General

ExpatFocus recently published an article which discussed the factors people should consider when they're thinking about moving abroad. The feedback received from readers was fantastic and we felt that those expats deserved to be heard!   more ...

The internet has become almost a life-sustaining requirement, like water, oxygen or sunlight. Just watch someone who has misplaced their mobile frantically tipping the house upside down to find it. Our phones are no longer just used for calls but for banking, messages and emails, social media and many other amazing things. However, any type of digital life is only possible if there is unrestricted access to the internet, online services and smooth cashless payments.   more ...

The summer of 2019 has obviously seen major ruptions in British politics, with Theresa May finally departing in a cloud of ignominy and, after a brief leadership tussle between Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson, being replaced by the latter. Max Hastings, of the Daily Telegraph and a friend of Johnson’s, said years ago that if this ever came to pass, he’d pack his bags and leave the country, but it remains to be seen where Hastings could actually go, given the state of limbo in which many of Britain’s expats across the EU still find themselves plunged.   more ...

The best expat countries for quality of life

The best places for expats to live in the world are, according to a survey, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The poll was undertaken by Numbeo, a global database of consumer prices, who found that Denmark is the most highly rated country for delivering the best quality of life for expats.   more ...

This question is often a hot-button political issue, with immigration quotas forming a core part of right-wing electoral agendas in particular. Brookings’ 2018 report on immigration says:

“Immigration policy is often hotly debated for a variety of reasons that have little to do with a careful assessment of the evidence.”

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Anyone who has ever considered moving abroad will inevitably have spent a lot of time thinking about the impact such a move might have on their living standards. Of course, what constitutes a good quality of life for one individual or family may be different from another. Generally speaking, though, there are some good ways of measuring quality of life, such as local education, job opportunities, access to services, transport and housing.   more ...

Over the last month, Brexit has taken a back seat to the Conservative leadership contest but the mood of the country (according to the BBC and, actually, pretty much anyone one speaks to) can be described as ‘thoroughly fed up’ and wanting to get on with it. However, the spectre of a no-deal has been hanging over the nation, with Boris Johnson in favour and a great many people not. However, since Johnson became Tory party leader and therefore de facto Prime Minister on Tuesday, 23rd July, the prospect of no-deal now faces even stiffer opposition, with ministers resigning all over the place and Boris pledging to deliver Brexit without really specifying how.   more ...

Switzerland is the best place for expats to live and work

The best country in the world for expats to live and work in is Switzerland, a global expat survey reveals. The HSBC’s annual league table for the best expat destinations looks at the experiences and opinions of expats living and working overseas.   more ...

by Marion Wotton, Senior Global Mobility Consultant, Parental Choice Asia

Within expat social circles questions are always being asked. Some that give pause for thought are those along the lines of “Which countries would you recommend for an LGBT+ expat?”, or “My friend has been offered a dream job in country X, but they are LGBT+ ... do you think that they should go for the posting?” That these questions are being asked on social media and within expat forums - either directly or on behalf of friends who wish to remain anonymous - strongly suggests that this discussion needs to occur more openly in the mainstream business media.   more ...

Expatriate life can be complicated. It can throw you in at the deep end; into new situations, new cultures and new feelings. Many spouses can feel displaced and sometimes even useless, as if they are trailing after their significant other. Indeed, as you may have noticed, they often are referred to as ‘trailing spouses’ within the expat community. It’s deeply important to secure your own needs and ambitions in order to feel happy in your new environment, and for some, that means having a fulfilling career. It’s perfectly possible for both of you to get your feet on the ground and become successful in your new home. In fact, there’s even a term coined for it – ‘Dual Career Couples’ – and it’s becoming the norm.   more ...