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Work
Labor shortages continue to impact many countries, with some sectors facing persistent and increasingly international crises. Nations are actively seeking foreign talent to bridge these gaps. Which professions will be in the highest demand in 2025? What opportunities are there for prospective expats?
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WhatsBabel
Moving to a new country is an exciting and enriching adventure, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. For expatriates, culture shock is often a significant hurdle. Differences in politeness norms, local customs, idiomatic expressions, and language can make every day full of surprises. But don't worry—you're not alone! Practical tools like WhatsBabel exist to help you overcome these obstacles and feel more at ease in your new life abroad. Let's explore how…
Health system
Language barriers and communication challenges may be small inconveniences in some aspects of expat life, but in high-stakes contexts like health communication, they can pose serious, even life-threatening risks. If you're not fluent in the local language of your expat country, how can you ensure your health concerns are accurately conveyed to the doctor and that you fully understand your prescriptions and discharge instructions?
Expat news
Visas
As Trump gears up to launch his new immigration strategies in the US, many are left wondering about the future of immigration and the fate of millions of foreigners residing in the country, as well as those planning to move there. Meanwhile, international reforms vary, with some countries tightening temporary immigration while others implement policies beneficial to skilled foreigners. Spain is noted for its welcoming approach, and despite its political upheavals, Germany is looking to attract more foreign workers. If you're considering moving abroad in 2025, here's what you need to know.
Everyday life
Instead of setting lofty resolutions that often fall by the wayside, begin the year with a focus on self-care. What's the best way to navigate expatriation or improve your expat life in 2025? Consider these health and wellness tips to start off on the right foot.
Visas
As countries finalize their budgets for 2025 and evaluate their needs, they are preparing to unveil new initiatives to attract foreign talent and investors. This comes in response to ongoing labor shortages. Here's an analysis of the latest developments.
Content from our partners
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H&R Block
Nowadays, it is common for people to ask questions and follow the guidance of an online community, but when it comes to taxes, it comes with significant risks. Countless social media posts provide incorrect expatriate tax advice, and some even advance a misguided theory that Americans abroad should avoid filing tax returns because coming clean will be when your troubles begin. Reckless advice encouraging purposeful negligence of U.S. tax reporting obligations is serious, and the consequences for those who follow it can be severe.
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Germany Pension Refund
Did you know that expats who have worked in Germany can often claim a refund for their pension contributions? If you've left Germany and currently live in a non-EU country, you might be eligible for this significant financial benefit.
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LUXURIA Residence
Choosing a residence as an expat is a significant decision. Your new home should be a sanctuary—safe, comfortable, and harmonious, offering a place to recharge after demanding days. This guide from our commercial partner, LUXURIA Residence, aims to assist those seeking a duplex apartment in Bucharest that truly feels like home.
Features
Everyday life
Retiring abroad is a growing trend, as data from various countries shows. This shift also suggests a rethinking of the boundary between active life and retirement, which today is more fluid than ever before. What can we expect, and which destinations are the top-rated in 2025?
Everyday life
If you follow the news (especially the news on YouTube), you may have heard about several instances of foreigners being deported, arrested, or vehemently criticized for behaving inappropriately abroad. In this context, the discussion about cultural sensitivity takes center stage. And this is what we will be looking into today.
Everyday life
Living abroad offers a distinct and enriching experience, but it often comes with the challenge of maintaining relationships with loved ones, including our closest friends. This includes friends from our hometown as well as those we meet during our travels and previous stints abroad. The question arises: how can we keep these long-distance friendships alive and prevent them from diminishing over time? Is it feasible to sustain genuine friendships when face-to-face interactions are rare? In this article, expats share their insights on navigating these challenges.
Work
In the face of demographic decline and ongoing labor shortages across essential industries, top destinations for expatriates are increasingly welcoming skilled and highly skilled immigrants. Meanwhile, the scope of artificial intelligence is broadening, encroaching on numerous professional sectors. Here's an analysis.
Everyday life
You vividly recall the day you announced your big news: you were moving abroad for an incredible adventure. You can still see the astonishment, the envious glances, and mixed heartfelt and obligatory congratulations. "You're so lucky!" your friends and family often exclaim, almost excessively, making you feel as if you truly possess something special. You're an expatriate. But what do people think when they elevate an expat to such heights? Between dreams, misconceptions, and realities, does being an expat make you cooler?
Everyday life
The holiday season offers more than just the chance to unwrap gifts and enjoy festive treats—it's a crucial time for expatriates to pause and reflect on their journey far from home. Amid the celebrations, this period can be transformed into a meaningful personal development ritual. Let's explore how to make the most of this festive season for growth and reflection.
Expat interviews
Everyday life
Meet Barbara Boyle, a former Creative Director and writer who has worked with global brands and lived in major cities worldwide. Now retired in a 300-year-old farmhouse in Piemonte, Italy, Barbara shares her journey from the fast-paced world of advertising to a serene life amidst vineyards and orchards, and discusses her latest writings on her life in Italy.
