expat network
nhs

Living Abroad – Can I Get Free NHS Healthcare When Visiting The UK?

One of our members who lives in The Philippines asked whether they could still access the services of the NHS as a British passport holder.  I have been living and working outside the UK for a number of years but plan to visit family in the UK and wanted to know whether I can make use...

Portugal Property

Portugal Property Market Set For Strong Growth

The prospects for the Portugal property market in 2019 after a strong 2018 look encouraging.  This is despite the reduction in investment from British buyers. In 2008 60% of buyers on the Algarve originated from the UK and Ireland according to Knight Frank.  Demand from Britain has been in slight decline with the uncertainties over...

mortgage

Can I Get A Mortgage As An Expat?

When living and working abroad many British expats want to retain an interest in the UK property market by investing in a buy-to-let property to get a good return or they buy a property for their family or to leave empty so that it is ready for them when they return home.  Expats from other...

competition

Missing The Tastes Of Home? COMPETITION To Win A British Gift Box!

What do British Expats miss the most about home? Whilst expats are generally motivated by the lure of adventure, opportunity and new lifestyles and experiences, most do come to miss those little things that we all take granted. Culture, history, sense of humour and even the weather are things Brits often cite as things they miss about...

brexit

Brexit – Increasing Uncertainty For British Expats In The EU

British expats face continuing uncertainty in the light of the increasing risks of a no deal Brexit and the Brexit Select Committee has called on EU leaders to guarantee the rights of British expats in Europe. Many British expats fear that they stand to lose their rights to live and work in member states if...

pension pots

British Pensioners Could Face £10bn Being Wiped From Pension Pots

According to an analysis conducted by financial advisory consultancy, Hoxton Capital Management, the average pension pot of over-65 Britons living abroad has reached £210,000. In volatile years, they report, currency market fluctuations removed as much as 20% from British pensioners’ spending power. Based on the amount of British citizens aged 65 and over living in...

schools

Schools In Canada

Schools in Canada are administered by the individual provinces and generally have a good reputation.  With a good standard of education there are options in state and private schools for expats. State Education The provinces and territories of Canada are responsible for education at elementary and secondary levels as well as technical and vocational education. ...

Implications of the Joint Agreement for British Expats

The recent breakthrough in the Brexit negotiations has given some clarity to the question of expat rights. Jason Porter of Blevins Franks commented, ‘A landmark agreement has been reached in Brexit talks which should cement the rights of UK citizens resident in other EU countries. The most important aspect is obviously the right to reside, but...

New Mortgage Range For British Expats

Offshore bank Skipton International has launched a new range of mortgages for British expats. The Guernsey-based bank is offering two new fixed rates For borrowers looking for a remortgage of £300,000 or more, the rate is fixed at 3.99% for five years. Smaller loans between £100,000 and £300,000 come with the higher rate of 4.49%...

New Options For Expats Seeking Insurance Cover

Research by life insurance advisers Unusual Risks shows that 28% of UK insurance companies offer life insurance products to British expats. Only 7% of providers are prepared to accept an application for critical illness cover from expats. The figure for life insurance was a significant increase from the previous year’s finding of 16% and indicates...

British Expats With Sterling Incomes Feel The Pinch

Greater economic uncertainty has contributed to the pound declining in value against the majority of major currencies in the past year, according to latest research from Lloyds Private Banking. Over the past 12 months, the pound has fallen in value – to varying degrees – against 56 of the 60 currencies analysed. This followed a...

Time For British Expats To Buy Property Back Home?

With the pound trading at an historic low against the world’s major currencies, now may be a good time for British expats to consider investing in property back home, according to property investment firm Benoit Properties International. With a significant shortage of supply in the UK property market, prices and rents are rising steadily, say...