expat network

Moving to France – What You Need to Know

So, you are moving to France!

Whether you are emigrating, taking a short term assignment or joining family in France we have put together the information you will need to make your move a smooth one.

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7 Tips for Coping With Expat Depression

It is widespread for expats to lack the proper mental health care coverage abroad. Some locations even lack access to mental health professionals and institutions for everyone, not just expats. And even if you end up in a place where counseling is available, like a school in case you are studying abroad, it’s most likely only going…

Organising Your Retirement To France

Retirement abroad is increasingly popular, with over one million British expats having their pension paid overseas. It is less common for citizens of the US to retire abroad, but there are around 550,000 Americans who receive their social security benefits abroad. Non-EU citizens can obtain a long-stay visa for retirement in France, which allows you…

How To Find The Right Type Of Job Search That Works For Expats

Expats are often faced with different experiences in their job search. While companies may be fighting to recruit some intelligent minds out there, some other job seekers may have to put up a valiant effort to find a good fit. Many expat job seekers employ different means to look for available vacancies in their…

Half Of Overseas Owners Plan To Work From Their European Holiday Homes

50% of people buying abroad are now considering working from their European holiday homes, new research reveals. In a survey of nearly 600 home hunters conducted by overseas property experts Your Overseas Home, half of respondents said they may work from their holiday home once they’ve found their ideal property – proof that a home…

Why Expat Families Should Stick To Their Family Rituals?

When moving to another country and wanting to build a life there, you must adapt to numerous completely new things. Those could be a new language, school or working environment, manners, food, roles in society, and so on. However, as much as adapting can sound good, it’s crucial to maintain a balance. Fitting in is…

How To Write A Resume For An International Career

Resume expectations differ significantly in various countries and regions around the world, so it’s important to prepare your resume for the specific country where you hope to work. Research the resume customs of your target region, check out resume examples to help you get started, and adjust your resume accordingly to maximize your chances…

How To Explain A Gap In Your CV

There can be many reasons why you have a gap in your CV and many try to hide the reasons feeling it will reduce their chances of getting the next job even if the gap was for a valid reason. How should you deal with the career break? Illness, accident, caring…

Digital Nomad Visas Prompt Continued Interest In European Property

New data released today from overseas property portal Kyero.com shows increased interest in European property from overseas buyers in the first three months of 2022, which it partly attributes to the rise of digital nomads looking to work overseas post-Covid, and new visas being introduced encouraging them to do so. …

5 Reasons TEFL Is The Perfect Job For Expats

Teaching English abroad has been a popular option for travellers for a number of years, but now more than ever it is a good time to make TEFL work for you. If you’re living in Thailand, Turkey or Tunisia, here are five reasons teaching English as a foreign language is the perfect job for…

Why Should You Look After Your Body and Health?

No matter how minor your health problems are, they can obstruct or even overwhelm other aspects of your life. Even simple health conditions like aches, pains, fatigue, and indigestion can have a negative impact on your happiness and stress levels. One option for increasing your capacity to manage stress and feel better is to…

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.