Jamie Dixon landed in this hilly seaside town nine months ago, ditching her luxury trailer in Malibu for a two-floor rooftop apartment that’s twice the size for a fraction of the rent.
Her escape from her native California came amid growing costs of living, encroaching wildfires and a waning sense of safety after the burglary of a neighbor’s home. The fitness-trainer-turned-startup-worker decided it was time to reinvent herself in a foreign land, but like many American expats she didn’t want to feel too far from home.
In this wealthy enclave about 15 miles from the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, she found her slice of California on the west coast of Europe: ocean breezes, mountain views, hot spring days on palm-tree-lined promenades, and the glow of sunsets that seep into the night.
Read more at:
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-05-12/california-expats-portugal-relocation-lisbon
Showing posts with label Expats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Expats. Show all posts
5/14/22
10/3/20
The Netherlands one of the most sustainable destinations for expats
In the first-ever Environment and Sustainability Ranking published by InterNations - a network of expats around the world - the Netherlands has been ranked 12th out of 60 destinations for expats when it comes to sustainable living.
The data for the ranking was gathered via InterNations’ annual Expat Insider Survey, one of the most extensive surveys about living and working abroad, in which participants were asked to rate, on a scale of one to seven, their personal satisfaction in eight separate areas: air quality, the natural environment, water and sanitation, the availability of green goods and services, energy supply, local waste management and recycling infrastructure. The rating also covers perception of local government support for environmental policies and how invested the local population is in environmental issues.
Over 15.000 expats took part in the Expat Insider 2020, representing a total of 173 nationalities and living in 181 different countries or territories. For a country to be included in the ranking, a sample size of at least 75 respondents was necessary - this year, 60 countries met this requirement. The survey covers a number of issues, including making friends as an expat and the best cities around the world for expats.
Read more at:
The Netherlands one of the most sustainable destinations for expats
The data for the ranking was gathered via InterNations’ annual Expat Insider Survey, one of the most extensive surveys about living and working abroad, in which participants were asked to rate, on a scale of one to seven, their personal satisfaction in eight separate areas: air quality, the natural environment, water and sanitation, the availability of green goods and services, energy supply, local waste management and recycling infrastructure. The rating also covers perception of local government support for environmental policies and how invested the local population is in environmental issues.
Over 15.000 expats took part in the Expat Insider 2020, representing a total of 173 nationalities and living in 181 different countries or territories. For a country to be included in the ranking, a sample size of at least 75 respondents was necessary - this year, 60 countries met this requirement. The survey covers a number of issues, including making friends as an expat and the best cities around the world for expats.
Read more at:
The Netherlands one of the most sustainable destinations for expats
10/12/17
The Netherlands: New Dutch coalition to cut 30% ruling for Expats from eight to five years - by Robin Pascoe
The new Dutch government plans to reduce the tax break for expats known as the 30% ruling, according to the coalition agreement published on Tuesday.
In the section on ‘a competitive place to do business’, the four-party alliance say they will ‘limit the tax advantages for expats’, before going on to explain that international workers will only be able to benefit from the ruling for five years, rather than eight as at present.
A report for the finance ministry published this June said that the ruling is too generous and its provisions could be reduced, while recognising its importance to attract top talents.
Some 60,000 people currently claim the tax break, which effectively means they do not pay tax on the first 30% of their salary. This, the report concludes, cost the treasury some €755m in 2015 and is set to cost €902 in 2017.
To claim the ruling, expats have to earn nearly €53,000 a year (or €37,000 after the 30% has been deducted) and must have lived at least 150 kilometres from a border with the Netherlands, effectively ruling out Germans and Belgians.
Read more:New Dutch coalition to cut 30% ruling from eight to five years - DutchNews.nl
In the section on ‘a competitive place to do business’, the four-party alliance say they will ‘limit the tax advantages for expats’, before going on to explain that international workers will only be able to benefit from the ruling for five years, rather than eight as at present.
A report for the finance ministry published this June said that the ruling is too generous and its provisions could be reduced, while recognising its importance to attract top talents.
Some 60,000 people currently claim the tax break, which effectively means they do not pay tax on the first 30% of their salary. This, the report concludes, cost the treasury some €755m in 2015 and is set to cost €902 in 2017.
