Archive for 2013

From the invention of the telegraph to the advent of video calls and social media, advances in technology have spelled improvements in everyone’s lives, but especially the lives of those who have made the move abroad. Now a new era in mobile banking technology promises the same revolution in the international banking space. All savvy […]

HSBC’s latest Expat Explorer Survey has revealed a finding which might go some way to explaining the recent popularity of frontier economies with young expats: the cost of living in Europe. While prices on the continent are, not surprisingly, higher than ever; the cost of living in Asia and the Americas means that, despite lower […]

The new Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) legislation that will come into force next July (2014) has become the catalyst for many American expatriates to consider renouncing their U.S. citizenship. U.S. citizens are required to continue paying tax to the U.S. government even when living and working abroad. However, this has not always been […]

Although the number has dropped slightly, British expats still account for a fifth of all house purchases by foreign buyers in France. The data released by BNP Paribas showed, between 2011 and 2012, the total number of transactions carried out by Brits fell slightly from 19.4% to 19.1%. Over the same period the total transaction […]

Over the past few months, news portals have been expressing concern about the fluctuation of the pound in the exchange market and its effect on British expats. Its value continues to decrease and not only is it losing them income, but it’s pushing Brits to confide in local currencies for savings instead. The press first […]

Andorra has abandoned its reputation as a tax haven and will soon introduce income tax, giving into the pressure of its European neighbours. This small country has always been very attractive for expat residents and property buyers, but will this change with the new income tax? Expats attracted by the idea of no tax on […]

The two most popular reasons expats cite for moving abroad are a better lifestyle and greater economic well being, according to a report from Lloyds TSB International. Although most feel they do enjoy these benefits, they’re not necessarily immediate. In fact, packing up and moving home can be an expensive and stressful process in the […]

The well-known BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) have been growing intensively in terms of economics, GDP and power over the last few years. They are predicted to be the most influential and largest economies of the 21st century. Considering that these countries put together make up 40% of the world’s population, it seems […]

Investment experts nowadays advise investors to go global with their choice of the financial markets. In this case, the overseas real estate industry is one of the most dynamic as well as lucrative markets in which investors can play with their money. So, if you’re determined to invest in foreign property, then you’ll have to adjust your […]

You can read countless books and guides about moving abroad, but they rarely prepare you for the reality of expat life. Advice and tips from expats ‘on the ground’ can provide valuable information about life as an expatriate, warts and all. HSBC Expat, home of the annual Expat Explorer Survey, has released an interactive online […]

Can't find what you are looking for?