Portuguese customs require that the owner of goods be present in Portugal before your the shipment arrives for inspection, and that the shipment arrive no later than 90 days from the date of the owner’s arrival. All household effects and furniture belonging to those relocating to Portugal are admitted duty-free, if proof can be presented...

If you are moving to Spain from another Member State you can move goods freely within the EU, without import duties, commercial restrictions, or customs requirements. However, if you are moving from outside the EU the requirements are more extensive. Documents Required For Entry When moving to Spain, you will need: Prohibited Items In Spain,...

Everyone entering the US has to complete the Customs and Border Protection Form (CBP Form) 6059B, “Customs Declaration,” for accompanying goods. If your goods are arriving separately you will need to complete the CBP Form 3299 “Declaration For Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. “You cannot simply give a statement that the goods are “household effects”, but will need...

Household and personal goods may be shipped into France from another European Union (EU) country without customs formalities, although an inventory must be presented. A non-EU resident planning on moving to France is also allowed furniture and personal effects free of duty, provided the items have be owned and used for at least six months...

Healthcare in France has a reputation for being high quality. The public health system is made up of a network of public and private services from doctors, hospitals, and specialist providers. State healthcare in France is not free. Healthcare costs are covered by both the state and through patient co-payments. Here we set out how...

In the USA driving is an essential part of the culture. This is partly driven by the practicality of getting around in a country so large and partly a function of the lifestyle. In some of the major cities there is an extensive public transport system, but the cities are all served by extensive multi-lane...

If you are visiting America you may qualify for the visa waiver program, but if you are moving to America there are a wide range of options for non-immigrant and immigrant visas depending on the reason for your move. Passports All visitors to the United States must hold a valid passport that expires six months...

Visitors taking up residence in Spain may import household goods and furnishings and personal effects free from duty and VAT if the items have been used for at least sixmonths for a citizen of a non-EU country. They must have a certificate of change of residence issued by the shipper’s Embassy/Consulate at origin, stating that...

Pets entering Spain must be fitted with an ISO microchip for identification. Citizens of EU countries should bring their pets’ passports. What are the rules for British pets now that we are no longer members of the EU? If you have a pet passport issued by Spain or another EU member state, you can use...

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...

Becoming a digital nomad is an increasingly popular option and the pandemic has made many people digital nomads as they work from home even if they are unfamiliar with the term.  Here I share my experience of moving to Spain to take advantage of my ability to live as a digital nomad. Written by Nigel...

Citizen-based taxation of US expats is a controversial subject and the annual survey carried out by Greenback Expat Tax Services shows it is the major issue for expats and is the major reason causing growing numbers to consider renunciation of their US citizenship. Nine million US expats live and work abroad, but since they...