The magazine for expats
Schools & studies
There is so much more that goes into the choice of a university today than even a decade ago. International students especially have the whole world to choose from. And while before students were more focused on the theoretical benefits of a certain degree, today, with so many less traditional options for learning (online, via social media, private tutoring, etc.), there is a lot more a traditional institution has to offer, especially given the price of formal education.
Banks and finance
If you are like most expats looking to purchase a home overseas, you will probably need a mortgage. This typically means applying to a bank or lender in the country where the property is located. The process can be different and more complex than in your home country, especially for non-residents, as financial institutions are cautious about lending across borders. In some places, the route from application to approval is relatively straightforward, but in others it can be much more challenging.
France
The French government has recently decided to reconsider its announcements regarding differentiated tuition fees for non-EU students. What should they expect?
Expat news
South Korea
Last March, the South Korean Ministry of Justice announced the easing of conditions for issuing certain visas in order to tackle the labor shortage. On May 12, the Ministry of Employment and Labor unveiled a new strategy aimed at boosting the employment of foreign workers, while also supporting that of local workers.
Japan
Conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made immigration one of the key issues of her term. Since October 2025, foreign professionals, particularly entrepreneurs, have had to deal with stricter immigration rules. Early surveys reveal a significant drop in the number of entrepreneur visa applications.
France
This quiet reform barely made a ripple in France's political debates, yet it slipped through largely unnoticed and will tighten the rules for those who combine work and retirement.
Content from our partners
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H&R Block
Tax and retirement planning for US expats has never been simple—and 2026 adds a new twist. Alongside familiar considerations, the new Section 530A child savings accounts are entering the picture. The 530A program introduces a new opportunity for families abroad, adding to an already nuanced planning landscape.
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Santa Fe Relocation
Moving abroad is often described as one of life's most stressful events, ranking right up there with starting a new job or getting married. Whether you are moving to the tech hubs of Zurich, the bustling streets of Singapore, or the sun-drenched coasts of Australia, the secret isn't just a better packing list - it's a better partner. For those navigating the complexities of international borders, Santa Fe Relocation has become the gold standard for moving. With a global footprint spanning 47 countries and nearly 100 offices, we don't just move your boxes; we move your life. Here is how to master your relocation, regardless of your destination.
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CaixaBank
Moving to another country is never just a change of address. It is a complete change of lifestyle. A mixture of excitement, doubts, paperwork, dreams and expectations intertwine as you search for your place on a new emotional map. And for thousands of expats, that map always ends up pointing to the same spot: Spain.
Features
Work
You may be dreaming of managing your team abroad or opening or taking over a business overseas. But already, a thousand questions are challenging you. Are you really cut out for a leadership role, especially in another country? Here's some practical advice to build your confidence before embarking on the expat project that's right for you.
Work
More young professionals than ever are choosing to start their careers abroad. Driven by the rise of digital nomadism, economic uncertainty, and the promise of new opportunities, they are increasingly willing to cross borders in search of a better future. But what do young expats really expect from their first job overseas? And how do their career goals compare with those of earlier generations?
Tax
Postcard-perfect beaches, luxury villas, sports cars and a jet-set lifestyle: social media often paints expat influencers and content creators as financially free and permanently on vacation. Behind the filters and sponsored posts, however, lies a much more complex reality. As more freelancers, influencers and digital creators move abroad to optimize their lifestyle and income, tax authorities around the world are increasing their scrutiny. So how can content creators relocate overseas legally, optimize their taxes, and avoid crossing the line into tax evasion?
Tax
Living in a country without paying taxes: a dream for many expats who choose their destination specifically based on its tax policies. But does a truly "zero tax" country for foreigners actually exist? And what hidden financial risks should you watch out for?
Transport
"Once this war is over, fuel prices will collapse," Donald Trump declared. The U.S. president believes he has "very good chances" of reaching a deal with Iran, while also stating he is prepared to take military action if talks fail. In the meantime, prices at the pump continue to break records worldwide, with variations from country to country. How are expats coping with this situation? How are they managing their daily commutes and travel? The Expat.com community shares its experiences.
Banks and finance
Online banks and neobanks market themselves as the perfect solution for expats: open an account in a few clicks, fully digital, accessible from anywhere… at least in theory. What are the real advantages and limitations of these banking options? And what should expats watch out for?
