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Climate: Hungary’s climate is temperate and continental, with four distinct seasons. Summers are usually hot and winters very cold.
Government: Republic
Population: 9,905,596
Currency: Forint (HUF): 1 HUF = 0.04 USD
Language: Hungarian (93.6%), other or unspecified (6.4%) |
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Religious Groups: Catholic (51.9%), Calvinist (15.9%), Lutheran (3%), Greek Catholic (2.6%), other Christian (1%), other or unspecified (11.1%), unaffiliated (14.5%)
Ethnic Groups: Hungarian (92.3%), Roma (1.9%), other or unknown (5.8%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Affordable
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The language is weird, the wine is good, and the range of goods and services available is above par for Eastern Europe thanks to a market economy that was allowed to flourish even during the Soviet period. Most of the 40,000 expats hole up in Budapest, where there are two English-speaking weeklies (The Budapest Sun and Budapest Business Journal). Resort life revolves around Lake Balaton and the winemaking region around Tokaj. Cheap air travel on the continent has resulted in a recent real estate boom, and many outsiders, particularly from Western Europe, are buying second or retirement homes here. However, the recent financial crisis has cooled the market a bit and prices are beginning to come down. The political climate has taken a lurch toward right-wing nationalism.
Living There
Governance: Generally, Hungary functions as a liberal democracy, although elections have been marred by campaign improprieties, with state media giving preferential treatment to the ruling party. There are independent media outlets and freedom of speech is respected, there is a separation of church and state, the judiciary is independent and the Internet is free of censorship.
Infrastructure: Good
Internet: There are a number of Internet service providers in Hungary and access is good and reasonably priced; majority of connections are broadband.
Healthcare: Universal healthcare provided to Hungarians and employees of Hungarian companies. Costs are relatively low, treatment is adequate but facilities are not comparable to those found in the U.S.
GDP: $190 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $19,000
Sovereign Debt: 79.6% of GDP
Working There: It is difficult for foreign nationals to find jobs in Hungary, unless they are employed by a foreign-owned company, at one of the embassies, or as an English-language teacher. If employed by a domestic company you will normally be required to speak Hungarian, and should not expect to earn much, as the recent economic crisis has weakened the nation’s currency, and salaries in Hungary are low.
Regulatory Environment: Recent reforms have lent more transparency and greater flexibility to Hungary’s regulatory climate.
Taxes: Corporate: 10% and 19%, Individual: 17% and 32%. VAT: 25%. Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Zero tolerance
Homosexuality: Legal. Some recognition of same-sex unions. Laws against discrimination. Despite being a staunchly Catholic country, Hungary is tolerant of gays and lesbians. Budapest has a large and visible gay community.
Abortion: No restriction as to reason
Women’s Issues: There is gender equality under the law, but in practice women face discrimination in hiring and pay and are underrepresented in upper-level business and government posts.
Guns: Legal to own guns for hunting, sporting, and self-defense. Permit required. Storage requirements very strict.
Crime: In terms of crime, Hungary is somewhere in the middle compared to the rest of Europe. Although larger cities like Budapest are experiencing a small rise in violent crime, the majority of criminal offenses are petty theft and residential burglaries.
Real Estate: Foreign nationals are entitled to buy property in Hungary but must obtain a permit from the local administrative office. Individual buyers are limited to the purchase of one property, unless they form a limited company. Companies also receive favorable tax treatment. Twenty-five-year mortgages are available with a minimum 30% down payment. Budapest apartments start at around $80,000 but prices are dropping.
Life Expectancy: 73.44 years
Moving There
Prospective residents who do not fall into the usual categories (student, volunteer, approved contracted employee) will need to present a valid reason for wanting to remain in Hungary.
Schengen Visa: 90-day stay allowed within six-month period.
Residence Permit: If you plan on a long-term stay, you must apply for a residence permit at a Hungarian consulate in the U.S. If your application is successful, you will receive a permit allowing you to enter Hungary that is valid for 30 days. During this period, you must go to a Hungarian Immigration Office to register your address and make an application for a long-stay residence permit. These can be issued for employment, study, family reunification, long-term visit to friends/relatives, medical treatment, for research, volunteering or other reasons. Permits are valid up to two years, renewable.
If you are planning on working in Hungary, you must apply for a work permit and include this with your application. Applicants must also provide proof of valid lodgings in Hungary and evidence of sufficient income.
Permanent Residency/Settlement Permit: Applicants must show proof of at least three years continuous residency in Hungary, sufficient income, and lodgings.
Work Permit/Visa: Required for non-E.U. nationals to work in Hungary. Applicants must provide valid labor agreement with Hungarian employer and proof of accommodations during stay in Hungary. As long as you remain employed, work permit and visa are renewable each year.
Citizenship: Eight years continuous legal residency, proof of economic self-sufficiency and knowledge of Hungarian constitution (must pass examination). Spouses of Hungarian citizens can apply after three years. Descendents who have some Hungarian ancestry can apply for citizenship even without residency.
Gary Lukatch
Budapest, Hungary
There is a large expat community here, from all over the world, who use English as a common language, plus a good-size British contingent. And, of course, Hungarians who speak English and want to keep improving their skills. Most Americans in Budapest are embassy employees, students, English teachers and a few other varied workers, retirees and tourists. Most expats work for foreign companies with branches in Budapest. Or, if they speak Hungarian, have their own businesses or work for Hungarian companies or foreign companies that need bilingual skills. Expats gather at select pubs and restaurants, often run by other expats. Americans stay mostly within their small groups and rarely attempt to learn more than a few words of Hungarian.
Public transportation is amazing in Budapest—I haven’t driven, or needed, a car since I moved here. Internet access is freely available, goods and services for nearly everything are readily available now. Of course, a few minor things are not obtainable, but the substitute’s often better. Laws are much less restrictive here, as police are very lenient in many areas—also, unfortunately, often open to bribes, if offered. Police presence is noted, but unobtrusive for foreigners.
No expat is happy with the recent shift in Hungarian politics, but the general consensus is wait and see. We all have roots here now, and would hate to leave, so unless the government makes it difficult for expats to remain, I suppose we will all stay as long as possible. And, I’m not overly concerned; I just keep a low profile and keep doing what I’m doing and hope for the best.
As far as someone moving here now, unless it is a retired person, I’m not sure I’d recommend it, if only for the economic situation, i.e., lack of job opportunities. There just isn’t as much career potential here now, and even the English teaching has fallen off drastically. For retirees, however, it’s still a good deal, as their retirement dollar will still go a lot further than in the U.S. Students also still dribble in to study at various universities here, as cost is also less than many other countries.
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Climate: Varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north
Government: Federal Republic
Population: 1,173,108,018
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR): 1 INR = 0.02 USD
Language: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people although there are 14 other official languages. |
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Religious Groups: Hindu (81.3%), Muslim (12%), Christian (2.3%), other (4.4%)
Ethnic Groups: Indo-Aryan (72%), Dravidian (25%), other (3%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Dirt cheap
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Traditionally a mecca for satori-seekers (whether in ashrams or the trance-party beaches at Goa), this booming Asian economy is attracting job-hunters with more than just call center management gigs. The living is cheap and the scenery magnificent, marred only by poor sanitation and the fact that you’ll share your views with a billion or so other humans. The movie industry here has been doing pretty well, also.
Living There
Governance: Free and fair multiparty elections, an activist judiciary, and an independent media. India’s development remains hampered by widespread political corruption and the country’s stifling bureaucracy is notorious for bungling and inefficiency. India’s police have also gained an ugly reputation for human rights abuses. Religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims can often erupt in violence, terrorism and military intervention.
Infrastructure: Below Western standards.
Internet: Poor. Less than 10% of Indian residents enjoy Internet access and the country’s broadband penetration is one of the lowest in the region.
Healthcare: Adequate to excellent medical care is available in the major population centers, but is usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas.
GDP: $4.46 trillion
GDP (Per Capita): $3,400
Sovereign Debt: 55.9% of GDP
Working There: Historically, skilled workers and entrepreneurs used to leave India for the U.S., but lately, an expanding white-collar sector has triggered a flow in the opposite direction. The majority of Americans work in IT, but increasing numbers are finding employment in healthcare, entertainment and hospitality industries, while retail and marketing promises to be a new growth sector.
Regulatory Environment: Stifling, time-consuming, and cumbersome; the World Bank ranks India 165th out of 183 for ease of starting a business.
Taxes: Corporate: 33.99%, Individual: 0–30%, VAT: 12.5%. Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Illegal, but available
Homosexuality: In July, 2009, the Delhi High Court decriminalized homosexual intercourse between consenting adults as the law prohibiting this behavior was deemed a violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian constitution. No laws against discrimination. Same-sex marriages are allowed within Hindu culture although cultural acceptance varies.
Abortion: Permitted to save a woman’s life, physical health, and mental health. Allowed in cases of rape or fetal impairment. Parental authorization required.
Women’s Issues: Women are considered equal to men under India’s constitution and enjoy a prominent role in politics, business, the arts, etc. Although there are laws against domestic violence, violence against women remains a problem.
Guns: Some classes of firearms legal. License is required.
Crime: Petty crime is common throughout the country. Low incidence of violence except near border with Pakistan where crime and terrorism continue to make headlines.
Real Estate: It is very difficult for non-citizens of India to purchase, trade, or finance property.
Life Expectancy: 66.46 years
Moving There
While Americans can stay up to 10 years on a tourist visa, you’d have to follow a six months in/two months out kind of schedule, which might be OK if you’re making India a second home. Otherwise, you need to have work (more and more possible as the economy expands) or be brought over for the purposes of engaging in business. The latter type of visas must be arranged before entering the country.
Tourist Visa: Tourist visas are issued for six months but five- and even 10-year visas are possible (via special treaty) for Americans, though you have to leave for two months after any six-month stay. Once you have been admitted into the country, Indian immigration laws do not allow you to change the status of your visa, e.g. from tourist to work visa.
Business Visa: Letter of invitation from Indian company or individual residing in India explaining business arrangement with applicant as well as purpose and length of stay required. Business letter on company letterhead introducing applicant and declaring his or her status or business relationship with company, length and purpose of stay, and entity or individual who will be financially responsible for visa holder required. Business visas are generally granted for one year, but can be granted for five and 10 years at the discretion of Indian consular authorities.
Work Visa: Applicant must submit proof of employment contract or engagement by Indian company as well as evidence of experience and/or professional qualifications. Employment visas are generally limited to skilled professionals who work in a field that is in demand or suffering a labor shortage. Indian work visas are valid for up to one year regardless of duration stated in work contract. Extensions of up to five years are authorized by the Ministry of Home Affairs/Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in the state where you will be staying.
Residence Permit: Foreign citizens entering India for work purposes or wishing to stay beyond 180 days must register with the nearest FRRO office within 14 days of arrival. Once your registration has been certified, you will need to obtain a Personal Account Number or PAN card to work or live in India. You can apply for the card online at www.tin-nsdl.com. If you are registered and possess a PAN card, you can then apply for residence at the nearest FRRO/police station. Permit can be valid for anywhere from six months to 10 years.
Student Visas and Missionary Visas are also available per the usual documentation.
Citizenship: 12 years legal residency.
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Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Government: Republic
Population: 242,968,342
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR): 1 IDR = 0.0001 USD |
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Language: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (the most widely spoken of which is Javanese)
Religious Groups: Muslim (88%), Protestant (5%), Roman Catholic (3%), other (4%)
Ethnic Groups: Javanese (45%), Sudanese (14%), Madurese (7.5%), Malay (7.5%), other (26%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Cheap
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It’s a giant tropical nation, spread out over thousands of islands covering an area greater than the United States, but most expats will only find themselves in one or two places: business types congregate in the teeming capital, Jakarta, while the rest head straight to Bali, the only Hindu region in this otherwise Muslim country. Those willing to blaze a trail of their own can find pristine tropical beauty for pennies a day.
Living There
Governance: The fall of President Suharto’s brutal regime in the late 1990s has ushered in a period of moderate political reform. Indonesia now holds free multiparty elections (although critics complain that election fraud is common) and efforts are being made to curtail human rights abuses and guarantee greater freedoms to the Indonesian people. Unfortunately, as many of Suharto’s protégés dominate the country’s political life, human rights abuses and crackdowns on the political opposition aren’t uncommon.
Infrastructure: Roads range from good to dangerously poor. Driving is generally risky but public transportation is said to be unsafe as well. Available but oftentimes very slow.
Internet: Although once a tiny market, Indonesia now has over 30 million Internet subscribers with broadband mainly available in larger cities like Jakarta and Surabaya.
Healthcare: The general level of sanitation and healthcare in Indonesia is far below U.S. standards. Some routine medical care is available in all major cities, although most expatriates leave the country for serious medical procedures.
GDP: $1.033 trillion
GDP (Per Capita): $4,300
Sovereign Debt: 26.4% of GDP
Working There: Government policy states that foreigners who work in Indonesia must be “experts” in their field. The government defines an expert as someone who has been working in their field professionally for five–10 years. English teachers are exempted.
Regulatory Environment: Inefficient, time-consuming, and often expensive.
Taxes: Corporate: 25%, Individual: 5–30%, VAT: 10%. Even on a retirement visa, you are liable for 30% personal income tax if your income is over approximately $20,000 a year. Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Strictly illegal
Homosexuality: Legal (although Muslims in Aceh province can be prosecuted). No legal recognition of same-sex unions. No laws against discrimination.
Abortion: Only to save a woman’s life
Women’s Issues: Laws against domestic violence and human trafficking. Gender equality bill proposed for 2011. Although women are making inroads into Indonesian political and commercial life, there are still many restrictions and cultural barriers. Domestic violence remains a concern.
Guns: Some weapons legal. License required.
Crime: Low
Real Estate: It is illegal for foreigners to own land in Indonesia although the government is discussing the possibility of easing current restrictions. Foreigners can only take out 25-year leases or designate an Indonesian as owner in name only. Costs come out to a one-time payment of 1% to the notary, a transfer tax (usually 1–1.5% of the purchase price), and a .5–1% annual fee to the nominal owner.
Life Expectancy: 71.05 years
Moving There
Length of stay, entry and exit are all meticulously and individually regulated in the byzantine Indonesian visa/permit system. Most easy-to-acquire visas don’t allow you to stay very long. A one-year business visa, for instance, still requires you to leave the country every 60 days. If you’re not planning on getting married, a work permit or a substantial investment is the ticket to long-term legal residency. There is also a straightforward retiree option. While some resort to regular visa runs to Singapore (not cheap), a social visit Visitation Visa, good for six months and renewable, is the option to shoot for. It requires that you have a sponsor in Indonesia (a company or an individual) but there are also services who can “arrange” one. There are three regions in Indonesia that are off limits without express government permission: Aceh, Maluku, and Irian Jaya/West Papua. Anywhere else is OK.
NOTE: The Indonesian government has begun cracking down on illegal workers and those caught working without proper documentation can face stiff penalties including jail time.
Visa on Arrival (VOA): Available to American citizens upon arrival at specific airports and seaports in Indonesia. Applicants must show proof of round-trip airplane ticket. Valid for 30 days (30-day extension is available but you must declare your intention to stay longer than 30 days when requesting the initial visa).
Visitation Visa: Issued to individuals visiting Indonesia for tourism, business, social visit, research, and journalism. Proof of adequate funds and round-trip ticket required. Visas can be single or multiple entry depending on reason for stay. Visa also requires a local sponsor—either an individual or company. Research and Journalism visas require additional permission from Indonesian government. Valid for a maximum of 60 days but extensions can be obtained from immigration authorities.
Limited Stay Visa (VITAS): Single-entry visa for visit related to work, investment, research, family unification, performance, sport, or social activities. Applicant must provide letter from Indonesian sponsor and proof of adequate funds. Valid for one year, can be used to apply for KITAS (temporary residency/work permit).
Work Permit/Temporary Residence (KITAS): Available to investors, “foreign experts,” members of the clergy, researchers, spouse of Indonesian wife or foreign national legally residing in Indonesia. Sponsor required and you must apply directly to Immigration Office in Indonesia. Valid for one year and renewable for up to five years.
Special Visa for Retired/Senior Citizen Visa: Applicant must be at least 55 years of age and provide letter from institution or bank showing available funds or income. Additional requirements: proof of health insurance (either American or Indonesian), written statement attesting to willingness to reside at “available accommodation” in Indonesia, and visa holders must agree to employ a domestic worker during stay in Indonesia. Applicant cannot work in Indonesia. Valid for one year and renewable for up to five years (extensions are available with approval from immigration authorities).
Permanent Stay Visa (KITAP): Applicant must possess KITAS for at least five years prior to applying. Valid for five years, renewable.
Citizenship: Five years legal residency required (10 years non-continuous), good health, proficient in Indonesian language, regular source of income, and acknowledge Pancasila (official governing philosophy) as basis of government and constitution in Indonesia.
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Climate: Temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time
Government: Parliamentary Democracy
Population: 4,203,200
Currency: Euro (EUR): 1 EUR = 1.36 USD |
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Language: English is the language generally used, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) spoken mainly in areas located along the western seaboard
Religious Groups: Catholic (87.4%), Church of Ireland (2.9%), other Christian (1.9%), other (2.1%), unspecified (1.5%), none (4.2%)
Ethnic Groups: Celtic, English (92%), Asian (1.3%), black (1.1%), mixed or unspecified (2.7%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Similar to the U.S.
