expat network

An Italian Idyll For Property Buyers?

Featuring high on the list of Britons’ favourite retirement destinations, Italy has a highly varied property market for you to choose from in mountains, fertile valleys and seafronts. It is best to begin your home search in Italy as soon as possible. Although good housing is available, it may take some time to find the...

Mountain Home In Switzerland

Sponsored: Buy Your Dream Mountain Home In Switzerland

There are numerous reasons why people consider buying property in Switzerland. It is arguably the world’s ultimate ‘safe haven’ offering political, legal and economic stability as well as the stable Swiss franc, a traditional store of value.  By Alpine Property Search & Swiss Alps Properties Add in Switzerland’s high quality of life, low crime rates,...

Top Savings Rates For Expats – February

Many expats can benefit from using offshore bank savings accounts. They are useful for working in different currencies and for gathering interest without deduction of taxes. By Iain Yule See the article ‘British Expats – Do You Need An Offshore Bank Account?’.   The best current offering for sterling offshore savers is Standard Bank’s...

Buying Property In Switzerland

Switzerland is popular among the international community for the sense of reliability, stability and security it offers, its quality of life, education and construction, and its position in the heart of continental Europe. This has led to great demand from overseas for Swiss residence or second homes. By Swiss Alps Properties The Swiss had feared...

savings

How Are Expat Savings Protected?

When you have worked hard to build up your savings, it is important to understand what level of protection you will receive in the event the financial institution is unable to repay your money. For peace of mind you should establish what investor protection you have with each of your banks, and how it works,...

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...

Cyprus In Search Of Settlement

With ongoing talks in Geneva between Greece and Turkey about the divided island of Cyprus, how should property investors view this otherwise idyllic Mediterranean location? The BBC reports that talks to resolve the disputed territory on Cyprus between the heads of the Greek and Turkish governments are ongoing. But at the time of writing no...

British Expats With Sterling Incomes Feel The Pinch

Greater economic uncertainty has contributed to the pound declining in value against the majority of major currencies in the past year, according to latest research from Lloyds Private Banking. Over the past 12 months, the pound has fallen in value – to varying degrees – against 56 of the 60 currencies analysed. This followed a...

Best Destinations For A Career Abroad in 2017

Europe is rated the best destination for those looking to progress their career abroad and benefit from great working conditions. According to new data released from the latest Expat Explorer survey from HSBC, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Austria and the UK are among the top ten countries for a successful expat career. For the second...

Do New Buy-To-Let Rules Affect UK Expat Buyers?

Rules on UK lending introduced by the UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority limit the amount expat buy-to-let property investors and landlords can borrow on new mortgages. The new rules are designed to slow the demand for UK buy-to-let investment by demanding buyers raise larger deposits. Lenders will have to test affordability using notional interest rates of...

Most Expat Buy-To-Let Loans In South East UK

A majority of UK expat buy-to-let mortgages are concentrated in greater London and the South East, according to new figures. Figures from lender Skipton International show up to 40% of expat mortgage customers are investing in buy-to-let property in Greater London, with another 25% in the South East of England. Just 10% of British expats...

Are There Pay Rises To Come In 2017?

According to company predictions from around the globe, nominal wages will rise 5 per cent on average in 2017, slightly up on 2016’s 4.8 per cent average. In terms of real salary increases, the global average is forecasted to be 1.5 per cent, which is slightly down on 2016’s average of 1.6 per cent. Companies...