Community Blogs

Lisbon, Portugal

• Aug 17

Portugal maternity leave: 120-150 days at 100% pay (or 83% for extended). Fathers get mandatory 28 days. Self-employed eligible with 6 months Social Security contributions.

Rome, Italy

• Aug 17

Main Italian supermarkets: Coop (largest), Esselunga (premium), Lidl/Eurospin (budget). Expect €200-€400/month groceries. Many close Sundays or have reduced hours.

Marco R

Bern, Switzerland

• Aug 17

Swiss fondue uses Gruyère and Emmental cheese blend. Traditional foods include rösti, raclette, Zürcher Geschnetzeltes. Dining out: CHF 20-40 casual, CHF 50-100+ nice.

Ingrid

Pretoria, South Africa

• Aug 17

Cape Town most popular for expats (lifestyle), Johannesburg for jobs, Durban for affordability ($1,500-$2,500/month). Safety varies by neighborhood - car essential.

Berlin, Germany

• Aug 17

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, freelancer, or running your own business in Germany, you’ll need to know the various laws and rules regarding tax for self-em...

David Miller

Madrid, Spain

• Aug 17

Spain offers equal 16 weeks fully paid parental leave for both parents at 100% salary. First 6 weeks mandatory for mother. Applies to birth, adoption, foster.

Emily Johnson

Paris, France

• Aug 17

Finding jobs in France requires French fluency for 80% of positions. Average salary €39,000/year (€29,000 net). Tech and finance pay €50,000-€100,000+ in Paris.

olivia

Vienna, Austria

• Aug 17

Austrian property closing costs: 10-15% of purchase price (3.5% transfer tax, notary, registry fees). Annual property tax low at 0.1-0.2% of assessed value.

viennalife

Brussels, Belgium

• Aug 17

Belgian therapists cost €50-€90/session with €25-€40 reimbursed by mutuelle. No referral needed for psychologists. English-speaking therapists available in Brussels.

Sophie

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

• Aug 16

Luxembourg has world's highest minimum wage: €2,571/month for skilled workers in 2025. Nearly 50% of workforce is foreign. Finance and tech sectors hire most expats.

Thomas W

Singapore, Singapore

• Aug 16

International schools in Singapore cost SGD 20,000-45,000/year ($15,000-34,000). Top schools exceed SGD 50,000. IB, British, and American curricula available.

sglife

Madrid, Spain

• Aug 16

Third-party car insurance is mandatory in Spain (€300-€600/year). Comprehensive costs €600-€1,200+. Fines up to €3,000 for driving uninsured.

Emily Johnson

Bern, Switzerland

• Aug 16

Call 112 for life-threatening emergencies in Switzerland (Europe-wide). 117 for police, 144 for ambulance. English operators available. Ambulances cost CHF 1,000-2,000.

Ingrid

London, United Kingdom

• Aug 15

Best London neighborhoods vary by budget: Shoreditch/Clapham for young professionals, Richmond/Hampstead for families, Zones 3-4 for affordability (30-50% less).

Priya

Berlin, Germany

• Aug 15

Whether you need a German visa depends on nationality. 62 countries visit visa-free up to 90 days. Work/study requires specific visa. Processing: 45 days.

David Miller