General

The world's best city for expats

For the ninth year running, the Austrian capital of Vienna has been rated as the best city for expats to live in and enjoy, according to a survey. Mercers carried out research into 131 cities around the world to compile its rankings.   more ...

British expats – who are no doubt following the labyrinthine contortions of Brexit closely – may still be wondering if we’re in for a no deal, especially if they’ve taken note of the recent reshuffle of civil servants who have been preparing for a no deal. This was announced early in April, resulting in substantial controversy over the cost of this process: £1.5 billion spent, and 6,000 civil servants being stood down, along with several thousand new recruits who now have no role. Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Brexit select committee, says   more ...

There are many reasons for relocating – employment, finances, family, and simply a desire to explore more of this wonderful planet of ours. But let’s suppose that you’re in the great position of not being tied to a particular location and you’re wondering where to go. If health plays a role in your choice, and you’re concerned about issues such as climate change, pollution, and the environment, which countries could you be considering? Which country might be healthiest for you?   more ...

Every year, a number of fantastic books are written for and by expats, and 2019 is no exception.   more ...

The issue of Brexit has now become so complicated that you could be forgiven for throwing up your hands and abandoning any attempt to try to follow recent events. Let’s have a quick recap, therefore, of where we are with Brexit towards the end of April.

Theresa May has essentially failed to get her deal through the Commons. This hasn’t made anyone very happy, with schisms taking place all over the place.   more ...

Spanish government advises British expats not to panic

British expats living in Spain have been told by the government not to panic over their Brexit fears. Officials say that regardless of what happens between the UK and the EU, there will still be a 21-month grace period to deal with any residency issues.   more ...

A recent survey has shown that around a third of British businesses are considering moving some (if not all) of their operations abroad. This comes in the wake of Honda announcing that it will close its UK plant in Swindon by 2021 and move its production elsewhere, a move which will result in the loss of 3,500 jobs. Unfortunately, Honda could be just one of many large corporations that make this decision. Whilst Honda insists that their decision to pull the plug wasn’t determined by Brexit, it seems likely that the UK’s impending withdrawal from the EU had a part to play in their relocation.   more ...

It is hard to find the vocabulary to do justice to the current state of affairs in the Brexit negotiations (a viewing of the box set of Yes, Prime Minister might prove helpful at this stage), but let’s look at what’s been happening as we near the original deadline for leaving the EU. We’re now just over a week away from leaving the EU – or are we?   more ...

Spain will guarantee British expat rights

Spain has revealed that it will continue to guarantee welfare and healthcare access for British tourists and expats until the end of 2020 - regardless of what happens to the Brexit political process. The move comes as the Spanish government looks to limit the impact of a no-deal Brexit.   more ...

With all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, and so many considerations to take into account if you’re a British expat in Europe – or even if you’re just planning to travel to the continent after March 2019 – the situation can seem bewildering, particularly when we’re faced with the prospect of leaving the EU without a deal. One area of concern for many expats has been the status of their driving licenses in the event of a no-deal. Currently, a British driving license allows you to drive – and to hire a car – in EU nations. But what impact might Brexit have on your UK driving license? How can you ensure that you’re legal to travel in the EU after March 2019?   more ...