Features
Everyday life
In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), stated that the current energy crisis is "worse than those of 1973, 1979, and 2022 combined." Compounded by the war in the Middle East, the crisis is pushing governments to fast-track their energy transition policies, from fuel taxes and vehicle use restrictions to incentives for remote work. Should expats brace for lasting disruptions to their daily lives? And how can they adapt to this new reality?
Costa Rica
It is the 4th-happiest country in the world. For the first time, Costa Rica has broken into the top 5 happiest countries on the planet, and it is the first Latin American nation to reach the upper ranks of the list. This strong showing mirrors Costa Rica's reputation among expats: the country consistently ranks among the best places to live abroad. So what makes Costa Rica so appealing? And how do you go about settling there as a foreigner?
Work
Starting a business abroad and turning a profit. Between the two lies a series of steps to get right, and pitfalls to steer clear of. Culture, cash flow, investment… Here's an overview of the most common mistakes to avoid when building a successful business overseas.
Tax
Tax season is just around the corner. While most people refer to it as "filing taxes," what you're actually doing is declaring your income. This process can quickly become complex when you live abroad: which fiscal year applies to you? What is the filing deadline? And what happens if you move overseas partway through the tax year?
Schools & studies
When planning to study abroad, most people focus on choosing a destination or comparing universities. Yet these are only part of the picture. Other factors deserve just as much attention: how resilient your future career is to market shifts, the long-term value of your degree, and the level of competition from locals, fellow expats, and new graduates. Here's what you need to consider.
Work
What if the solution was to leave everything behind and start over abroad? The World Health Organization has been sounding the alarm for years: in 2025, more than one billion people worldwide were living with mental health disorders. Young professionals are among the most affected and the most under pressure. They are expected to work harder, go further, and constantly prove themselves. More and more are now calling for a necessary pause to regain balance. But could moving abroad really be an effective way to escape burnout?
Schools & studies
The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have long dominated the global market for international students. Often referred to as the “Big Four”, these countries have traditionally been the first choice for young people seeking an education abroad. But the landscape of global student mobility is beginning to shift. A new destination is steadily gaining ground: Europe. For hundreds of thousands of international students, the continent is no longer simply a backup plan but an increasingly attractive option in its own right. So what is behind this growing appeal?
Accommodation
Language is often a curious thing. The same word can mean many different things depending on the local context. For example, "furnished" is not a universal constant. When moving to a new country and deciding whether to rent a furnished or unfurnished property, many expats find the term a false friend.
Everyday life
As winter fades, spring brings a sense of renewal and a return to nature. Around the world, its arrival is celebrated through vibrant traditions and meaningful rituals. For expats, this season offers a unique opportunity to see their host country differently and connect with its culture. Here are popular spring traditions from across the globe.
Work
Looking for a job abroad is not only about talent or the strength of your CV. Timing also plays a crucial role. International recruitment follows real cycles: budget calendars, economic seasons, academic schedules, and cultural holidays all influence hiring patterns. Understanding these dynamics can help you apply at the most strategic moment. So, when are the best periods to look for a job abroad?
Work
Some celebrate it, while others worry about its impact. Artificial intelligence, or more accurately, artificial intelligences, and the vast range of possibilities they offer inspire both excitement and concern. Nowhere is this tension more visible than in the world of work, which is already under pressure from global economic uncertainty. AI is creating new opportunities, but it is also making certain roles obsolete. In this shifting landscape, how should expats and those considering a move abroad position themselves? And how can they plan their international careers in the age of AI?
Accommodation
So you've decided to have a roommate. As an expat, this is often a reasonable idea. You are in a new place, you want to save money, and looking for an apartment on your own may seem a bit intimidating. But how do you go about looking for a roommate? More importantly, how do you go about it safely and efficiently?
Banks and finance
Moving abroad requires careful planning and the ability to handle the unexpected with confidence. Sound financial management is key to building a stable, secure life overseas. From everyday budgeting to long-term investing, adopting the right financial habits will help you settle in smoothly.
Visas
A university degree is no longer the only path to working abroad. As labor shortages deepen across key sectors, governments are rethinking how they define skilled talent. From Europe to Oceania, immigration systems are evolving to recognize hands-on experience, vocational training and proven expertise as strong qualifications in their own right.
Schools & studies
Expat families encounter many surprises. One of them is that the school calendar used back home may be entirely different from that in your new destination. It may seem more logical for the academic year to be universal. But this is not the case: school schedules are affected by a lot of things: climate, historical traditions, cultural norms, and more.
Work
No, this is not the latest viral TikTok challenge. The mini-retirement, or micro-retirement, is emerging as a genuine solution to the deep-seated problems facing young workers, and not just them. Mental health preservation is on everyone's mind, as geopolitical and economic tensions ripple through the international job market. What if it were time to take a break?
Formalities
If you're reading this article, chances are you're dreaming of retiring abroad, or you are already planning to spend your golden years in another country. Whether the goal is to enjoy a better quality of life, lower healthcare costs or a warmer climate, the logistics are typically more demanding than retiring in your home country. While in general, there is nothing inherently difficult about moving abroad, the process can be complex, with many considerations, such as ensuring you'll have enough money, navigating foreign bureaucracy, and finding affordable, high-quality healthcare services.
Work
Recent changes in the international job market are leading expats and future expats to reassess their career choices. Should you stay on the path you originally chose, or is it time for a career change? How should you approach your international career today? Before taking the leap, it's important to take stock of where you stand. Here's some practical advice.
Other Types
Argentina
As an expat who has made South America's Southern Cone my home, I explained last year why Latin America is the new frontier and how to get residency here. This year, I've been spending a lot of time in the new Land of Opportunity: Argentina. After taking a chainsaw to inflation, President Milei is now wielding the magic wand of citizenship by investment to foreign investors in Argentina.
Everyday life
Expat life is often seen as an exciting adventure: a new country, new opportunities, and a rich cultural experience. Moving abroad represents, for many, a major life project — one filled with hope and the promise of a fresh start. When you make that move as a couple, it can feel even more reassuring. You're not going it alone; you have each other, with the shared belief that this change will bring you closer and create lasting memories together. And it truly can. But living abroad also brings profound upheaval: the loss of familiar landmarks, constant cultural adjustment, distance from family and friends, and sometimes a complete professional reinvention. All of these factors can unsettle not only your individual sense of balance but also the foundation of your relationship.
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Moving abroad is often described as one of life's most stressful events, ranking right up there with starting a new job or getting married. Whether you are moving to the tech hubs of Zurich, the bustling streets of Singapore, or the sun-drenched coasts of Australia, the secret isn't just a better packing list - it's a better partner. For those navigating the complexities of international borders, Santa Fe Relocation has become the gold standard for moving. With a global footprint spanning 47 countries and nearly 100 offices, we don't just move your boxes; we move your life. Here is how to master your relocation, regardless of your destination.
Everyday life
There is an African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But what happens when there is no “village”? Bringing a child into the world or raising one far from home means facing the expectations of family and one's social group while choosing a solitary path. It is a path marked by loneliness, where we confront the ongoing exile of being a foreigner, even as we create a “symbolic, bodily, and mental territory of belonging to that other being who has come into life.”
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CaixaBank
Moving to another country is never just a change of address. It is a complete change of lifestyle. A mixture of excitement, doubts, paperwork, dreams and expectations intertwine as you search for your place on a new emotional map. And for thousands of expats, that map always ends up pointing to the same spot: Spain.
France
This measure has largely gone unnoticed, but it will affect many international students in France. From July 1, 2026, non-European international students in France, without a scholarship, will no longer be eligible for housing assistance (APL).
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