Features
Banks and finance
A change in the exchange rate can instantly change an expat's life, especially if they earn in one currency but spend in another. Exchange rates are directly linked to expats' budgets. Currency convertibility works in a similar way to stocks and shares. The more attractive the currency is, the more it is in demand, and the greater the value will be. Likewise, the opposite is also true, which leads to the currency being devalued.
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.
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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