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...

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...

Relocating anywhere can be challenging, but moving to Germany might seem more rigid due to all the German paperwork you have to go through and, yes, the language. However, if you follow this checklist step-by-step, you will have everything you need to get started and quickly settle in – from health insurance to phone 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...

Singapore with its tropical climate, dynamic multicultural environment is one of the leading financial centres in the world.  It attracts many people to live, work and invest there and each year around 30,000 people receive Permanent Residence and there are around 530,000 living there with PR status out of a total population of 5.7 million....

Australia’s permanent migration intake has fallen to its lowest level since 2008 with only 160,323 permanent residence visas granted in 2018-19, according to recent Department of Home Affairs statistics. In 2019/20 and over the next four years, we can expect this figure to plateau with Australia’s new planning cap formally set at 160,000 permanent visas...

The Government has introduced legislation for Australia’s new Skilled Regional Visa options, which will require migrants to work for three years in regional areas before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 18 April, 2019 Currently, migrants can directly apply for permanent residence in regional areas through the Subclass 187...

Parent visas, which allow parents to join their permanently resident child or children to join them in Australia are in great demand but they have been subject to long wait times and high costs.  This is now an issue getting attention in Australian politics.  Interstaff set out the current political developments. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff...

As an expat you are often in your best-earning years while overseas, so you need to make sure you are saving and investing tax-efficiently and getting good advice from people who understand your residence and tax situation.  Here are some issues to consider. Residence Residence is a key issue when determining whether you are...

Businesses have long been advocating for more flexible migration laws to accommodate for labour shortages in regional areas – and it looks like the Government is listening. As part of its focus on alleviating population pressures in Sydney and Melbourne, various regional migration agreements are being fast-tracked across the country. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 19...

Over half a million people receive some kind of Social Security benefit abroad, including retired and disabled workers, as well as spouses, widows, widowers, and children. If you retire abroad you can receive your Social Security payments outside the United States as long as you are eligible and live in a country where payment is...

A visa is not required for stays of up to three months for EU nationals and those coming from visa-exempted countries.  Visas available are single-entry visas (valid for one month), transit visas (24 hours) and multiple-entry visas (one year). Any non-EU foreigner planning to work in Malta must have an employment licence (formerly known as...