There are many factors that will decide where to live in New Zealand.   For most the work that you will be doing will determine where you will be living.  Wherever you live you will be close to the stunning scenery and have access to an outdoor lifestyle.  The cities around the country have rather different...

Financing is of course a key thing to consider when you are looking to purchase a property abroad. If you are unable to purchase the property from your own funds you will need to identify options to obtain a mortgage. There are basically three options: 1. Remortgage your home – This can be the easiest...

Buying property in New Zealand is generally quick, efficient and safe. It takes four to six weeks from offer to moving in, and is relatively inexpensive compared to most European countries. There are few restrictions on foreigners buying property there, although ownership certainly does not guarantee residency rights. It is worth mentioning though, that buying/building...

Portuguese estate agents must be licensed and qualified, so ask to see their INCI certificate and AMI licence. With typical agent fees of more than 5%, private sales are common – look out for boards saying vende-se or para venda. By Christopher Nye Among Portugal’s largest online property portals are casa.sapo.pt and imovirtual.com, or a...

Renting property in New Zealand is a very good option for those who are only staying for a limited period.  It is also a good option when you first arrive to allow you to get to know the local property market before considering buying a home. The Department of Building and Housing has standard agreements...

There are so many decisions to make and things to plan when you’re moving abroad, so we’re here to make at least one of those things easier for you – choosing somewhere to rent. It can be difficult enough renting in your own country, so throw different customs and languages into the mix and you’ve...

Step one is to get your professionals lined up and ready. That should certainly include a lawyer who is independent of the estate agent or developer whose property you are viewing, who is qualified and who is a specialist in property in Spain and land law, known as urbanismo. By Christopher Nye It is also...

The property buying system in France is completely different to what you might experience elsewhere. It is better regulated than in many countries, making a purchase safer, but more expensive. For a start, agents (immobilier) are licensed. They will have a Carte Professionnelle, be professionally insured and work under the Loi Hoguet, their code of conduct. They may...

Whatever reason you have for taking the plunge and moving abroad, there’s a lot of planning that goes into it. One of the most important things you should arrange before you make the big move is where you are going to live. But, how does renting accommodation in Portugal compare to your home country? Written...

Retirement abroad is increasingly popular, with over one million British expats having their pension paid overseas. It is less common for citizens of the US to retire abroad, but there are around 550,000 Americans who receive their social security benefits abroad. Non-EU citizens can obtain a long-stay visa for retirement in France, which allows you...

An international move can be an intimidating prospect as well as an exciting time.  Moving your life and belongings to another country is a challenge but here are some tips to help to make sure the move goes smoothly. As an expat, a house move can be one of the most wonderful things you can...

The stamp duty holiday granted by the Chancellor in July 2020 ends in March 2021.  Here One Touch Investment look in depth at the impact this has had on the buy to let market and what is likely to happen after the stamp duty holiday ends. Written exclusively for Expat Network by One Touch Investment. ...