To claim the ruling, expats have to earn nearly €53,000 a year (or €37,000 after the 30% has been deducted) and must have lived at least 150 kilometres from a border with the Netherlands, effectively ruling out Germans and Belgians.
Read more:New Dutch coalition to cut 30% ruling from eight to five years - DutchNews.nl
2/27/17
Expats: the world’s most welcoming countries - by Lindsey Galloway
For many expats, finding new friends can
ease the often overwhelming task of adjusting to a new life abroad. But
with huge variances in local culture and language capabilities, some
places can definitely feel more welcoming than others.
To determine where expats might find the best success of fitting in fast, global community network InterNations recently conducted their annual Expat Insider survey of more than 14,000 expats from 191 countries, asking residents to rate a number of aspects about life abroad, including how easy it was to settle in, a country’s friendliness and ease of making friends.
We talked to residents in the countries ranked high for friendliness to find out what makes these places so hospitable to newcomers.
To determine where expats might find the best success of fitting in fast, global community network InterNations recently conducted their annual Expat Insider survey of more than 14,000 expats from 191 countries, asking residents to rate a number of aspects about life abroad, including how easy it was to settle in, a country’s friendliness and ease of making friends.
We talked to residents in the countries ranked high for friendliness to find out what makes these places so hospitable to newcomers.
Read more: BBC - Travel - Living in… the world’s most welcoming countries
11/22/16
Turkey: Turkish Expatriates and Diaspora abroad lack the courage to speak out for Democracy
It
must be difficult today for the Turkish expatriate community around the
world, specially those who believe in Democracy, Secularism and the
ideals of Kemalism, created by the founder of the Turkish Republic,
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and to watch what is happening politically in
Turkey.Specially, if personal friendships have developed between expat Turks, Turkish dispora and Turkish Diplomats
Regardless of that fact, and whatever way you turn it, these diplomats are the mouthpiece of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, which is an integral part of the Erdogan Government. As the saying goes: "He who pays the piper calls the tune".
Case in point re: The letter of H.E. Serdar Kılıç, Turkish Ambassador to the US, to the Wall Street Journal on November 16, 2016, which is a "rambling" defense by the Turkish Ambassador in Washington to justify that in effect all is "hunky dory" in Turkey and that democracy and freedom of the Press are, alive and well. Reading the interview, the feeling can't escape you, if he believed what he was saying himself ?
As one Turkish citizen living in Paris, who often entertains and socializes with Turkish diplomats noted: "I have some very good friends among Turkish diplomats here in France, but that does not stop me in questioning them about the state of democracy in Turkey, or in signing petitions against the Erdogan Government ".
"This is not disrespectful, it is in fact the duty of every Turk, who lives abroad and believes in Democracy".
"Turkish diplomats, like any diplomat around the world, have to write numerous reports to their Ministry, including those on issues like "what their nationals are thinking and saying about their home country and government".
"Consequently you are not doing your country a favor, by keeping your mouth shut on matters that are of importance to you and your country . Democracy in Turkey is on a steep descent and you have got to speak out".
© EU-Digest
1/16/15
Netherlands has between 39,000 and 75,000 expats according to the National Statistics Office
The Netherlands has between 39,000 and 75,000 expats, according to new research by the national statistics office CBS.
The researchers define an expat as someone who was born outside the Netherlands and does not have Dutch nationality, who is aged 18 to 75 and earns a salary at the upper end of the norm in their sector.
The CBS research shows one in four ‘foreign employees’ with a high wage comes from England or Germany. Indians account for the third largest group of men and while Poland is third on the women’s list.
Most expats, according to the CBS, are aged 18 to 40 and one third are single.
The four big cities and their surrounding areas are home to most expats, while university cities also host a significant number, the CBS says.
The report also shows the business services, healthcare, academia, trade and the hospitality industries are most likely to employ expat staff.
Almere-Digest
The researchers define an expat as someone who was born outside the Netherlands and does not have Dutch nationality, who is aged 18 to 75 and earns a salary at the upper end of the norm in their sector.
The CBS research shows one in four ‘foreign employees’ with a high wage comes from England or Germany. Indians account for the third largest group of men and while Poland is third on the women’s list.
Most expats, according to the CBS, are aged 18 to 40 and one third are single.
