EU’s top court tells Brits ‘you’ve lost your rights’ The EU Court of Justice ruled in June that British nationals resident in one of the EU’s 27 member states “no longer enjoy the status of citizen of the Union,” Bloomberg reports. As third party nationals, they can no longer vote or stand in municipal elections. … Read more
With the news featuring wars, terrorist incidents and mass shootings on a daily basis, the world can seem like an alarming place, and for many who are contemplating an expat lifestyle, safety is a primary concern. Yet few of us have limitless choice of locations, unless we’re very wealthy, and sometimes the safest places to … Read more
Nearly 18 months have passed since the end of the transition period, but Brexit is continuing to affect the lives of British citizens living and working in the EU. For example, many Brits have recently been highlighting the various implications for expats travelling with pets. Animal health certificate (AHC) Pet passports issued in the UK … Read more
Relocating can be a nerve-wracking process, and whether you’re travelling solo or with your family, your safety is likely to be a prime concern. The world is not always a safe place. In 2022, Europe was rocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but the world has many similar situations, and wars are only part … Read more
Kuwait expands maximum residency period for expats Kuwait has now passed a set of draft rules which extend the maximum residency period for expats from two to three years to five years. The new legislation is being passed to the National Assembly. If it is ratified, expats will find that they have a longer breathing … Read more
Driving licence ‘bungle’ affects expats in Spain A post-Brexit failure to agree a policy on UK driving licences has left thousands of British expats in Spain high and dry. Tourists are still allowed to use their UK licences, but residents who have not yet swapped their licence for a Spanish one will not be able … Read more
The Guardian has recently published details of a new study analysing the impact of Brexit on British expats in the EU. The transition period ended 18 months ago, and now that the dust has settled, analysts are seeking a more in-depth understanding of both the long- and short-term repercussions. Brexit causes ‘deep transformations’ to expat … Read more
New visa scheme for expats in Singapore Singapore has been overhauling its expat visa scheme, in an endeavour to attract highly skilled expats to the city state. Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said: “What we are trying to do is to be able to differentiate the high talent, the really super skill sets talent … Read more
Crisis in Ukraine The shocking events in Ukraine have dominated the international news over the past few weeks, with some inevitable consequences for expats both in Ukraine and abroad. Ukraine is a large, developed country with substantial trading and business links with other nations. Expat Focus has spoken to a contact in an international IT … Read more
Top ten countries for British expats The latest survey conducted by immigration law firm Reiss Edwards, and cited by the Daily Express, rates Australia as the most popular destination for British expats, followed by Canada, New Zealand and the USA. Spain, Ireland, France, South Africa, Germany and Italy also appear in the top ten. Family … Read more