Pound plummets: the view from Cyprus As many readers will be painfully aware, the pound plummeted at the end of September, the markets having been thoroughly spooked by incoming PM Liz Truss and her new Chancellor’s mini-budget, with its proposed tax cuts. At least one U-turn later, the markets have stabilised somewhat, but many expats … Read more
The Spanish government stated in the autumn of 2022 that it intends to introduce a new year-long visa aimed at third party nationals who are working as digital nomads. They say that this is also likely to apply to close family members (such as spouses and children), and that it can be extended for up … Read more
Moving to another country can be a daunting task. It can mean dealing with a new workplace and new colleagues, perhaps while also wrestling with an unfamiliar language and different customs. Meanwhile, you may need to adjust family life to your new location, find a school for your children, and settle into a new social … Read more
Alexandru Bittner v. United States The case of Alexandru Bittner v. United States has been occupying the pages of both the Washington Post and Bloomberg recently. This is to do with the thorny issue of tax compliance. We’ve taken a look at FBAR compliance before, but this case has brought it back to the attention … Read more
Healthcare costs are ‘most pressing’ issue in Switzerland Basic health insurance costs are due to rise by 9% when premiums are renewed in Switzerland, according to a recent report. A survey by media group Tamedia has revealed that concerns about healthcare are the most pressing issue in Switzerland, both among citizens and expats. Two thirds … Read more
Truss, Brexit and banking The UK’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss is set to scrap legacy EU legislation in 2023, according to recent reports. In an upcoming finance meeting with top British financiers (the CEO of Legal and General, for example), Reuters says, she will outline plans for the reform of regulatory regimes, such as … Read more
To most of us, concepts around being well cover a range of factors, from mental and physical health, to diet, exercise, mood, and spirituality. The state of being well must be defined on an individual basis; what it means to one person might not be what it means to another. For example, to one person, … Read more
Are you repatriating to the UK? In this article, Expat Focus partner and Founder of Global Expatriate Tax Services Limited, Oliver Heslop, looks at six financial issues British expats should consider when moving back home. A good friend of mine moved to the Middle East about fifteen years ago, and this year he moved back … Read more
UK consular support for mental health issues The UK government offers a range of mental health advice and support for British citizens living abroad. You can find details by typing ‘gov.uk mental health [country]’ into a search engine. However, bear in mind that what services are available will depend on where you have moved, and … Read more
Brits in Portugal ‘in limbo’ At the beginning of this month, the UK press gave extensive coverage to the plight of British citizens in Portugal, effectively left in limbo as an ongoing consequence of Brexit. The Portuguese authorities have not yet issued residency cards to many Brits in the country, leaving them unable to travel … Read more