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Unless you want to invest a substantial sum in the country, most immigrants to Ireland either marry into it or take advantage of the “grandfather” clause that allows anyone with an Irish grandparent to claim citizenship. Once in, you enjoy full government benefits, including free healthcare and education—though the impact of the post-bailout austerity measures on those benefits might not leave you all that much once the smoke clears. A strong Catholic streak makes this place slightly more culturally conservative than the rest of Western Europe but those who like their beer dense and their whisky straight up will feel right at home. Ireland, one of the PIIGS (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain) countries, has suffered a banking and economic collapse and the social upheaval as a result of subsequent austerity measures have only begun to manifest.
Living There
Governance: Ireland is a Western-style democracy with free and fair elections (though government corruption has been an issue), healthy independent media and respect for basic human rights and political liberties. Internet is uncensored.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Widely available; 65% of the population have Internet but hi-speed is lacking compared to the rest of Western Europe.
Healthcare: Everyone is entitled to healthcare in Ireland, and this is partly funded by social security contributions. Modern medical facilities and highly skilled medical practitioners are available in Ireland.
GDP: $172.3 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $37,600
Sovereign Debt: 94.2% of GDP
Working There: Tourist-area work in pubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels. Au pair wages are often low but food and accommodation are usually included. The nation’s economic difficulties after the housing bubble collapse may limit employment opportunities and it’s harder for non-E.U. citizens to find work.
Regulatory Environment: A prime location for entrepreneurs: transparent, efficient, and easy to navigate. The World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index ranks Ireland as the 9th best location in the world to open up a business.
Taxes: Corporate: 12.5%, Individual: 0 to 41% depending on income. VAT: 13.5% for services and 21.5% for goods. Residents taxed on worldwide income and capital gains.
Cannabis: Illegal but widely available. Arrest for small amounts may result in fine and possible jail term if you are a repeat offender. Irish police allowed discretion whether or not to arrest or fine.
Homosexuality: Legal. Discrimination based on sexual orientation outlawed. The passage of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitations Act 2010 ensures that same-sex civil unions are legally recognized.
Abortion: Prohibited except to save a woman’s life
Women’s Issues: Pay inequality issues exist, though discrimination is against the law.
Guns: Some firearms legal. “Per-gun” certificate required for ownership and use.
Crime: Crime rate low. There is some petty theft in tourist areas.
Real Estate: There are no restrictions on foreigners who wish to buy property in Ireland. Buyers must pay stamp duty on all property transactions (first €125,000 is exempt). Legal cost can also range between 0.5 and 1%. Financing is difficult for foreigners to acquire and many buyers pay in cash. Since Ireland’s economy hit the skids, home prices have dropped by over 40%. Average home prices are still in the neighborhood of $300,000.
Life Expectancy: 78.24 years
Moving There
Skills and heredity will get you in. Otherwise, it’s a pretty hard slog.
Tourist Visa: Americans are not required to apply for a tourist visa but staying beyond 90 days is not allowed and there are no extensions.
Entrepreneur/Business Permission Visa: Ireland may soon revamp its entrepreneur visa scheme, easing some requirements. An investment of €300,000 is necessary and employment of at least two EEA (European Economic Area) nationals.
Work Permits: Because Ireland is an E.U. member, Americans who wish to work in Ireland are required to obtain a Work Permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and employment. The Permits are only issued with proof of a job offer from an Irish employer who has made every effort to recruit an Irish or a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA) for the position. You must work for your employer for at least 12 months before you are allowed to move to a different position or employer. The permits are issued for two years and can be renewed for an additional three years. After that period, the permit can be renewed indefinitely.
Green Card Permit: The Green Card Permit “scheme” allows prospective non-Irish employees to live and work in Ireland in specified occupations where there is a “strategic skills shortage.” Job offer must be for a minimum of two years’ duration, after which, you can apply for permanent residency
Permanent Resident: Five years legal residency, applicant must show proof of good character, and economic self-sufficiency (job, income, etc.)
Student Visas are available per the usual documentation and holders of student visas are allowed to seek and accept part-time employment. Applicants for Student Visas must demonstrate their intention to leave Ireland after their studies are completed. There are also visas for Creative Artists (e.g. writers, visual artists, musicians, etc.). Eligibility is judged on a case-by-case basis.
Citizenship by Descent: If you have Irish blood in you, there’s a chance you may be able to qualify for Irish citizenship and all the benefits that entails. If your grandfather or grandmother was born in Ireland, so long as you register at the Foreign Births Register at an Irish Embassy or Consular Office or Department of Foreign Affairs, you can become a citizen of the emerald isles. If your Irish roots go further back and you have a great-grandfather or great-grandmother born in Ireland, you may have a chance at citizenship but your parents had to have registered your name in the Foreign Births Register at the time of your birth. Naturalization will require research and the appropriate documents to prove your legitimate right to claim citizenship, but for many Americans of Irish descent, it may be well worth it. Ireland allows dual citizenship so you won’t need to renounce your American citizenship and you will also become a citizen of the E.U. which allows you to live and work almost anywhere on the continent.
Citizenship (naturalization): Citizenship petitions can be submitted to the Irish Minister of Justice after five years of legal residency (three, with an Irish spouse), plus proof of good character, and expressed intention to continue living in Ireland are required.
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Climate: Temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas
Government: Parliamentary Democracy
Population: 7,233,701
Currency: Israeli New Shekel (ILS): 1 ILS = 0.28 USD
Language: Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language.
Religious Groups: Jewish (75.5%), Muslim (16.8%), Christian (2.1%), Druze (1.7%), other (3.9%)
Ethnic Groups: Jewish (76.4%), non-Jewish [mostly Arab] (26.4%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Reasonable
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Clinging to its splinter of land along the Mediterranean Sea and its plurality of biblical holy sites, Israel offers the most Western-friendly accommodations and boasts the largest American expat community relative to its size of any other country. This is comprised almost completely of Jews, who are encouraged by family and other institutions to make aliya and enticed by Israel’s Law of Return and various incentives. There’s fast food, shopping malls, and centuries of history—and animosity. If you’re even contemplating a move here, you probably either know where you stand on I-P (Israel-Palestine) issues or don’t care about it enough to find out.
Living There
Governance: A Western-style democracy, independent judiciary, and opinionated free press. Some corruption. The Israeli state guarantees basic political and civil liberties. Of course Israel’s Arab minority have an entirely different perspective on things.
Infrastructure: Up to Western standards in Israel proper, less so in the occupied territories.
Internet: Hi-speed widely available
Healthcare: A large percentage of Israel’s medical care is provided by the Histadrut, the national labor union. Medical care is excellent in Israel proper; care and facilities are much worse in the occupied territories.
GDP: $217.1 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $29,500
Sovereign Debt: 77.3% of GDP
Working There: Kibbutz and agricultural, high-tech, tourism
Regulatory Environment: Recent reforms have eased the process of starting a business in Israel and streamlined existing regulations.
Taxes: Corporate: 25%, Individual: 10–45%, VAT: 16%. Taxes levied on worldwide income (some exemptions for senior citizens and new arrivals).
Cannabis: Criminal penalties for possession and use. Widely available. Some medicinal use allowed.
Homosexuality: Legal. Same-sex unions legally recognized. Laws against discrimination. Active gay and lesbian community. Considered the most gay- friendly country in the Middle East, as defenders of the State’s other excesses never tire of pointing out.
Abortion: To preserve physical and mental health and in cases of rape, incest and fetal impairment
Women’s Issues: Israeli women well-represented in business and government. Laws against domestic violence and sexual harassment. Some lingering wage disparities between men and women. “Modesty Patrols” have been known to harass women in Haredi communities.
Guns: A wide range of firearms are legal. License required and renewed every three years. Open carry of firearms is legal and not uncommon.
Crime: Not insignificant, though it’s the terrorists that get all the attention.
Real Estate: Americans are allowed to purchase property in Israel. Mortgages are available for 60–80% of the appraised value. Since 2008, interest rates have been between 1.5–2.5%.
Life Expectancy: 80.73 years
Moving There
One question: are you Jewish?
Tourist Visa: Valid only 90 days
Student Visa: Valid for one year. Renewable in Israel.
Work Permit: Request must be made by potential employer. Issued for varying periods. Note: permits are usually issued for one specific profession or type of work. You cannot change occupations or perform work unrelated to existing permit.
Citizenship (Law of Return): Jewish immigrants, those with Jewish ancestors (grandparents), and converts to Judaism have the right to legally reside in Israel and can choose to become citizens within three months of arrival. Certificate of Oleh required.
Citizenship (naturalization): Non-Jewish immigrants can apply for citizenship if they have legally resided for three years (out of the last five) in Israel. Applications are submitted to the Ministry of the Interior. Interior Minister is given discretion to grant or deny applications.
Marni Levin
Jerusalem, Israel
In some ways, life here in Israel is similar to life in the U.S. We are busy with our families, homes, jobs and everyday events. I switched to a different shift at my job. My husband has been writing essays and exams for the counseling course he is taking. We bought some new living room furniture. We attended our nephew’s wedding. Yet at the same time it is a different, meaningful and more significant life. It is impossible to separate the cultural and religious aspects as for me they are intertwined. For example, yesterday we celebrated Purim when we recall our salvation from a Persian tyrant, Haman, who tried to destroy the Jews. And here we are, thousands of years later, and look what is happening. Persia is now called Iran and their president Ahmadinejad hates us just as much as his ancestor did and would like nothing better than to wipe us off the map.
Viewed in that way, life here is not ordinary, not when we feel connected to and part of our ongoing, fascinating history. And there is pain, too. Our sons serve in the army. Friends of theirs have been killed. Hearing our oldest granddaughter Avigail, our first little sabra (native-born Israeli) in the family, chatter away in both fluent English and Hebrew fills us with joy. Israel is unique, it is special, it is ours. I would not want to live anywhere else.
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Climate: Generally mild Mediterranean; cold northern winters
Government: Republic
Population: 58,126,212
Currency: Euro (EUR): 1 EUR = 1.36 USD
Language: Italian
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (predominant)
Ethnic Groups: Italian, small minorities of German, French, Slovenian, and Albanian
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Steep
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Fantastically beautiful, with more history, architectural beauty and art per square mile than any other country, Italy attracts throngs of Americans in spite of steep costs (higher than any other Mediterranean country) and difficult residency barriers. If you’re of Italian descent, that counts for a lot, bureaucratically speaking. Rome, Florence and Venice are popular but priced at the high end. Bear in mind the state religion is Roman Catholic, not Efficiency and Convenience, so bring patience, money, your most fashionable attire and an appetite for pasta and Chianti.
Living There
Governance: Though Italy generally adheres to Western-style democratic principles, it is famously corrupt and media freedom has been hampered by government control of most outlets. Police brutality has also been an issue in parts of the country.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Over 50% of the population has access to the Internet but Italian broadband penetration is far behind many other European nations. Italy has no cable television, and therefore, cable modems for broadband don’t exist. DSL is the only option. The Italian government is committed to increasing broadband access and developing the wireless network. Telephones are modern, well-developed, fast; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services.
Healthcare: Medical facilities are available, but may be limited outside urban areas. Public hospitals, though generally free of charge for emergency services, sometimes do not maintain the same standards as hospitals in the United States. The Italian national health system (“Servizio Sanitario Nazionale” or SSN) offers low-cost healthcare of a good standard, with well-trained and dedicated doctors, though waiting lists can be long.
GDP: $1.782 trillion
GDP (Per Capita): $30,700
Sovereign Debt: 118.1% of GDP
Working There: Opportunities in summer and winter tourism at resorts, camping, TEFL-qualified language schools, au pairs.
Regulatory Environment: Complex, costly, and burdensome. Corruption is a problem.
Taxes: Corporate: 31.4%, Individual: 23–43%, VAT: 20% (4% on some goods like books and food).
Cannabis: Illegal but small amounts can be considered an administrative offense. If caught selling, you can go to prison.
Homosexuality: Legal. No legal recognition of same-sex unions at this time. Laws against discrimination. Culturally, Italy, with its strong ties to the Vatican, has a strong bias against homosexuals, and gays and lesbians tend to act more low-key here than in other areas of Western Europe.
Abortion: No restrictions as to reason, but parental authorization required.
Women’s Issues: Women’s rights are protected by law, though domestic violence and harassment are still big problems.
Guns: Some firearms legal. License required.
Crime: By European standards, crime rates, including violent crimes, are high, but still well below the U.S.
Real Estate: Foreigners can buy real estate in Italy. Mortgages available with 20% deposit. Purchase tax of 3–4% is levied (10% if you don’t occupy the home). Real estate tax is 3% of purchase, plus stamp duty of 7%, a local tax of between 0.4–0.8%, plus various fees.
Life Expectancy: 80.20 years
Moving There
Americans who aren’t students or of Italian descent are going to find the process beyond daunting. Luckily for those who don’t get papers but still want to stay, the enforcement arm of the government, like every other branch, wins no awards for their efficiency.
NOTE: Regardless of what kind of visa you possess, you are required to report your presence at a local police station within eight business days of your arrival in Italy or face expulsion.
Schengen Visa: Maximum 90-day stay for 180-day period. No extensions.
Residence Permit/Permesso di Soggiorno: Anyone wishing to remain in Italy longer than 90 days must apply for the proper visa at their local consulate beforehand. Within eight days of arrival (and all subsequent times) you must apply for a Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) at designated post offices. Purposes for which this can be granted are for people with an Italian spouse (and their family), work (with valid employment), self-employment, tourist, study and other non-employment related reasons. The latter (Visto per Residenza Selettiva o Dimora) is mainly geared toward retirees, but anyone showing sufficient independent wealth or income can apply. Those who don’t fall into the easily-defined categories will find this road difficult. Should you be granted a permit, the validity period can vary, but it will be renewable up to five years.
EC Long-Term Resident Visa (Permanent Residence): This visa is issued to individuals after five years of legal residency and can demonstrate a minimum income equivalent to Italian Social Security benefits.
Work Permit If you plan on being self-employed while you live in Italy, you will need to apply for an Independent Work Visa. This kind of work permit is often subject to quota restrictions. There are also Subordinate Work Visas which require documentation that you have been hired by an Italian company. As an E.U. country, the Italian job market is tilted toward citizens of Europe and it won’t be easy to land employment but there are openings in seasonal work and a few select occupations where there are shortages in Italy. Unsurprisingly, a lot of Americans work at cash jobs, off the books.
Citizenship: Granted to spouses and children of Italian nationals. Grandchildren of Italian nationals can also receive expedited claims and reduced residency (three years). Otherwise, 10 years legal residency, proof of economic self-sufficiency, and absence of criminal record.
Laura
Rome, Italy
The joke amongst expats is that you have to really really love it in order to put up with all the sh-t. My life isn’t particularly glamorous, but for me it is the best possible life—sorry to be a dork but—I can go to the world’s best museums and archaeological sites in a hop, skip and jump. Seeing a building or a painting or an ancient mosaic at an archaeological site that I had heretofore only seen in books is always a cool experience. I have weepy moments often, and they are almost all in front of art works. One time i was gazing at Bernini’s “Daphne and Apollo” and crying (and then my cell rang!)
The first apartment I got was from expatriates.com which I now realize was a site to fish for “rich Americans.” A studio with a comfortable sofa bed was €950 a month. After five months, I was out of money. I got another apartment a bit further out of the center of town, paying €800, plus utilities, including a gas tank next to my stove that had to be filled every two months. For the past two years, I’ve been sharing a rented apartment with my boyfriend. It’s bigger (one bedroom plus huge terrace) and for not that much more than the studio (€1000 + expenses), and a bit more central. But while all the expats are renting, and it is no big thing, the Italians are very averse to paying rent, so the beau is trying to encourage me/us to buy a place but the real estate is to-the-moon expensive, and I am not sure I want to move to the ugly sprawly suburbs since I came to Rome to be in the center of the action, and renting affords me that opportunity.
If you are considering moving here, there is also a terrific resource, a Yahoo group called VCN, which stands for Volunteers and Consultants Network. It was originally established for U.N. volunteers, English speakers, who come to a strange town. It’s like a craigslist.org, but it also has announcements of social events. You get answers to questions like, “Where do you find an English movie theater? Who wants to buy my motor scooter?” Tons of apartments for rent. It’s really active.
There are LOTS of social activities for expats here. I also used a dating site called Meetic. Met my current beau on there even though online dating is not part of the landscape here the way it is in the States. My boyfriend is very attached to his family (wants to see them nearly every day), and that is one of the biggest points of conflict—after all I only see my family once or twice a year!
Anyway, dating an Italian is a great way to learn Italian (even if you are stubborn like me and don’t really want to!) and I have made many Italian friends and acculturated to the way real Italians live (not the way we fantasize they do, as foreigners).
If you are thinking of moving here, just be prepared to let go of a lot of what you consider to be essential in the U.S. You have to learn to go at a much slower pace, deal with unimaginable bureaucracy, and live with a lot less money and consumer “stuff.” But it’s worth it!
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Climate: Varies from subtropical to temperate
Government: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government
Population: 127,078,679
Currency: Yen (JPY): 1 JPY = 0.01 USD
Language: Japanese
Religious Groups: Shinto (83.9%), Buddhism (71.4%), Christianity (2%), other (7.8%) [note: many Japanese are both Shinto and Buddhist]
Ethnic Groups: Japanese (98.5%), Koreans (0.5%), Chinese (0.4%), other (0.6%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Ouch
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Despite being the one of the most expensive places on the planet, Japan manages to attract plenty of Americans. Most head for Tokyo, to be stuffed into subway cars, sleep in tiny apartments and live with tomorrow’s gadgets today. Getting in isn’t the problem, provided you can afford being there. Luckily, teaching English is an industry here. Jobs pay in the mighty yen, and often include accommodations, so Americans can often afford to send money back home just like Third World immigrants in the United States do. With a large media industry that puts a premium on Western or American looks, many musicians, actors and models worn out from the casting couch back home, have found it easier and more lucrative to be big in Japan. The 2011 earthquake and particularly the nuclear catastrophe still unfolding at press time (and likely to continue to unfold centuries after this book is out of print) has painted a radioactive cloud over the country’s future—both in terms of its livability and economic underpinnings. On the other hand, the expat exodus has opened up more opportunities for those willing to pick up the slack.
