expat network
insurance plan

What Benefits Can You Get From A Top-Up Insurance Plan?

While we all understand the importance of health insurance, many people are hesitant to buy one for fear of high premiums. For those who are looking to obtain better health coverage at a minimum cost, top-up insurance is a great way to enhance and extend your benefits. Here Pacific Prime UK, take a closer look...

international health insurance

Cost Of An International Health Insurance Plan

Healthcare costs are rising everywhere in the world and no matter where you are living, healthcare is a priority. Some factors are unavoidable but there are ways to manage the cost of your healthcare.  International Insurance set out what impacts the costs and what decisions you can make to control the cost. Written by Joe...

property in france

Financing A Property in France

Whether you are planning to buy a holiday or investment property or are moving to France to live and are buying your main residence you need to consider the best options for funding your purchase. Here we set out how the French property market works and the options available to borrowers. Sources of funding...

non-lucrative visa

Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa: A Good Option For Those Retiring To Spain

Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain provided they are able to support themselves financially. It is used by those planning to retire to Spain and is an option for British retirees and other people who do not plan to work in Spain now that the UK is no longer a member...

renting property in Spain

What You Need To Know Before Renting Property In Spain

There are many advantages to renting rather than buying in Spain and it is worth considering renting initially even if you plan to buy. How do you find a rental property, what are your options and how does the rental process work? Here we set out what you need to know before renting in Spain...

Is The Cost Of Living Still Low In Portugal?

Portugal has traditionally been seen as enjoying a low cost of living – a compelling reason for retiring there. But low prices do not apply across the board, and the reality is that – apart from in certain key sectors – Portugal is not a particularly cheap country to live in any more. In common...

healthcare in portugal

Healthcare In Portugal

Access to the Portuguese health system is based on residence. Everyone who’s registered as a resident can also register to access the Portuguese national health service (SNS) on the same basis as a Portuguese citizen. This is the same if you’re employed, self-employed or not working. Here we outline how expats can access healthcare in...

mortgage in spain

Getting A Mortgage In Spain – A Property Buyer’s Guide

Although the Spanish property market and mortgage process may be different from what you are used to at home, it is possible for foreigners and expats to buy and get a mortgage in Spain. However not all banks – and certainly not all mortgage brokers – follow the procedures of the recently regulated mortgage market...

opening a bank account in america

Banking in America

When opening a bank account in America, you will want to consider the wide range of options with different variations on basic checking and savings accounts, and the ability to link accounts. Terms and services may vary widely between the different providers. According to Forbes Americas largest banks are: JP Morgan Chase Bank of America...

healthcare

Accessing Healthcare When You Retire Abroad

Retiring abroad is a major decision and one of the key issues if we are to get the best out of life in retirement wherever we are is access to good quality healthcare. The accessibility of healthcare should be one of the key factors in the decision on where to retire. There can be a...

state pension

How To Claim The UK State Pension Abroad

You can continue to claim your State Pension when you decide to retire abroad, provided you have paid enough UK National Insurance contributions to qualify. If you have not yet started receiving your pension you can get a State Pension statement to tell you how much State Pension you may get In order to claim...

Non-Lucrative Visa

A Guide To Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa

Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain provided they are able to support themselves financially. It is used by those planning to retire to Spain and other people who do not plan to work in Spain. You have to become tax resident in Spain and it can be renewed for up to...