Expat news
Everyday life
After being shelved for several months, the immigration bill is back in the spotlight in a particularly tense context in France. Emotions are still running high after the attack on a secondary school in Arras. The text, which will be examined by the Senate from November 6, has sparked heated debate. How do expats feel about this?
Everyday life
The conflict between Israel and the Islamist group has been ongoing since Hamas' surprise attack. In Mayotte, the population was alarmed by a night of violence. Elsewhere, tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea have rekindled. In response to the attacks in France and Belgium, Europe calls for vigilance. Let's have a look at what's happening around the world to help you better plan your travels or adjust to the situation in your expat country.
Portugal
How far can Portugal go to attract foreign capital? After granting generous tax benefits to retired expatriates, the country, mired in a never-ending real estate crisis, is now backsliding. Let's look at how this will attract Portugal's attractivity in the eyes of expats.
Visas
Can you imagine moving to Kenya without needing a visa? The Kenyan President is planning this for all foreign travelers, regardless of nationality. Here's a look back at the announcement and what it means. Let's also have a look at the most visa-liberal countries.
Banks and finance
In September, some British expats received letters/emails that their UK-based current and savings accounts would be closed in 6 months. Compliance issues are increasingly complex and costly for British banks since “passporting” ended with Brexit, and for some high street banks, it's no longer practical to keep the accounts of citizens domiciled abroad.
Visas
In a world context profoundly marked by labor shortages, countries are deploying their strategies to attract foreign talent. On the contrary, others intend to better regulate relations between expatriates and national workers. Here's an overview.
Japan
Abandoned houses, dilapidated properties, low-cost apartments, etc., for sale. While many countries are affected by housing, some of them, like Japan, are offering abandoned properties at very low prices. Does this attract expats?
Work
Africa, overall, is open to foreign investment. But what are the most prominent sectors? This question lies behind the new mega investment projects across the continent. Thanks to their natural resources, African countries are attractive to foreign investors. However, as we face climate change, investing in environmental-friendly projects is more crucial than ever.
Morocco
Morocco has caught the world's attention following the deadly earthquake it was struck by last Friday. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tremors were of magnitude 6.8, while the Moroccan Geophysical Center recorded the magnitude at 7.2. The local media points out that this is the strongest earthquake the country has experienced in over 120 years. Expats who have been in Morocco for several years have seen their lives turn into a nightmare in just a few minutes.
Ireland
As one of the world's most open economies, Ireland is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign workers. The island nation's assets include double-digit growth and hiring sectors. Let's look at what makes it one of the most attractive countries in Europe for building a career.
Work
With Brexit, the world expected the United Kingdom's decline, especially considering the successive reforms seen as aggressive towards immigrants. However, if immigrants were gone, the British economy would suffer from persistent labor shortages. While labor shortages remain a reality, the growing presence of immigrants is real, too. Foreign interest in Britain is growing, even as the government tightens the screws. How do we explain this paradox?
Accommodation
Will the housing crisis affect the policies of major immigration countries? Inflation is driving up all costs worldwide, and rents are no exception. Countries are becoming increasingly expensive with fewer housing options available. This situation could benefit other countries that are also trying to attract expats, especially international students.
Visas
Labor shortages and demographic crises are driving states around the globe to reform their immigration policies. While some are introducing new visa policies to attract and retain expatriates on their territories, not all foreigners are treated equally. Let's have a closer look at the latest measures and how they affect international travelers, workers and students alike.
Schools & studies
Since the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020, students from the European Union are longer eligible for domestic tuition and tuition loans in the UK. Instead of a maximum of £9,250 per year for an undergraduate degree, EU students must now pay £15,000- £70,000 per year. Unsurprisingly, this has led to a sharp decline in the number of European students enrolling in British universities. These students now prefer to go to Germany, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Canada, where tuition fees are more affordable.
France
The new school year in France starts on a harsh note. A cut in school grants has been announced. This is likely to be a headache not only for international students but also for French families living abroad. Beyond the rising student cost of living, this measure sounds like a long-lasting crisis.
Schools & studies
Despite the impact of the Covid pandemic, student mobility is back on track. In fact, it's on the rise, reshuffling the deck regarding favorite destinations for international students. Last June, Campus France published its study on global student mobility. Here's a closer look at the most popular countries with international students. Where are international students coming from? What regions of the world are the most mobile?
China
Faced with an anti-espionage law that worries expatriates, China is relaxing its business visa rules for foreigners conducting business activities in the country. Other measures have been introduced to make it easier to obtain certain visas and residence permits. Here's how it works.
Accommodation
Published in the Official Gazette on June 2, Spain's new real estate law has been in force since June 30. The law was urgently introduced to regulate Spain's strained real estate market and facilitate access to housing, especially in "stressed areas". The new law tightly regulates rents and puts tenants and landlords on an equal footing. So what do you need to keep in mind when buying property in Spain?
Other Types
Paraguay
A new investor residency rulebook landed last month, and for anyone weighing Paraguay as a place to actually live, the numbers are surprisingly friendly. If you've been quietly researching Paraguay as a possible new home base, for the taxes, the cost of living, the easy residency, or just because the rest of the world feels increasingly expensive and complicated, this one is for you.
Tax
Postcard-perfect beaches, luxury villas, sports cars and a jet-set lifestyle: social media often paints expat influencers and content creators as financially free and permanently on vacation. Behind the filters and sponsored posts, however, lies a much more complex reality. As more freelancers, influencers and digital creators move abroad to optimize their lifestyle and income, tax authorities around the world are increasing their scrutiny. So how can content creators relocate overseas legally, optimize their taxes, and avoid crossing the line into tax evasion?
Tax
Living in a country without paying taxes: a dream for many expats who choose their destination specifically based on its tax policies. But does a truly "zero tax" country for foreigners actually exist? And what hidden financial risks should you watch out for?
Transport
"Once this war is over, fuel prices will collapse," Donald Trump declared. The U.S. president believes he has "very good chances" of reaching a deal with Iran, while also stating he is prepared to take military action if talks fail. In the meantime, prices at the pump continue to break records worldwide, with variations from country to country. How are expats coping with this situation? How are they managing their daily commutes and travel? The 大咖福利影院 community shares its experiences.
Banks and finance
Online banks and neobanks market themselves as the perfect solution for expats: open an account in a few clicks, fully digital, accessible from anywhere… at least in theory. What are the real advantages and limitations of these banking options? And what should expats watch out for?
Everyday life
For decades, the traditional idea of retirement was simple enough. You work until a certain age, then stop. The assumption was that a workplace pension, a state pension, or a private pension, and perhaps a little nest egg, would provide sufficient income to enjoy a good quality of life. However, for some, the new retirement reality is much more complex.
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