Community Blogs

Europe

• Aug 20

US credit cards mostly work in Europe with EMV chips, but some merchants require chip-and-PIN. Notify bank before travel. Contactless payment helps avoid PIN issues.

The Expat Collective

Canberra, Australia

• Aug 20

GBP accounts available in Australia via Wise, Revolut, OFX. Traditional bank FX fees: 2-4% plus $20-30 per transfer. Fintech services charge 0.4-0.7% total with mid-market rates.

James O

Pretoria, South Africa

• Aug 20

Apartheid Museum (Johannesburg) and Robben Island most famous SA museums. Admission affordable: R50-R150 ($3-$9). Cape Town has highest museum concentration.

Bern, Switzerland

• Aug 19

Switzerland is 30% foreign-born, one of Europe's highest rates. Four official languages: German (63%), French (23%), Italian (8%), Romansh (0.5%). English widely spoken.

Ingrid

Madrid, Spain

• Aug 19

Spanish is one of easiest languages for English speakers. FSI estimates 600-750 hours to proficiency. Conversational fluency achievable in 3-6 months with immersion.

Emily Johnson

Brussels, Belgium

• Aug 19

Belgian car insurance mandatory. Third-party averages €400-€800/year, comprehensive €800-€1,500+. Brussels costs 30% more than rural areas. EU Green Card works temporarily.

Sophie

Paris, France

• Aug 19

France banned single-use plastic bags in 2016. 70% electricity is nuclear (low-carbon). Yellow bins for recyclables, green for glass. Organic food costs 20-30% more.

olivia

Bangkok, Thailand

• Aug 19

Thailand rent: Bangkok studios 8,000-15,000 baht/month ($230-$430), Chiang Mai 30-50% cheaper. Furnished common. Utilities typically separate (1,500-3,000 baht/month).

Global, GLOBAL

• Aug 18

Easiest entrepreneur visas: Estonia (€5,000-€10,000), Dubai, Portugal (€5,000+). Requirements vary: €5,000-€600,000. Most lead to permanent residence after 3-5 years.

The Expat Collective

Tokyo, Japan

• Aug 18

Sashimi and miso soup are healthiest Japanese dishes - high protein, low calorie, rich omega-3s. Many dishes contain gluten (soy sauce, tempura). Recipes available online.

tokyolife

Pretoria, South Africa

• Aug 18

Parents in South Africa will need to know when the local school holidays are. Luckily, all schools have the same holiday dates, and they all close on nationa...

London, United Kingdom

• Aug 18

UK pay-as-you-go SIM cards available without proof of address. MVNOs (Giffgaff, Smarty) from £5-£10/month. Post-Brexit EU roaming policies vary by provider.

Priya

Rome, Italy

• Aug 18

Because the options available to you in Italy, and the costs, outlook and tax rules, might vary a lot from your home country, it’s important to educate you...

Marco R

Berlin, Germany

• Aug 18

Selling property in Germany: Capital gains tax-exempt after 10 years or 3 years as primary residence. Agent commission 3-7%, notary 1-1.5%. Process takes 3-6 months.

David Miller

Worldwide, Global

• Aug 18

Swiss tax obligations can follow you abroad if you have Swiss income (rental, pensions). Deadlines vary by canton (typically March 31). Rates differ significantly by canton.

The Expat Collective