Top resources for expats planning and moving overseas

Moving Abroad With Your Pet

Deciding whether to take your pet with you can be a difficult decision. As part of the family, many want to take them with them, but there can be issues that should be considered. Questions to ask include: what is the climate and where will you be living (an apartment or a house)? Are there…

Renting Or Buying Property Abroad

When deciding whether to rent or buy property when you move to a new country, your choice will depend on a number of factors. Things to be taken into account include: the expected length of stay; local market factors; whether you are travelling alone, as a couple or as a family; available budget; whether you…

Sell, Store Or Ship When Moving Abroad?

There are many questions when you are moving abroad and for many there is no right answer. One of these will be whether to take things with you or buy or rent when you get there. The answer is, of course, it all depends… The first point is how long you are going to be…

Shipping A Vehicle Abroad

There are many decisions to take when you move abroad and one of these will be whether to sell or store your car and buy in your new country or take your car with you. Although shipping a vehicle is not as expensive as it once was there are many factors to consider. Make sure…

Getting Connected In Spain

How to get telephone and internet connections in Spain Movistar (formerly known as Telefonica) is the main national provider of telephone services in Spain. Other providers can offer telephone and internet services, but they will be delivered through lines provided by Movistar as they are the only company authorised to install landlines in Spain. There…

Getting A Mobile Phone In Spain

Getting a mobile phone can be the best way to start getting connected when you first arrive in Spain as you will need a contact number when you apply for a telephone landline. If you are moving within the EU you can now use your calling plan anywhere in the EU, but there are benefits…

Getting A Social Security Number In Spain

Anyone who works or studies in Spain is required to have a social security number. This number (número de afiliación de la seguridad social) gives you access to the social security services and healthcare in Spain. Social security is generally paid for by the employer. Once you have been entered into the system the number…

Applying For Residence In Spain

Understand how to apply for and maintain residence in Spain An NIE (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero) and a Tarjeta de Residencia (residency card) is required if you intend to stay in Spain for more than 90 days. It is possible to stay without applying for residence, but it is required for many purposes, including…

Finding Expat Schools In New Zealand

Many expat families opt to place their children in one of New Zealand’s excellent public or private schools. There are more than 20 schools in New Zealand, most in the Auckland area, that offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. Some are private and some are state-sponsored. More than a dozen schools offer the Primary Years Programme, one…

Finding Expat Schools In France

When deciding between a French school and an international school, parents have several factors to consider. A local school offers the advantages of acquiring fluency in French, broader acquaintanceships with French children and their culture. Young children typically adapt well to the French system, becoming comfortable within a matter of months. For older students, the…