Community Blogs

Pretoria, South Africa

• Apr 2

South Africa's history is a complex tapestry of indigenous cultures, colonial conquest, racial segregation, and ultimately, a remarkable transition to democracy

Rachel Ndlovu

11

Lisbon, Portugal

• Apr 2

Compared to many other countries, Portuguese schools have fewer school holidays throughout the year, but have a longer-than-average summer break.For more inform...

Maria Santos

21

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Apr 1

The Intensive Dutch Course QuestionWhen I first arrived, everyone suggested I do an intensive course

James Van Der Berg

18

Bangkok, Thailand

• Apr 1

The Thai banking system can be bewildering to both newcomers and born-and-raised citizens

Lisa Thompson

17

Madrid, Spain

• Apr 1

With the state of the world as it is, you may want to shut the curtains, take cover under a blanket, and watch reruns of La que se avecina. But, unfortunately, ...

Emily Johnson

9

Brussels, Belgium

• Apr 1

Foreign nationals who want to visit or join a close family member living in Belgium can do so using the family reunification procedure. This procedure can be us...

Sophie Van Den Berg

8

London, United Kingdom

• Mar 31

The UK remains a very popular place to look for work, especially in London – a booming national and international business hub. While competition can be intense...

Priya Sharma

28

Global, Global

• Mar 31

Ask a soon-to-be expat what they’re going to do for work when they first arrive in their new country and at some point you’ll hear someone say the following: “I...

The Expat Collective

17

Bern, Switzerland

• Mar 31

Thinking of buying a lakeside chalet or a modern apartment in Zurich? Unless you’re purchasing it outright, you’ll likely need a mortgage – and in Switzerland, ...

Ingrid Vogler

22

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Mar 30

Why Dutch Words Are So Amusingly LiteralAfter six years here, I've concluded that Dutch people name everything exactly as they see it, consequences be damned. I...

James Van Der Berg

17

Singapore, Singapore

• Mar 30

With a great standard of living, low taxes, and an excellent healthcare system, Singapore is an attractive destination for pensioners and retirees. But if you’r...

Kevin Lim

9

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Mar 30

Moving to Saudi Arabia means adjusting to a new culture, climate, and – unsurprisingly – an entirely different approach to taxes. But while many expats expect c...

Fatima Hassan

20

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

• Mar 30

Whether you are moving to Luxembourg for work or planning to start your own business there, familiarising yourself with the local business culture is vital if y...

Thomas Weber

26

Madrid, Spain

• Mar 29

With its warm climate, vibrant culture, and sizable expat communities, Spain has long been an appealing place to retire. But what can you expect in terms of med...

Emily Johnson

14

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Mar 29

Expats can buy Dutch property without restrictions. Total costs: 5-7% above price + 10% deposit. €200K home = €212K total. Mortgage rates 4.31-5.04%, borrow 5x salary, 100% loan-to-value. Tax benefits make buying better than renting for 5+ year stays.

James Van Der Berg

17