January 2020 Emigrate News Archive

Archived Daily Emigrate UK News...

Hamura’s small town tranquility attracts expats working in Tokyo

Hamura’s small town tranquility attracts expats working in Tokyo
If you’re relocating to a challenging new position in Tokyo and are worried about getting lost in the giant metropolis, living in Hamura might be the answer. For the average Western expat, adjusting to Tokyo can be anything from fascinating to terrifying, but the region’s amazing transport options mean no-one has to live in its centre...

Expat exodus from the UK to Spain is well under way

Expat exodus from the UK to Spain is well under way
British would-be expats are changing their plans to ensure they’ll be settled in Spain by the end of December this year. Whether or not Brexit will be a disaster for the UK, the expat exodus to Spain has started and is likely to continue for the rest of 2020. Predictions that, should Brexit happen, the majority of UK expats in Europe...

Brit expats in Spain furious over UK banks new overdraft charges

Brit expats in Spain furious over UK banks new overdraft charges
One of the most important aspects of emigration is setting up bank accounts in the new country whilst still retaining an account back home. For British expats heading for Spain, it’s the norm to keep a UK bank account as well as holding cash in a local Spanish bank, even although many Brits don’t exactly trust the Spanish banking...

Czech Republic sees vast increase in British expats since Brexit referendum

Czech Republic sees vast increase in British expats since Brexit referendum
The surprising, some say shocking, results of the Brexit referendum has seen a huge increase in the numbers of British expats in the Czech Republic. Numbers of British expat professionals living and working in the Czech Republic since the result of the Brexit referendum was announced have risen by around 33 per cent, with the totals of...

British expats in Wuhan furious as UK delays their repatriation

British expats in Wuhan furious as UK delays their repatriation
In spite of British expat anger about international media coverage of Wuhan’s efforts to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, Brits are even more angry at the lack of any official efforts to get them out. Expats living and working in the city as well as academic visitors from British universities have been calling for repatriation since...

Will the EU still chase top talent UK expats after Brexit?

Will the EU still chase top talent UK expats after Brexit?
British would-be expats now have a brief period in which they can still emigrate freely to one of the European Union’s 27 states using the Bloc’s free movement legislation. The transition period starts next week and will continue until the end of this year at the earliest, with a possibility of a further extension or the threat of a...

Expat travellers urged to check post-Brexit legal requirements

Expat travellers urged to check post-Brexit legal requirements
Although at present it seems likely that free movement between the UK and EU member states will continue until the end of this year, would-be expat travellers should double-check on important aspects of the planned move. One of the most important aspects of planning to either travel or emigrate within the EU is healthcare. Formerly, all...

Visas for expatriates considering long-stay residence in Thailand

Visas for expatriates considering long-stay residence in Thailand
If you’re still considering Thailand as a semi-permanent base, you should make sure to choose the correct visa for your lifestyle. Recently, much has been seen on social media about the many revisions to long-established routines for getting and retaining the correct visa to live, work or retire in Thailand. Unfortunately, the following...

Starting a business as an expat entrepreneur in Nanjing

Starting a business as an expat entrepreneur in Nanjing
Hints for expat entrepreneurs planning to start a business in Nanjing. China is still a popular destination for expat entrepreneurs determined to start a business, but doing it the right way can be confusing. The initial challenge is the most important first step, in that without a work permit nothing can be done. Given that China is...

Is Brexit set to kill off Erasmus for UK experts and students?

Is Brexit set to kill off Erasmus for UK experts and students?
The Erasmus programme for expat fellowships and expat foreign study students at Czech universities will continue until at least the end of this year. An announcement by the Czech Education Ministry has confirmed the Erasmus programme in support of foreign fellowships and studies will not be affected by the UK’s withdrawal from the...

New expat help centre opens in Prague

New expat help centre opens in Prague
Following the lead of other European capitals, Prague has now opened a new Expat Centre to help incomers adapt to their new lives. The new facility offers information, educational courses and contacts and is aimed at entrepreneurs, qualified expat professionals and students arriving from overseas. According to a representative from the...

