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.

What Happens To NHS If Expats Return to UK?

The NHS could face a bill of almost half a billion pounds if retired British people currently living in other EU countries decide to return to the UK in the event that their right to healthcare in those countries is withdrawn after Brexit. This figure could be substantially higher if the NHS has to pay…

A Quick Guide To Portugal’s ‘D’ Visas

Portugal has become an increasingly popular destination for expats over the past few years, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a beautiful country with property tending to be available at a price cheaper than the average of the UK or US equivalents. The cost of living is also cheaper than the majority of…

Moving Your Household Goods To Portugal From Outside The EU

There are many factors to take into account when moving your household goods to Portugal. You need to decide what you should take with you and then decide the best way of getting it there. For large consignments an international removals company, for a few boxes you may be able to take them yourselves…

How Brexit Has Restricted Movement Of Personal Goods From UK To EU

The landmark decision of the UK to leave the European Union (EU) and the unwelcome arrival of COVID-19 have both changed life as we know it. If you’re planning to move to an EU country and wish to view a property, the good news is that it’s still possible, only you’ll have to think…

Use Portugal’s D7 Passive Income Visa To Retire To The Sun

For those wanting to retire to the sun Portugal offers a great quality of life, a low cost of living as well as the attractive Non-Habitual Residence Scheme to reduce the taxes due on your overseas pension or other income. Portugal’s Passive Income Visa gives non-EU citizens an option to gain residence in Portugal. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss…

A Guide For Expats To Finding A Job And Working In Portugal

Portugal offers a wonderful climate, welcoming culture and lifestyle and can be a great place to work for a time. There are a range of options depending on where you are in your career and what you are looking for. In this article we look at the issues around finding a job and working in…

Strategic Financial Planning For Living In Portugal

Check your financial planning is on track to meet your needs and protect your family’s long-term financial security in Portugal this year. A key reason to review your wealth management is to check it’s all up to date. You need to establish whether any changes in tax rules, financial regulations, or your own personal circumstances…

How Expats Can Benefit From Self-Storage

People frequently encounter various difficulties when they relocate to a new nation for employment, education, or other reasons. Discovering a location to keep their possessions is one of the biggest obstacles. Storage presents specific difficulties for expats in particular. Making a long-term rental commitment may be challenging since you may not be certain how long…

young Brits looking for overseas property

Cost Of Living Crisis Prompts Increase In Young Brits Looking For Property Abroad

New data has shown a 31% increase in young British people (aged 18-24) looking for overseas property in Europe in the last three months of 2022 vs the same period in 2021, as the cost of living crisis in the UK, combined with growing unaffordability of UK housing appears to be prompting more young people…

Preparing Your LinkedIn Profile For An International Move

LinkedIn is one of the most important sources of new roles today. When moving abroad it is important to ensure your LinkedIn profile gives the right message. This infographic from Hansen & Company gives top tips on preparing your LinkedIn profile for an international move.

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.