Expat interviews
Netherlands
Stuart is originally from England. He accidentally landed in the Netherlands in 2001 following a job offer. He now lives in Friesland with his Dutch wife and daughter.
Italy
Debra comes from Brisbane. She moved to Bagni di Lucca twelve years ago with her husband. Former fashion designer, she now enjoys the Italian climate and working in her garden.
Germany
Passionate about soccer, Jackie left California, her home city, five years ago for Germany. She now lives in Erfurt with her boyfriend, who also plays soccer, and his two cats.
Morocco
British expat, Lynn moved to Essaouira more than three years ago to be with her Moroccan partner. Freelance author and travel writer, she particularly enjoys the sun, the beach and the relaxed pace of life in the country.
Ecuador
US national, CC used to work in the media and casino gaming. In June 2013, he relocated in Quito as a real estate investor. He particularly enjoys the local weather, gardens and parks.
China
Californian expat, Irai settled in China in 2007. She opted for a change in her life and seized a job opportunity. She now lives in Changchun, where she enjoys teaching English.
China
Laurence originally comes from Canada. Basketball coach, he has stayed in several countries before moving to China 12 years ago. He now lives in Chongqing with his Chinese wife.
Australia
Rosy comes from South Africa. She moved to Melbourne six months ago with her husband. She is a dietitian and is currently involved in the sales of medical equipment.
South Africa
Agnieszka comes from Poland. She moved to Johannesburg 8 years ago following a job offer. She particularly enjoys the outdoor scene, green spaces, restaurants and the weather.
New Zealand
Kimberly and Tyler left Southern California for Tauranga three months ago with a Working Holiday Visa (WHV). The particularly like the beaches in the area and the proximity with Auckland.
Spain
Lottie was born in London. She moved to Granada with her husband three years ago following their stay in Indonesia. She particularly enjoys painting, drawing and printmaking.
Belgium
Kerry-Ann comes from Mauritius. She moved to Leuven more than six months ago following her postgraduate studies to be with her boyfriend. She particularly enjoys biking and exploring the city.
Seychelles
Corina comes from Switzerland. She settled in Praslin seven months ago with her Seychellois boyfriend. Corina particularly appreciates the beauty of nature and beaches and the local relaxed lifestyle.
Canada
Melissa comes from Helsinki. She moved to Canada five months ago following her graduation to be with the love of her life. She has now settled in Quebec and enjoys the old town and the surrounding nature.
South Korea
Laura comes from Ontario. She moved to South Korea with her boyfriend more than a year ago. Following their stay in Suwon, they moved to Seoul where Laura is an online English instructor.
Morocco
Per comes from Stockholm. He moved to Marrakech in January 2015 with his partner and their dog. Per is involved in local charity activities. He also enjoys learning Arabic, working out and hanging out with friends.
Hungary
Kevin comes from the US. He moved to Hungary with his Swiss-Hungarian wife in 2007. Fond of vineyards, he has settled in the village of Hegymagas, near Lake Balaton. Kevin enjoys, above all, looking after their vineyard.
Thailand
Shawn and Katie come from Canada. They moved to Phuket in December 2014 following their stay in Cayman Islands and Europe. Both particularly enjoy going to the beach, water sports and the local cuisine.
Other Types
Tax
Living in a country without paying taxes: a dream for many expats who choose their destination specifically based on its tax policies. But does a truly "zero tax" country for foreigners actually exist? And what hidden financial risks should you watch out for?
Transport
"Once this war is over, fuel prices will collapse," Donald Trump declared. The U.S. president believes he has "very good chances" of reaching a deal with Iran, while also stating he is prepared to take military action if talks fail. In the meantime, prices at the pump continue to break records worldwide, with variations from country to country. How are expats coping with this situation? How are they managing their daily commutes and travel? The Expat.com community shares its experiences.
Banks and finance
Online banks and neobanks market themselves as the perfect solution for expats: open an account in a few clicks, fully digital, accessible from anywhere… at least in theory. What are the real advantages and limitations of these banking options? And what should expats watch out for?
Everyday life
For decades, the traditional idea of retirement was simple enough. You work until a certain age, then stop. The assumption was that a workplace pension, a state pension, or a private pension, and perhaps a little nest egg, would provide sufficient income to enjoy a good quality of life. However, for some, the new retirement reality is much more complex.
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.
Work
Cold emails are a powerful way to show your drive and determination, provided you know how to stand out and reach the right person. Which countries are most receptive to unsolicited job applications? And how do you capture the attention of a foreign company?
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
"