Portugal is divided into seven provinces or regions with the enchanting city of Porto and a craggy landscape of montanhas e serras in the frequently chilly north, and the balmy coastline of the Algarve in the south. Whilst the Algarve is possibly the best known region in Portugal, there is much else to explore and...

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...

In the Covid environment it seems travel to Australia over the next 12 months will continue to be restricted to people with a valid Travel Exemption. Interstaff set out what employers and visa applicants/holders need to know. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 20 October, 2020   When is it possible to apply for an international Travel Exemption?  At this time, Travel Exemptions are...

British boarding schools are more popular than ever before, and an increasing number of young people from Portugal are taking advantage of cheap and plentiful flights to attend schools in the UK, where they make the most of a broad education in a modern, cosmopolitan environment, and leave ready to take on the world. Written...

One of the key reasons many expats move abroad is to realise their dreams of living a better quality of life and gaining financial independence. By choosing to work in a low tax environment, expats willingly make a choice to live and work away in order to help realise not only their own dreams but...

Many of us have a clear idea of where we would like to retire, but there are many factors to consider.  You may have had many happy holidays in one part of the world, but that does not necessarily mean it is the best place to spend your retirement.  Costs, taxes, environment, community and what...

Deciding to move your life to a different country is a huge step and not one to be taken lightly. From learning a foreign language to country politics and environmental quality, there are a number of factors to take into account when you first start looking at a potential country to call home. Written exclusively...

Given the close proximity of northern Africa to the Portuguese mainland, approximately 200km across the eastern Atlantic, it is not surprising that Portugal has one of the warmest climates in Europe, with summer temperatures in the south of the country averaging around 28C (18C annually) and 20C in the north (15C annually). Portugal has a...

Australia has consistently been the top destination of choice for British long-term migrants (i.e. people leaving the UK for longer than one year) for more than two decades, with an average of more than 30,000 heading down under every year. World Bank figures say there were over 1.2 million UK-born citizens resident in Australia as...

Research has shown that 30 per cent of expats said that they relocated for better career opportunities and a quarter listed increased pay and benefits. A further 15 per cent relocated for an improved work/life balance. The research, by global healthcare provider AXA, also found that 14 per cent moved for a better environment to...

If your expat assignment takes you to Africa, why not travel to these recommended places in your time off? Get away from your work assignment and truly explore your new environment, its culture and unique sights. Marrakech, Morocco The Travellers’ Choice #1 Destination in the world, Marrakech is a magical place, brimming with markets, gardens,...

If your expat assignment takes you to USA, why not travel to these recommended places in your time off? Get away from your work assignment and truly explore your new environment, its culture and unique sights. Charleston, South Carolina Charleston is known for great food (you won’t find better grits – ground-corn porridge – on...