Features
Everyday life
Approaching a passerby on the street, speaking up in a business meeting, negotiating a promotion, going out at night, developing your business, and interacting with men are things that may seem normal for women, but they can be significantly different in a foreign country. How do expatriate women deal with these cultural differences and subtleties?
Work
Moving abroad is an adventure in itself, but it takes on an even greater dimension when it comes to building an unconventional career in a foreign land. Whether you're looking for a career change, pursuing a dream, or a personal challenge, here are some pointers to help you get started in a foreign country.
Health system
Is health insurance compulsory for expats? In principle, expats are covered by their host country's system, but some prefer to set up a special fund in their home country. At a time when health insurers are tightening their belts, this question is being debated in Switzerland.
Work
Work more to earn more? Just like the traditional weekend, whose definition and value vary from country to country, public holidays are sometimes less known. Many countries are slowly introducing the concept of working on holidays. However, if the law does allow working on holidays, the company must still comply with the legal framework. So here's what expatriates should be aware of when working overseas.
Schools & studies
The first few weeks as an international student in a new country involve many administrative tasks. You might also need to buy things that would have been difficult to bring in your luggage. What is the usual checklist of tasks for new international students?
Everyday life
Many destinations have programs in place that help expats adapt to a new life and better integrate into society. However, some countries go the extra mile to make newcomers feel especially welcome. Here are a few destination options if you are looking for that extra warm welcome.
Work
Digital nomads are reshaping the world with their dream-like, flexible working style. You could think they are living life to the fullest, with plenty of time for vacations and leisure. However, practical realities tend to put the ideal of digital nomadism into perspective.
Everyday life
Moving abroad is not necessarily a one-off experience; it can be done in several steps at different times, as long as you're able to adapt to life in your chosen destination. That's what a prospecting trip is all about. But how do you get started? Here are some tips and advice.
Work
After a challenging period during the health crisis, international mobility is back on track and even on the rise in many countries facing severe labor shortages. But does this mean that the Covid pandemic is now part of history? How are economies faring?
Work
In today's global work world, being engaged at work is really important for success. For foreign professionals who have moved to a new country to work, workplace engagement takes on an even more significant role. Imagine stepping into a new job in a new place with different customs, language, and work methods. Training helps you understand your role better, learn about the company's culture, and become skilled at using the tools and systems specific to that workplace.
Everyday life
Often, your eligibility for allowances and compensation depends on your place of residence, and therefore, they cannot be "exported" when you move abroad. However, expats can still enjoy certain benefits while living in their host countries. Here's how it works.
Health system
Healthcare costs are going up. A report from PwC says that in 2024, the cost of medical care is expected to go up by 7%. This is because of things like prices going up and not having enough workers. This affects not only people without good insurance but others too.
Everyday life
Political instability in a country may prevent or restrict international travel. Laws enacted by a particular state may limit or relax immigration rules. Other policies, such as environmental and economic laws, also influence the individual conscience. Can you relocate to any country? What are the obstacles that might jeopardize your moving abroad plans?
Accommodation
In 2023, real estate remains one of the preferred investments of expats. Inflationary trends and housing crises in several major economies do not undermine the confidence of the investors. Real estate property is considered a secure investment. But how to choose the right place to invest in? Should you buy property along the coast or inland?
Tax
Income tax, corporate tax, inheritance tax… These are taxes that all expats are familiar with because they exist in nearly all countries. But have you heard of municipal taxes for owning a dog in Switzerland, tax breaks for donating deer meat in South Carolina, or the compulsory church tax for German church-goers? Here are some lesser-known tax laws in parts of the world. In most cases, expats also need to pay them.
Schools & studies
University, liberal arts college, community college, vocational universities – what is the difference between all of these types of post-secondary educational institutions? Choosing a type of institution can be a confusing matter for international applicants whose home country might have a completely different education system. Below, we summarize the main kinds of post-secondary institutions.
Formalities
Some countries have more stringent immigration laws than others. In some conservative countries, same-sex partners or long-term unmarried partners might not be recognized as expat dependents. Other countries have small quotas for popular visas, so demand outstrips supply and the waitlist is atrociously long. It might be easy to get a short/mid-term work visa in some countries, yet difficult to become naturalized in them. Below are some difficult immigration laws and tips about how to work around them.
Formalities
Early retirement sounds great. Early retirement in a foreign country sounds even more exciting. But before you make any plans that can't be canceled, you will need a reliable and realistic action plan. We hope this article helps.
Other Types
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.
USA
Another blow for foreigners in the United States. On May 22, a memo from the US immigration services introduced a new rule aimed at limiting legal immigration. Apart from a few exceptions, Green Card applications will now have to be filed from the applicant's country of origin. What is the current situation?
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