Community Blogs

Lisbon, Portugal

• Feb 19

Whether you want to learn Portuguese before or after you relocate to Portugal, having a good grasp of the language will help make your transition into local lif...

Bangkok, Thailand

• Feb 18

Ever wondered how Thailand manages to keep life so relaxed, even when it comes to taxes? While the rules may be different from what you’re used to, once you kno...

Vienna, Austria

• Feb 18

Austria levies tax on all income above a €13,308 threshold from residents and non-residents living and working in the country. The government divides earning...

viennalife

Global, Global

• Feb 17

Malta ranks #1 for LGBTQ+ expats with 87% Rainbow Map score. Netherlands legalized same-sex marriage first in 2001. All 10 countries allow same-sex marriage, adoption rights, and anti-discrimination protections. Thailand became first Southeast Asian country to legalize in 2024.

The Expat Collective

Pretoria, South Africa

• Feb 17

No restrictions on foreigners buying South African property. Cape Town: 2-10+ million rand. Johannesburg: 1.5-5 million rand. Additional costs: 5-10% (transfer duty, attorney fees). Foreign buyers typically need cash as local financing limited.

Bangkok, Thailand

• Feb 16

Foreigners can get Thai driving licenses with non-immigrant visa/work permit. Process: medical exam, driving school, theory and practical tests. Takes 2-4 weeks, costs 2,000-5,000 baht. Some nationalities can convert home licenses.

Brussels, Belgium

• Feb 16

Belgian secondary education has four streams: general, technical, vocational, and artistic. State schools teach in Dutch, French, or German and are free. International schools offer global certificates in English but charge fees.

Sophie

Washington, United States

• Feb 15

If you travel to the UK frequently, send payments abroad, receive a salary in British pounds, or want to diversify your savings and investments, a GBP account i...

Bangkok, Thailand

• Feb 14

Thailand offers a wealth of public and private maternity care options for parents-to-be. However, navigating them can feel overwhelming if you are unfamiliar...

Vienna, Austria

• Feb 14

If you are planning to move to Austria, one of the most important items on your moving checklist is working out the best way to transport your precious belon...

viennalife

London, United Kingdom

• Feb 14

Understanding the national minimum wage and average salaries is an important part of finding a job in the UK. Firstly, all employees over the school leaving ...

Priya

Tokyo, Japan

• Feb 14

Foreigners can buy property in Japan with no restrictions. Houses typically depreciate while land appreciates. Average costs: ¥36-44 million for houses, ¥45 million for condos. Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya have highest prices.

tokyolife

Bern, Switzerland

• Feb 14

Switzerland’s high quality of life, excellent healthcare system, and beautiful natural landscapes make it an extremely appealing destination for expats. However...

Ingrid

Vienna, Austria

• Feb 13

Austrian public health insurance covers sexual healthcare including free STI tests, cancer screenings, and gynecologist visits. Contraception is partially subsidized (€4-€15/month for pill). Abortion legal since 1975, costs €300-€800 out-of-pocket.

viennalife

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

• Feb 13

Essential guide to business culture in Saudi Arabia covering working hours, dress codes, etiquette rules, and negotiation strategies for successfully conducting business in the Arab world's largest economy.

Fatima Hassan