Community Blogs

Madrid, Spain

• Mar 12

Knowing which insurances are mandatory in Spain and tackling the paperwork to get Spanish insurance can be a challenge for those relocating to Spain. This artic...

Emily Johnson

Bern, Switzerland

• Mar 12

In Switzerland, people will expect you to be on time to all meetings because that cliché about punctuality is true. That said, you also won’t leave for your lun...

Ingrid

Doha, Qatar

• Mar 11

Qatar is certainly one of the more expensive countries in the Middle East. The cost of living, especially in the capital, Doha, is comparable to other major c...

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

• Mar 11

Understanding the education system in Luxembourg can be a daunting task; it can be more difficult if there’s a language barrier. However, you can choose from a ...

Thomas W

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Mar 11

Higher Education in the Netherlands After six years here, I've watched countless international students make the Netherlands their educational home. The country...

Berlin, Germany

• Mar 10

12.9% of Germany is foreign-born. High living standards and strong economy, but locals can be unfriendly. Excellent healthcare, education. High taxes offset by quality of life. HSBC ranks it 27th for expats.

David Miller

Brussels, Belgium

• Mar 10

Belgian hospitals need doctor referrals for non-emergency treatment. Belgium has 103 hospitals with 6 beds per 1,000 residents. Health insurance (mutuelle) is required and covers most costs.

Sophie

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Mar 9

Dutch bank accounts are practically essential - landlords and employers need them. ABN AMRO and ING are expat-friendly. You need ID, BSN, and Dutch address. Some banks allow opening before arrival.

Vienna, Austria

• Mar 9

Austrian CVs should be in German, 2-3 pages, with photo. Wear formal business attire to interviews. Salary discussed in first/second interview. Job ads show minimum salary.

viennalife

Lisbon, Portugal

• Mar 9

Portugal has progressive tax brackets for 2025. Non-residents pay 25% flat rate. IFICI (NHR 2.0) offers tax benefits for skilled workers. File returns by June 30.

Rome, Italy

• Mar 9

Call 112 for emergencies in Italy - the Europe-wide number connects to ambulance (118), fire (115), or police (113). Life-saving treatment is free. English support varies.

Marco R

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Mar 8

The Dutch Physiotherapy SystemAfter six years in the Netherlands, I've been impressed by the quality and accessibility of physiotherapy here. According to 2020 ...

Rome, Italy

• Mar 8

Among expat parents’ most pressing concerns is how they will find healthcare for their child when moving abroad. Between a different language, customs, and h...

Marco R

Europe

• Mar 8

The European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC, is a vital card for European citizens and residents traveling within any member country of the European Union (EU...

The Expat Collective

Washington, United States

• Mar 7

For day-to-day money management, you may want to choose between opening an account with a US bank, one of the big international providers, or a digital-only ser...