expat network
guide to EU visas

A guide to EU visas and residency permits for Britons

A guide to EU visas and residency permits for Britons thinking of buying a holiday home in Europe or retiring to the sun. How much money you will need? By Jason Porter, director of specialist expat financial advice firm Blevins Franks and head of its European Emigration Advisory Service. The majority of UK nationals who...

Global Healthcare Benefit Cost Increases Projected To Continue Into 2024

High costs are likely to remain with nearly three in five insurers expecting larger increases over the next three years. Global medical care benefit cost increases, as reported by health insurers, show little to no decline in 2024, one year after hitting a historic double-digit inflation, according to a survey by WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), a...

NHR

Does the demise of NHR mean Portugal is no longer attractive for UK retirees?

The non-habitual resident (NHR) scheme, which has proved so popular with UK retirees, is due to come to an end at the end of 2023. By Jason Porter, director of specialist expat financial planning firm Blevins Franks In 2009, the Portuguese government introduced a unique tax regime for those who moved there. The non-habitual resident...

Moving To Italy

Why Moving To Italy Could Be Good For Your Wallet

Moving to Italy could be a seriously smart move for workers, retirees and high net worth individuals (HNWIs) looking to make their money stretch further. According to the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK, there are three special tax regimes that are serving to attract a diverse range of individuals from different...

Best Expat Locations

What Are The Best Expat Locations If You Want A Safe, Low-Crime Environment?

When looking for global locations to move to, you will want to consider various factors, such as the place’s natural beauty, the cost of living, and the amenities that are available. One other factor that may be high on your priority list is safety. If you want a safe, low-crime environment, here are some of...

Mental Health

Young Expats Struggling The Most With Mental Health – Is Social Media The Cause?

Research by AXA has revealed that as many as two in five (41%) young expats aged 18-24 are negatively impacted mentally by social media and tech addiction. AXA – Global Healthcare has reviewed the Mind Health Index, looking at how young expats are affected by social media. The research found that those who report a negative...

The Most Family-Friendly European City

Vienna Revealed As The Most Family-Friendly European City

A new survey, commissioned by life insurance broker, Reassured, has revealed the top cities in Europe for families, with Vienna as the most family-friendly European city, and Austria ranking as the best country overall.  The survey looked at a range of metrics, such as average cost of a 3 bed, average monthly costs, number of...

Portugal’s favourable expat tax regime

Portugal’s favourable expat tax-regime remains in place despite reports to the contrary.

It has recently been suggested in the press that Portugal’s favourable expat tax-regime for British residents has come to a close, but this is not so. Analysis by Jason Porter, director of specialist expat financial planning firm Blevins Franks Arrivals to Portugal who have not been resident there in the previous five years can still...

pay less tax on your pension

How to retire to Europe and pay less tax on your pension

When thinking about retiring to Europe, it is worth considering where you will pay the least tax on your pension. Your pension is likely to be your primary source of income in retirement and it pays to be aware of the different tax regimes in place in the most favoured European retirement destinations. This analysis...

Inheritance Tax

Can UK Taxpayers Escape Inheritance Tax By Moving Overseas?

With the UK government taking in record amounts of inheritance tax (IHT) and associated penalties, how will your domicile affect your tax position? Can you escape inheritance tax and pass on your estate as you wish? Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts by the UK government from April to July 2023 were £2.6 billion – up £200...

pet owners

The Best Places For Pet Owners To Live In Europe

The UK is a nation of pet lovers. In fact, 77% of households with children are pet owners. For many of us, life without our four-legged friends would be no kind of life at all. So, for those who fancy trying life abroad, where are the best, safest and healthiest cities and countries to move...

retiring abroad

Eight taxing mistakes made by Britons retiring abroad

Britons considering retiring abroad need to give plenty of thought to planning their finances, in order to avoid making costly mistakes. Here are eight important subjects to think about – well in advance of making the move. By Jason Porter, director of specialist expat financial advisory firm Blevins Franks British expatriates need to know when...