December 2019 Emigrate News Archive
Archived Daily Emigrate UK News...
Expat retirees are genuinely welcome in the Philippines
If you’re attracted to Southeast Asia but are unsure about which country is your best fit, the Philippines is as good as it gets. The benefits of Southeast Asia as a destination for retirees, digital nomads and SME entrepreneurs vary country to country as regards essentials such as visa requirements, expat-friendly governments and...
Expat ownership of a Spanish bar isn’t as easy as it seems
Emigrating to Spain and opening a bar might be trickier than Brit expats realise. The dream of moving to Spain and starting a business has been the motivation for thousands of British expats, with a bar being one of the favourite choices, especially for those with experience of the hospitality trade. Wherever new, ambitious arrivals hang...
Hong Kong expats now wary about ongoing career prospects
As the Hong Kong protests reach six months, long-term foreign residents are making emergency getaway plans. Hopes that the Hong Kong uprising would gradually decline have now come to nothing, as violence broke out again over the holidays. For expats to whom Hong Kong is their permanent home, optimism is fading fast and being replaced by...
Expat rentals in Switzerland set to fall in 2020
If you’re heading to Switzerland to take on a new position, the good news is that renting an apartment is likely to be cheaper in the coming year. Switzerland is one of the world’s most expensive expat professional destinations, with housing taking up a considerable proportion of even the most generous salary. However, the real estate...
Expat job seekers warned Bangkok may be moved elsewhere
If you’re considering taking a job in Bangkok, you should factor in the Thai government’s wish to solve its dangerous air pollution by moving Thailand’s capital to another location. In spite of rumours to the contrary, Thailand’s capital is still a good destination for expat career enhancement, high salaries and a reasonable if...
Is Thailand still a dream destination for Western expats?
If you’re thinking of retiring in Thailand, there are many things to consider before your final decision is made. Traditionally, Thailand has been a popular retiree destination for its tropical climate, inexpensive cost of living and well-established expat communities in a number of towns and cities. A recent survey rated the Southeast...
Is Hong Kong finished as Asia’s financial hub?
As the Hong Kong riots become a way of life, many are wondering if China will let the island go and embrace Macau or another Asian city as its replacement? For decades, a posting to Hong Kong has been the holy grail of expats in the financial sector, and not just for the chance to make an eye-wateringly high salary. Ever since the former...
Luxury home values in Dubaiare dropping like stones
As Dubai’s real estate sector crashes, even expat investors are shying away from bargains. Real estate values in Dubai have now dropped by 25 per cent over the past four years, leaving the property market in confusion and investors looking to pull out before it becomes worse. The continuing slump in oil prices plus the massive oversupply...
Expat oil and gas workers in Chad face soaring cost of living
Africa might not be the most popular location for ambitious expats used to their comforts, but the city of N’Djamena could spring a few scarey surprises. Set on the very edge of the Sahara Desert is the African state of Chad and its capital N’Djamena. Expats in the oil and gas sector may have heard of the city or even visited once or...
Expat life in the laid-back Netherlands
If you’re convinced your future lies outside your country of birth, the Netherlands is well worth a second look. The latter part of this century will surely become known in world history as a celebration of expatriation, as leaving home for unknown cultures half-way across the world has become the hallmark of the lifestyle change...
There’s more to being an expat than just teaching English
Teaching English overseas isn’t the only alternative for talented expats. If you’re planning to teach English after you’ve left your home country and settled into your new location, it’s as good a start as any as regards paying your bills. However, as many reluctant expat teachers of English have found, it can be a stairway to a...
Emergency registration service set up for Brit expats on Majorca
If you’re in the throes of finalising your move to Spain’s Balearic Islands following last week’s shock election result, you’ll get help to register before it’s too late. A special emergency service is being set up in Majorca by the Spanish Home Office in order to ensure all British expats including new arrivals are able to...
China needs expat volunteers for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
If you’re about to head to Beijing on reassignment, there’s a challenge you might find impossible to resist, especially if you’re a sports fan. Beijing is now hugely popular as a new destination for expat professionals, with the Chinese authorities doing everything they can to smooth new arrivals’ paths to success and integration....
Buying an expat retirement home in Italy’s Lake Como region
If Italy has always featured in your retirement dreams, a property close by Lake Como could be more affordable than you realise. In many ways, Italy is a dream destination for its food, wine, sheer beauty, charm and fascinating history and heritage. Those looking forward to retirement but disenchanted with developments in the home country...
Expat retirees considering Thailand should note healthcare changes
If you’re still thinking of retiring in Thailand and have ongoing medical issues, a new idea by the Thai government may help you decide! Expat retirees living in Thailand have had a bad year as regards calls on their financial resources ever since the UK and USA embassies stopped issuing letters confirming their incomes as required by...
Asian city destinations no longer inexpensive for expats
Over the past decade or so, Asian destinations have gained in popularity with expat professionals, but increased costs of living are now biting hard on salaries. Over the past ten years, many Asian capitals have seen an increase in the numbers of expats arriving to work and take advantage of favourable exchange rates allowing an improved...
Expat entrepreneurs in Amsterdam facing bans on shared housing
For younger expats and students heading for Amsterdam, finding legally shared accommodation is about to get far more expensive. Since the Dutch city became a popular location for digital nomads and tech expats from the UK and other European states, finding affordable accommodation has become a nightmare, with many giving up and returning...
Tips for new expat arrivals in Austria
If you’re heading to Austria on reassignment, watch out for a few local habits which drive expats crazy. Generally speaking, expats in Austria are happy with their choice of destination but, as with many overseas locations, some local behavioural traits make even experienced long-stayers hot under the collar. One of the most annoying for...
Lagos may be rough and tough but friendship wins out
There’s only one good reason to become an expat in Lagos. Many long-term expats are in it for the challenge, always providing the financial rewards are enough. Africa in general is recognised as challenging in many ways, but Nigeria and its capital Lagos are often presented in a manner which suggests anyone who arrives to work is either...
Expats in Kuwait less than happy with their jobs and lives
It’s survey time again, with different studies revealing different results for a swathe of worldwide expat destinations! The latest InterNations study is hitting hard on Kuwait City, ranking it as the worst on the planet for expatriate professionals. The expat hub was ranked last for its lack of leisure activities, unreliable local...
China continues opening up to Western expat talent
China’s plans to open up the Yangtse River Delta is expected to provide even more opportunities in the region for expat professionals. Over the past decade, China as an expat destination has blossomed into an exciting, forward-looking and amazingly welcoming land of opportunity, especially for those with tech talent. Whilst other Asian...
Adjusting as a retiree to the new expat demographic
Of all the expat sectors whose members are roaming the world nowadays, perhaps the most devoted to expat communities are the retirees. One thing’s for certain, for those looking to retire overseas the local expat community is an essential rather than an option. In the majority of popular retirement destinations, the groups are more...
