Features
Work
In 2026, office napping is being rediscovered as a workplace trend, mainly in countries where it has never truly taken root. In other parts of the world, however, napping has long been seen as more than a pause in the day: it is a practical habit with lasting benefits.
Leisure
Moving abroad often brings a wave of new experiences and interests. For sports enthusiasts and for anyone simply curious to try something different, living overseas can also be an opportunity to discover a new sport. Whether it's to better understand local sporting culture, look after both physical and mental health, or meet new people, taking up a new activity while abroad can be a valuable part of the expat experience.
Visas
You've made the decision. You're ready to take the leap and move abroad together. But when one partner can travel visa-free and the other cannot, the mobility gap can feel significant. What happens when one of you holds a “weak” passport and the other a “strong” one?
Work
The image of the so-called “super expat” still causes significant damage. Constantly hearing stories of outgoing expats who have built successful careers abroad can make it seem as though extraversion is a requirement imposed by host countries. Of course, this is not the case. Discretion, introversion or shyness do not prevent ambition, nor do they stop people from taking their chances abroad. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Work
Working from home, flexible hours, and redesigned office spaces have become part of everyday working life and no longer raise eyebrows. But some companies are going even further, experimenting with increasingly original, sometimes surprising, workplace practices. While these initiatives may seem amusing or trivial to some, others see them as having a real impact on employee well-being. So what are these unusual new trends shaping the world of work?
Leisure
For many people, Christmas and New Year are familiar markers of the year, shaped by traditions they have grown up with. But not everyone shares the same cultural calendar. For expats from countries where Christmas is not widely celebrated, living in a place where the holiday dominates public and social life can be surprisingly disorienting. Decorations, music, and rituals suddenly become unavoidable, turning a festive season into a reminder of cultural distance. In this article, we look at how expats experience this contrast and how they learn to adapt when Christmas is not their holiday.
Everyday life
Holidays abroad can be magical, unless you are an expat and you're alone. I remember my first Christmas in China, a time that should have been filled with new impressions but was instead one of the loneliest weeks in my entire life abroad. In this article, we will not be getting into the reasons why you may be feeling lonely this Christmas. Instead, we will get right into the "what to do".
Everyday life
If you'd like to ease into Slow December without reading the full article, here are a few simple, low-pressure ideas for expats: give yourself one full day with no obligations at all, slow down one everyday activity such as walking, eating, talking, or drinking your coffee, recreate a small holiday ritual from home that brings comfort, say no to at least one holiday invitation without guilt or explanations, and allow 2026 to remain a blank page for now. December has a way of insisting on our attention, doesn't it?
Leisure
Expat life can be complicated for a lot of different reasons. This is why it's always best not complicate it further with things that can be really simple. If you are looking for easy, no-hassle Christmas and New Year gifts that you can send to friends and family abroad, this is what we are covering today. What all of these gift ideas have in common: they are all digital, they are delivered instantly, and you won't be paying any customs fees. To make things interesting, we will alternate one rather conventional gift idea with something a bit more "out there", just to give you options. Let's go!
Leisure
More and more expats are joining the “Dry December” trend — choosing to skip alcohol during the festive season as a way to regain balance and focus on well-being. Between cultural differences, social pressure, and the desire for a reset, this growing movement shows that sobriety is becoming a new form of self-care abroad.
Work
Where will expat trends move in 2026? With the new year underway, it's time to look back at the shifts that defined global mobility in 2025. What lessons stand out—and what lies ahead for expats in 2026?
Children
Many nations overlook the realities of repatriation. Because expats are seen as “coming home,” few imagine they might struggle to settle back in. But returning often requires a real process of reintegration, and for children born overseas, that adjustment can be even more significant.
Work
International organizations warn that the world is running short of social workers. Demand continues to climb as social and geopolitical tensions intensify across many countries. But the root of the problem often comes down to funding: the need for qualified professionals is growing, yet government budget cuts make it harder to recruit and retain them. This article takes a closer look at a profession under mounting global pressure.
Leisure
Partying isn't a weekend affair anymore. For a growing number of expats, primarily young adults, though not exclusively, life abroad revolves around late nights, spontaneous drinks, and afterparties that spill into the next day. From Lisbon to Bangkok, Barcelona to Bali, you'll meet carefree night owls who refuse to save their fun for the weekend. But how do they manage this pace? And more intriguingly, what drives this almost essential need to go out so often?
Schools & studies
If you want to save time and money, choose shorter programs — or at least that's what the most vocal AI enthusiasts argue. To them, the digital revolution has pushed long university degrees to the brink of irrelevance. We spend plenty of time comparing study destinations and universities, yet we rarely question the length of the program itself. Has AI truly made extended degrees unnecessary? And how might this shift reshape international student mobility in the years ahead?
Everyday life
Experiencing pregnancy abroad often brings surprises. The treatments, habits, and medical approaches that catch expatriate women off guard are usually those they're discovering for the first time, such as new ways of thinking, cultural traditions, or unfamiliar healthcare practices. Some of these customs have deep cultural roots, while others prompt debate among medical professionals. Here are five countries and five very different approaches to pregnancy.
Work
It's probably not the first thing you think about. When starting an international career, you're focused on growing your skills, gaining experience, and building stability, not on your future pension. Still, it's worth asking: will the years you've worked abroad actually count toward your retirement?
Schools & studies
In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is assuming an increasingly significant role, including in education, expat parents are facing a new challenge: how to support their children in an international schooling system that's rapidly evolving. From personalized learning tools to AI-generated content, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we learn. So, how can parents help their children make the most of this educational revolution?
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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