abroad as a family? Here's what expat parents have learned from their own experiences.
Health system
They say prevention is better than cure, and never more so than when you're about to start a new life abroad. Before you go, a health check isn't just another box to tick; it's your first step toward a smooth transition. Understanding which vaccines you'll need, confirming your prescriptions will be available where you're going, and preparing for changes in diet or climate can make all the difference. A quick visit to your doctor before you leave could well be the most valuable travel prep you do—your passport to a healthy, confident start overseas.
Work
The reality of building a career abroad doesn't always match what's promised on paper. For some expats, frustration grows as they face unfair treatment and don't know where to turn. When your working conditions don't reflect your contract, how do you tell if it's abuse, and who can you ask for help?
Accommodation
For many expats, rent or mortgage payments swallow the biggest share of their budget. In Dubai, the tide is turning: new apartments keep flooding the market, but tenants and buyers are thinning out. The result? Landlords are dangling free months of rent and higher-end finishes to keep properties filled. And Dubai isn't the only place where housing incentives are reshaping the market. From €1 homes in Europe to tax breaks in Japan, where can expats find the best deals right now?
Other Types
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If you've been searching for a stable, profitable, and strategically located country to grow your business or diversify your investment portfolio, Panama should be at the very top of your list. Panama is not just a country with a famous canal. It is one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America, a regional financial hub, and a proven gateway for companies looking to expand across North and South America. With a dollarized economy, a territorial tax system, world-class logistics infrastructure, and investor-friendly immigration policies, Panama offers a unique combination of advantages that few countries in the world can match.
Everyday life
Moving abroad is often associated with adventure, discovery, and new opportunities. While it can be a deeply enriching experience, there is often a less visible reality behind the excitement of starting a new life abroad: exhaustion. In my consultations, expats sometimes describe a fatigue that never seems to lift, unusual irritability, a sense of disconnection, or the feeling that they are no longer quite themselves. What I have also observed is that this distress is rarely confined to one person. In expat families, when one parent begins to struggle, the entire family often has to adapt. Partners may feel isolated or lose their sense of direction, while children can pick up on their parents' stress, worries, or emotional fatigue, even when these feelings are never openly discussed.
New Zealand
Since June 1, foreign workers seeking certain work visas in New Zealand have been subject to new English language requirements. The government says the changes are intended to improve migrant integration and help prevent workplace exploitation.
Sweden
Since June 1, Sweden has tightened its work permit regulations. The new rules introduce higher salary requirements, stricter conditions for seasonal workers, mandatory health insurance in some cases, and increased scrutiny of employers.
Belgium
Belgium's latest reforms, which took effect on June 1, bring greater flexibility to the labor market in an effort to support job creation. At the same time, the government has introduced stricter requirements for non-European students.
United Arab Emirates
Foreign residents in the United Arab Emirates should take note: under UAE regulations, residence visas are generally canceled if the holder remains outside the country for more than 180 consecutive days. In most cases, affected residents must apply for a new visa before returning. However, several categories of expatriates are exempt from this rule and can retain their residency status despite an extended stay abroad.
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