Features
Banks and finance
In the early 2000s, the banking sector experienced a small revolution: surfing the vibe of the internet boom, online banks started emerging. The most effective communication campaigns, ease of use, quick and efficient service, savings… what's not to like? After courting the so-called traditional customers, expatriates have become a target of choice for online banks.
Everyday life
According to a recent study by the international health insurance company Aetna, 76% single expats find it hard to date abroad. Language barrier, relatively small social network, lack of awareness of the dating etiquette in the new country, amongst others…
Work
According to an HSBC report earlier this year, two of the ten best expat destinations for international workers are in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain give expats-to-be financial incentives to apply for jobs in the region and offer contract stability and fair workplace culture. On the other hand, the Middle Eastern lifestyle and culture are beyond many expats' ken, especially women's from Western parts of the world. But what it's like to be a woman expatriate in the Middle East? Expat.com taps into the Middle Eastern idiosyncrasies to help women expats-to-be understand the nuances of living and working in the area.
With this bill, the Hong-Kong government, seeks to allow extraditions of residents towards China would be allowed. And this does not sit quite well with residents of the special administrative region. After demonstrations and clashes with the police, the bill was suspended on the 15th of June. Nevertheless, nearly two million people took to the streets of Hong Kong the next day, demanding its full withdrawal and the resignation of the head of the executive. Alexandre, a French expat settled in Hong-Kong since 2011, takes stock of the situation...
The latest study by Comparethemarket ranks the best and worst cities for cost-efficient rent. That is, the ratio of one's salary that goes into their rent. These are the best cities.
Everyday life
The right to abortion seemed set in stone in the United States of America until very recently. In just a few weeks, several states have passed abortion bans. Will the new legislation push some expatriates to move to a different state or leave altogether? How do such radical political changes affect expat decisions? What consideration do expats give to a country's politics when deciding where to settle down?
The place-to-be for digital nomads? You will find that most people will answer Thailand. Yet there is still a lot of debate around the legal aspects of working remotely from Thailand. Is there a visa regulating the presence of digital nomads in Thailand?
Expat.com and global research agency, Kantar have teamed up to explore the reasons why people want to move abroad in 2019. In this article, we will reveal where professionals want to emigrate to in 2019 and why.
China
A new legal notice issued by the ministry of Civil Affairs will prevent two foreign nationals to get married in China. Here's what expats think about this.
Everyday life
Expat.com and Kantar, a global research agency, set out to find out the reasons why people want to settle abroad and where they want to go in 2019. Portugal, unsurprisingly, is a top choice for retirees.
Everyday life
Expat.com and global research agency, Kantar have teamed up to explore the reasons why people want to move abroad in 2019. The research also unveils countries preferred by expats and expats-to-be and reasons that make said countries attractive.
Everyday life
She had to reinvent herself professionally after deciding to follow her husband abroad. Katharina von Knobloch, once an online marketing and business consultant, now has a new mission: helping other expat partners navigate through the challenging journey of finding oneself and building a career abroad. And this is why she created Share the love, a coaching business to help other expat partners out there.
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Expat.com looks back on those countries that have the strictest bans on tobacco.
Moving
So, you are moving to a new country? With just three months left before the big event, there are plenty of things to be excited about. With that, as exhilarating as this period may be, it can also get quite overwhelming. With so many things to think about, paperwork to arrange and packing to do, the best thing you can do is keep calm and stay organised.
Japan
According to a ranking of ECA International, Japan offers the best salaries for expats in Asia. But is this the only thing the country can offer? The country, its capital, Tokyo and slowly the city of Osaka alike, is undeniably one of the most expensive cities to live in. How does that pan out in real life, though?
The UK tops the list of countries offering the best pay packets for expatriates. But surprisingly, Japan made it all the way to number two. To calculate expat pay package, ECA takes into consideration salaries including benefits, allowances as well as tax regime in place in the country.
Everyday life
Can we say we are surprised? The Global Drug Survey (GDS) found that the Brits get drunk more often than any other nationality- they reported getting drunk on average 51 times a year. What countries are in the top 5?
Formalities
The European Union (EU) elections begin this Thursday 23rd of May. Does the European expatriate community feel concerned about these elections? Are they going to vote? We asked a couple of them living within or outside of the European Union.
Other Types
Formalities
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.
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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!
Visas
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.
Cost of living
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.
Work
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?
Schools & studies
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?
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