January 2020 Emigrate News Archive

Archived Daily Emigrate UK News...

Spain now officially the healthiest world country for expats

Spain now officially the healthiest world country for expats
For British expats already loving life in Spain and those desperate to get there before the door slams shut at the end of this year, Spain is now officially the world’s healthiest country. According to the highly respected Bloomberg ‘Healthiest Country’ index, Spain is now the planet’s healthiest location, topping out ahead of...

British expats in Portugal to lose their tax exemptions

British expats in Portugal to lose their tax exemptions
British expats living, working or retiring in Portugal are set to lose their tax-free status due to new government rules. As a result of a new amendment to Portugal’s 2020 budget, the foreign revenue brought in by British expats in the country will be taxed at 10 per cent. The new rule will not affect those who arrived in the country...

Brit expats in Spain furious over UK banks new overdraft charges

Brit expats in Spain furious over UK banks new overdraft charges
One of the most important aspects of emigration is setting up bank accounts in the new country whilst still retaining an account back home. For British expats heading for Spain, it’s the norm to keep a UK bank account as well as holding cash in a local Spanish bank, even although many Brits don’t exactly trust the Spanish banking...

New Year brings new laws for expat businesses in Czech Republic

New Year brings new laws for expat businesses in Czech Republic
As it is every New Year in the Czech Republic, expats with businesses or working in the country will need to take note of a raft of new rules. This new year, as usual, the set of new laws and regulations cover all businesses and workers in Prague and the wider republic, and include varied topics including a minimum wage boost and new ways...

Where to settle in Italy if quality of life is paramount

Where to settle in Italy if quality of life is paramount
If moving overseas as an expat is all about quality of life, the Italian lifestyle is as good as it gets, provided you’ve selected the most suitable smaller city or town. Italy may well be Europe’s most romantic place for a permanent lifestyle change, but all depends on your choice of town or city. No matter where in the world you’re...

Will the EU still chase top talent UK expats after Brexit?

Will the EU still chase top talent UK expats after Brexit?
British would-be expats now have a brief period in which they can still emigrate freely to one of the European Union’s 27 states using the Bloc’s free movement legislation. The transition period starts next week and will continue until the end of this year at the earliest, with a possibility of a further extension or the threat of a...

Huge increase in Chinese international school options for expat kids

Huge increase in Chinese international school options for expat kids
One of the most important aspects of expatriating with one’s family is the availability of quality international schooling. Although only four new international schools opened in China last year, 2020 will see an increase of 16 new campuses, giving far more choice for expat professionals wanting a high standard of education for their...

Is the buy to let investment boom over for Brit expats in 2020?

Is the buy to let investment boom over for Brit expats in 2020?
If UK buy to let is part of your retirement or investment strategy, now is the time to make a move. Prospects for buy-to-let investments in 2020 are expected to fall slightly during this coming year as the comparatively buoyant remortgage market cools and a larger number of landlords opt for 5-year fixed rates. Given that at least this...

Starting a business as an expat entrepreneur in Nanjing

Starting a business as an expat entrepreneur in Nanjing
Hints for expat entrepreneurs planning to start a business in Nanjing. China is still a popular destination for expat entrepreneurs determined to start a business, but doing it the right way can be confusing. The initial challenge is the most important first step, in that without a work permit nothing can be done. Given that China is...

New Brit expats in Spain urged to watch out for illegal housing developments

New Brit expats in Spain urged to watch out for illegal housing developments
Finally, newly arrived expats in Spain will be able to have confidence their recently-built homes comply with all necessary legalities. The scandal of illegal homes in Spain has been going on for years, blighting the lives of those expats who were duped into purchasing homes without the legal licenses and deeds enabling the new owners to...

Living affordably as an expat in Tokyo

Living affordably as an expat in Tokyo
New expat arrivals in Tokyo could be forgiven for feeling totally confused over exactly where to base themselves in this massive, confusing city. Although Japan isn’t yet a major destination for those expat professionals who don’t have an immediate job, it’s still one of the most rewarding locations for adventurous entrepreneurs....

