specialist - Expat Network

expat network

High Risk Insurance For An Increasingly Volatile World

Standard travel insurance does not generally cover you for high risk areas, such as warzones, crisis and disaster relief zones and specialist providers have developed to meet the need. Kidnap and ransom can happen anywhere, but there are higher risks in some areas, and policies to support you and pay the ransom, if the need...

Brexit Fears Give Expat Property Investors The Edge

According to Offshoreonline, the specialist expat and international mortgage broker, Brexit is creating an opportunity for expat and international investors in the UK market as the uncertainties are causing property price rises to slow and even reverse in some areas of the UK. Written by Offshoreonline for Expat Network Brexit is causing many UK property...

Silver Lining To Brits Leaving Spain

Overseas mortgage specialist, Simon Conn, sees potential opportunities from reports that a number of British residents are leaving Spain. Spain’s National Statistics Institute’s provisional figures indicate a drop from 293,475 in 2017 to 285,698 in 2018. This follows a drop of 5,827 in 2017 over 2016. With the uncertainties of Brexit it is likely that...

Who Will Succeed As An Expat?

A new report which identifies the personal characteristics of successful expatriates has been published by assessment specialist cut‑e, to help multinational employers choose the right people for international assignments. Do you fit the bill? Called Predicting who will be a successful expatriate, the report follows a research study involving 35 expatriates as well as their...

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.