Features
Leisure
It is already late spring: the days have lengthened in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is out and the summer holiday period is upon us. This year, however, everything is different because the global health crisis requires us to change habits. Many countries have started loosening the lockdown, but that doesn't mean we can move freely around the holidays or resume life as we left before COVID-19. So whether you're in the Northern hemisphere and wanting to enjoy the sunshine or are thinking of taking some time off after the crisis, here are some ideas!
United Arab Emirates
As from June 1st, holders of valid resident visas who are stranded abroad due to current travel restrictions will be allowed to return to the United Arab Emirates. This news comes as a relief for many of them who have been waiting to reunite with their families.
Visas
Today, many expats around the world are worried about their stay abroad, especially those whose visa expires soon or has already expired. Given the current travel restrictions, they are not able to go back home. Many countries have thus resolved to grant visa extensions and other benefits to foreign nationals who are already on their territory, but this comes with certain conditions. Here is what you should know.
Everyday life
After being locked down for two months, many countries around the world have begun to breathe again. Let's have a look at how some of these countries are dealing with the end of lockdown.
Everyday life
Moving to a new country for work, studies or simply out of curiosity is often a thrilling adventure. It is the discovery of a whole new world, with exposure to new cultures and sceneries. Often, the first few exploration weeks are dream-like. But unfortunately, the thrill may subside as quickly as it surged – leading to that very specific statement: this is not what you expected!
Portugal
Umberto is an Italian expatriate who has lived in Algarve for a few years. He returned from Portugal to Italy last week. Here is how he organized his travels and the formalities at borders.
Everyday life
This week is marked by the much-awaited end of lockdown in many countries around the world. The past few weeks have been stressful indeed, so you'll definitely seize the opportunity to do the things you have been deprived of. However, you still have to comply with certain regulations. We have asked expats about the first thing they are looking to do as soon as the lockdown comes to an end.
Everyday life
For many expatriates around the world, being locked down at home, whether alone or with family, has been a decisive moment. Besides being bored with a quite limited choice of things to do at home to keep oneself busy, you might now be seeing things differently. Here are five lessons that we've all learned from the lockdown.
Schools & studies
Given the current travel restrictions around the world, it would be difficult for expatriates to travel in case one of their relatives gets sick or passes away. Managing the situation remotely, being unable to say a last goodbye to a dear one isn't an easy task. To avoid serious repercussions on our psycho-physical state, here is some advice from Dr. Brusadelli. She has worked for many years in Italy, both in the public and private spheres, carrying out numerous collaborations with other mental health professionals. Today, she lives and works in Australia. Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of Wollongong, a coastal city that is about forty miles from Sydney, Dr. Brusadelli is a member of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, the Society for Personality Assessment and the Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology. She is a supervising psychologist in training and an expert in psychodiagnostics.
Work
Since the border closures, the day to day life of a lot of cross-border workers has changed. Florian and Tamime are French and work respectively in Luxembourg and Switzerland. We ask them about the impact of COVID-19 crisis on their professional life.
Spain
Expat.com meets Stefano, an Italian expatriate who lives in Valencia with his family. Let's talk about his routine between remote work and managing children during the lockdown.
Everyday life
When you open Facebook or Instagram, all you can see is bread-making, fitness challenges or people getting in touch with their creative selves but all you can seem to do is work and take care of your children or if you don't have children, re-watching Friends episodes on Netflix. Here are a few tips to deal with the pressure of being super productive during the lockdown.
Accommodation
Real estate is a sector that has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Rising unemployment and decline in income have to lead to many families around the world being unable to pay rent or settle their mortgage. Here is what you need to know if you were planning or are still planning to buy or rent property abroad when the global health crisis subsides.
France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the US… more and more countries are starting to lift or ease the lockdown. Here's an update on how this is being done around the world.
Lockdowns and the closure of borders has caused a lot of turmoil in the lives of many. Being stuck abroad without knowing when one will be able to fly home, being far from loved ones… A number of charitable initiatives have been launched during these times of needs...
Banks and finance
Lockdown has allowed many households around the world to save money, but for others, the risk of being fired and having no revenue at all has become a serious issue. With the current economic downturn and the fragility of the global labour market, budgeting is a must today more than ever. Here are some tips to help you manage your finances after lockdown as an expat.
Everyday life
With more than 2.9 million positive cases around the world and more than 200,000 deaths, the coronavirus pandemic has forced many countries into lockdown. Having overcome the health crisis, these countries are now preparing for a gradual economic and social recovery. While this sounds like good news, post-lockdown planning is even more important to avoid resurgence. Here are some tips.
Everyday life
Economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic is having a significant impact on the global labour market – with shorter working hours for some and the risk of being laid-off for others. This situation is of much concern for thousands of students around the world, as well as working-holidayers. Here are some tips to guide you in case you go broke, until things get better.
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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