Living There
Governance: Japan operates as a Western-style democracy, with free and fair elections and all the rights, privileges and civil liberties safeguards that entails.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Widely used; approximately 78% of the population have Internet access. Hi-speed widely available. Japan’s fiber-based FTTH network is considered one of the fastest in the world. An initiative by the Japanese government seeks to provide broadband access to 100% of the population by 2011.
Healthcare: Excellent. National health insurance available.
GDP: $4.338 trillion
GDP (Per Capita): $34,200
Sovereign Debt: 225.8% of GDP
Working There: Teaching English, healthcare (nurses and caregivers are needed for Japan’s large aging population), entertainment industry, and some skilled factory labor.
Regulatory Environment: Starting a business is relatively easy but there is still some red tape to surmount.
Taxes: Corporate: 40.87%, Individual: 5–40%, VAT: 5%. Note: when local taxes are included, Japan’s individual income tax rate tops out at around 50%. Nonresidents only pay taxes on income earned in Japan.
Cannabis: Illegal. Stiff penalties for even the tiniest amount.
Homosexuality: Legal. No legal recognition of same-sex unions. Some local laws banning discrimination. Homosexual behavior is accepted but the lifestyle is not.
Abortion: Legal on socioeconomic grounds, to save the woman’s life, physical or mental health. However, Japan’s laws require spousal permission.
Women’s Issues: Women often face discrimination in the workplace. Sexual harassment is widespread. Violence against women is believed to be grossly underreported for cultural reasons. Over the past few years, the Tokyo transportation system has been running “Women Only” carriages on trains so that secretaries can enjoy their morning commute without being groped.
Guns: Handguns strictly illegal. Only rifles and shotguns can be legally owned and they must be strictly for hunting or sporting purposes. License required. Even touching a firearm without proper license is prohibited by law.
Crime: Violent crime rare. Occasional pickpocketing or petty theft in tourist areas.
Real Estate: While no restrictions exist, real estate is exorbitantly expensive, particularly in major cities, and mortgage financing is difficult to obtain, especially for non-residents.
Life Expectancy: 82.12 years
Moving There
If you can afford to stay and/or have a gig lined up, getting the proper paperwork is a fairly easy matter. Your garden-variety youthful expat usually arrives via an English-teaching program. Ex-GIs and aging bachelors often marry their way in. Otherwise, there are scads of visa types for any category you can come up with.
Tourist Visa: For U.S. citizens, visa is not required for stay up to 90 days. You can look for employment while on a tourist visa, but you must apply for a working visa before you start your employment.
General Visa: Issued for “academic or artistic activities” which provide no income or research related to Japanese culture (e.g. tea ceremony, Judo, Zen Buddhism etc.). Visa is issued for one- and three-year periods.
Working Visa: There are 16 categories of working visas that cover professors employed at Japanese universities, journalists, working artists, accountants, medical service professionals, teachers, business owners, entertainers, skilled laborers etc. Each designated working visa has specific background requirements like professional certification, experience, and/or university degree. Visa issued for one or three years.
Student Visas are also available per the usual requirements.
Long term Resident: Mainly issued to foreigners of Japanese descent. If you fit the bill, it’s issued for one to three years. Most visas are renewable/extendable provided the original criteria still apply.
Permanent Resident: Criteria for Permanent Residency are not fixed and stingily granted. Even spouses can wait years. Generally, those without Japanese family or other connections must have lived 10 consecutive years in Japan, five of them with a valid work permit and fulfill various other requirements (good conduct, self-sufficiency, etc.).
Citizenship: Applicant must be at least 20 years of age, possessing sufficient funds, income, and/or professional skills to live independently, clean criminal record, and at least five years continuous legal residency in Japan. Minister of Justice is given discretion to grant or deny all naturalization requests.
Paul Schuble
Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Life in Japan isn’t radically different from living in America in terms of comfort. There are, of course, degrees of comfort in either country. Some of the bigger differences:
Weather and insulation: The Japanese love to brag that Japan has four seasons, as if this is something unique. But for many expats, these seasons aren’t the normal spring, summer, winter, and fall we’re used to. They’re hot, cold, wet, and mild, with the latter being the most transient of the bunch. Temperatures and weather conditions aren’t so extreme in Japan, but despite the country’s reputation for advanced technology, its infrastructure can be found largely wanting. While many houses are constructed to stand up to earthquakes, the majority are built with relatively little insulation, resulting in hot summers, cold winters, and high electricity bills all around.
Toilets: Yes, there are technological wonders with all kinds of sensors and sprays and heated seats, but you won’t have one of those unless you’re wealthy or staying at a hotel. Although in most cases you can find a normal Western toilet, woe to the poor foreigner who can’t fight nature’s call and is left no recourse but the Japanese-style hole in the ground. Hope you like squatting.
Banking and convenience stores: In Japan most banks seem to close at 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon and aren’t open on weekends, so banking can be a challenge. Fortunately, convenience stores really live up to their name. Most bills can be paid at the register, and ATMs can be accessed for a minor service charge.
Stamp, don’t sign: In Japan, individuals and organizations own special stamps called hanko or inkan. These are used in place of a signature on official documents of all kinds. In the case of foreigners, signatures are often permissible. If you do choose to get a stamp, don’t lose it! I’ve heard replacing it can be a huge rigmarole.
Transportation: Trains and buses are a lot more efficient, punctual, and safe in Japan, and most people own bicycles. It’s pretty easy to live without a car. Back in the States it’s a lot harder.
In my experience, there are mainly three kinds of expats in Japan. There are those who are here for an experience, be it exploring a new culture and then returning home (or moving on to the next adventure), or delaying life in “the real world.” These folks stay here for one or several years.
Japan is expensive compared to America, though there is variation by region. In particular, meat and produce are much more expensive here. It’s not uncommon to see peaches for 400 or 500 yen apiece (roughly $5 or $6). I think my most “wtf” moment at a Japanese supermarket was seeing a single melon selling for 10,000 yen (about $120).
Clothes and brand names are also much more expensive in Japan, and Japanese tourists to America often go shopping and load up on clothes to bring back because of the price difference.
There are those who stay here because quite frankly they can just drift. It’s possible to live here without really knowing the language. There are easy jobs to be found for those who speak English, and there are guys and girls who will go out with you (or more) just because you’re foreign and exotic.
Then there are those in it for the long haul, who have fallen in love with Japan or with one of the natives and have decided to put down roots here. I think the tradeoffs in convenience balance out, especially over a long period of time. Most permanent or long-term foreign residents that I know don’t really miss much, except maybe Mexican food.
My feeling is that people in Japan are perhaps not friendlier than your average American, but are more polite and willing to be helpful. That’s a broad generalization, of course.
There are certain social norms that are pretty different from what you would expect in America. For example, while this may be changing with the younger generations, men and women generally don’t mix as casually as they do in the States. While they often tend to be more open to the fact that the situation may differ with foreigners, it’s my understanding that men and women usually don’t socialize casually as friends, for example, unless at some work or organizational social function.
As far as making friends, I haven’t known anyone who has had problems. Japanese are required to study English in school, but most people here rarely get to use their English. It’s also a mostly homogeneous society. As a result, although there are a small number of Japanese who develop an aversion to English and are uncomfortable around foreigners, there are also many natives who are interested in trying to use English and in meeting people who are different from them.
Jonathan Lukacek
Osaka, Japan
I have a Japanese wife and have one child. The three of us live in a 64 sqm apartment near Umeda in Osaka. Together we often go shopping, relax in cafés, visit local sites, but we are always exploring. Occasionally we will take a weekend off and do nothing but hang around near our apartment but when we get long breaks we tend to travel by train to places we’ve never been. I really love the huge variety of locally made goods each place we visit has. Some places have specialties in eyeglasses, others in pottery, some in lacquer ware, and in textiles.
I have few expat friends. I speak Japanese fairly fluently, and encourage all other foreigners living in Japan to do so as well. The majority of my friends I see on a regular basis are Japanese. I think of life here optimistically and feel extremely comfortable here. I don’t find discrimination a big problem here contrary to other people’s perspectives.
Life is different here, and it consumes you if you aren’t careful. The huge differences between West and East seem trivial at first but soon come to be a daunting obstacle in living the life you’ve grown accustomed to in your home country. You really have to adjust your lifestyle. Things that you once thought were cheap become expensive habits. People are definitely more curious and open than they seem once you learn more of the local language, which for me is one of the best ways to adjust to life in Japan.
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Climate: Maritime; wet, moderate winters
Government: Parliamentary Democracy
Population: 2,231,503
Currency: Latvian Lat (LVL): 1 LVL = 2.06 USD
Language: Latvian [official] (58.2%), Russian (37.5%), Lithuanian and other (4.3%) |
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Religious Groups: Lutheran (19.6%), Orthodox (15.3%), other Christian (1%), other (0.4%), unspecified (63.7%)
Ethnic Groups: Latvian (59.3%), Russian (27.8%), Belarusian (3.6%), Ukrainian (2.5%), Polish (2.4%), Lithuanian (1.3%), other (3.1%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Dirt cheap
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Like its neighbor Estonia, little Latvia crashed and burned thanks to the benevolent gifts of neoliberal privatization schemes, but for expats looking for life on the cheap in Art Nouveau splendor, it shouldn’t make too much difference.
Living There
Governance: Generally, Latvia functions as a liberal, Western-style democracy with free elections, independent media and respect for human rights. Some problems with corruption exist, particularly within the judiciary.
Infrastructure: Developing
Internet: Nearly 60% of Latvia’s population enjoys Internet access. Broadband services account for the majority of Internet subscriptions. Hi-speed Internet widely available.
Healthcare: Medical care in Latvia is steadily improving but is far from state-of-the-art. There are a few private clinics with adequate medical supplies and services which are nearly equal to Western Europe or U.S. standards.
GPD: $32.2 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $14,300
Sovereign Debt: 46.2% of GDP
Working There: Teach English or get a company to sponsor you.
Regulatory Environment: Overall, relatively simple and efficient.
Taxes: Corporate: 15%, Individual: 26%, (15% if self-employed), VAT: 21% (certain goods and services at reduced rate of 10%). Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Illegal...and available
Homosexuality: Legal. No legal recognition of same-sex unions. Laws against discrimination. General cultural prejudices don’t allow for much more than a nascent gay scene in the capital, Riga.
Abortion: No restriction as to reason. Parental authorization/notification required.
Women’s Issues: Domestic violence a recurring problem. Gender equality is a matter of law, but women still face hiring and pay discrimination. Laws against rape but no explicit legislation addressing spousal rape—although offenders can be charged under provisions of existing laws.
Guns: 9mm or lower caliber firearms allowed. Licensing and registration required.
Crime: Relatively safe. Majority of crime is nonviolent. In tourist areas pickpocketing, purse-snatching, and muggings have been known to occur. Cases have been reported to the U.S. State Department of Americans being given drugged drinks in bars and then robbed.
Real Estate: There are no restrictions on foreigners owning real estate in Latvia. Mortgages are available to nonresidents. Sale price will usually include agent commissions which are seldom over 5%. Property taxes are 1.5% of the state-assigned value of the property (almost always lower than market value).
Life Expectancy: 72.15 years
Moving There
An easy go, particularly for the investor and not too difficult for those who have access to a modest monthly independent/freelance income.
Schengen Visa: Maximum 90-day stay for 180-day period. No extensions.
Temporary Residence Permit: Applicants must submit documents confirming adequate funds to live in Latvia (approx. $600/month), chest X-ray, and a document verifying place of residence and right to reside there (e.g. lease or rental agreement). If you plan on being self-employed, you will also need to submit: a) an audited business plan signed by sworn auditor; b) a bank statement showing you have adequate funds to carry out proposed enterprise; c) license or certificate (if required); and d) statement from State Revenue Service that you have registered as a taxpayer. If employed by a Latvian company you will need to submit a letter of invitation authorized by State Employment Service. Once you have received a residence permit, you are required to show proof of valid health insurance. Valid for one to five years depending on reason for stay.
Investor: New legislation allows foreigners who invest in Latvian real estate (approx. $200,000 for cities, $100,000 rural areas), banks or credit institutions (approx. $412,000), or business (approx. $100,000) to receive temporary residence permit valid for five years
Permanent Residence: Five years residency in Latvia required. Applicant must also provide certification of proficiency in Latvian language.
Work Visa/Permit: Applicant must submit employment contract with business registered in Latvia. Some professions, like certified teachers, IT professionals, and others do not need to apply for work permit.
Citizenship: Five years legal residence, sufficient funds/income, proficiency in Latvian language and knowledge of Latvian history, customs, national anthem, and constitution, clean criminal record. Applications are submitted to Naturalization Department.
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Climate: Mediterranean; summers are dry and hot, spring and autumn are warm, winters are short and mild. Humidity is quite high, but rainfall is low, particularly outside of the rainy season (October to March).
Government: Republic
Population: 405,165
Currency: Euro (EUR): 1 EUR = 1.36 USD
Language: Maltese (official), English (official) |
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Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (98%)
Ethnic Groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock).
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Reasonable
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If you’re looking for a Mediterranean island nation that hasn’t mortgaged its soul to tourism, you could do a lot worse than Malta. Costs are more bearable than the typically precious Greek islands (but is more dusty and densely populated, as well), and anyone with a bit of money can easily while away the years here. Not a destination for the career-minded or job-hungry, though. And thanks to the rather resilient patriarchal Catholic streak, it’s not exactly the ideal environment for women, gays, hedonists and libertines.
Living There
Governance: Malta operates as a Western-style democracy with free and fair elections, independent media and judiciary, freedom of expression, the right to organize etc.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Hi-speed widely available
Healthcare: Quality of facilities and care is high. All legal residents are entitled to free healthcare. Even tourists receive free emergency care.
GDP: $11.76 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $28,900
Sovereign Debt: 69.1% of GDP
Working There: Non-E.U. citizens have few working opportunities.
Regulatory Environment: Straightforward and not difficult to negotiate
Taxes: Corporate: 35%, Individual: 0–35%, VAT: 18%. There is no property tax in Malta. Residents taxed on worldwide income but some exemptions are available.
Cannabis: Illegal but available. Not a big law enforcement priority.
Homosexuality: Legal. No recognition of same-sex unions. Laws against discrimination. Generally tolerant, though most gay activity is kept low-key in this predominantly Catholic country.
Abortion: Illegal under any circumstances
Women’s Issues: Divorce is not part of the Maltese legal system. Women are very under-represented in business. Domestic violence continues to be a problem.
Guns: Shotguns and antique weapons allowed. Strict storage requirements.
Crime: Moderate. Compared to other European nations, Malta has a high number of robberies but otherwise, a very low number of violent crimes.
Real Estate: Americans were once allowed only to purchase property in government-designated expatriate communities. Today, Malta’s ascension to E.U. member status has lifted most restrictions for foreigners seeking to buy residential property. There are some preconditions for acquiring a second property. Local banks do offer mortgages to non-Maltese citizens. Typical rate is 4.5% and term is up to 40 years.
Life Expectancy: 79.44 years
Moving There
Pretty much geared toward the retiree and sit-on-your money crowd. There’s talk of a whole range of new immigration schemes targeting “high net-worth” individuals.
Schengen Visa: Maximum of 90-day stay every 180 days, no exceptions.
Temporary Residence: Permit requires evidence of an annual income of approximately $15,000 plus $2,500 for every dependent. One year, renewable.
Permanent Resident: Requires evidence of an annual income of approximately $25,000 or capital of at least $425,000. Permanent residents are required to buy at least $125,000 worth of property or pay at least $4,500 a year in documented rent.
Work Permit: Must have offer of employment.
Student Visas available per the usual rigmarole.
Citizenship: Five years legal residency and renounce U.S. citizenship. However, naturalization is as at the discretion of Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, and requests are often turned down. Favored treatment is given to those of Maltese descent, residents who have lived in Malta for 18 years or more, and individuals who were born in Malta.
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Climate: Cooler in the mountains, varies from tropical to desert
Government: Federal Republic
Population: 111,211,789
Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN): 1 MXN = 0.08 USD
Language: Over 90% Spanish but a small minority still speak indigenous languages (Mayan, Nahuatl etc.)
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (76.5%), Protestant (6.3%), Other (0.3%), unspecified (13.8%), none (3.1%)
Ethnic Groups: mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) (60%), Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian (30%), white (9%), other 1%
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Cheap
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South of the Border has been a destination for Americans fleeing the law, the rat race or winter gloom since the dawn of our republic. Our NAFTA partner offers business and residency requirements that are a simple matter for anyone of modest means. Houses can be found for as little as $30,000 (although in well-heeled expat communities, prices for deluxe residences can reach half a million dollars or more). Many expats used to purchase second homes here, usually on the Baja coast around Ensenada, but border violence has moved the action further south. Urban sophisticados make their home in Mexico City, while artists, wiccans and other bohemians flock to the Mexican Sedona, San Miguel de Allende. Altogether an estimated one million Americans living there, and the most popular locales such as Cancún and Los Cabos are still quite safe. Keeping your distance from the border is the general rule of thumb. Low-crime (and scenic) locales like Cozumel, Querétero, Campeche, and Puebla count among Mexico’s safest areas.
