RU
DE
FR
ES
PT
AR
The term “expat” is broad and relatively new. It is a shortened version of the word “expatriate.” It refers to individuals who legally reside in a country without holding citizenship. More narrowly, it describes skilled professionals with higher education who move abroad to work in large international companies or gain new experiences and insights. As of 2023, there are approximately 184 million migrants worldwide, 147 million of whom are expats.
Content
Expat characteristics
| Benefits of Expat Life | |
|---|---|
| Legal Status Abroad | Many countries offer the opportunity to obtain a temporary residence permit through investment (e.g., programmes for legalisation via the purchase of property in Spain or Greece). |
| Career Advancement | Expats often experience career growth, receipt of a higher income and better prospects. |
| No Integration Requirements | Expats are not required to learn the language, history or traditions of the host country unless necessary for work or personal life. |
| Employer Support | Expats relocating for work often receive assistance with paperwork and housing arrangements from their employers. |
| Education | In popular relocation destinations such as Portugal and the UAE, prestigious international schools are available, which are essential for families with children. Some countries also provide access to esteemed universities and business schools. |
| Financial Benefits | Certain locations offer tax incentives for foreign workers and investors, making expat life even more appealing. |
Like migrants, expats may go abroad for employment and income improvement. However, in most cases, financial gain is a lesser priority for them. Many professionals accept job offers from overseas companies to gain experience and enter the global market, while entrepreneurs aim to expand their target audience. Wealthy retirees typically move to locations with favourable climates and a more relaxed lifestyle.
Additionally, expats often have financial security. They prepare savings or invest in assets that provide a stable passive income, such as real estate in Thailand, Turkey, or other popular tourist destinations. Their higher education, work experience, and demand in the labour market give them added confidence. In unforeseen circumstances, expats can return to their homeland or move to a new country.
How to become an expat
Nearly every country has a large expatriate community that anyone can join. The first step for a foreigner is to decide on the grounds for relocation and legalisation. The most common options include:
- Employment: Skilled professionals with foreign language abilities often receive job offers from overseas.
- Business trips and internships: Employees of international organisations are sent abroad to establish connections and gain new knowledge and experience.
- Financial independence: Financially independent individuals who earn an income and/or work remotely abroad may qualify for long-term residency in some countries.
- Investments: Capital investments in real estate, securities, businesses, and other assets provide the right to legalisation in several countries. For example, purchasing property in Greece worth at least €400,000 grants a temporary residence permit, while investing $300,000 in real estate in Antigua and Barbuda can lead to citizenship.
Before making a final decision to relocate to another country, it is important to assess the local quality of life. Expats should pay particular attention to the attitude of residents towards foreigners, the level of safety, the state of infrastructure, and the average costs of housing, utilities, transport, and health insurance.
Difference between expats, immigrants, and emigrants
An emigrant is someone who has left their home country to reside permanently in another. The most common reasons for emigration include social, political, cultural, and religious motives. People who leave their homeland may not renounce their citizenship, but in most cases, they do not return.
“An immigrant is a person who voluntarily enters another country intending to stay temporarily or permanently. This concept is similar to the term ‘expat,’ but there are several associative differences. Expats live outside their home country but may return. Immigrants, on the other hand, have usually made a final decision to relocate. After legalising their status in a foreign country, they often aim to obtain citizenship,” explains Elizaveta Dyakova.
FAQ
An expat is in simple words someone living outside their home country. They legally reside in another nation without holding its citizenship.
“Expat” is a shortened version of the word “expatriate,” which comes from the Latin phrase ex patria, meaning “out of the homeland.”
An expat is someone who has moved to another country, whereas an emigrant refers to a person who has left their home country to live in another permanently.
Relocators, like expats, move to another country, but they maintain legal ties to their home country. Typically, their motives are more professional.
The key benefits include gaining new experiences abroad, achieving a higher income, advancing one’s career, and living in another country without the need to integrate into the local society or learn the language.
In some countries, one can become a resident as an expat, meaning they gain access to benefits such as tax optimisation and visa-free travel within certain zones. For instance, in Malta, expats can enjoy these advantages.
Trending
Comments