The four big cities and their surrounding areas are home to most expats, while university cities also host a significant number, the CBS says.
The report also shows the business services, healthcare, academia, trade and the hospitality industries are most likely to employ expat staff.
Almere-Digest
10/30/13
Quality of life: The Best Countries For Expats In 2013, According To HSBC's Expat Explorer (PHOTOS)
If you're sick of your home country and are yearning for a change, you might want to consider settling in Asia for the next chapter of your life.
A new study by HSBC ranks several Asian nations among the best countries for expatriates in 2013. The annual Expat Explorer Survey analyzes the findings from 7,000 expats to rank their new homes according to criteria including economics, experience, and raising children.
When considering all three categories, China comes out on top with high scores in economics and experience. Despite faring poorly in the field of raising children, expats in China report high salaries and better quality of life than in their home countries.
Switzerland tops all nations in terms of economics, though it remains unranked overall due to insufficient data in the raising children category. Hailed as a "beacon of growth," Switzerland instills financial optimism in its new inhabitants, with expats citing strong fiscal policy and healthy markets.
When it comes to experience, however, Thailand outpaces the field, thanks to top scores for healthy diet, working environment, social life, local shops and markets, and local culture. Expats living in Thailand enjoy a high quality of life with little trouble integrating; 76% noted how easy it was to make friends in their new land.
And of course, food plays an important role in satisfying these expats. Like Switzerland, however, Thailand also could not be ranked overall because of its lack of data on raising children.
In that category, Germany reigns supreme, with high scores in child education, quality of childcare, and child health and wellbeing. Expat parents laud German education options as cost-effective while still reporting an improvement in the quality of schooling over those available in their home countries. Deutschland also received high scores in economics, helping the nation to place second overall among all three criteria.
Read more: The Best Countries For Expats In 2013, According To HSBC's Expat Explorer (PHOTOS)
A new study by HSBC ranks several Asian nations among the best countries for expatriates in 2013. The annual Expat Explorer Survey analyzes the findings from 7,000 expats to rank their new homes according to criteria including economics, experience, and raising children.
When considering all three categories, China comes out on top with high scores in economics and experience. Despite faring poorly in the field of raising children, expats in China report high salaries and better quality of life than in their home countries.
Switzerland tops all nations in terms of economics, though it remains unranked overall due to insufficient data in the raising children category. Hailed as a "beacon of growth," Switzerland instills financial optimism in its new inhabitants, with expats citing strong fiscal policy and healthy markets.
When it comes to experience, however, Thailand outpaces the field, thanks to top scores for healthy diet, working environment, social life, local shops and markets, and local culture. Expats living in Thailand enjoy a high quality of life with little trouble integrating; 76% noted how easy it was to make friends in their new land.
And of course, food plays an important role in satisfying these expats. Like Switzerland, however, Thailand also could not be ranked overall because of its lack of data on raising children.
In that category, Germany reigns supreme, with high scores in child education, quality of childcare, and child health and wellbeing. Expat parents laud German education options as cost-effective while still reporting an improvement in the quality of schooling over those available in their home countries. Deutschland also received high scores in economics, helping the nation to place second overall among all three criteria.
Read more: The Best Countries For Expats In 2013, According To HSBC's Expat Explorer (PHOTOS)
3/29/13
Sweden: Expats flock to Sweden's evangelical churches
Moving to a new country is never an easy task: moving when you might not know a soul, when the language is a mystery and when you are faced with an entirely new culture. All of it can be downright daunting.
Today a growing number of foreigners moving to Sweden are finding that non-traditional churches can offer a home away from home, particularly those offering services in English.
Estimates say about half of regular evangelical churchgoers are foreign-born.
"I was never particularly religious, but moving around in the expat world made me search for a deeper meaning, for both my family and me," one mother and US native tells The Local outside the Charismatic Baptist New Life Church in Stockholm.
"The modern churches give room to explore and the kids enjoy the more exciting atmosphere. We also get to meet people like us, who are foreigners living in a foreign land."
Regular church attendance in Sweden hovers somewhere around 5 percent, while levels of atheism among Swedes are estimated to be as high as 85 percent.
Yet more than half of all weddings in Sweden take place in churches and nearly 90 percent of burials follow Christian rites.
