Community Blogs

Berlin, Germany

• Apr 4

As an expat, you’ll soon find out just how challenging it can be to know where you can get hold of certain goods in your new home

David Miller

Vienna, Austria

• Apr 1

Every country has its own quirks and it can be useful to understand these as an expat

viennalife

Berlin, Germany

• Mar 31

Strict rules apply when driving in Germany, and you’re not allowed to drive a car without supervision unless you are over 18, even if you have a license in you...

David Miller

Paris, France

• Mar 28

If you’re an expat settling into your new home, you’ll undeniably go through some rites of passage. Whether you’re setting up your Wi-Fi or buying furniture, so...

olivia

Bern, Switzerland

• Mar 28

Most people can use their foreign driver’s license for the first 12 months when driving in Switzerland. This guide explains what you need to do to exchange your...

Ingrid

Berlin, Germany

• Mar 27

German people may be most renowned for their efficiency, but there is so much more to the country than that. Made up of 16 distinct federal states (Länder), Ger...

David Miller

Madrid, Spain

• Mar 25

Whether you’ve just arrived in Barcelona or you’re setting up a new life in Madrid, getting to grips with everyday life in Spain can be a challenge for expats. ...

Emily Johnson

Bern, Switzerland

• Mar 24

As an expat living in Switzerland, you’ll know just how important it is to keep in touch with your friends and family in your new home and elsewhere. Luckily, S...

Ingrid

Rome, Italy

• Mar 22

Italy uses color-coded recycling bins with strict sorting rules. Improper disposal fines: €25-500. Requires biodegradable bags for organic waste. Check local comune rules.

Marco R

Global, Global

• Mar 21

Living abroad affects children through transience, educational gaps, language barriers, and identity challenges. Benefits include adaptability, multilingualism, global perspectives.

The Expat Collective

Madrid, Spain

• Mar 21

Yes, foreigners can marry in Spain with proper paperwork. Average cost: €22,000. Timeline: 1-4 months. One partner needs Spanish citizenship or 2-year residency.

Emily Johnson

Paris, France

• Mar 21

Yes, pets are welcome in France with proper documentation: EU pet passport or health certificate, rabies vaccine, and microchip. No quarantine required if compliant.

olivia

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Mar 19

The School Choice DilemmaOne question I hear repeatedly from newly arrived expat families is the same one I asked myself six years ago: should we put our childr...

Pretoria, South Africa

• Mar 19

South Africa is a melting pot of cultures and languages, and the political landscape is just as broad and diverse as the country and its population. Similar to ...

Bern, Switzerland

• Mar 18

Whether you’re getting to grips with Geneva or locating to Lugano, everyday life in Switzerland can be a challenge for new arrivals. However, luckily, there are...

Ingrid