Features
Everyday life
Higher food costs and the energy bill crisis drove inflation in the UK to 5.4% in 2021 until December, up from 5.1% the month before, in another blow to struggling expats. Expatriates might be facing a hard choice between heating or eating.
Work
Getting a working visa is a big challenge, especially for expats from abroad interested in living in the north of the globe. During the pandemic, the visa process has increased its bureaucracy. Therefore, freelancing has been an opportunity for many expats to perform their dreams of moving to their hosts' countries and finding a way to make ends meet.
Everyday life
Fear has arisen just a few days before the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games. Covid has managed to filter through the "sanitary bubble". This means more tests, more control, and more restrictions for locals and expatriates. Borders remain closed, affecting international exchanges, whether commercial or educational. More and more foreigners seem keen to leave. Is mainland China about to experience an expat exodus too?
Everyday life
"Thank you Erasmus". Words of gratitude are raining on social media in millions of former participants in all languages. Founded in 1987, Erasmus is an international mobility program and marked its 35th anniversary on January 20th. On this occasion, here is an insight into the benefits of this program through expat testimonies.
Everyday life
In December 2021, Poland's parliament passed a media bill that aims to silence a news channel critical of the government in an unexpected move that will stoke media freedom concerns and reopen a diplomatic dispute with the US. With all that, how is it like to be an expat from Poland or one wishing to live there?
Health system
Since the early days of the pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been multiplying alerts regarding the cost of health care, especially in countries where the healthcare system has weakened. Health expenditure, already on the rise before Covid-19, have increased considerably and become a burden for many countries. In such circumstances, how should expats deal with healthcare, especially those with health insurance?
Schools & studies
The pandemic hit each corner of the world differently but had an impact on everyone. It is difficult to remain indifferent while riding the waves of unplanned changes, cancelled flights and lockdown regulations. Some of the most challenging changes have been the limitations imposed on international students, who had to spend (at least a part of) their studies from home due to the current situation.
Everyday life
"Retire in Dubai" was launched more than a year ago by the government. This program is intended for foreign professionals who have worked in the territory and do not wish to leave. This program is, in fact, part of a new strategy set up by the United Arab Emirates to meet the needs of expatriates. But other countries like Argentina, Thailand, Mexico, etc., already have similar programs to retain expats beyond their careers.
Everyday life
Haven't you ever dreamed of working close to the paradise beaches of Phuket or the Terrasses de Lavaux in the Swiss canton of Vaud, or treat yourself to a chic evening in Dubai and admire the view from the Atmosphere, the tallest restaurant in the world? Many of us have been waiting to grab our chance of living the expat life. Still, there are many things to consider before actually moving to some of the world's most popular expat destinations.
Everyday life
Expat life is often idealized, especially on Instagram, where you can see amazing exploration photos. This lifestyle can indeed make people envious, yet there is a setback that expats do not always publish on social media. Living abroad also involves dealing with loneliness, poor well-being, or even culture shock. Expats talk to Expat.com about how their dream turned into a nightmare.
Visas
Students and workers as expats are constantly searching for working visa information online, with experts and in social media groups to try to connect with others with common experiences. But, the working visa process that was already complicated during the pandemic has been worsened.
Work
YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, etc., are part of our daily lives. Indeed, social media has transformed our way of consuming, creating new professions, new ways of reaching an audience, of getting a message across. Are they showcases or multi-faceted creators? And what if you are an expat who also wants to become a social media influencer?
Work
The pandemic has definitely shaken the world. Still, many countries are stepping up policies for economic recovery. Employers are calling for more straightforward measures to hire foreign talent. However, the situation differs from one country to another. So what are the current labour market trends? What are the opportunities for expats around the world?
Moving
Moving abroad, just like many great adventures, also brings great responsibility. You need to organise your stay in the new place based on your needs, and those of your fellow travellers if you are moving with a partner or with family. Departing is not easy as it means leaving behind your friends, your culture and some of your dear objects. Therefore, it is very important to decide what to take and leave for your new life abroad.
Tax
Most European countries, particularly those of the European Union (EU), have higher tax rates than other global powerhouses. In 2019, taxes accounted for 40.1% of the GDP of EU Member States. Even though the pandemic has led to a significant rise in public expenditure and a tax decline, there's still a huge gap between countries with high and low tax rates. So which are currently the most attractive countries?
Health system
Healthcare has become a recurring hot topic since the start of the pandemic, with health systems being under strain. Political scientists, economists, scientists, researchers, and of course, doctors point to the upheavals shaking health systems around the globe. The cost of healthcare is another issue, especially for expatriates and prospective expatriates. Should you choose your next destination based on the quality of its health system?
Work
Getting a job opportunity abroad is a dream for many expats. It means a new adventure, international experience and exciting opportunities. However, as the world was struck by the pandemic, the working dynamic worldwide has been shattered, leaving many expats wondering about their future.
Health system
British citizens live in a country where the organ that allows universal social healthcare gives priority to people in need rather than to the prices of their treatment. This system established as a consequence of the aftermath of the WW2 has been regularized through the National Health System in England, Scotland and Wales.
Other Types
Paraguay
A new investor residency rulebook landed last month, and for anyone weighing Paraguay as a place to actually live, the numbers are surprisingly friendly. If you've been quietly researching Paraguay as a possible new home base, for the taxes, the cost of living, the easy residency, or just because the rest of the world feels increasingly expensive and complicated, this one is for you.
Japan
Conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made immigration one of the key issues of her term. Since October 2025, foreign professionals, particularly entrepreneurs, have had to deal with stricter immigration rules. Early surveys reveal a significant drop in the number of entrepreneur visa applications.
France
This quiet reform barely made a ripple in France's political debates, yet it slipped through largely unnoticed and will tighten the rules for those who combine work and retirement.
France
A decree published on April 25 in the Official Gazette updates the rules allowing foreign workers to apply for the European Card or register on the "list of jobseekers."
France
E-invoicing (and e-reporting) was previously voluntary. From September 1, 2026, it will become mandatory for businesses to issue and receive electronic invoices. So who exactly is affected?
United Arab Emirates
The UAE's Golden Visa program has been updated. The reform, focused on simplification, aims to further cement the United Arab Emirates' position as a top destination for foreign investors and entrepreneurs.
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