Living There
Governance: Government can be changed democratically, though elections are often tainted by corruption. Many cases of media intimidation have been reported. In regions where drug-related violence is high, journalists have been threatened, beaten, and even killed by members of drug cartels who are so intertwined with government as to be nearly indistinguishable. Religious freedom by and large respected but religious groups must register with the government. Dissent is often stifled. Labor and peasant leaders have been murdered, particularly in the southern states. Judicial system is often corrupt. Despite a massive military crackdown in border areas, cartel-related violence has not only continued unabated but has actually intensified into periodic low-intensity warfare.
Infrastructure: Low telephone density, non-toll roads are often inadequate. A general sense of shoddiness prevails.
Internet: Hi-speed available in the cities and the more developed areas. Mexico Internet usage is the second-highest in South America with over 23 million users (Brazil is first).
Healthcare: Healthcare in Mexico is inexpensive (as much as 70% lower) and private insurance is unheard of, and bargain-seeking Americans often make trips here solely for medical or dental procedures. You can expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $5 for a quick consultation, to $10–$25 for a more extensive evaluation. This pertains to private doctors as well as a visit to a hospital for a routine or even some emergency visits. The level of care, especially in remote areas, is uneven and may be well below what Americans are used to. Mexico allows anyone regardless of their immigrant status to enroll in the national healthcare program (IMSS). Cost: $100–$300 per year.
GDP: $1.56 trillion
GDP (Per Capita): $13,800
Sovereign Debt: 41.5% of GDP
Working There: Teach English, work at resorts, not much else, aside from American corporations.
Regulatory Environment: Recent reforms have made it easier to launch new businesses (just over two weeks) but efficiency will often vary from state to state, as will the extent of corruption.
Taxes: Individual: 0–30%, Corporate: 30%, VAT: 16%. Non-residents—both individuals and corporations—are taxed on their Mexican income only. Residents taxed on income earned abroad.
Cannabis: Adults can possess small amounts of marijuana without fear of arrest. You’re apt to smell it in areas where young people gather.
Homosexuality: Legal. Federal constitution was amended in 2001 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Legislation permitting same-sex marriage in Mexico City ruled constitutional by Mexico’s highest court. Large gay communities in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Tijuana, Cancún, and Puerto Vallarta. In recent years Mexican society has been showing new signs of tolerance toward homosexuals, however in many places cultural taboos remain.
Abortion: Prohibited except to save a woman’s life or in case of rape
Women’s Issues: Women underrepresented in government and professional positions. Domestic violence and sexual harassment an ongoing problem.
Guns: Certain classes of firearms can be owned for hunting or self-defense with approval from the military. Background check required.
Crime: The border areas are devolving into no-go areas. Armed street crime a problem in all major cities. Kidnapping also occurs. Elsewhere, crime is more of the petty nuisance variety. Cops and criminals are often indistinguishable.
Real Estate: Foreigners cannot buy property within 30 miles of the coastline or within 60 miles of any Mexican border. There are numerous ways around this and much of Mexico’s coastal land does in fact belong to foreigners. Otherwise, Americans can buy most other property without restriction. No title insurance in Mexico. Real estate agents are not licensed or regulated by the government. Transaction fees vary by state but are usually between 1–2% of purchase price. The average home price is just over $140,000. Significantly cheaper homes can be found outside the resort areas and expat enclaves. In the more upscale districts homes begin at $250,000 or so and run all the way into seven figures.
Life Expectancy: 76.26 years
Moving There
There are all sorts of ways to legally reside in Mexico. The Mexican economy is still propped up by dollars flowing down from El Norte, and as long as you can be counted upon to bring a few with you and spend them here, you shouldn’t encounter too much resistance.
Tourist Visa/FMM: Tourists who intend to travel farther than the “free zone” of more than 20 miles from the U.S. border need to get a tourist visa (FMT). Visa is generally valid for 180 days.
Non-Immigrant Visa/FM3: An FM3 is a one-year permit to reside in Mexico and comes in a variety of categories: business, student, retiree, technician, journalism, etc. This document makes the holder a No Inmigrante (Non-Immigrant) like the tourist visa but, unlike the tourist visa, you are allowed to live in the country for an extended period of time. The document must be renewed each year as long as you continue to reside in Mexico. After your fifth year you can either upgrade to an FM2 or simply request a new FM3. Applicant must prove monthly income of approximately $1,000/per month, plus half this amount per month for each family member 15 years of age or older; or have your Mexican employer present a letter to immigration authorities requesting a specialized service and the job duties to be performed; or a letter from an American company, along with proof the company exists, stating the specific responsibilities/purpose to be conducted while in Mexico and length of stay. For a couple of thousand dollars, expats can create a Mexican company and hire themselves without having to actually engage in much business and receive their visa that way. Years of residency on an FM3 visa do not accrue toward permanent residency or citizenship.
Visitor: is the foreigner that enters Mexico for a specific profitable or non profitable activity and is granted for up to one year.
Religious (for ministers and such): one year, renewable.
Student: valid while the student is studying.
Distinguished Visitor: a scientist or humanist of international prestige. This is probably not you. Six months, renewable.
Journalist: Can be issued upon proper documentation but freelancers are probably better off.
Immigrant Visa/FM2: An FM2 is a one-year permit to reside in Mexico as an immigrant. The document must be renewed each year as long as you continue to reside in Mexico. The main distinction between FM2 and FM3 is with the FM2, you can apply to become a permanent resident or citizen after five years. Relevant categories include:
Independent Income: Can include interest from capital investment of capital in approved certificates, stocks, and bonds or from any permanent income derived outside the country (e.g., pension and Social Security). The minimum amount required is presently 400 times the daily minimum wage in Mexico City, plus half that per dependent. Figures fluctuate but figure on a little over $1000 USD per month, plus 50% per dependent.
Investors: For foreigners who make approved investments that are deemed to contribute to the economic and social development of the country to the tune of around $200,000 USD (or 40,000 times the daily minimum wage in Mexico City).
Professional: Must present valid professional credentials.
Positions of Confidence: This refers to foreigners who are asked to come and manage a company or other organization.
Scientist: For scientists engaged in research or other academic work.
Technician: Skilled technical workers coming to Mexico to perform specific work or research.
Family Members: For reuniting and being economically dependent on a family member or spouse.
Artists and Athletes: Just like it says.
Assimilated Persons: Those with spouses, children or other connections in Mexico
Permanent Resident/Immigrado: After five years legal residency on FM2, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Citizenship: Anyone who has held an FM2 for five years can apply with the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores for citizenship. If you are under 60, be prepared to pass examinations in Mexican history and Spanish. If you are 60 or older, the only requirement is that you be able to speak Spanish. You can also apply for citizenship if you marry a Mexican national. If you are the father or mother of a child born in Mexico, are the descendent of a Mexican national, or if your accomplishments in science, technology, the arts, or sports have contributed greatly to Mexico, your residency requirements will be much reduced (around two years).
Cara Smiley
Oaxaca, Mexico
In December 2001, I decided to live permanently in Mexico. Even though it shares a several-thousand-mile border with the U.S. and is one of its principal trading partners, Mexico maintains an amazing sense of national and regional pride. Mexicans preserve and prefer local foods, music, language and culture over those across the border. This is impressive given the enormous economic pressures imposed on Mexico by the U.S.
For the first few years, I lived in Mexico City. You can find decent Japanese, Uruguayan, Italian, Chinese and Middle Eastern restaurants in Mexico City, but I can’t find Thai or Indian food, two cuisines that I really love from back in the States. And world music—forget about it. I’ve seen more international music visiting Vermont than I’ve seen in four years in Mexico City.
In December 2006, my fiancé and I moved to Oaxaca City, Oaxaca. Although the principal reason that I moved to Oaxaca is because my husband is from here originally, there are several things that I have come to love about it:
1) An AMAZING Englishilanguage library that is run by an established group of (mostly) American retirees and which has over 30,000 books in English. The yearly membership is reasonable ($50.00 USD for a family) and they are always getting new books.
2) A large selection of restaurants with high quality and diverse menus and decent wine selections. At the luxury end (really creative ingredients, preparations, presentations, etc.), Eugenio and I spend around $120.00 USD for two appetizers, two entrees, two deserts, one bottle of wine, coffee, etc.
3) A local store that focuses on selling locally made/grown fruits, vegetables, foods, health and beauty products, etc.
4) The city is large enough that there is diversity in entertainment, shopping, etc. but small enough that it is easy to get from one place to another.
There is a large population of foreigners in Oaxaca City. Many of the foreigners are retirees who live either full-time or part-time here. Another large group works with the many NGOs established here. Because I am content working in my gardens and hanging out with my husband and dogs, I do not socialize much. Our best friends in Oaxaca are Mexicans.
While I love cooking, gardening, etc., I do not like housework. One of the wonderful things about living in Mexico is that it is affordable to hire a housecleaner. Our housecleaner, Vicki, is a single mother with three daughters who has worked with us for four years. Although most people in Oaxaca pay housecleaners $100.00 USD per week, we pay Vicki $160.00 per week. In addition, we give her fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden and we pay her and her children’s dental care. Our relationship has improved both her and our quality of life.
Good quality clothes and laptops, printers and telephones are often more expensive in Mexico than in the U.S. I have purchased laptops and printers in the U.S., but regretted the purchase because American warranties aren’t covered in Mexico. Health insurance, car insurance, house cleaning, car repair, physicians and food are less expensive in Mexico than in the U.S.
I continue to miss good infrastructure (roads, garbage, schools, telephones, government office efficiency, etc.). In general, Mexican government offices are understaffed and underequipped and are not as efficient as their counterparts in the USA. It took nine months just to get the title to my property.
Name Withheld by Request
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
San Miguel was mentioned so many times by so many people I knew. I did a lot of searching and I found many helpful websites with message boards and made friends that I could talk to about details, who were extremely helpful. I could not have done this without them.
San Miguel is in the high central desert, nearly no humidity and is not too hot and not too cold. Another big reason was that it is an “artist’s town.” Very creative here, also a lot of writers and artisans of all kinds. It is also very up to date as far as high-speed Internet, has a Mac user group, and 15,000 Americans and Canadians. It is known as the “Beverly Hills” of Mexico.
My rent is $800, which includes utilities except for my own Internet line, which I wanted, otherwise it would have been included. I spoiled myself while working fulltime in Chicago with a cleaning girl...cost $100 for four hours. Here, I have a maid once a week for four hours, included in the rent, which is standard in Mexico. She does my laundry as well and will do errands if asked.
Each day the weather is gorgeous, and I feel free to go out to a restaurant without worrying about every cent I spend. Local farmers come into town and sell fruit and vegetables at a fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S. I bought a huge bag of raspberries, and a huge bag of blackberries on the corner the other day, total cost 90 pesos... which is about 80 cents.
The restaurants here are wonderful, and since there are so many expats, decent restaurants are no problem as far as ice cubes, washing their vegetables correctly (they use a product called Microdyn)...I can go out to dinner and have filet mignon for about $15 USD, including a glass of wine. Beer is about $2.50. There are also many good less expensive places to eat, I have my list of favorites and it keeps growing.
It seems far easier to make friends here, but that may be because gringos recognize each other and want to know each others’ “stories.” About crime, it exists, but San Miguel is not a border town, so there is no drug-related crime that I know of. I feel very safe here as a single woman. If I’m coming home late at night from somewhere, I will most likely take a taxi though, as I would ANYWHERE, since they are only $2.50 USD.
James Young
Mexico City, Mexico
Since 2003, I’ve been renting a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, corner apartment in the stretch of centro between trendy Roma and the resplendent, but traffic-challenged, Historic Center. It has what my NYC friend described as “Juliet balconies” and overlooks a shady little park a quiet block from the Metrobus and Metro transit systems.
I only pay 3850 pesos (about US$330) a month in rent because I moved here when downtown was still considered the ghetto. (Don’t get me wrong. Tepito is rough. Merced is crazy rougher, but they are on the other side of a very large neighborhood.) Nowadays, a place like mine might catch almost twice that rent.
All bills (Internet, electricity, gas AND rent) run to about $650 ($60), which I split with a roommate. That includes once-a-week housecleaning—I try to pay about U.S. minimum wage for that. In addition, I have a wash-and-fold laundry a block away that I pay about $1.60/kg. I live a block away from one of the city’s finest fresh markets, and while nightlife and restaurants are still limited nearby, cabs are cheap. Not that I worry too much about that. My favorite place to down mezcal is only five blocks away, but like most of the places you fall in love with in this town, it’s best discovered on your own.
Before that, I lived in the Zocalo. It was amazing and the landlords weren’t overly concerned with paperwork, but as is often the case in that situation, they were jerks who’d barely lift a finger when anything went wrong with the place.
Probably the most important thing to know about renting your own place here is that you are most likely going to need what’s known as a fiador, basically someone who co-signs your lease. They often have to own property in Mexico City and need to prove that they are up-to-date on paying their taxes.
But finding a fiador is probably the most harrowing aspect of moving here. The first time I needed one, my Mexican roommate convinced her dad to do it, but when she moved out, he went with her. I soon discovered that many parents will refuse even to do it for their own children.
The fiador agreement is basically some sort of demonic contract that will insure a hell on earth for any fiador, if and when the tenant can’t pay the rent. In theory, the lessor can sell the fiador’s property to pay for the debt if necessary. Keep in mind that with the agency I use (Lomelin—one of the most common ones here), they already ask you to put down at least a month of rent as deposit, sometimes two months or three, if they are really worried. They require you to pay for a private investigation service to confirm the details you submit on the contract. They also hate freelancers as a general rule.
I advise moving into a friend’s place until you can line up your own fiador and get your bank records nice and pretty.
All this said, every year when I walk out of my meeting to turn in the new contract with the signatures of my fiador and myself on it, it is one of the best feelings in the world—a true sense of accomplishment. That can be said for the light contract, the phone contract, getting your work visa, your tax ID (oh, and your official receipts for work done). Each step of becoming official introduces its own unique set of pitfalls and challenges. Fortunately, as you begin to knock them off one by one, they all become a lot easier.
Plenty of expats come to Mexico City for a month or two, absolutely love the place, maybe even finagle a room here, but don’t make it more than six months or a year. It is not easy to manage the countless little bureaucratic nightmares. You have to have boundless patience and, most importantly, be able to revel in the total absurdity of it all.
That said, things are way simpler for seniors drawing Social Security checks. Mexico makes it pretty easy to retire here. This is why you see all these little expat enclaves around the country—Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Escondido, etc. But Mexico City is a hard place, often too much for retirees just looking for a slice of peace and paradise.
I think that expats here must have something in common with people who move to New Orleans. You have to really love the magic of this city’s chaos to set down roots. And this is just the starting point before you get to the business of finding a long-term place to live, a job, etc. More than anything, I think you have to find good friends here, who’ll help you along the process, both practically and morally, and of course, that means you need to be a pretty damn good friend yourself.
I’ve seen jerks come and go, and money will only get you so far.
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Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more desert-like in the interior
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 31,285,174
Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD): MAD = 0.12 USD
Language: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French widely spoken and is language of business, government, and diplomacy |
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Religious Groups: Muslim (98.7%), Christian (1.1%), Jewish (0.2%)
Ethnic Groups: Arab-Berber (99.1%), other (0.7%), Jewish (0.2%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Very cheap
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From Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, and company in Tangier to the hippies of Marrakech, Morocco has long beckoned American expats seeking an exotic destination. A stable monarchy that has so far managed to escape much of the political and religious turmoil of its neighbors, it once again beckons—this time to home buyers and surf (and more recently skater and BMX) bums, where the attraction of cheap living in sumptuous exotic surroundings is too compelling to resist. Moroccan people are friendly and hospitable—although the merchants in tourist areas sometimes get a bit aggressive, particularly with foreigners. The government is taking measures to curb this, with questionable success.
Living There
Governance: Moroccans don’t have much opportunity to democratically get rid of a government they no longer like, since the monarch retains the ultimate power. Press freedom is limited; journalists can be jailed for treading too hard on certain touchy subjects, such as the royal family, Western Sahara, or Islam. Opposition parties are weak. Freedom of association is limited. Corruption is endemic, particularly in the judiciary.
Infrastructure: Modern freeways link the cities of Tangier, Rabat, Fez and Casablanca. Two-lane highways link other major cities. The train system has a good safety record. Secondary routes in rural areas are often narrow and poorly paved.
Internet: Morocco enjoys the third-highest number of Internet users in all of Africa; approximately one in three citizens are subscribers. Possibly Africa’s most advanced broadband network.
Healthcare: Medical facilities are adequate for non-emergency matters, particularly in the urban areas, but most medical staff will have limited or no English skills. Most ordinary prescription and over-the-counter medicines are widely available. However, specialized prescriptions may be difficult to fill and availability of all medicines in rural areas is unreliable. Emergency and specialized care outside the major cities is far below U.S. standards, and depending on where you are, may not be available at all.
GDP: $153.8 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $4,800 per capita
Sovereign Debt: 58.2% of GDP
Working There: Seasonal employment can be found in tourist areas although knowledge of French is usually required. English teaching is also possible.
Regulatory Environment: Efforts have been made to streamline the process of launching a new business but there are still some bureaucratic hassles.
Taxes: Corporate: 30%, Individual: 0–38%, VAT: 20%. Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Cannabis (hashish, really) may seem legal—many locals smoke it—but it isn’t. Use caution.
Homosexuality: Technically illegal, with a maximum punishment of three years imprisonment, but the law is seldom enforced, and homosexual activity is fairly common. Same-sex unions are not recognized. No laws against discrimination. Discussion or overt displays are considered taboo.
Abortion: Allowed to save the woman’s life and to preserve health. Spousal authorization required.