Expat interviews
Everyday life
When Adam and Tara Short from Sheffield visited Mauritius last November, they didn't expect it to change their lives. But one afternoon on the beach in Grand Baie, they realized this was where they wanted to raise their family. Adam, who runs a car and fishing business, and Tara, who owns a hospitality supply company, wanted a simpler, safer, and more outdoor life for their two sons, Spencer (9) and Xander (4). Just months later, they turned that dream into reality. In this interview, the Short family shares what it's really like to swap the busy streets of Sheffield for island life, from choosing schools and settling in, to discovering their favourite local foods and making Mauritius home.
Spain
For many, moving abroad is a leap into the unknown. For Doug Underwood, arriving in Mallorca in 2019 turned into a journey of building community, adapting to island life, and finding a true sense of home. What started as a work opportunity grew into something much bigger, from professional projects to co-hosting Curiosity Night, a monthly gathering for expats and locals alike. In this interview, Doug shares the rewards and challenges of expat life in Mallorca, his advice for newcomers, and what makes the island such a unique place to live.
Everyday life
Moving across borders is never just about changing your address — it's about reshaping your identity, navigating new beginnings, and learning to find “home” wherever you are. For Roberta Maretti, author of Where the World Took Me, the expat life began as a teenager in Tokyo and soon became a lifelong journey spanning continents, cultures, and countless reinventions. From raising children in Asia and the Caribbean to returning to Europe after years abroad, her story is one of resilience, curiosity, and the search for belonging. In this interview, she reflects on the challenges and gifts of a globally mobile life, the friendships and food that anchored her along the way, and the lessons she hopes to share with other expats carving out their own paths.
Insights from professionals
Paraguay
A new investor residency rulebook landed last month, and for anyone weighing Paraguay as a place to actually live, the numbers are surprisingly friendly. If you've been quietly researching Paraguay as a possible new home base, for the taxes, the cost of living, the easy residency, or just because the rest of the world feels increasingly expensive and complicated, this one is for you.
Argentina
As an expat who has made South America's Southern Cone my home, I explained last year why Latin America is the new frontier and how to get residency here. This year, I've been spending a lot of time in the new Land of Opportunity: Argentina. After taking a chainsaw to inflation, President Milei has set his sights on citizenship by investment as the next lever to pull.
Everyday life
Expat life is often seen as an exciting adventure: a new country, new opportunities, and a rich cultural experience. Moving abroad represents, for many, a major life project — one filled with hope and the promise of a fresh start. When you make that move as a couple, it can feel even more reassuring. You're not going it alone; you have each other, with the shared belief that this change will bring you closer and create lasting memories together. And it truly can. But living abroad also brings profound upheaval: the loss of familiar landmarks, constant cultural adjustment, distance from family and friends, and sometimes a complete professional reinvention. All of these factors can unsettle not only your individual sense of balance but also the foundation of your relationship.
Expat stories
Work
Starting a business with your partner sounds like a dream, Palm trees, shared goals, flexible schedules, maybe even long lunches in the sun. But here's the truth: building a business and maintaining a healthy relationship takes intention, grit, especially when you add the stresses of doing it in a new country. I have done it with my husband—and we're still talking to each other!
Everyday life
Many aspects of life today are shaped by constant judgment and evaluation—annual reviews, performance indicators, goal assessments, skills audits, and more. But should we apply the same lens to an international relocation? Living abroad is a rich and complex experience, which raises an important question: how—and why—should we evaluate it? Is it to strengthen an application for a new role and better reflect the value of our intercultural experience? To gain clarity about future goals in an international setting? Or perhaps to make sense of the reasons behind a return?
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.
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
June 2026 is shaping up to be a rich and eclectic month in Mauritius. Between retro nights, live concerts, food festivals, theatre performances, sporting events and immersive experiences, this month's agenda is brimming with appointments for every taste and every age. Iconic venues such as the Café du Vieux Conseil, the Caudan Arts Center, and the Trianon Convention Center will host memorable moments, while unusual sites like the Ruines de Mon Rocher or the Domaine de L'Aventure du Sucre promise truly extraordinary experiences. Here is our selection of unmissable events this month.
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Magellan
Wrong permit, wrong structure, underestimated banking delays: some relocations to Mauritius fall behind from the very first weeks. Not because the island is complicated. But because the steps were not prepared in the right order.
Mauritius
A tech entrepreneur for more than twenty years and based in Mauritius for the past five, Breno Le Gal has built a career that bridges digital innovation, craftsmanship and local entrepreneurship. After founding Ewa's Kitchen, an artisanal business born from a deeply personal journey, he went on to create Crafty, an AI-powered management solution designed to support artisans and independent creators. In this interview, Breno shares his entrepreneurial journey, his perspective on the challenges facing Mauritian artisans, and his vision for a more accessible digital future for small businesses.
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