Features
Work
Slow working, slow management and workations have already rewritten the rules in the past years. In 2026, the international job market is evolving once again. So which trends are fading, and which ones are becoming essential?
Everyday life
Moving abroad is exciting, but it doesn't have to be expensive. With living costs rising in many countries, popular expat destinations are becoming less realistic for smaller budgets. The good news is that more affordable alternatives are gaining ground. Here are some of the best places to move to in 2026 if you want to keep costs under control.
England
The UK is going to rejoin Erasmus+ in January 2027, the flagship education and training scheme it left following Brexit. Young people from all backgrounds will once again be able to spend a year studying abroad as part of their UK degree without paying extra fees. European students will also be able to study in the UK as part of their programs.
Everyday life
“Don't worry, everyone speaks English there.” It's a reassuring line many of us hear when preparing for an international move, and one that often proves misleading the moment we arrive. Because yes, in many countries, English is the official language. On paper. In everyday life, the reality is far more complex. Between dialects, creoles, patois and regional languages, newcomers can quickly find themselves disoriented. Which raises an essential question: is learning the local language essential to integrate? Or is it possible to get by, and even thrive, without ever really speaking it?
Visas
If you're looking for a work visa for your move abroad, you may be spending hours scrolling through national government websites, checking eligibility rules and minimum salary requirements. While in most countries it's the national governments that issue the final authorization, in others, you will have to apply to the specific state or province where you intend to settle. Among the countries with these decentralized systems are Belgium, Canada, Switzerland and Australia.
Everyday life
Let's be clear from the outset. This article does not claim that moving abroad automatically leads to weight gain. Nor does it draw a direct link between a country's obesity rate and an individual's risk of developing a nutrition-related chronic disease. Instead, it examines how moving abroad, and the lifestyle changes it entails, can shape eating habits and, in turn, influence body weight.
Work
After the joy of announcing a pregnancy comes a key question: how will it all work out? When you are preparing to look for a job abroad, the arrival of a baby may come as a surprise, even if parenthood was already part of your plans. That surprise often turns into uncertainty when the pregnancy takes place overseas. What does the law in the host country say? How can you make sure your rights are respected?
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?
Other Types
France
This quiet reform barely made a ripple in France's political debates, yet it slipped through largely unnoticed and will tighten the rules for those who combine work and retirement.
France
A decree published on April 25 in the Official Gazette updates the rules allowing foreign workers to apply for the European Card or register on the "list of jobseekers."
France
E-invoicing (and e-reporting) was previously voluntary. From September 1, 2026, it will become mandatory for businesses to issue and receive electronic invoices. So who exactly is affected?
United Arab Emirates
The UAE's Golden Visa program has been updated. The reform, focused on simplification, aims to further cement the United Arab Emirates' position as a top destination for foreign investors and entrepreneurs.
Formalities
A new fee for expats. Quietly slipped into the 2026 Finance Act, this measure has very real consequences for foreign drivers in their everyday lives. Starting May 12, exchanging a driver's license will no longer be free.
United Arab Emirates
The emirate of Dubai is rolling out a new strategy to keep attracting wealthy expats. A minimum investment is no longer required to qualify for a two-year residency visa.
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