Women’s Issues: Gender equality is the law but women still have fewer rights when it comes to marriage and divorce. Domestic violence is widespread, though new legal measures are attempting to address it, and polygamy is still practiced. Harassment of women, particularly Westerners, is hardly unknown.
Guns: Shotguns are the only firearms that can be legally owned. License and registration required.
Crime: Crimes tend to be property-related and are a serious problem in the major cities and tourist areas. Pickpocketing, purse-snatching and theft from vehicles are common.
Real Estate: Foreigners are allowed to purchase real estate. Mortgages available with one-third down payment. Expect to pay a total of 6% in notary fees, registration fees, stamp fees, and various other expenses. Profit on real estate sales is subject to a 20% tax.
Life Expectancy: 75.47 years
Moving There
There are no hard and fast requirements for an extended stay in Morocco. Simply ask nicely, present the required documents and don’t make trouble.
Tourist Visa: U.S. citizens do not need a visa to stay in Morocco for up to 90 days but you may be asked to show that you have adequate funds during your stay.
Temporary Residency: To stay longer than 90 days, you must declare your intention to become a resident within 15 days of your arrival and apply for an alien registration card (Carte d’immatriculation/Carte de Sejour) at the Foreigner’s Office (Service des Etrangers) in the police station or Gendarmerie Royale where you plan to reside. The alien registration card is issued by the National Police (Sûreté Nationale) in Rabat and is valid for 10 years.
Residence Permit: If you are planning on a long-term stay in Morocco, you should apply for a residence permit. Applicants must provide evidence of adequate income (pension, annuity, social security, trust fund, bank statements, etc.). If you plan on working in Morocco, a contract signed by your employer and approved by the Ministry of Labor in Rabat is required. If you are self-employed or a professional, you must obtain and submit a work authorization from the Secretary General of the Government of Morocco. Permit is valid for ten years.
Student Visas available per the usual requirements.
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Climate: Temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Government: Parliamentary Democracy under a Constitutional Monarch
Population: 16,715,999
Currency: Euro (EUR): 1 EUR = 1.36 USD
Language: Dutch
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (30%), Dutch Reformed (11%), Calvinist (6%), other Protestant (3%), Muslim (5.8%), other (2.2%), none (42%)
Ethnic Groups: Dutch (80.7%), E.U. (5%), Indonesian (2.4%), Turkish (2.2%), Surinamese (2%), Moroccan (2%), Netherlands Antilles and Aruba (0.8%), other (4.8%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Steep
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In the popular imagination, Holland remains the undisputed liberal wet dream government and the ultimate nanny state. Free healthcare, over-the-counter cannabis, gay marriage, a sanctioned red-light district and every eco-friendly ordinance you can think of. On the other hand, government measures are driving the coffeeshops out of business and rent per square foot in Amsterdam is as expensive as anywhere you’ll find in Europe. If you have some kind of independent hustle going, and don’t need a work permit, the authorities don’t make it too hard for you to stay. And if somehow you’ve managed to plant your feet here for a few years, the social entitlements can begin to accrue.
Living There
Governance: Free and fair elections (foreigners who reside in the country for at least five years can vote in local elections). The Netherlands has an independent judiciary, a thriving free press, and the government respects basic political and civil liberties. Transparency International, a non-profit that monitors corruption, considers the Netherlands one of the least corrupt countries in the world.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Nearly nine in 10 Dutch residents have Internet access and for broadband penetration, the Netherlands is one of the leading countries in the world.
Healthcare: Dutch healthcare is generally good with all modern medical options available.
GDP: $680.4 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $40,500
Sovereign Debt: 64.6% of GDP
Working There: Some opportunities in factory production lines, casual harvesting between April and October, camping, au pairs.
Regulatory Environment: Overall, the Dutch regulatory system is transparent and compliance is easier than in many other European nations.
Taxes: Corporate: 20%–25%, Individual: 0–52%, VAT: 19% (6% for basic foods and selected items). Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: The law does specify possession as an offense, but is not enforced, and criminal action is never pursued in cases of personal use of soft drugs. Pot, hash and other mental treats are still sold over-the-counter, though the famed coffeeshops are not as ubiquitous as they once were and even tighter restrictions have been proposed.
Homosexuality: Legal gay marriage and civil unions, laws against discrimination.
Abortion: Legal
Women’s Issues: Very few problems for women in Holland
Guns: Only firearms for sporting purposes are legal to purchase. License and registration required. Owner must belong to legally sanctioned shooting or hunting club.
Crime: Petty theft common, however, violent crime extremely rare.
Real Estate: Foreigners can buy property in the Netherlands. Mortgages are generally available with approximately 15%–20% down payment. Interest payments on mortgages are tax deductible if the property is used as the primary residence. Legal transfer costs should amount to a tax of 6% of the property’s market value or purchase price. Annual property tax varies by region and individuals pay no capital gains tax on real estate transactions.
Life Expectancy: 79.40 years
Moving There
If you’re not a student or marrying Dutch (same sex or opposite), you need to start your own business. It’s easy for Americans thanks to DAFT, the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty. To get the whole range of options, Dutch immigration authorities have set up a special English-language web page that even has a “visa wizard” that shows you what kind of residency permit you need and what the requirements are.
Schengen Visa: Maximum 90-day stay for 180-day period, no extensions.
Residence Permit: Applicants must possess adequate funds to live in the Netherlands, proof of health insurance, and stated purpose for stay must meet government requirements (study, work, self-employment, etc.) In some instances, a Dutch sponsor may be required. Newly arriving immigrants are advised to apply for residence within three days of entering the Netherlands. The initial residence permit is valid for one year, renewable and you can apply for permanent resident status after five years.
Self-Employment Visa: You must have health insurance with overseas coverage, possess sufficient funds to stay in the country, meet specific requirements for practicing a given profession, and the prospective business or self-employment work must serve a “Dutch economic purpose.” The latter requirement is based on a three-part scoring system. You are awarded points for personal experience (education, work and freelance experience); business planning (financing, market analysis, organization etc.); and material economic purpose (job creation, investments, innovation etc.). Americans, by a special treaty, can obtain this visa with a minimum business investment of around €4500 (around $6500) for sole proprietors and around €11,200 ($16,000) for incorporated businesses.
Work Permit: A Dutch employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf should you wish to work in the Netherlands, and must apply at least six weeks before you begin employment. Your employer will not be given the work permit unless there is no one in the Netherlands or the European Union (excluding Bulgaria and Romania) who is available to fill the position. Valid for one year. When this period is up, the permit can be renewed for a period of three and a half years.
Permanent Resident: Foreigners can apply for permanent residency after five years of legal residency in Holland.
Citizenship: At least five years legal residency, proficiency in Dutch language (read, write, and speak). Applicants can either take written test or complete integration courses. No record of arrest or fine in previous four years.
Walter N.
Amsterdam, Holland
The quality of life in the Netherlands is much higher than anything in the United States. Cities are well managed and beautiful, the green belts around cities haven’t been swallowed by uncontrollable suburban sprawl, and the public infrastructure is excellent. We are always reminded of how nice things are here when we visit my fair city of Los Angeles. The most important thing about life here is that it can be almost completely car-less. Almost all your transit needs can be handled by the bike, tram, or train. Also, if you need a car, there is a car-sharing program called Green Wheels, which is great and easy. For me, this is the single best thing about living in this country. There is more government intrusion but that is a small price to pay for the benefits.
The coffeeshop scene is most concentrated in central Amsterdam but you can find them in most neighborhoods throughout the city and most cities in the country. The wares offered in these places are excellent, varied, and well-priced. You can either smoke on location or take it to go.
Michael Luksetich
Amsterdam, Holland
Costs of living here may vary from what you are used to at home (wherever that may be). I can make some comparisons to New York as a general guide. Rents are far cheaper: a one-bedroom within the canal belt will cost between 900 and 1300 euros a month. If you’re willing to bike another 10–15 minutes that same rent will get you a two-bedroom and so on. Eating out can be a bit more expensive but shopping and then cooking at home is less expensive. Health insurance costs are shared by the employer and employee. The employee pays (depending on the coverage they want) between 80 and 150 euros a month. This gets you full coverage, dental as well. And mass transportation costs for trams and buses around towns like Amsterdam, while being more expensive then New York (which is dirt cheap compared to pretty much everywhere else) can be easily avoided by riding a bike to and from work. After all, Amsterdam is a town of a little less than 800,000 people but more than 1,000,000 bikes so it is the only way to go for getting around the town or the country.
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Climate: Temperate to subtropical
Government: Parliamentary
Population: 4,252,277
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD): 1 NZD = 0.84 USD
Language: English, Maori
Religious Groups: Anglican (13.8%), other Christian (13.8%), Catholic (12.6%), Presbyterian, Congregational, and Reformed (10%), Methodist (3%), Pentecostal (2%), Baptist (1.4%), Maori Christian (1.6%), Hindu (1.6%), Buddhist (1.3%), other religions (2.2%), none (32.2%), other or unidentified (9.9%)
Ethnic Groups: European (56.8%), Asian (8%), Maori (7.4%), Pacific Islander (4.6%), mixed (9.7%), other (13.5%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Similar
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Socially progressive, non-belligerent, the pair of islands that make up New Zealand boasts pristine beaches for surfing and snorkeling, snow-capped mountains and volcanoes, and acres of forests, vineyards and sheep. Best of all, with a population of a mere four million or so, the land of the kiwi looks kindly upon the immigrant. Not satisfied with the American immigration surge that occurred after Lord of the Rings advertised its spectacular beauty to the world, the country has launched its own marketing campaign to attract middle-class Americans looking for the stable comfortable life they can no longer find at home. They’ll be happy to send you slick brochure packages touting the advantages and the how-to’s of every possible avenue of immigration.
Living There
Governance: Free and fair elections, an outspoken free press, and an independent judiciary. The Kiwis reportedly run one of the least corrupt governments in the world. Human and political rights are respected.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Individuals and companies wanting Internet access services have a range of options available from free dial-up to fee-based ISDN, cable and DSL broadband. Satellite provides an option in remote or rural areas.
Healthcare: Government-funded. Excellent. One of the best places in the world to get sick.
GDP: $119.2 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $28,000
Sovereign Debt: 25.5% of GDP
Working There: Opportunities in harvesting fruit, tourism sites like hotels, hostels, parks, bars, restaurants, ski resorts, au pairs, teaching, farming, construction and road work, architecture.
Regulatory Environment: One of the world’s top locations for entrepreneurs. You can start up a company in just one day, costs are minimal, there is little red tape, and corruption is practically non-existent.
Taxes: Corporate: 30%, Individual: 12.5–39%, GST: 15%. Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Illegal, widely used. Short jail sentence for possession possible, but fines more likely, not just for marijuana or hashish but for a variety of other party drugs as well.
Homosexuality: Legal. Recognition of same-sex unions. Laws against discrimination.
Abortion: Legal in cases of incest and fetal impairment. Also allowed to save the woman’s life, or to preserve mental or physical health.
Women’s Issues: Laws prohibiting domestic violence, sexual harassment, and workplace sexual discrimination. Although equality of pay is a matter of law, women still earn slightly less than men.
Guns: Requires license from police.
Crime: Rare
Real Estate: Some government restrictions on purchases by non-residents, although these mainly have to do with large investments such as one that would result in 25 percent control or more of a business or property valued at more than $33 million or certain land deemed “sensitive” according to New Zealand’s overseas investment legislation. Examples include land that exceeds 0.4 hectares that adjoins certain kinds of reserve or preservation areas, or property that exceeds 0.2 hectares that adjoins the foreshore. Consult New Zealand’s Office of Overseas Investment for further information: www.linz.govt.nz/overseas-investment
Life Expectancy: 80.48 years
Moving There
The New Zealand Immigration website (www.immigration.govt.nz) can guide you through the myriad visa/residency/immigration schemes. Long and even permanent stays are within the reach of Americans of basic means, skills and education.
Tourist Visa/Visitor Visa: New Zealand considers the U.S. a “visa-waiver” country so American citizens can visit New Zealand for up to 90 days without a visa. Visitors must show proof of a return air ticket or valid ticket to another destination, and proof of sufficient funds (approximately $800 per month of stay). If you plan on staying longer, you can apply for a visitor visa which has the same requirements but visitors can stay in New Zealand for a maximum of nine months.
Temporary Retirement Visa: New Zealand offers a two-year visitor visa to retirees interested in investing in New Zealand. Applicants must be at least 66 years of age, in good health, and willing to invest approximately $630,000 in the NZ economy for a minimum of two years. To qualify you must also show proof of insurance, an annual income of $51,000 and at least $425,000 in “maintenance funds.” So long as retirees meet the requirements, they are eligible to reapply for the visa after two years.
Working Holiday Visa: Applicants between the ages of 18–30 interested in working in agriculture, horticulture or viticulture (grape growing) can apply for a temporary three-month work visa. If you can show proof that you have worked at least three months in the horticulture or viticulture industries, you can apply for an additional three-month stay. Applicants must show proof of sufficient funds (approximately $3,500), health insurance, and a return ticket.
Business Visa: If you would like to own and operate your own business in New Zealand, the country offers a long-term business visa to qualified entrepreneurs. Applicants must submit a detailed plan to New Zealand’s Business Migration Branch outlining previous business experience and how the prospective company will benefit New Zealand. Along with health, character, and English proficiency requirements, sufficient funds to live in the country and maintain business operations are also required. If approved, you will be granted a nine-month work permit that allows you time to get your business started. If you can provide evidence that your business plan has made significant progress, you will be given a permit to stay in the country for up to three years with the possibility of renewal and establishing permanent residency under the Entrepreneur program.
Entrepreneur Visa: New Zealand offers two schemes for individuals seeking to purchase or start up a business: Entrepreneur and Entrepreneur Plus. Those who already hold a long-term business visa and have successfully established a business that is considered beneficial to New Zealand can apply for residency under the Entrepreneur program. The Entrepreneur Plus scheme requires a minimum investment of at least $425,000 in a new or existing business that will create at least three full-time jobs. So long as basic criteria are met, applicants enjoy permanent residency status in New Zealand.
Work to Residence Visa: New Zealand offers a special visa program that allows you to parlay employment into residency and the possibility of a permanent stay. Applicants must be in good health and under 53 years of age, and certified if your profession requires registration in New Zealand. To qualify for the program you must possess a job offer from a New Zealand firm and your occupation needs to be listed on New Zealand’s Long-Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL). If you don’t have a work offer but practice a profession or possess a skill that is on the LTSSL, you can still apply for the Work to Residence program. If you qualify you will be given a work permit/visa for up to 30 months. Visa holders can apply for permanent residency if they can show proof that they have been employed for two or more years.
Skilled Migrant: New Zealand offers immediate residency to skilled migrants. Applicants must be 55 years of age or under, in good health, of good character, and proficient in English. The process begins when you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to New Zealand immigration authorities outlining your background and claiming points based on employment history, professional qualifications, education etc. If you can claim 100 or more points, your EOI will go into a pool. Every two weeks, all EOIs above 140 points are selected and applicants are given an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the program. If no one has scored above 140, other criteria like an existing employment background in a skilled trade needed in New Zealand will decide who is selected. If chosen, you will need to submit your application along with all the relevant documents pertaining to your employment background and other information provided in your EOI which will then be checked and verified. If you meet the relevant criteria and the government of New Zealand believes you will settle successfully, you will be offered a residence permit. If there is concern about your ability to successfully settle in the country, you may be given a work to residence visa or job search visa and if you secure employment within nine months you will be given permanent residence.
Permanent Residence: Applicant must be a legal resident of New Zealand for at least two continuous years and meet all necessary requirements for current residence visa, e.g. maintain minimum investment, full-time employment, operate an existing business, etc.
Citizenship: Applicant must reside in New Zealand as permanent resident for at least five years, speak and understand English, be of good character, understand the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, and must express intent to continue to live in New Zealand.
Macaela
Wellington, New Zealand
I work in a retail clothing store. I get paid $12 an hour, work 9 to 6 selling clothes at a big NZ chain (think Gap), about 42 hours a week. I sort of had to swallow my pride when I took the job, but it pays the bills and I didn’t come here originally to start a career—I came here to explore. I don’t regret a thing. And when I get my two-year visa and start looking more closely into residency, then I’ll worry about getting a job more suited to my education and skills.
In the States, the pay is often based on location. Here, the rates are basically the same throughout the country, but living in one of the country’s biggest cities, I get paid the same as I would in the country and the cost of living is dramatically higher.
Things here are a lot more liberal, it’s a huge refresher. People seem to just accept people as they are and get on with their lives. That said though, people do have a certain stigma toward Americans.
I would say people here are a lot less cliquish. People go out for a beer by themselves or with a few others and within a few moments will be chatting with the people at the next table. I would bring it down to people have less of that “don’t talk to strangers” attitude. People are concerned with safety, but some of my best friends I’ve met here have just been from starting a conversation when I have been out in town. People are eager to talk to someone they don’t know, share a coffee or a drink if they have anything in common, and it isn’t about being attracted to them (not always, anyway).
I certainly hear of crime here, but on the whole I feel a lot safer than I did when I was living in Boston. In Wellington, there is a team called “Walk-Wise,” hired by the town to be all around on any given night. They walked my friend home late one night without her even having to ask.
America definitely relies more heavily on the Internet, and I do miss having a need for something, ordering it online, and having it arrive in the mail two days later. The Internet is also more expensive and less accessible, and wireless is still relatively unheard of. Also, because so much has to be imported here, it takes longer to get what you need, and you often have to pay more for it. The upside of this, however, is that you find a lot less catalog and online shopping, which makes it possible for many little shops and boutiques to support themselves.