Expats join in Thailand’s efforts to go green

Expats join in Thailand’s efforts to go green
To the relief of the vast majority of its Western expat residents as well as Thais, Thailand is finally getting to grips with going green. Maybe the still ongoing air pollution scandal was the motivation for such a welcome change in attitude by its government, but the country’s efforts to improve its environment are being welcomed...

Affordability now crucial for choosing an expat retirement destination

Affordability now crucial for choosing an expat retirement destination
Wherever you’re living right now and wherever you’re planning to live as an expat retiree, affordability is the number one criterion - unless you’re American! For the vast majority of expats looking to spend their retirement years outside the home country, one of the major reasons is to stretch Social Security payments, savings and...

Expats choosing Philippines for genuine affordable retirement visas

Expats choosing Philippines for genuine affordable retirement visas
If you’re looking for a retirement destination with a secure, affordable visa, the Philippines is the answer. Some years ago, TV ads for this somewhat underrated Southeast Asian destination hit the high spot with the slogan ‘it’s more fun in the Philippines’. Subsequently, a recent influx of retired expats from nearby SEA states...

Rentals in all major European cities now less affordable for expat incomers

Rentals in all major European cities now less affordable for expat incomers
Rental charges for expat accommodation are increasing all across Europe. According to a popular accommodation website dealing in expat rentals across major European cities, monthly charges are continuing to increase. It’s no surprise that London offers the most expensive rents across the board, whether for apartments, studio flats or...

Starting a new life as an expat medical professional in New Zealand

Starting a new life as an expat medical professional in New Zealand
New Zealand is a familiar expat destination, especially after its glorious scenery starred in the immensely popular Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and is prequel The Hobbit. Although many Westerners may not realise this stunning country was once the prime destination for Britons looking for a new life overseas, New Zealand has been...

Australia blanks post-Brexit expat free movement deal

Australia blanks post-Brexit expat free movement deal
If you’re banking on getting a job in Australia once Brexit is a done deal, you’re out of luck. Dashing the hopes of would-be British expats hoping to head for Oz, the Australian government has put paid to any expansion of visa-free work between the two countries. It had been hoped a new post-Brexit trade package would include some...

What should expats heading to China expect?

What should expats heading to China expect?
Of all the newly popular expat destinations for the younger demographic, China is perhaps the most challenging. Over the past 15 years or so, the numbers of expats adventurous enough to choose China has increased to a flood, as the vast, ancient land opens up to the West in a way not seen throughout its millennia of history. Most new...

Pros and cons of New Zealand as a UK expat retirement destination

Pros and cons of New Zealand as a UK expat retirement destination
Would-be expats are urged to research potential destinations online before choosing the most suitable, but it’s often difficult to determine between click-bait and the reality of living in an unfamiliar land. Whether it’s for a new job or retirement purposes, rule number one when deciding where to settle is to be able to distinguish...

British expat retirees losing millions via rogue offshore IFAs

British expat retirees losing millions via rogue offshore IFAs
Pensions scams by rogue IFAs are still wrecking expat lives in Spain and many other expat retiree destinations. The latest scandal involves the mis-selling of QROPs pension transfers and has resulted in those who’ve lost all their life savings now being chased by the UK taxman, even although they weren’t aware they were breaking the...

House hunting expats with DIY experience could bag a treasure in Italy

House hunting expats with DIY experience could bag a treasure in Italy
If serious DIY was your hobby back in the home country, renovating an inexpensive property in your chosen expat destination should be a breeze! For would-be expats whose hobby has always been do-it-yourself, the experience you’ve gained could mean the difference between paying top-dollar for a new home overseas or buying a bargain...

World’s most expensive expat destination reveals itself

World’s most expensive expat destination reveals itself
Expats living and working in the USA are being hit hard by surging inflation. If you’re considering taking a job based in the USA, you’ll need to be certain your expatriate salary covers your needs, as inflation is now rampant almost everywhere in this favourite destination. The main culprit is the ultra-strong dollar’s effect on...

Affordable Europe for determined expatriates

Affordable Europe for determined expatriates
Although many would-be expat retirees are moving away from Europe due to rising costs of living, those who’ve been sensible savers can easily afford to choose one of the continent’s stunning cities. Whether you’re emigrating for work or for retirement, choosing the right location which meets your financial needs is crucial to the...