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.

How Fluctuating Exchange Rates Can Affect The Price Of An Overseas Property

The foreign currency market is the largest and most traded financial market in the world, with more than $6 trillion traded each day, and over 80% of the foreign currency trading is for speculation purposes. The main drivers that influence exchange rate movements are economic and geo-political events, and technical trading by investment banks. These…

5 Essential Tips For Expats Starting A Freelancing Career Abroad

As an expat starting a freelancing career abroad, you may feel overwhelmed by the many challenges that come with this lifestyle. Freelancing requires self-discipline, the ability to manage your time, and a commitment to developing a robust network of clients and contacts in your new country. However, with proper planning and execution, you can create…

How To Acclimatise To Heat – FAST

Already this year, Portugal and Spain have seen their hottest April temperatures since records began. The overseas living experts from YourOverseasHome.com have compiled a list of seven tips to help families stay comfortable and safe in the heat – from loading up on electrolytes, to turning DOWN the air con. Christopher Nye, overseas living expert…

Moving Pets to Portugal

When taking a pet from an EU country or from non-EU countries into Portugal the EU rules apply. This requires vaccination against rabies to be documented in the pet passport or the animal health certificate. This is the sole requirement for dogs, cats and ferrets to travel across EU borders, with certain exceptions. Pets…

New Data Dispels ‘Brits Abroad’ Cliché As More Expats Look For Richer Cultural Experiences

A new survey conducted by overseas property consultants at YourOverseasHome.com reveals that prospective expats are looking to embed themselves in the culture of their new home country, as most want to live amongst the locals abroad and learn the language of the country they’re buying in. The survey gained over 4,000 responses from people who…

How To Streamline The Process Of Moving To A New Home

Moving to a new country across the world can be both an exciting and overwhelming experience. From packing up your belongings and saying goodbye to friends and family, to filling out all the paperwork for transferring utilities — the process of moving internationally can become quite complicated. However, being organized ahead of time can make…

The Portuguese Language & Integration

The Portuguese language is the sixth-most widely spoken in the world, with some 230 million people using it as their native tongue (190 million in its former colony Brazil). It is the official language of eight countries on four continents and is the third most spoken European language after English and Spanish. It is not…

Researching Life Abroad: Why Reviews From Local Expats Can Help

Moving abroad is an exciting adventure that captures the imagination. The lure of exotic new lands, fascinating cultures and a life less ordinary is tempting. Who hasn’t daydreamed about leaving routine behind for something new? However, transforming a dream into reality requires some careful research beforehand. Diving into life in a new country without truly…

Getting Connected in Portugal

How to get telephone and internet connections in Portugal. Telephone The main provider of telephone lines in Portugal is the formerly government-owned Portugal Telecom. Most other providers of telephone and internet services run their service through Portugal Telecom’s lines. Portugal Telecom will provide a telephone line or if one is already in place you will…

European Workation: The Best European Beach Cities To Live And Play In This Summer

Europe’s gorgeous beaches, stunning architecture, rich history and delicious cuisine have always been main points of attraction for travellers from America. Researchers at CoworkingCafe wanted to find the best European beach cities for American remote workers and digital nomads to work and play in this summer. To find the best destination for a European workation,…

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.