Noemi S.
Auckland, NZ
Some days living in NZ is great and other days I miss the States a lot. But all in all, it’s a great, clean, safe, gorgeous country to live in and experience. One thing I don’t like is the lack of variety in the stores. In NZ there are really only two clothing stores that have anything fashionable to choose from that’s affordable. Chocolate here is wonderful, as is most anything dairy-related. Things are definitely more expensive here in NZ but the quality of life is better.
I find that since NZ is so far away, there are way fewer things to be tempted to buy and acquire here so even though I make less here than in the States, pay more for living expenses, I manage to save much more. I eat seasonally, buy sale items only or simply go without. I look forward to owning property here as there are no capital gains taxes!
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Climate: Tropical in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Government: Republic
Population: 5,995,928
Currency: Gold Cordoba (NIO): 1 NIO = 0.04 USD |
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Language: Spanish (official), English and indigenous languages on Caribbean coast
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (85%), other (15%)
Ethnic Groups: mestizo (69%), white (17%), black (9%), Amerindian (5%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Cheap, even by Latin American standards
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The devastations of the civil war between the U.S.-backed, right-wing Contras and the Marxist Sandinista government are finally receding into the past. Nicaragua is now catching the attention of the world’s low-cost paradise-seekers, who are anxious to get in on the ground floor. The roads and utilities, and particularly Internet connections, are still quite iffy, but the government is actively courting investment and residencias and pensionados are available for a song. Those who don’t mind roughing it to beat the crowds might find the move here appealing.
Living There
Governance: Although once ravaged by war, Nicaragua has made significant progress in recent years but elections are still plagued with allegations of corruption and vote-rigging. The Judiciary and any other state institutions are often directly controlled by political parties. Political violence and drug-related crime are also a recurring problem. The government is making efforts to curb human rights abuses by the police and military.
Infrastructure: There are a few roads near the coast, otherwise it is not a well-developed country, although more resorts and housing developments are in progress.
Internet: Pathetic. Worst-connected country in Latin America. Just one in 10 people has Internet.
Healthcare: Health insurance is available for around $100/month. Outpatient care is free.
GDP: $17.34 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $2,900
Sovereign Debt: 78% of GDP
Working There: Other than real estate, not a lot of jobs for expats. Conditions may improve as the expatriate community grows.
Regulatory Environment: Cumbersome, inconsistent, and often time-consuming
Taxes: Individual: 0–30%, Corporate: 30%, VAT: 15%. Residents taxed on Nicaragua-source income.
Cannabis: Illegal, but available in some of the larger cities and outlying areas. Penalties are severe.
Homosexuality: Legal but same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships not eligible for legal protections. Small gay scene. Culture tends to be homophobic and intolerant.
Abortion: Prohibited with no exceptions
Women’s Issues: Violence against women, rape and harassment an ongoing concern.
Guns: Legal to own handguns, shotguns, rifles. Permit required.
Crime: Increasing street crime in Managua. Some gang activity, mostly in poor neighborhoods. Petty theft and occasional robberies occur in tourist areas.
Real Estate: U.S. citizens should be aware that the 1979–90 Sandinista government expropriated some 30,000 properties, many of which are still involved in disputes or claims. Hundreds of unresolved claims involving Americans are registered with the U.S. embassy. The judicial system offers little relief when the purchase of a property winds up in court. Once a property dispute enters the judicial arena, the outcome may be adjudicated on the bases of corruption, political pressure, and influence-peddling rather than the actual merits of the case.
Life Expectancy: 71.78 years
Moving There
Cheap and easy. They’re happy you want to come.
Tourist Visa: U.S. citizens do not need a visa to stay up to 90 days (to stay longer you can apply for extensions).
Temporary Resident: Good for one year, renewable.
Pensionado or Rentista Visa: Provable income of at least $600 per month for pensioner visa and applicant must be at least 45 years of age. Rentista requires monthly income of $750/month. Both visas are valid for five years and renewable and equivalent to Permanent Residency.
Investor Visa: Applicant must invest over $30,000 in prospective business approved by Ministry of Development, Industry, and Trade. Investor Visa guarantees permanent resident status.
Work Permit: None needed.
Student Visas are available, per the usual requirements.
Permanent Resident: After three years of Temporary Residency, foreigners can apply for a Permanent Resident card, good for five years, renewable.
Citizenship: Foreigners can be naturalized after two to four years of Permanent Residency, two years for spouses of Nicaraguans. Must also pass a variety of language and culture tests. Nicaragua does not recognize dual citizenship.
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Climate: Tropical maritime; hot, humid in the valleys and by the coasts, drier in the mountains, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
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Government: Constitutional Democracy
Population: 3,360,474
Currency: Balboa (PAB), U.S. Dollar (USD): 1 PAB = 1.01 USD
Language: Spanish (official), English 14% (many Panamanians bilingual)
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (85%), Protestant (15%)
Ethnic Groups: mestizo (70%), West Indian (14%), European (10%), Amerindian (6%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Very cheap |
After many of the bargains in neighboring Costa Rica were snapped up by successive waves of retirees, civilization dropouts and beach bums, the action moved over to Panama (“the new Costa Rica”). Acres of tropical paradise can still be had on the cheap, and thanks to a century of U.S. colonialism, it also boasts the best infrastructure in Central America, allowing you to maintain yourself in something close to the lifestyle that you have grown accustomed to, though no amount of imperialism can purge the region’s rampant mañana-ism. Giant retirement developments have sprung up among the coffee plantations in the volcanic highlands around Boquete, which Condé Nast has already dubbed “one of the six to-die-for second-home destinations in the Americas,” but with two coasts, and miles of beautiful mountains, there is still plenty of country waiting to be discovered. Work is scarce, but residencies are available to anyone who can demonstrate an independent income of over $1,000 a month, even if you’re not of retirement age. Though you don’t pay much here in the way of taxes, a few shingles have come off the country’s reputation as a tax shelter when Panama and the U.S. entered into a bilateral Tax Information Exchange Agreement at the end of 2010.
Living There
Governance: Free and fair elections but international observers worry that the judiciary is corrupt, inefficient, and subject to political pressures. Panama has an ostensibly free press, but the government has very strict penalties for libel and other offenses that make it difficult for journalists to work in Panama. Corruption remains a problem.
Infrastructure: First world. Roads are good.
Internet: DSL available. Internet cafés are common and inexpensive. Restaurants and coffee shops in urban and tourist areas have become wireless hotspots. Hi-speed widely available. Landline and mobile phone service easily acquired.
Healthcare: Facilities in the city are good but quality decreases toward outlying areas. Private care providers are very reasonably priced. Many doctors that speak excellent English and have degrees from the U.S.
GDP: $44.82 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $12,700
Sovereign Debt: 40% of GDP
Working There: Opportunities in the financial and banking sectors, as well as hightech R&D. The real estate and tourism boom has resulted in a demand for construction professionals. Salaries, however, are nowhere near as high as you would fetch back home.
Regulatory Environment: Relatively efficient and easy to start a business, some corruption.
Taxes: No wealth or inheritance tax. VAT 5% (10%) for imports. Personal income taxes rates are based on a sliding scale ranging from 7% (up to $9,000) to 27% (maximum rate). Corporate tax rate is 30%.
Cannabis: Available but penalties are harsh. On the plus side, police don’t really cruise the expat enclaves unless something major happens, and even then, it’s iffy.
Homosexuality: Legal, no recognition of same-sex unions, no laws against discrimination. Though there is a fledgling gay scene, official and unofficial discrimination and harassment persists.
Abortion: Prohibited except to save the woman’s life, rape, or fetal impairment.
Women’s Issues: Violence against women a big problem. Women underrepresented in government and professional ranks.
Guns: Ownership of shotguns, rifles. Permit required. Owner must take urine test and provide DNA sample.
Crime: The U.S. State Department recently upgraded Panama’s crime status to “high.” Large cities like Colón and Panama City are experiencing a dangerous rise in narcotics-related violence. Credit card and ATM fraud are also becoming commonplace.
Real Estate: Non-citizens can buy property. The top areas for expatriates are Panama City (the Casco Viejo for true Colonial architecture and the rest of the cosmopolitan amenities), Bocas del Toro (beach people), and Boquette (fresh mountain air and coffee plantations). Real estate laws on the mainland can be quite different from those on islands, in coastal areas, and locations near national borders. If there is any sort of contract dispute, the contract must be translated into Spanish by a licensed translator. Property tax (for land value over U.S. $30,000): 2.1% yearly. Transfer Tax on Real Property: 2.1% of sales price or 5% of assessed value. The U.S. State Department has received a high number of complaints from expats relating to property disputes and urge American buyers to “exercise due diligence” when buying land in Panama. The website of the U.S. embassy in Panama offers some helpful tips for Americans who are considering buying property in Panama at panama.usembassy.gov/purchasing_property.html
Life Expectancy: 77.61 years
Moving There
A retirement mecca. If you look like you will behave yourself and spend money, you’re in. Most visa-seekers let paid professionals push the paperwork for them and if the proper fees are paid, it’s not likely anyone but the most obviously undesirable will be scrutinized too closely. There are a host of incentives for retirees of all ages—tax breaks on importing your household goods (up to $10,000), exemptions from automobile import duties and discounts on transportation, entertainment and medical care. For better or worse, the U.S. dollar is legal tender here.
Tourist Visa: Available to Americans planning to spend up to 30 days in Panama. The visa is extendable for up 90 days. Short-Stay Visas are also available for various categories—for instance, to start or conduct business, investigate investments, visit family/relatives, do research, volunteer. These are valid up to nine months.
Pensioner: Requires guaranteed income of $1,000 per month (plus $250 for each dependent) or $750 with a $100,000 property investment. Open to any “retiree” 18 years of age or older. Grants applicants right to reside in Panama indefinitely. You can also deposit enough money in a five-year interest-bearing CD with a designated (state) Panamanian bank. As long as the monthly interest exceeds around USD $850 (meaning a balance of around $260,000) you are considered a “retiree,” as long as you keep fulfilling the requirements of the program.
Person of Means Visa: Minimum of $300,000 deposited in Panamanian Bank (house purchases can be applied toward this requirement up to a maximum of $80,000). Visa is valid for one year. After two annual renewals, permanent residency is granted. After five years, visa holder can apply for citizenship.
Agricultural Investor: Invest a minimum of $60,000 in a Panamanian agribusiness or aquaculture concern and you will be allowed six years of legal residency (you renew every two years).
Small Investor: Investment of at least $160,000 (plus $2000 per dependent) in a Panamanian business with at least five Panamanian employees. Valid for one year, renewable. After three renewals, you can receive permanent residency.
Reforestation: Investing $60,000 in an approved reforestation project used to qualify you for permanent residency status. However, it now entitles you to a six-year temporary resident visa. For an $80,000 investment, your visa CAN be converted into a permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
Work Permits: Work permits generally require an offer of employment and much paperwork (though the employer handles much of it) and must be approved by the Ministry of Labor. Experts, particularly in technology fields, have an easier time, especially under special rules that operate in the “City of Knowledge,” Panama’s public-private high-technology complex on an old U.S. military base in the Canal Zone. It’s also possible to set up a shell company through which you can contract your services so you’re not technically “employed.” Panama has a “10% rule,” which states that companies can hire one foreigner for every 10 Panamanian employees, under certain conditions.
Student visas are available per the usual requirements.
Citizenship: Five years legal residency (pensioner visa does not count toward citizenship), proof of economic self-sufficiency, testimonials from five witnesses attesting to good character and residence in Panama, proficiency in Spanish language and knowledge of Panamanian customs, geography, and history.
Name Withheld by Request, 49
David/Panama City, Panama
In San Antonio, TX, I lived in a small house in a gated community. It measured about 3500 ft. and was valued at about $150,000. My property taxes were $600 a month, my water $150, electric $350, insurance $300, common maintenance $100. The house was not paid off, but I would never have been able to own it outright due to costs and taxes...$1500 and not going down.
My place is 30 km up the hill from the town of David. For the same price as I was paying in San Antonio, I live in a 6500-ft. mansion. It is paid for. My property. Taxes are zero, my water is $3, my electric about $220, and my live-in gardener and maid $90. I have broadband, cellular, satellite TV, everything—but no gangs. If I can scare up $313 a month, I can live like a king.
The thing is I have a manufacturing business too so I got a place in Panama City. I just could not travel back and forth 550 km three to five times a week. My beautiful young wife who is from the hills up by David is just amazed you can call 30 restaurants (including McDonald’s) that will deliver to your door, no charge. There are large stores. The car dealers have parts. And the dry cleaners work right. You can buy just about anything here you can get in Houston.
Back in the hills, of course, there’s way cheaper property, electric and water, plus less crime and better climate. My place is at 3000 ft. In the tropics, you choose your climate by your elevation. Boquete, at 4000 ft, is a different climate.
I’m hoping to get the manufacturing thing straightened out within a year and move back home and start commuting here again. By then, we might be able to have a little company plane with some luck...not expensive here...liability insurance for private aviation does not apply.
Tom Bate
Boquete, Panama
The great thing about being here is that even a small community like Boquete has all the perks of the first world and all the benefits of the third. You have DirecTV and digital cable from Panama City, you have hi-speed Internet, and you have a city nearby where you can get anything you could want. But you also have very low healthcare costs, low food costs, low building costs, low labor costs, and low taxes. I pay $700 a month for a 2500-squareifoot, three-bedroom super deluxe place, with wireless Internet and satellite TV. It has a Jacuzzi, barbeque and awesome views. You also have very little crime here which is a big incentive for me, as I’ve had TWO armed robberies next to my house in a quiet neighborhood in New Orleans in the last year alone. Then you have the availability of the Pacific, Atlantic and all the jungle, rivers and mountains in between. Not to mention, this is the gateway for cheap travel to the rest of Central and South America.
I have met a lot of people that have moved to this area, and many are disgusted with the situation in America. The other main reason is the cost of living, which is a fraction of what it is in the States. Some are living on very small pensions that would never support you in the U.S., but here you can live relatively well.
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Climate: Tropical in the east, dry and desert-like in the west. Temperate to frigid in Andean region.
Government: Constitutional republic
Population: 29,248,943
Currency: Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN): 1 PEN = 0.35 USD
Language: Spanish [official] (84.1%), Quechua [official] (13%), other native languages (2.9%) |
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Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (81.3%), Evangelical (12.5%), other (3.3%), unspecified (2.9%)
Ethnic Groups: Amerindian (45%), mestizo (37%), white (15%), black, Japanese, Chinese and other (3%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Reasonable |
Inca-lovers and eco-entrepreneurs have flocked to the mountains and jungles around Cuzco, while retirees congregate near the coast around Arequipa, while anyone with any kind of real business to conduct will probably head to Lima. The living is cheap and slow and petty crime a constant nuisance, and the poverty a bit more squalid that what you might be used to.
Living There
Governance: Electoral democracy with generally free and fair elections. Basic freedoms are guaranteed by the government but the judiciary is notoriously corrupt and abuses by police and state security forces are still a problem. Peru has an outspoken free press but intimidation of journalists is common. Corruption remains a problem.
Infrastructure: In the 1990s, Peru upgraded the country’s highway system that connects the mountain and coastal regions but public transportation is very limited. In 1993, Peru privatized its telecommunications network which significantly improved both service and accessibility.
Internet: Roughly one in four Peruvians enjoy Internet access which is slightly higher than average in the region. Many log into what are called cabinas publicas which are public Internet sites that are sprouting up all over the country. Broadband penetration is at 2% but the government is pouring money into public initiatives to provide more access to hi-speed Internet.
Healthcare: Peru has one of the highest infant mortality rates in South America, but recent public initiatives have greatly improved the quality of care. Private insurance is generally the best option for expats.
GDP: $277.2 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $9,200
Sovereign Debt: 23.9% of GDP
Working There: Teach English, work for NGO.
Regulatory Environment: Recent reforms have made the process more user-friendly, but there is still a great deal of red tape and corruption is not uncommon.
Taxes: Corporate: 30%, Individual: 15–30%, VAT: 19%. Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Technically illegal but small amounts allowed for personal use. Police have been known to target tourists and Americans. Keep a low profile and be cautious.
Homosexuality: Legal, no laws against discrimination, same-sex unions not legally recognized.
Abortion: Allowed to save life and/or preserve health of mother
Women’s Issues: There are existing laws prohibiting rape, spousal rape, and domestic violence but violence against women remains a concern. Women are granted equal rights and Peruvian women are making inroads in both politics and the business world.
Guns: Firearms legal to possess but must be non-military in nature, certain calibers are illegal. License required.
Crime: Violent crime is common in most major cities. Further from urban centers, Shining Path and other insurgent groups have been known to operate.
Real Estate: So long as the property isn’t within 50 miles of the border, there are no restrictions on foreigners buying land in Peru. Transfer tax is 3% of purchase price and notary, title search, and deed registration usually comes to about $1,500. Despite the economic downturn, home prices in Peru have been surging. Homes in Miraflores, near Lima’s Pacific coast are going for upwards of $300,000. You can still find bargains further inland.
Life Expectancy: 72.47 years.
Moving There
The Peruvians have lately tried to uncomplicate their visa process, but it’s still a bit of a mess. Generally, you’re looking at a few options outside the usual easy categories. Most opt for retirement-type visa which are issued to migrants of all ages. Anyway, you’re seldom locked into a particular visa or migratory status and provided you meet the new qualifications and can come up with the documentation, you can usually trade up.