Everyday life
Meet Jen Barnett, co-founder of Expatsi and a seasoned entrepreneur with over 32 years in marketing. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Jen now lives in Mérida, Yucatán, where she helps others find their perfect home abroad through the innovative Expatsi Test. In this interview, Jen shares her experiences and insights on living overseas, adjusting to new cultures, and finding joy in the expat lifestyle.
USA
Umberto's journey from the serene town of Bolzano, Italy, to the bustling streets of New York City is both inspiring and captivating. With roots tracing back to Naples and a familial connection to Brooklyn, Umberto's path to America was driven by a profound desire to connect with his heritage and make his mark in the land of opportunities.
Insights from professionals
Everyday life
Moving to a new country won't solve your problems, but should you do it anyway? Well, it depends. It depends on you and your mindset. It is easy to imagine that relocating overseas will transform us into better versions of ourselves.
Work
The first day at a new job is always daunting. Stress, exhaustion, loneliness and nervous excitement are all common emotions but add on top of that, culture shock, language barriers and trying to settle your family into their new life abroad, it can all get overwhelming.
Everyday life
Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of discomfort for expatriates, not only because of the distance from their loved ones but also due to lockdowns and health restrictions. Emanuela Brusadelli, a Professor of Clinical Psychology and the Deputy Director of the Professional and Clinical Psychology Programs at Wollongong University School of Psychology in Australia, tells us more.
Expat stories
USA
As the year 2021 comes to an end, we're hoping for this very stressful period for expatriates all over the world to be over. Expats living in the USA on an E2 visa have been faced with a particularly complicated situation. In addition to the pandemic's impact on their businesses, they will also have administrative difficulties obtaining visas or even their renewal.
Everyday life
From October 1, 2021, South Africa moved to Alert Level 1 after multiple Covid-19 peaks, and life is slowly getting back to normal. Hannah, an expat from the UK, was lucky enough to relocate to Cape Town in September following her husband's intra-company transfer. She shares her views about expat life in the country she now calls home.
Everyday life
Does being an expat mean always being the outsider? Not quite at home in your host country and a little bit of a stranger to your home country. Stephanie discusses how she navigates this identity as a Brit living in Paris.
Moving
Expatriation started as a necessity when I was looking to progress with my academic studies of a Master's degree in England. However, it was earlier in my life, when I began travelling for leisure, that I figured out moving countries is a lifestyle I would like to revel in. Since 2007, I have lived and worked in five countries in Europe, Africa, and East Asia, and I am currently preparing for my next expatriation project. I may find it easier to board a plane and start all over again than deciding what to have for dinner, but the journey is not anxiety and sorrow-free. So, if you are interested in how a life away from everything you take for granted is, please don't ask me (or any other like-minded expat for that matter) any of the following questions — here's why.
Moving
I have always been very thoughtful about the things I own, and how I organise them in my space — whether it's the tiny studio in South Korea, the shared-flat in Ghana, or the two-floor house in Mauritius. I love change, and I see moving to a different country as an opportunity to reset my reality and rediscover myself; living abroad helps me look at things with fresh eyes and get rid of preconceptions. Packing is a big part of the whole moving process, and when you have to limit your belongings down to two suitcases, you reconsider the value of possessions. Here's how I learned to put my life on the scale and hit the 23 kg target.
Expat of the month
Everyday life
Angelica is originally from Verbania, Italy. It's been nearly ten years since she moved to the UK, hungry for independence and new experiences. She has also spent a year in Germany for her studies before going back to the UK and is currently in the process of obtaining British citizenship. She talks to us about living in London as an expat between Brexit and the Covid pandemic.
Articles from our local editions
Mauritius
Mauritius has captured headlines recently for two starkly contrasting reasons. On one side, the island is celebrating its rising status as a premier African tourist destination. On the other, it faces mounting environmental pressures, particularly in water management. Together, these developments highlight Mauritius as both a coveted paradise and a territory grappling with critical sustainability challenges.
Mauritius
Mauritius, a land renowned for its harmonious blend of cultures, comes alive through its kaleidoscope of festivals celebrated throughout the year. In 2025, an array of events invites expats to delve into the island's unique traditions and foster connections within the local community. Here's your guide to the unmissable festivities over the next 12 months.
Mauritius
Torrential rain is a regular feature of life in Mauritius, particularly during the rainy season from November to April. While such downpours are intrinsic to the island's tropical climate, they can wreak havoc on daily routines, especially for expatriates who may be less familiar with the associated risks and response protocols. To safeguard residents and visitors, the Mauritius Meteorological Service (MMS) issues a three-tier alert system, providing tailored advice disseminated across radio, television, mobile apps, and social media. Staying informed and prepared is vital, as rapidly changing weather conditions demand quick adaptation. This guide explains the risks posed by torrential rain, outlines essential safety measures, and offers practical advice to protect yourself and your loved ones.
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