Showing 15 of 1511 blogs
London, United Kingdom UK National Insurance is mandatory social security for employees and self-employed. Covers state pension, unemployment, disability, maternity benefits. Apply online for NI number with passport and proof of address.
Priya 
Brussels, Belgium 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 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 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 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.
Bern, Switzerland In most of the world, the phrase “Swiss cuisine” often means just two things: cheese and chocolate. However, while these are two integral parts of the countr...
Ingrid 
Rome, Italy 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 Bern, Switzerland Foreigners can marry in Switzerland with few restrictions. Same-sex marriage is legal since 2021. Civil ceremonies cost CHF 300-400. Average weddings cost CHF 30,000-40,000.
Ingrid 
Paris, France Can a foreigner buy a car in France, and if so, how? This guide covers all you need to know. Plus we’ll touch on how These services can help expats and resident...
olivia 
Madrid, Spain Getting your driver’s permit in Spain is very straightforward. You’ll need to know the rules of the road, pass a driving and medical test, and bada bing, you’re...
Amsterdam, Netherlands The Dutch Physiotherapy SystemAfter six years in the Netherlands, I've been impressed by the quality and accessibility of physiotherapy here. According to 2020 ...
Paris, France If you’re an expat arriving in France, you’ll be pleased to know that you can easily stay connected in your new home. France has excellent 4G coverage and an...
olivia Rome, Italy 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 The Hague, Netherlands The Hague: International City by the SeaThe Hague is one of my favorite Dutch cities despite often being overlooked. It's home to the United Nations' Internatio...
Europe 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...
