expat network

Moving To Portugal – What You Need To Know

Portugal Discovery Tours 2022

Enjoy a tailored tour with someone who knows the area inside out to help you decide the right location for you, who can assist you in planning your move and answer your questions.

How To Open A Restaurant In Another Country

If your dream is to open a restaurant, but you haven’t quite found the perfect opportunity to do so, starting one in a new country may be the right option for you. Opening a restaurant in a completely different country is a little more involved than opening one locally, but it can be an incredibly…

How To Help Your Child Thrive In A New Cultural Or Learning Environment

Adjusting to a new cultural or learning environment can be exciting but also challenging for a child. Whether the change involves moving to a new country, starting at a different school, joining a bilingual program, or transitioning to a new educational system, children often need intentional support to adapt and thrive. Understanding their needs and…

How To Settle Socially And Build A Support Network As An Expat

Moving to a new country brings opportunity discovery and excitement, but it also introduces social challenges that many expats underestimate. New surroundings, unfamiliar customs, and distance from loved ones can make even confident people feel isolated at first. While adjusting takes time, building a strong social foundation early can significantly improve both emotional well-being and…

How Do I Choose The Right Health Insurance Provider As An Expat, And Should I Use A Broker?

Choosing the right healthcare insurance policy can make a real difference to how successfully you start your journey abroad – or whether you start it at all. For expats, it’s as important as picking the right country: health insurance varies depending on many factors (location, lifestyle, family size, etc.), and individual needs differ – students,…

Moving Mid-Month? A Simple Guide To Understanding Your First Rent Payment Abroad

Moving abroad is rarely a neat process. You don’t just land, clear customs, and walk into your new home on the first of the month. The truth of the matter is that flight schedules and visa processing can leave expats standing in a deserted apartment holding a piece of luggage on an irregular date, trying…

What To Do If You Have An Accident While Working Abroad

If you’re a UK-based professional, the prospect of working abroad can be exciting and immensely rewarding career-wise. But what happens if you have an accident while working overseas? Having to navigate unfamiliar healthcare systems, different workplace practices and varying legal protections can be complicated and disorienting during an already difficult period. But knowing the right…

Your Ultimate Moving Abroad Guide

Are you planning to move abroad soon? Moving abroad comes with its share of challenges and excitement. You are effectively leaving everything you know and embarking on a different journey where you will meet different people, cultures, and ways of life. If you are familiar with change, then you understand that…

Moving With Family

Any international move is complicated, but moving with family takes even more planning. The first challenge is to deliver the message to the family. This will require a detailed discussion; they are likely to have a large number of questions but it may not be easy to get them to ask them initially. Children of…

Portuguese Citizenship Law Change: What’s Next & What They May Mean

After several months of debate, the Portuguese Parliament has approved the new Citizenship Law on October 28, 2025. The reform extends the required period of residence to qualify for citizenship from five years to ten years (or seven for citizens of CPLP countries and EU nationals), among other new requirements. Republished with the approval of GetGoldenVisa While this is…

How To Prevent Identity Theft When Relocating Internationally

You are likely to experience identity theft when moving to another country. This is because you connect to many points during relocation, like the airport, hotels, and travel agents. You might want to send copies of your work, travel, and financial documents. You may want to connect to public Wi-Fi to transfer money, pay for…

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.