Tourist Visa: Can be obtained at the airport upon entry to Peru or at the border. Generally granted for a maximum of 183 days per calendar year, but length of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer. Must show proof of sufficient funds for stay, visa cannot be extended. You must reenter country and reapply. You can however convert a tourist visa to a resident visa...or to a student visa, if you’re enrolled in a Peruvian university.
Resident Visa: Recent changes to Peruvian immigration rules now allow holders of tourist visa to apply for temporary resident visas for work, family, business, etc. for around $200. Work visa requires letter from Peruvian employer. Freelancers must demonstrate the legitimacy of their professional standing and provide proof of financial stability. Students can get one if they are enrolled in an approved institution or program. Investors need only sink $25,000 or the equivalent into a business or stock or other fund. Visa is generally valid for one year. However, most apply for Foreign Resident Card (CE) after obtaining Resident Visa.
Rentista Visa: Applicant must provide certificate guaranteeing permanent income of at least $1,000/month ($500/month for each additional family member). The income must enter Peru via a banking institution and if funds are from outside the country, certificate must be legalized by Peruvian consulate and endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations. Rentista Visa grants holder indefinite residence in Peru but any sort of work is prohibited.
Retirement Visa: Similar to Rentista visa with same financial requirements.
Foreign Resident Card (CE): To receive Carne de Extranjeria (CE) applicant must have valid Resident Visa (Work, Retirement, etc.). Valid for one year, renewable.
Citizenship: Immigrants can apply for naturalization two years after receiving CE. Applicants must also pass examination in Spanish language and history and culture of Peru.
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Climate: Tropical marine; high temperatures, sometimes excessive humidity and a great deal of rainfall during monsoon season (northeast occurs between November and April, and southwest tends to fall between May and October)
Government: Republic
Population: 101,833,938
Currency: Philippine peso (PHP): 1 PHP = 0.02 USD
Language: Filipino (official; based on Tagalog), English (official) and eight local dialects |
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Religious Groups: Catholic (80.9%), Muslim (5%), Evangelical or other Christian (9.6%), Agilpayan (2%) other (1.8%), unspecified (0.6%), none (0.1%)
Ethnic Groups: Tagalog (28.1%), Cebuano (13.1%), Bisaya/Binisaya (7.6%), Hiligaynon Illonggo (7.5%), Bikol (6%), Waray (3.4%), other (25.3%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Cheap |
The late great chess master, oddball and fugitive from U.S. justice Bobby Fischer moved here. So did weirdo late-night-talk-radio host Art Bell, as did plenty of old seamen who fondly recall their days around Subic Bay, and more than a few aging bachelors disillusioned about their romantic prospects back home. The cities can be a bit raunchy, but the jungle and wilderness are lush and green and the coast as aquamarine as anywhere in the tropics. The Sulu Archipelago and the island of Mindanao have problems with terrorism and an insurgency.
Living There
Governance: Although progress has been made since the days of the ruthless Marcos dictatorship, the Philippines’ transition to a full-fledged democracy remains hampered by voting irregularities, political and religious violence, and corruption.
Infrastructure: Underdeveloped. The Philippine economy lags behind many neighboring countries because of inadequate investment in transportation, port facilities, telecommunications, etc.
Internet: Internet access in major cities but mostly dial-up and can be expensive. Less than 10% of the population owns computers so Internet cafés are the most common setting for web use. There is some broadband penetration but the rate is far below other countries in the region.
Healthcare: Because of more lucrative positions in the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and other locales, the country is currently experiencing a shortage of doctors and nurses (especially in rural areas). Still, the public/private healthcare system in the Philippines is considered affordable and provides quality care (many nurses and doctors were trained in the U.S.). However, many facilities may not be on par with developed countries.
GDP: $353.2 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $3,500
Sovereign Debt: 56.5% of GDP
Working There: Teach English, manage call centers, opportunities for healthcare practitioners due to recent doctor/nurse shortage.
Regulatory Environment: Cumbersome, corruption a problem.
Taxes: Individual: 5%–32%, Corporate: 30%, VAT: 12%. Non-citizen residents are only taxed on domestic income.
Cannabis: Strictly illegal; widely grown and smoked
Homosexuality: Legal, but public displays of affection between same-sex adults may be prosecuted under the country’s “grave scandal” law. Currently no laws barring discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Philippines does have a growing and highly visible gay-rights movement and reform efforts are beginning to make some headway.
Abortion: Illegal
Women’s Issues: Current laws prohibit sexual harassment and workplace discrimination but these measures often aren’t strictly enforced. Still, Filipino women are highly visible and have been quite successful in both business and politics.
Guns: Legal to own firearms. License required.
Crime: Violent crime is on the rise in major cities but Americans generally aren’t targeted. American tourists have reported instances of ATM fraud, pickpocketing, theft, and other related property crimes.
Real Estate: Foreigners are not allowed to purchase land but can buy apartment and condominium units so long as foreign ownership of a given building does not exceed 40%. Homes are available to buy but not the property where the building was constructed. There are also 50- and 25-year leases on land. Condo prices are highly affordable and can be purchased for as low as $20,000. Property rights are not as strongly enforced in the Philippines as in other countries; the court system can be cumbersome and prone to corruption.
Life Expectancy: 71.66 years
Moving There
Work, study, invest or retire. If you have something going, they don’t ask for much else.
Tourist/Visitor/Non-Immigrant Visa: Applicants are advised to apply at least one month before departure date. There are three types of tourist visas: single entry (valid three months), multiple entry (valid six months), and multiple entry (valid for one year). U.S. citizens can stay up to 21 days without tourist visa. Temporary visas can be extended and exchanged for longer term non-immigrant visas by applying to the Bureau of Immigration.
Work Permit: All foreign nationals seeking to work in the Philippines must obtain an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) through the country’s Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) before applying for a work visa. In most cases, an employer will file the petition on your behalf. Once your AEP has been approved you can apply for a work visa at the nearest office of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BOI). www.dole.gov.ph.
Most Immigrant Visas (Permanent Residence) are only available to foreigners who marry Filipinos/Filipinas or have some other family or political claim to residing there. Outside of a small quota (per country) of such visas, the following visas are open to foreigners wishing to reside indefinitely in the Philippines:
Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV): Must be 21 years of age or older and invest a minimum of $75,000 in the Philippines. Visa holder can legally reside in the Philippines indefinitely so long as he or she continues to maintain required investment amount.
Special Resident’s Retiree Visa (SRRV): Applicants must be in good health, at least 35 years of age, and able to deposit a specified amount in a government-designated bank account. Those between 35–49 years of age must deposit at least $50,000. Retirees who are over 50 must deposit a minimum of $20,000 (with pension) or $10,000 (without pension). Initial investment can be converted into “active” investment which includes condominium units. Holder of SRRV is entitled to stay in the Philippines indefinitely with multiple entry privileges. Along with this basic package, beginning in 2011, the Philippine government is offering new variations of this visa with differing benefits and privileges. Check the web page for the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) for more information. www.pra.gov.ph.
Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG): This new visa scheme grants a lifetime visa to any non-immigrant foreigner who operates a business that employs a minimum of 10 Filipinos in a “lawful and sustainable trade, business, or industry.”
Student Visas available, per the usual requirements.
Citizenship: Naturalization of foreigners with no other claims to Philippine citizenship (birth, marriage, family, etc.) is possible after 10 years of legal residency with the additional requirement that the applicant possess either real estate holdings, or be engaged in a highly remunerative occupation, trade, business or profession.
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Climate: Cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers
Government: Republic
Population: 38,463,689
Currency: Zloty (PLN): 1 PLN = 0.34 USD
Language: Polish (97.8%), other (2.2%)
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (95%), other [including Eastern Orthodox and Protestant] (5%) |
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Ethnic Groups: Polish (96.7%), German (.4%), other [including Byelorussian and Ukrainian] (2.9%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Cheap |
Few expats settle in Poland. This, however, may be changing. The economy is among the most robust of the former Eastern Bloc, so much so that even Polish emigrants have begun repatriating from the West. The English-teaching scene is booming and much less competitive than elsewhere in Europe and the country is keen on business investment. Time to cut out the jokes and start taking Poland seriously.
Living There
Governance: Poland has a thriving multiparty democracy. Human rights are generally respected although there are recurring problems with prison conditions, lengthy pretrial detention, and brutality by law enforcement. In post-communist Poland, respect for freedom of expression is widespread but there are incidents of the government using the charge of defamation (which can carry a two-year prison sentence) to silence critics.
Infrastructure: Market-based competition to the state-owned telephone monopoly has accelerated modernization of Poland’s telecommunications infrastructure. Mobile cellular services widely available. Poland will be hosting the 2012 UEFA championships (European Soccer) and the country plans to improve the nation’s slow-moving rail system, pave long-neglected roads, and upgrade airports and other transport hubs.
Internet: Nearly 60% of Polish citizens have Internet access. The growth of private sector ISPs is improving the quality of service but broadband penetration is still in its early stages. Only 13.2 people out of 100 have a broadband connection in Poland—almost the lowest in the E.U.
Healthcare: Persons covered by the general health insurance plan (on a compulsory or voluntary basis) are entitled to free health services in Poland. Quality of healthcare and facilities is good, though less so in rural areas.
GPD: $725.2 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $18,800
Sovereign Debt: 53.6% of GDP
Working There: Teaching English is the best work possibility, but there are increasing opportunities for IT professionals and those with business experience and skills.
Regulatory Environment: Bureaucratic and time-consuming. Some corruption.
Taxes: Corporate: 19%, Individual: 0%/18%/32% (optional 19% flat tax), VAT: 22% (7% on certain goods). Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Illegal. Polish government will prosecute even for small amounts. Despite the restrictions, you’ll likely smell it everywhere the youth are gathered.
Homosexuality: Legal. No legal recognition of same-sex partnerships. Laws against discrimination.
Abortion: Legal to preserve physical health and to save a woman’s life. Also in cases of rape, incest, and fetal impairment. Parental notification/authorization required.
Women’s Issues: There are laws prohibiting sexual harassment but it is still a problem, as is domestic violence. Women are underrepresented in politics and business.
Guns: Some firearms legal to own with permit. These are often hard to obtain. Stringent storage requirements.
Crime: Low rate of violent crime. Petty crimes in major cities, particularly Gdansk. Some street crime around Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk. Car theft and carjacking are a problem. Occasional skinhead violence.
Real Estate: Americans must apply to the Ministry of the Interior for permission to buy property in Poland. Banks are starting to offer mortgages but many transactions are still done in cash. Prices are low. Two-bedroom apartments in Warsaw can go for as little as $80,000, while in rural areas, larger houses can be had for less.
Life Expectancy: 75.63 years
Moving There
If you’re not coming on a work contact, bring your work with you and convince the Polish government you have a reason and means to stay. The OFF (Office for Foreigners; www.udsc.gov.pl) gives you in-depth info on how to make Poland your next home.
Schengen Visa: Maximum of 90 days per 180-day period, no extensions.
National Stay Visa: These visas are issued for one year and are not renewable, so they’re of limited use if you’re planning on staying long-term in Poland. Categories and requirements are similar to those for the Residence Permit.
Residence Permit: A (temporary) Residence Permit is usually granted if applicant can show that longer stay in Poland is warranted due to work, business, studies, marriage, religious duties, artistic endeavors (for established artists), scientific research, reuniting with family, etc. Proof of sufficient financial resources and medical insurance required in addition to documentation that establishes the nature of your stay (e.g., work contract/letter of employment, business records, letter of enrollment, etc.). Temporary residency permit cannot exceed two years but is renewable indefinitely and also issued to immediate family members.
Permanent Residency (Settlement Permit): Applicants must reside in Poland for at least 10 years continuously. Two years if married to a Polish citizen for minimum of three years.
Work Permit: Work visas are issued only by Polish Consul with the office appropriate for the applicant’s legal permanent residence. An alien intending to work in Poland must enter the territory with a valid work visa as no visas can be delivered in Poland. English-language teachers planning to work in Poland at universities (colleges) must submit Certificate of Employment issued by President of that university/college.
Citizenship: Five years permanent residency required. Polish law allows for third- and even fourth-generation descendants of Polish citizens (going back to 1918) to reclaim their Polish citizenship if certain conditions are met.
Karen Dague
Lodz, Poland
Lodz is a fairly good-sized town with some nice areas to visit. You can walk or take a tram or city bus anywhere you want to go. I struggle to understand or speak Polish, but you can get along in most of the restaurants as a lot of the young people and waitresses speak English and most menus have an English version.
We haven’t found the cost of living to be too bad here with the exception of the rent on the house we are living in—about $2000 a month. We did pick a larger house with a yard so we can have company over here, but even the small apartments seemed to be costly. Food items are generally comparable to the States...sometimes cheaper. The one surprise to me was the cost of soda over here. For the most part soda in the stores isn’t too bad, but it can cost you $5 for a little bottle of Coke, while my husband gets beer in the restaurants for about $5 for a large glass.
Most of the Americans are located in big cities such as Warsaw where there is more of an English base of people. There are also English schools there. We don’t have any children with us so we weren’t concerned with this fact. There are probably some Americans living here, but locating them will be hard. We have not found any expat hangouts to date.
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Climate: Maritime temperate, average annual temperature is 16C (61°F)
Government: Republic
Population: 10,707,924
Currency: Euro (EUR): 1 EUR = 1.36 USD
Language: Portuguese
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (84.5%), other Christian (2.2%), other (0.3%), unknown (9%), none (3.5%)
Ethnic Groups: Portuguese, African and Eastern European minorities
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Not too bad; the cheapest in Western Europe |
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Known for its charming tile-faced houses, windy streets and a drug policy that is approaching Holland’s, Portugal is also facing a bailout and the inevitable “austerity” curse that follows. This hasn’t diminished its buzz among expats and scene-seekers who congregate around Lisbon, while the southern coast (the Algarve) is Europe’s biggest surf mecca, attracting expatriate beach bums and resort entrepreneurs.
Living There
Governance: A Western-style democracy with most of the freedoms and protections in place, Portugal does have a reputation for police brutality and poor prison conditions.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Slow by Western European standards; only about one in 20 residents has broadband.
Healthcare: Portugal has an extensive state healthcare system, but overcrowding and inconsistent standards of treatment may make private care a preferred option.
GDP: $247 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $23,000
Sovereign Debt: 83.2% of GDP
Working There: Opportunities in tourism, teach English, au pairs.
Regulatory Environment: Inexpensive and relatively straightforward. Occasional delays.
Taxes: Corporate: 25%, Individual: 10.5–40%, VAT: 21%, non-resident corporations: 15%–40%. Residents of Portugal are subject to taxation on their worldwide incomes, capital gains and inheritances. Non-residents are generally only subject to taxation on their Portuguese-source income. Staying for 183 days in a given tax year in Portugal will make you a tax resident.
Cannabis: Portugal is one of the few countries in the E.U. that have decriminalized the use and possession of recreational drugs. While trafficking is still a felony offense, use and consumption of drugs is no longer under the jurisdiction of criminal courts.
Homosexuality: Portugal is one of the few nations that include a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation in its constitution. Same-sex marriage legally recognized in 2010. Portugal is generally tolerant toward gays and lesbians and open communities exist all over the country.
Abortion: Legal to preserve mental health, to save the woman’s life, and physical health; parental authorization/notification required. Also in cases of rape and fetal impairment.
Women’s Issues: Outside of restrictive abortion laws, women’s rights are protected and domestic violence is prosecuted.
Guns: Limited number of firearms allowed for civilian use. Must be for sporting purposes only. License and registration required.
Crime: Low violent crime rates. Car break-ins common.
Real Estate: Foreigners can own property in Portugal and many do, particularly in the southern Algarve region. Buyers must first apply for Portuguese tax number and must have representation by Portuguese resident. 6% transfer tax and legal fees for closing a purchase generally cost around €3,000. Prices are generally more reasonable than elsewhere on the continent.
Life Expectancy: 78.21 years
Moving There
Prepare and submit your paperwork for staying long-term in Portugal before you arrive. Anyone who wishes to stay in Portugal longer than six months must apply for a Residence Permit (Autorização de Residência). Portuguese residents must apply for a tax ID number or Número de Indentificação Fiscal (NIF), which is necessary for all major transactions, collecting wages or payments, and buying or selling vehicles.
Schengen Visa: Maximum of 90-day stay per 180-day period, no extensions.
Short Stay Visa: Of limited use since it often allows a maximum stay of six months, though academics and researchers can be issued a short-stay visa for as long as one year.
Residency Visa: Issued to immigrants interested in establishing residence in Portugal. Visa is valid for four months and allows holder to apply for a residence permit.
Resident Permit: Issued on various classifications and valid for one year, after which two-year renewals are possible. General conditions require that you are self-sufficient, haven’t been convicted of a crime, have a residence, insurance and are in good health. Generally granted to holders of a valid work contract, those engaged in independent professional activity, or who operate a recognized business, conduct research, are enrolled in studies, as well as paid trainees or volunteers.
Permanent Resident: Can be granted after five years legal residency with Temporary Residence Permit. Must speak Portuguese. These permits still have to be renewed every five years.
Student Visa available, per the usual requirements.
Citizenship: Applicants must show proof of sufficient funds, proficiency in Portuguese language, and must have resided in Portugal with residence permit for a minimum of 10 years.
Jennifer (and Doug) St. Martin
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is such a great place to live. The lifestyle is relaxed compared to most big cities I have been in. It has a “small town” feel to it, even though it is large. It feels personal to us, not cold like most cities do. People seem genuinely concerned about each other. After living here for two years, we have not had any negative experiences with people we come across in everyday life. It is like living among family.
The cost of living here is quite low compared to what one is used to in the U.S. If you live in the city, it is not necessary to have a car. There are many ways to get around on public transportation. You can eat really well on very little. You can go out and have a good time on a dime too, especially if you avoid the tourist traps.
