Features
Banks and finance
The annual GDP of a country doesn't only define the economy of a place but also the quality of life and living standards among its population. According to the World Economic Forum and data provided by the International Monetary Fund, there aren't significant changes in the world's leading economies when comparing the current rankings with the rankings of the previous years. The strongest economies are the usual suspects with some emerging markets reluctantly joining the game.
Everyday life
There are more than one and a half billion Muslims worldwide, many of whom greeted Ramadan last Thursday as expats in a non-Muslim country. Also, there are many Western expats in the midst of the 30-day fasting in Muslim countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. Expat.com looks at how both expat groups can enjoy the holy month of Ramadan — whether it is while abstaining from food and water from dawn till dusk or trying to understand the deeper meaning of this experience for the people who engage in it.
Everyday life
The annual Aurora Humanitarian Index is based on the survey of about 11,000 people in 12 countries (France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Argentina, Japan, Kenya, etc.), and their perceptions of global humanitarian issues such as immigration. From those surveyed, 1,053 are British, whose answers show an increasing sympathy towards refugees and immigrants, as well as apparent disagreement with their government regarding the lack of support and legalisation of immigrants.
Health system
Struggling with a chronic health condition or having found yourself coping with a sudden illness is tough as it is, and sometimes can be a rather lonesome path. Depending on one's personality and type of sickness, a health condition can prevent us from living life as fully as we would like to. However, some of the best ways (other than our positive attitude) to get through sickness are to have a reliable support system and to trust the environment we are in. Thus, managing illness while living abroad can be a double challenge, especially when we are new to our host country or we are in a country where the healthcare is lacking.
Children
In spite of the fact that families around the world have unique structures and are affected by different socio-economic environments, they are the basic unit of every society. On the United Nations' International Day of Families, Expat.com presents the best countries to raise a family, as revealed by the latest HSBC Expat Explorer survey. Find out where you get high-quality childcare, education, and healthcare to secure a glowing future for your family.
Everyday life
If you have been an expat in the same country for a long time, or have been moving to countries that use the same official language, it's likely that you master at least two languages — your mother tongue and the language that is spoken in your host country — and you easily switch between them.
Schools & studies
There are plenty of good reasons to study abroad such as discovering the world, experiencing a new culture, learning a new language, building an international network, and opening your horizons to job opportunities. However, the decision of where to go as an international student isn't one to take lightly. QS ranks 100 global cities with London being the best student city of 2018. Which other cities make it to the top five and why? Let's find out together.
Work
When you find yourself in an international group of expats, conversations tend to turn into some competition about whose country has the best national dish and which is the most hardworking nation. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) debunks any myths that expats may have created with a thorough survey, which has measured the annual working hours in 35 OECD member states. Most of the countries ranked are developed, and some fall under the category of developing countries.
Moving
To ensure a successful expatriation and a pleasant expat life, it is very important to become aware of the cultural differences between your host country and your previous location. First and foremost, understand the context of the new culture you are about to throw yourself in. What is the short history of the region? What is the country's climate? What about the economic, social, and geopolitical environment? The answers to these questions will help you wrap your mind around the people's lifestyle, local cuisine, work ethics, and family life. Expat.com gives you some tips on how to collect sufficient and accurate information about your host country to interact successfully with the local population and avoid misunderstandings or even legal troubles.
Moving
What is the one thing that you detest as an expat, and every time you go through it, it feels like it's the first time? At Expat.com we voted: the goodbyes. Or as we prefer to call them: the “see you soon”. You pave your expat path away from family and friends, and you have to leave behind a place and maybe a pet — whichever your situation is, parting from the people you love and the space you feel comfortable in is an onerous process. Every single time.
Leisure
If you have travelled to your new destination only with your e-reader due to its practicality, but you are missing flipping through ink books, we have composed a list of the world's coolest bookshops in five urban expat destinations. You don't have to be the typical bookworm to enjoy the benefits of a nice bookshop — you may go for the good coffee, to meet other expats, or to do your work.
Everyday life
Expats have special needs due to the unique lifestyle that they lead — from packing and travelling to moving and recreating the comforts of home in a new environment. Technology, if chosen and used wisely, can help expats of all types to enjoy a comfortable, efficient, and fun expat life in their new country. We have composed a handy list of our favourite tech products and apps to ease your transition from native to expat life.
France
Upon moving to Paris, whether it is after an expatriation or a business mission, one of your main objectives will probably be looking for a place to call home. The process of finding accommodation in Paris can take a lot of time. In addition, without any proof of residence, you may encounter difficulties in progressing with other administrative procedures, such as enrolling children in school.
Formalities
We don't choose our place of birth, and our nationality shouldn't be linked to our achievements, growth, and personal value. However, the Quality of Nationality Index by Henley & Partners has set some objective criteria to compare nationalities and measure their local and global performance. Find out to what extent your nationality allows you to develop your talents inside and outside of your country.
Banks and finance
A relocation project can be very beneficial for companies thanks to the recruitment of global talent and diversity in the working place. However, it comes with several challenges, which, if not adequately addressed, may not only cost the company a lot of money but also lead to loss of competent human force. Some of these challenges are available support to expat employees and orientation, visa acquisition, travel costs, housing, shipment of goods, and other benefits. Cartus, a provider of corporate relocation services, has assessed the global relocation trends for 2018 and the challenges that companies have to deal with when sending employees abroad.
Everyday life
A healthy environment is one of the key factors for a good quality of life. If you're planning to move abroad, especially with your family, you are probably concerned about the quality of air, water, and environment-friendly policies. To help you choose your next destination, here's an insight into five of the world's greenest countries according to the Environment Performance Index 2018 by Yale University and Columbia University.
Banks and finance
Adapting your habits and lifestyle to a new culture during your expat life is challenging already as it is. However, be prepared that it may also be hard for your wallet to comply with the new costs. In order to help with your smooth transition from one economy to another while moving abroad, we have composed a list of the five most essential tips on how to save money as an expat.
Work
Brain drain is the phenomenon during which young, highly skilled, and competent professionals leave their home country for better professional and financial opportunities abroad. This international movement of talent is usually from developing or small nations where unemployment and political oppression are through the roof, or business opportunities are limited, to richer and predominantly democratic countries. We look at six countries that appear to suffer the most from the side effects of human capital flight.
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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