Insights from professionals
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.
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 has set his sights on citizenship by investment as the next lever to pull.
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.
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.”
Everyday life
Congratulations. You've decided to move abroad. Whether you are relocating alone, as a couple, or with your family, choosing to live in another country is often a courageous step, sometimes a dream that has been years in the making. Yet behind the excitement of departure, many expats quietly experience something else: the feeling that they are not truly legitimate, that they do not deserve their place, or that others are overestimating their abilities. There can be a persistent fear that one day, people will discover that you are “not really up to the task.” This feeling has a name: impostor syndrome.
Health system
Travel insurance often feels like a box to tick before a family trip. It is not. It is financial protection against events that can change your life in a single day. Many parents assume that “comprehensive” cover is enough. It is only enough if you declare every medical condition, list every destination, and understand the small print. Even a minor omission can invalidate your policy. Medical care abroad can cost hundreds of thousands of euros. The difference between being protected and being financially exposed comes down to what you declare and the cover you choose.
Everyday life
Some expats immerse themselves in the local language from day one. Others get by without it for years. Both happen all the time, but what actually makes the difference? A new international research project is digging into exactly that, and your experience matters.
Everyday life
Humans have been nomads since prehistoric times, over two million years ago. Men and women moved across territories in search of food, most often following animal migrations. Back then, we were hunters and gatherers. Socially, we lived in tribes or small clans, bound by meaningful connections. We've changed a lot since then… or have we?
Work
Authenticity has become one of the most important values in modern life, and for all good reasons. And these kinds of values and trends tend to spread very quickly and strongly among expats, across geographies. However, these trends, when not put in the right context, are actually eroding influence and confidence in expats' lives. At this point, “Just be Yourself” is a perfect example.
Children
Growing up as an expat child means learning, very early on, how to navigate different worlds. For some, it's a profoundly enriching experience. For others, it can raise difficult questions: Who am I, really? Where do I belong? For parents, supporting this identity-building process can feel like a real challenge, especially when a child's reference points are constantly shifting between home, school, the home country, and the host country. Cécile Solar, a certified coach and co-author of the Objectif Orientation guidebooks published by Hachette, helps us better understand what these children living “between two cultures” go through.
Everyday life
From diplomatic tensions to sudden policy changes, geopolitical events are increasingly felt far beyond headlines. For expatriates, they can affect everything from job security and mobility to personal safety and well-being. Yet these everyday impacts remain largely undocumented. Researchers are now gathering firsthand accounts from expatriates to understand how global political shifts are playing out on the ground.
Everyday life
Expat life is often associated with openness, new encounters, and discovery. Yet, paradoxically, it can also bring a deep sense of loneliness. Even when surrounded by others, expats may feel isolated, out of step, or unseen. This experience is not a weakness. It reflects a fundamental human need: the need for meaningful connection. In a professional setting, this loneliness can quietly but significantly affect mental health. Preventing distress, therefore, also involves learning how to nurture relationships, create spaces of belonging, and recognise that well-being depends largely on the quality of our connections.
Everyday life
Street lights glowing, children on school holidays, shops packed with last-minute shoppers, and crowds of travellers filling airports… yes, Christmas is here again. It is one of those times of year that tends to divide people evenly: some love it, others can't stand it. And if you live abroad, there is often an added layer to this season. You may go through a transitional phase marked by a sudden longing to go back home to home-cooked meals, family gatherings, and traditional celebrations. Or you may feel exactly the opposite: a strong dislike for this time of year and a wish to go into “hibernation mode” from 1 December to 8 January. Both reactions are perfectly valid.
Everyday life
When we talk about expats' mental health, we often focus on the risks: isolation, stress, and the loss of familiar bearings. But prevention is not only about avoiding discomfort. It also involves nurturing what supports us. In a life that can feel unstable or unpredictable, small wins become the quiet foundations of well-being. Noticing them, celebrating them, and giving ourselves time to appreciate them builds the resilience we need to face future challenges.
Everyday life
Moving abroad is often depicted as an adventure—new languages, new foods, new friends, and so many opportunities. And why wouldn't it? The photographs on social media show the sun-drenched piazzas, the lively markets, the innovative workplaces, and the thrilling sense of adventure that comes with travelling. Yet for many expats, behind the carefully curated snapshots is another, quieter story, one that revolves around loneliness, isolation, and the struggle to feel truly at home.
England
For many expats, managing money can feel like a balancing act, from switching currencies, sending money home, to wondering where to put their hard-earned cash so it grows rather than shrinks. During my time living and working in Bangkok, I found myself hopping from stocks to ISAs to crypto, chasing the next big thing. Looking back, those trends changed as quickly (and as chaotically) as the monsoon downpour, and so did my confidence in where my money was going. However, one wealth-building strategy that has stood the test of time across generations and borders is property. Whether you plan to stay abroad forever or eventually return home, property can provide a powerful way to grow your net worth, generate income, and create long-term security.
Everyday life
Living abroad often means becoming the person who reaches for words. Behind every pause and stumble lies something more profound than learning — a kind of emotional exposure. Speaking another language lays us bare to others' perceptions, reveals our limits, and demands that we accept vulnerability. It can also stir a quieter shame: the fear of not saying things “right,” of not quite measuring up.
Everyday life
Moving abroad is often painted as the ultimate adventure — a bold leap into new possibilities for personal and professional growth. You pack up your life, leave behind familiar faces, routines, and even your language, to dive headfirst into a culture that feels both thrilling and unknown. Curiosity, ambition, and the urge to start fresh are what usually drive that leap. Yet beneath the excitement lies a quieter truth — one of emotional shifts and questions of identity. Expat life isn't just about changing countries; it's also about navigating an inner journey, often invisible to others, that deserves just as much attention and care.
Other Types
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.
Tax
Postcard-perfect beaches, luxury villas, sports cars and a jet-set lifestyle: social media often paints expat influencers and content creators as financially free and permanently on vacation. Behind the filters and sponsored posts, however, lies a much more complex reality. As more freelancers, influencers and digital creators move abroad to optimize their lifestyle and income, tax authorities around the world are increasing their scrutiny. So how can content creators relocate overseas legally, optimize their taxes, and avoid crossing the line into tax evasion?
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.
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