Read more: Expats flock to Sweden's evangelical churches - The Local
Today a growing number of foreigners moving to Sweden are finding that non-traditional churches can offer a home away from home, particularly those offering services in English.
Estimates say about half of regular evangelical churchgoers are foreign-born.
"I was never particularly religious, but moving around in the expat world made me search for a deeper meaning, for both my family and me," one mother and US native tells The Local outside the Charismatic Baptist New Life Church in Stockholm.
"The modern churches give room to explore and the kids enjoy the more exciting atmosphere. We also get to meet people like us, who are foreigners living in a foreign land."
Regular church attendance in Sweden hovers somewhere around 5 percent, while levels of atheism among Swedes are estimated to be as high as 85 percent.
Yet more than half of all weddings in Sweden take place in churches and nearly 90 percent of burials follow Christian rites.
Read more: Expats flock to Sweden's evangelical churches - The Local
12/2/12
Portugal: Zero tax on expat retirement pensions - by Brendan de Beer
The Portugese Parliament this week approved legislation making a series of alterations to the existing IRS Code, including a stipulation which allows retired expats who spend part of the year in Portugal, to be free of any income tax.
The move is born from an apparent and urgent need to provide clarity on the functionality of existing legislation, while observers have also expressed the view that the reform will further highlight Portugal, and especially the Algarve, in the bid to be recognised as the “Florida of Europe.”
The new regime unveiled this week foresees an exemption of a foreign occupational pension so long as its beneficiary qualifies for a special tax regime for non-habitual residents.
A recent publication by Deloitte in Lisbon explains that one of the requirements is that the pensioner be a non-habitual resident for Portuguese income tax purposes while the second is that the pension is an occupational pension, paid from a foreign source.
Should these requirements be met, the pension will not be taxed in Portugal and depending on the provisions of the applicable tax treaty, it is also usually non-taxable in the source country for the duration of residence in Portugal.
Read more: Zero tax on expat pensions - The Portugal News
The move is born from an apparent and urgent need to provide clarity on the functionality of existing legislation, while observers have also expressed the view that the reform will further highlight Portugal, and especially the Algarve, in the bid to be recognised as the “Florida of Europe.”
The new regime unveiled this week foresees an exemption of a foreign occupational pension so long as its beneficiary qualifies for a special tax regime for non-habitual residents.
A recent publication by Deloitte in Lisbon explains that one of the requirements is that the pensioner be a non-habitual resident for Portuguese income tax purposes while the second is that the pension is an occupational pension, paid from a foreign source.
Should these requirements be met, the pension will not be taxed in Portugal and depending on the provisions of the applicable tax treaty, it is also usually non-taxable in the source country for the duration of residence in Portugal.
Read more: Zero tax on expat pensions - The Portugal News
11/4/12
Buying health insurance online could be dangerous for your wallet
Insurance agencies report an increasing proportion of sales online and insurers like it because it saves back-office time. For customers, there’s the attraction of instant and easy cover. Insurance kicks in right away. Job done.
Governments also tend to demand insurance from a local provider, or at least an international insurer with local connections – effectively a brokerage with a local businessman on the board.
Germany, for instance, is particularly reluctant to recognise some top-rated insurance plans from UK providers who are dominant in the international market. Some claim that the German position breaks EU competition rules. But it’s not quite that simple, because under German law insurers have to provide all-embracing cover, such as aspects of elderly and long-term care cover and that is beyond the scope of most international companies.
EU-Digest
However, you might have to be more careful. Buying insurance of any type is trickier than buying, say, a washing machine. And international medical insurance is more complex than domestic insurance. You can fall into the trap of buying cover from a respectable company only to find, as you arrive at immigration in Abu Dhabi, that your plan is not recognized. You could have to be on the next flight home.
As countries across the globe find their health budgets rocketing, so compulsory insurance for expats becomes a legal necessity.
Governments also tend to demand insurance from a local provider, or at least an international insurer with local connections – effectively a brokerage with a local businessman on the board.
Germany, for instance, is particularly reluctant to recognise some top-rated insurance plans from UK providers who are dominant in the international market. Some claim that the German position breaks EU competition rules. But it’s not quite that simple, because under German law insurers have to provide all-embracing cover, such as aspects of elderly and long-term care cover and that is beyond the scope of most international companies.
EU-Digest
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