April International offers expat health insurance from €50-€100/month (basic) to €300-€800/month (comprehensive). Covers visa requirements for Schengen, student, work permits.
Blog posts in Global
Non-residents can open US business accounts but it's challenging. Mercury, Relay accept non-residents without SSN. Need EIN, business docs, US address, passport.
Portugal is Western Europe's most affordable country. Lisbon/Porto 30-40% cheaper than Paris/London. Budget €1,200-€2,000/month comfortable living. Braga/Coimbra cheapest cities.
Starting business in Austria: EU citizens need just resident card. GmbH requires €35,000 capital (€10,000 upfront). Corporate tax 24-25%, VAT 20%. German highly recommended.
Italian international schools cost €8,000-€25,000/year. Rome/Milan most expensive (€15,000-€25,000). Offer IB, British, American curricula. Italian language classes included.
French is moderately difficult for English speakers. FSI estimates 600-750 hours to proficiency. Essential for daily life in France outside Paris touristy areas.
German citizenship takes 8 years residence (6-7 with integration). Dual citizenship allowed since 2024 reforms. Costs €255 plus tests. B1 German and citizenship test required.
Bringing pets to Russia requires vet certificate, rabies vaccine (21+ days prior), microchip. Vet services affordable: checkups 500-1,500 rubles ($5-$15). Cats most popular.
Expats can buy cars in Qatar with Residence Permit. Registration: QR 400-600 plus insurance (QR 1,500-3,000/year). Cars 10-20% cheaper than Europe due to no import taxes.
Luxembourg home insurance: Tenant liability €50-€150/year (often required by landlords). Comprehensive homeowner policies €300-€800/year depending on property value.
Moving to Saudi Arabia requires understanding strict Islamic laws. Alcohol illegal, dress modestly. Women can work/drive since 2017 reforms. Very safe, low crime rates.
Singapore known for cleanliness, safety, efficiency. Famous for strict laws (chewing gum ban), hawker food ($3-5 meals), Marina Bay. English widely spoken (80%+ population).
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.
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.
Apartheid Museum (Johannesburg) and Robben Island most famous SA museums. Admission affordable: R50-R150 ($3-$9). Cape Town has highest museum concentration.
