Expats Head Overseas For Work, Not Play

expat network

Expats Head Overseas For Work, Not Play

While the traditional picture of an expat has long been a retiree enjoying their later years in the sun, the Quality of Life Index from NatWest International Personal Banking (IPB) has seen a significant shift in the type of UK adult choosing to live abroad.

Work rather than play, makes up the motivation for more expats than ever before, as there has been a 265 per cent increase since 2011 of ‘temporary expats’, those who move abroad for a work assignment with the intention of returning eventually. This group now makes up over half of all expats. This increase is in stark contrast to the proportion of ‘permanent’ expats which has halved since 2011 (from 72 per cent to 33 per cent).

In the majority of cases, temporary expats are sent overseas on work assignments, in their role as highly-qualified managers or executives (who make up 87 per cent of temporary expats). These expats see taking a role overseas as essential career experience. The average time spent abroad on assignment is three years.

Due to the growing diversity in management positions of global businesses, the number of female expats has also increased significantly since 2011 (116 per cent), as women also begin to take senior roles overseas, in order to boost their careers. The growing number of expats motivated by their careers has also seen the proportion of young British people living abroad grow over the last few years (by 162 per cent since 2011), with those aged 25-35 now making up 27 per cent of all expats.

Different types of expats not only have decidedly different motivations for living abroad but also attitudes to their new home. Permanent expats are much more likely to totally immerse themselves in their host culture (98 per cent versus 11 per cent of temporary expats) and do not on the whole even consider themselves as ‘expats’, preferring to see themselves citizens of their adopted home.

Temporary expats, meanwhile, are much more likely to be focused on practical tools to help with their day-to-day lives. More than two out of five temporary expats, for instance, can speak a foreign language compared to just four per cent of people who choose to live abroad permanently.

Moving Abroad Checklist

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.