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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.

Top Portugal Blogs From UK Expats

MoneyTransfers.com have created a list of the Top 20 blogs from UK expats giving their insight into life as an expat in various locations around the world. Here we publish their article listing these blogs with a brief description of each. Originally published by MoneyTransfers.com and re-published here with their agreement….

6 Tips For Helping Your Child Adjust To School Abroad

As a parent, you’ve probably experienced or at least thought about the anxiety surrounding your child’s first day of school. You know that you’re leaving them in good hands, but you can’t help but wonder what their experience will be. A new environment, unfamiliar faces, and tons of new information all at once seem…

How To Say ‘Willing To Relocate’ On Your CV

Prepared to take your career international? Make these CV changes. If you’re willing to relocate internationally for a job, how should you include that in your CV? Well, there are several ways that you can state on your CV that you’re willing to work anywhere in the world, but some methods allow you to be…

Can Poor Indoor Air Quality Increase Asthma Attacks?

With many expats living in locations with increasing levels of pollution and poor indoor air quality what is the impact on health and the likelihood of suffering from asthma? We look at the causes and what you can do to reduce the risk. Written exclusively for Expat Network by Livia Neistat,…

When And How Do I Apply For A Schengen Visa?

Non-EU citizens who have not been granted residence in an EU country, who are planning to enter the EU (and other member countries) for a short visit will need a Schengen Visa. What are the options available and how do you apply? A Schengen visa allows you to enter any of…

6 Tips To Stay Safe When Flying While Pregnant

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its impact on different parts of the world continue to flood our news and social media. You’re probably wondering how COVID-19 could affect your loved ones, especially if you have a young baby or are currently pregnant. On top of that, if you have travel plans coming up, you…

Impact Of Taking On An International Assignment On Mental Health

A major new piece of research* by AXA Global Healthcare has shed light on the impact that working on an international business assignment has upon mental health. Of the 500 international workers who were surveyed in seven different countries, just one-in-ten (10%) said that working abroad has had a negative impact on their mental health….

How To Stop Worrying And Feel Better As An Expat

Are you worried? Are you feeling lonely? Do you work elsewhere and already miss your loved ones? You are not alone. People worry all the time; it is only human to worry. However, if not regulated, mild worrying can easily transition to chronic worrying and eventually cause panic disorder, anxiety, and depression, especially if you…

Child Abduction By Spouse – Precautions and Legal Remedies

Child abduction by one parent from another following marital breakdown can be a harrowing experience. Prevention is preferable as legal remedies can be expensive and difficult. Here Samara Iqbal of Aramas Law explains the legal remedies and practical precautions available. Written exclusively for Expat Network by Samara Iqbal, Director & Solicitor of Aramas Law Ltd …

3 In 4 Agree Restricting Screen Time At Work Would Benefit Their Wellbeing

With more employees currently working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, workers are now more reliant on technology than ever before according to a recent report. The report explores how the use of technology was impacting employee well-being before the pandemic began and reveals how we can make adjustments to our relationship with digital…

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.