Expat Money Newsletter - February 2017

Expat Money: Buying Property

Welcome to the Expat Money Newsletter for February. We are once again focusing on the personal finance issues that matter to you as an expat, or would-be expat.

In this month’s edition we focus on the property purchase process in different countries and introduce a new guide to moving to Spain.

We also look at how expats’ savings are protected if their financial institution goes bust.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter. I welcome your thoughts on other topics you would like us to cover. Or do you have your own tale to tell or question to ask about expat money? Let me know.

Feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who you think may benefit from reading it. Just click on Forward to a friend or colleague below.

Iain Yule

Editorial & Publishing Director
Expat Network
iain@expatnetwork.com

Buying Property 1: Know The Rules In Different Countries

Expat Network has put together a range of guides to purchasing property in different parts of the world. The rules differ substantially from country to country, so it’s best to be fully informed of the system you will encounter where you are intending to buy.

Buying Property 2: Guide To Buying In Spain

Your Guide To Living In Spain by Expat Network provides guidance on the issues you will need to address as you plan your move, whether that is to retire, buy a second property or simply enjoy a whole new life in Spain. Your Guide To Living In Spain (priced £4.99 on Amazon) is available to download, free of charge.

How Are Expat Savings Protected?

When you have worked hard to build up your savings, it is important to understand what level of protection you will receive in the event the financial institution is unable to repay your money. For peace of mind you should establish what investor protection you have with each of your banks, and how it works.

Do New Buy-To-Let Rules Affect UK Expat Buyers?

Rules on UK lending introduced by the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority limit the amount expat buy-to-let property investors and landlords can borrow on new mortgages. The new rules are designed to slow the demand for UK buy-to-let investment by demanding buyers raise larger deposits.

Sponsored: Premiums Cut On Expat Contractor Health Plan

As expat insurance specialists, Bellwood Prestbury have negotiated reductions of up to 25% on the Contractors International Health Plan. The new rates deliver savings of 25% for contractors aged up to 49 years and 20% for anyone over the age of 50. The plan offers a range of medical insurance options designed for expats working in the oil & gas, energy, aviation, engineering, security, NGO, humanitarian, telecommunications and technology industries. Get a quote now.

Best Savings Rates In Expat Banking

The best current offering for sterling offshore savers is Standard Bank’s 1.2%, if you have £10,000 and can give 196 days’ notice of withdrawals. The only way to beat these rates is to lock your money away for longer. If you can leave at least £10,000 untouched until March 2020 then 1.75% annual interest is on offer from Skipton International.

For dollars, Standard Bank pays 1.05% for $10,000 or more, with 196 days’ notice. Standard Bank is also best for euros, paying 0.15% for €10,000 or more, with 196 days’ notice.

Understanding Expat Medical Insurance

A new website, expathealthcare.com, provides fully-independent answers to the many questions you may raise as an expat about making sure you are healthy – and have proper insurance cover – while overseas.

Expathealthcare.com is a resource you can use to find out all about healthcare and insurance cover for expats, what you need to know and where to find assistance.

Your Expat Money Questions Answered

If you have a question about your expat personal finances, don’t hesitate to drop us a line. Our expert expat money panel is ready to answer any questions you have. They have already assisted with many expat money queries.

Read Your Free Expat Living Magazine

The Winter edition of Expat Living magazine is now available to read completely free of charge. You can learn about life in Singapore and Spain, property purchase in Australasia, insurance for danger zones, and how to buy foreign currency wisely.

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