Malaga is the perfect choice for would-be expats in love with life

 Malaga is the perfect choice for would-be expats in love with life
If you’re still determined to emigrate to Spain before it’s too late, Malaga is the perfect choice. One of the beauties of Spain as an expat destination is that there’s something for everyone as regards location. For beach-lovers there are the Costas, for those fascinated by the country’s history and heritage there are the Moorish...

Portugal voted best of the rest for expat retirees

Portugal voted best of the rest for expat retirees
It’s official – Portugal is the best retirement destination in 2020. The country’s warm, pleasant climate, affordably low cost of living and excellent healthcare system are the three advantages which catapulted Portugal to the top position in International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index. Beating off Panama in second...

Greece as a destination for expat professionals and retirees

Greece as a destination for expat professionals and retirees
Greece with its gloriously ancient history, its beauty and its present-day relative stability is a great place for holidays in the sun, but what’s it really like for expat retirees and professionals? Set at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Greece as a tourist destination is now bouncing back from its row with the EU, just as it did...

Rentals in all major European cities now less affordable for expat incomers

Rentals in all major European cities now less affordable for expat incomers
Rental charges for expat accommodation are increasing all across Europe. According to a popular accommodation website dealing in expat rentals across major European cities, monthly charges are continuing to increase. It’s no surprise that London offers the most expensive rents across the board, whether for apartments, studio flats or...

Renovating a historic home in Italy attracts expat tax breaks

Renovating a historic home in Italy attracts expat tax breaks
If you’re taking on a job in Italy, paying tax and would love to get a quaint weekend or holiday home in the hills at a bargain price, this is for you. There’s been a lot online recently about properties in Italy needing total renovation and being sold for practically nothing as a result, but they rarely suit the needs of expats...

Finding your expat home from home in the Netherlands

Finding your expat home from home in the Netherlands
If you’re planning to relocate to the Netherlands in the long term, finding affordable accommodation can be tricky. If your move to the Netherlands is a result of reassignment by your present employer, it’s possible their local office can help find suitable, affordable accommodation and also request your personal ID number from the...

Expats in Qatar now forbidden to use cryptocurrency

Expats in Qatar now forbidden to use cryptocurrency
If you’re planning to become an expat in Qatar and regularly use digital money or invest in cryptocurrencies, perhaps you should consider another destination. Qatar’s population of 2.6 million includes a large percentage of top-salaried expatriate professionals, making its average per capita income one of the highest in the world....

Facing up to learning German as a newly arrived expat professional

Facing up to learning German as a newly arrived expat professional
British expats heading to Europe seem to believe the English language is spoken fluently across all the EU member states. English may well be the international language of commerce, air transportation and many other professional sectors, but if expats are heading to a new job in Germany they’re in for an unpleasant shock! The country is...

Cambodia offers the cheapest international schools in Asia

Cambodia offers the cheapest international schools in Asia
The Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh’s international school fees are the cheapest in the whole of Asia. A recent survey of the cost to expat parents of an international school education revealed Phnom Penh as providing the least expensive international school education in the region. The International Schools Database guide for...

New expats in Europe may experience unexpected culture shocks

New expats in Europe may experience unexpected culture shocks
Europe’s selection of diverse countries is a smorgasbord of temptations for would-be expats, but working and living on the continent has its own shocks and surprises. Every country in the world has its quirks, with the 27 European Union member states no exception. Discovering them is all part of the expat experience, with those brave...

Older Western expat English teachers welcome in Vietnam

Older Western expat English teachers welcome in Vietnam
If you’re the wrong side of 40 but desperate to become an expat in Southeast Asia, heading to Vietnam might well see your dream come true. Becoming an expat is now widely popular amongst young people, but what if you’re over 40 and desperate to change your life? For younger would-be expats, it’s far easier to simply pick a country,...

Unemployed expat pilots see more opportunities in 2020

Unemployed expat pilots see more opportunities in 2020
Expat pilots looking for jobs in Asia or India could be successful in 2020. Qualified, experienced pilots looking to become expats should have an easier time finding jobs in 2020 due to India’s rapidly growing fleet and two new Thai airlines. Whilst Thailand’s flagship carrier struggles to survive, the Southeast Asian country is...