As for language, English is very widely understood, and the Portuguese are helpful when it comes to language. We try our best to speak Portuguese, out of respect, but if we don’t know a word, they are quick to help out in English. Some places I have visited in other countries get very snobby about language, but not here. Movies are not dubbed over, they typically have subtitles, even kids’ movies are offered in both languages. We know people who have been living here for 20 years and still do not speak the language.
Lisbon is truly a beautiful city with so many sites and different areas. If you want old and historic, you have it. If you want modern and architecturally stimulating, you have that. If you want beach and mountains, you have it. It really has all the elements we love wrapped into one great city. This is truly the best place we have ever lived.
Our lifestyle here can be summed up in one word: peaceful. The stress of the American way of life was really bogging us down. Driving, driving, driving, bills, bills, bills, phone calls from random companies, organizations, campaigns, etc., stacks of junk mail every day, pressure for you to do this and that, pressure for your kids to do this and that—all wiped away when we moved here. Now we take the metro, bus, or train to get around, and occasionally borrow a car to go sightseeing with. We do have bills, but they are much smaller, much more basic, and simpler to keep track of.
We only get phone calls from people we know and love, which is so nice for the brain. There seemed to be always so much “noise” even when you were at home trying to get some peace and quiet. There is no pressure or expectations on us here. People get involved in things for fun, not because they are trying to keep up or save face. I particularly love how friendly strangers are here too. It shocked me that people take time to stop and say hi to strangers, men patting children on the head lovingly like a grandmother would do. Nice elderly ladies giving the children hugs and doting over them. Saying hello with kisses on the cheek, even when meeting the person for the first time. The camaraderie is just refreshing. Everyone seems like family that you just haven’t met yet.
The disadvantages of living here are few:
We are not particularly fond that there is so much more smoking here than any town or city we have ever lived in (and we both come from Michigan factory towns, where smoking is the norm).
It can be difficult to find things you need when shopping, although I find this refreshing, and embrace the challenge. I can’t just drive to the local megastore, going for one thing, and come back with 10 any more, and I love that. I also have to carry everything that I buy, so it helps us to save money and live more simply. In the case of food, if you want locally grown (which is so much better) you eat by the season. I don’t buy grapes until the fall or strawberries until the spring.
Otherwise, it is truly like living on vacation!
€ric D. Clark
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal is not expensive, but it does have class. Lisbon is EXTREMELY international: it reminds me of Paris or San Francisco. I am not wealthy or even close but my companion and I have an orange tree, a lemon tree, and a peach tree, with a small palm tree in the middle of our private garden on the second floor. What kind of people can afford this type of luxury in a capital city of this stature in the United States? I certainly could not live like this in Los Angeles for the same price, or try this in New York? I don’t think so!
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Climate: Subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along the Arctic coast
Government: Federation
Population: 140,041,247 |
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Currency: Russian Ruble (RUB): 1 RUB = 0.03 USD
Language: Russian, many minority languages
Religious Groups: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other
Ethnic Groups: Russian (79.8%), Tatar (3.8%), Ukrainian (2%), Bashkir (1.2%), Chuvash (1.1%), other or unspecified (12.1%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Reasonable outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg |
Despite spinning off its imperial holdings after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia or the Russian Federation still boasts the largest land mass of any country in the world. This gives you quite a bit of area to theoretically choose from, though much of it is bone-chillingly cold. Moscow and St. Petersburg are anything but low-budget destinations; nothing beats life among the gangsters and businessmen of Mother Russia. Crime can be a problem, the weather a challenge, and day-to-day life chaotic. Seat-of-the-pants capitalists and English teachers have the best shot at making a go of it, although all kinds of opportunities abound and salaries are high. Visa requirements are not as difficult as they are maddening, as the agencies in charge still seem to be staffed with the same kind of slow-minded apparatchiks who shuffled papers in Stalin’s day.
Living There
Governance: Free and fair elections are a fantasy, state control of media is a fact of life, and opposition parties and independent journalists consider themselves lucky to be merely harassed and intimidated, as poisoning and other film-noirish methods of silencing haven’t disappeared from the political playbook. The Kremlin is as powerful, lawless, and corrupt as it ever was, and the shortest joke in Russian is the words “human rights.” While the Internet long remained the only unrestricted avenue of free speech, dissident bloggers have recently been carted off to jail, and the government has demanded that service providers retain evidence of each citizen’s web-surfing habits, and block websites deemed “extremist.” And let’s not even get started on Chechnya.
Infrastructure: Russia is in the process of digitizing its telephone sector and rapid improvements are expected in the next few years.
Internet: Less than half of all Russian residents have Internet access but the number of users is expanding rapidly. Broadband penetration is at 26% and is expected to climb steadily over the next few years. Hi-speed Internet available in major cities.
Healthcare: Healthcare can vary tremendously depending on location, generally better in the major cities. Water quality also varies widely in Russia.
GDP: $2.229 trillion
GDP (Per Capita): $15,900
Sovereign Debt: 9.5% of GDP
Working There: Teach English. Many Western companies are developing joint ventures with Russian partners and there are opportunities for people from the U.S. to work in Russia.
Regulatory Environment: Stifling bureaucracy, lack of transparency, and corruption.
Taxes: Corporate: 13–20%, Individual: 13% (nonresidents 30%), VAT: 0–18% (reduced rate for certain goods and no VAT for small businesses except for import activities). Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Decriminalized. Possession of up to six grams of cannabis or two grams of hashish is now punishable only by a fine. Larger amounts can still result in a prison sentence. Note: foreigners are still subject to expulsion or denied re-entry into Russia even under new laws.
Homosexuality: Legal. No recognition of same-sex unions. No laws against discrimination. Strong cultural biases exist, and harassment of gays, including police raids of gay bars, still occur. There is a small but growing gay-rights movement in larger cities.
Abortion: No restriction as to reason
Women’s Issues: Domestic violence is a recurring problem and women have few legal options. Women face considerable discrimination in the workplace with regard to pay and hiring.
Guns: Pistols illegal. Some firearms legal to own providing guns are of a non-military caliber. Licensing required.
Crime: Violent crime appears to be falling, although there are still several thousand murders each year. Ethnic-looking people can run into trouble with skinheads. Assaults, robbery, and pickpocketing are common in the larger cities. There is widespread corruption, and extortion and violence might as well be taught in business schools.
Real Estate: Russian law makes no distinction between citizens and expatriates when it comes to buying real estate. Mortgages are available, but rare, with 20–40% down payment. Terms usually 10–15 years at 15–20%. Even when mortgages are available, real estate transactions are usually conducted in cash and buyers often must reserve a sufficient number of bills at the bank. The proceeds of sale of any property, which was owned by the same person for five or more years, are tax exempt. Otherwise, the sale of real estate is subject to 13% tax for tax residents and to 30% tax for nonresidents.
Life Expectancy: 66.03 years
Moving There
Like almost everything else in official Russia, getting visas and permits for long-term stay is a pay-to-play affair, usually involving agencies specializing in these kinds of activities. In this racket, your acceptance or rejection may have more to do with their skill and connections than your own background, assets, etc. DIYers should be aware that all Russian visa applications submitted in the U.S. must be done online. Forms can be found at www.evisa.kdmid.ru.
Tourist Visa: One month. Requires “invitation” that can be ordered through a Russian travel agency.
Business Visa: Can be obtained with bona fide invitation of employment but can also be obtained via registered travel agencies. Student visa, humanitarian and religious visa are also available. Multiple entry visas valid up to one year, renewable, do get issued but there is a capriciously enforced 90-day rule and those with long-term aspirations try and apply for the three-year residence permit.
Temporary Residence Permit/Residence Permit: These permits put you on track toward unlimited residency and citizenship. In almost all cases, a temporary residence permit is first issued for at least six months before a Residence Permit is issued, valid for five years, after which one is eligible to apply for citizenship. Other than people who have a family connection or political connection to Russia, these permits are given out on a quota system. The reasons for acceptance or denial have even the most grizzled Kremlin-watchers scratching their heads.
Work Permit: Yearly quota of foreign employees allowed into the Russian workforce each year. Work permit required to work and is usually arranged via Russian employer. Teachers do not need a permit to work in Russia.
Student Visas also available per the usual requirements.
Citizenship: Five years of living in Russia as a Permanent Resident. Requirements are much reduced for former citizens of the USSR, and descendents, family and spouses of Russian nationals.
J.M.
Pushkin, Russia
We are able to live a much more relaxed, prosperous life than we would have in the U.S. Money goes much further here, and given the level of competition among providers of things like mobile phones, Internet, medicine and dental, food, etc., there’s generally much higher quality easily available than what you could find in the States.
The laws in Russia can seem at some times much stricter than in the USA. The difference, of course, is that in the U.S. you are expected to actually follow them. In Russia, with the exception of major things like robbery or murder or political crimes, there’s not much that you can’t arrange to be able to do, or get okayed post-facto.
The legal system is different, and has some significantly different foundational assumptions from U.S. law. Some examples:
The biggest things you learn, living in Russia, are patience (traffic can be awful, and road qualities are pretty bad sometimes, too), and respect for procedure. There are certain boxes-that-need-checking and t’s-that-need-crossing, and those simply must be done. It can be frustrating, being able to resolve a speeding ticket on the spot with the police, but then having to spend four hours waiting for them to write up their report—longhand, in triplicate—after your car has been hit on the road. The other major issue can be the availability of big Western consumer infrastructure, like malls and mega-grocery stores. At the moment, those are far and few between outside the major cities, although there are several Russian chains that are making fast inroads all over the country.
To be honest, we tend to avoid Americans in Russia. Most of the American expats we’ve encountered are incurious, insular government or NGO types. Russians are so sociable that there’s really no need to have enclaves of foreigners, unless those foreigners for some reason want to avoid Russians. The expats we do know in Russia all speak the language and have gone just as native as we have.
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Climate: Tropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; there is a “rainy season” around November-December, plus a fairly active hurricane season in late August, and September.
Government: Parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Population: 40,131 |
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Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD): 1 XCD = 0.37 USD
Language: English
Religious Groups: Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic
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Ethnic Groups: Predominantly black, some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Pricey |
Famous among expats for having the longest-running passport-for-sale program (despite determined efforts by the U.S., in particular, to get these nations to stop the practice), so if you’re keen on getting citizenship, have $250K–$350K to spare and want to while away your years in a tropical tax-shelter paradise, then this place might be for you. In fact, once you’re in, you don’t really even have to live here. On the other hand, there are worse places to exile yourself than a tropical island.
Living There
Governance: Free and fair elections. Independent judiciary. Constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion, free expression and the right to organize are respected. Unfettered access to the Internet.
Infrastructure/Internet: Telephone and hi-speed Internet available
Healthcare: Medical care is limited. There are three general hospitals on St. Kitts, and one on Nevis. Both islands have several health clinics. Neither island has a hyperbaric chamber. Divers suffering decompression illness are transported to the island of Saba, in the Netherlands Antilles. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the U.S. can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services.
GDP: $719.5 million
GDP (Per Capita): $14,400
Sovereign Debt: 185% of GDP
Working There: Work in tourist industry or live off your money.
Regulatory Environment: Less efficient than other countries in the region; lots of red tape but reform efforts are underway to make it easier for businesses.
Taxes: No personal income tax. There is a capital gains tax of 20% on profits or gains derived from a transaction relating to assets located in the Federation which are disposed of within one year of the date of their acquisition. Individuals and ordinary companies remitting payments to persons outside the Federation are required to deduct a 10% withholding tax from profits, administration, management or head office expenses, technical service fees, accounting and audit expenses, royalties, non-life insurance premiums and rent.
Cannabis: Illegal, but available
Homosexuality: Illegal (males only), no recognition of same-sex unions. No laws against discrimination. Pervasive anti-gay sentiment.
Abortion: Only to preserve mental or physical health
Women’s Issues: Violence against women is not uncommon, though criminalized in specific legislation. A measure passed in 2008 bars sexual harassment.
Crime: Since 2008, crime has been on the rise. Although most murders involve locals and are primarily gang-related, U.S. residents have experienced incidents of burglary, armed robbery, and other property crimes.
Real Estate: Since 1984, as part of the Citizenship by Investment program, if you invest in a property (minimum $350,000) you will be granted instant citizenship.
Life Expectancy: 74.37 years
Moving There
Show them the money.
Tourist Visa: For Americans, stays of up to three months are granted at Immigration. Anyone requiring an extension must apply to the Ministry of National Security. Residence visa requires proof of income.
Work Permit: Requires offer or contract from local company. Don’t count on it.
Student Visas are available, though it’s doubtful anyone would head here to enroll in a formal course of education.
Citizenship by Investment: This is the reason foreigners are interested in St. Kitts & Nevis. To quality for citizenship, applicants must make a minimum investment of $350,000 or more in government-approved project or $200,000 or more to Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation.
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Climate: Saudi Arabia has a dry, hot desert climate, with very low humidity. All regions have very little rainfall, with the exception of the extreme southwest which is close to the monsoon belt.
Government: Monarchy
Population: 28,686,633 (note: includes over 5.5 million non-nationals)
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR): 1 SAR = 0.26 USD |
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Language: Arabic
Religious Groups: Muslim (100%)
Ethnic Groups: Arab (90%), Afro-Asian (10%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Comparable (most expats live in Saudi Arabia on all-inclusive packages and because common entertainments like bars, clubs and movies don’t exist, tend to spend very little). |
Fat contracts are offered in Saudi Arabia to attract skilled workers. Most Americans live in gated “Stepford Communities,” cut off from the daily life in the country. Terrorism has been on the upswing, causing many Westerners to leave. Salaries and incentives have therefore increased to get them and their replacements to stay. The wave of reformist protest and revolution has threatened to disrupt the Kingdom, but at press time, the monarchy was not only holding firm, but had enough muscle to spare to squelch protest in neighboring Bahrain. The other cloud on the horizon is a quota-like system called Nitaqat. Employees whose companies violate the Nitaqat system may see their visas revoked after six years.
Living There
Governance: Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy that held its first-ever elections (just municipal posts with women excluded from the polls) in 2005. It is considered one of the least free nations on the planet, though the faintest whiff of reform is in the air.
Infrastructure: Because of the vast distances that separate Saudi Arabia’s main cities, air travel has long since replaced the camel as the most efficient means of transportation across large distances. There are three major airports complemented by some two dozen local and regional ones. There are also extensive, well-kept highways. Saudi Arabia has good telephone service.
Internet: There are several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Internet cafés can be found in the main cities. Hi-speed DSL Internet is available. Government censors filter content from international sites.
Healthcare: Most employers provide healthcare insurance for their expatriate employees and sometimes for their dependents. If this is not provided, the cost of hospitalization and treatment can be very high. It is therefore advisable, and will soon be mandatory, to take out private health insurance, either under a local hospital contract, or with an international health insurance provider. Saudi Arabia has excellent medical facilities, and it is seldom necessary to travel overseas for treatment.
GDP: $622.5 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $24,200
Sovereign Debt: 16.7% of GDP
Working There: English teachers, engineers, administration and healthcare professionals are all offered large incentives to work there.
Regulatory Environment: Efficient and easy to negotiate: Saudi Arabia is ranked 11th in the World Bank’s Doing Business Index.
Taxes: Corporate 25–45%, Individual: none (non-residents who earn income from investment in a Saudi business or professional activities are taxed at rates of 5–30% depending on income).
Cannabis: You gotta be joking...
Homosexuality: Probably no worse place on earth to be gay. Whipping is commonly used as an “alternative” to long prison sentences or the death penalty.
Abortion: Legal to preserve physical health, spousal and parental approval required.
Women’s Issues: Women have received some benefits of recent reforms, but for the most part are excluded from male society. Women can own businesses but cannot drive automobiles, and marriage laws decidedly favor the husband.
Guns: License required. Carry is legal.
Crime: Low crime index perhaps due to severe penalties. Some terror attacks targeting Westerners.
Real Estate: Not impossible, but very difficult. Property values are high, few banks lend to foreigners and not enough of them can or intend to live in the country long enough to make purchasing worthwhile.
Life Expectancy: 76.30 years
Moving There
If you’re not here for work, business or hajj, you won’t make it out of the airport. Outside of those reuniting with families or spouses who can apply for residency on those grounds, employment is coupled with a residency permit/booklet (iqama). Families of employees are allowed to reside in the Kingdom, as well.
Business Visa: Issued to employees of American companies who are sponsored by a Saudi company. Valid only three months .
Employment Block Visa: Issued to employees sponsored by a Saudi company. The sponsor (usually the employer) obtains work and residence permits for the employee and for any family members.
Scott
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
I prefer the lifestyle here overall as it provides many things for me. First is a good income which is stable and guaranteed by my employment contract.
Second is it allows me to take paid vacations with airfare (my previous employment allowed only one week off per year until three years of employment). Most contracts in KSA allow one month per year with airfare plus various local time off for Ramadan and Hajj.
Third is the ability to support my family due to the money I am earning and lack of significant expenses here (no taxes, no utilities, cheap gas for my car).
I can earn and save more here than I could possibly do back home. Even if the salary in the kingdom is less than what I could potentially earn back home, the tax benefit and absence of utilities makes up the difference. In Saudi, our salaries are based on equivalent salaries in the U.S., but with the tax exemptions, absence of basic bills, annual bonus and end of contract bonus—it adds up to being more than what I could expect in the States.
As for life on a Western compound, it is probably the best situation for most Westerners for numerous reasons. The primary reason is that the companies employing them provide the compound housing and services. If a person/family lived on the economy, the social network for the person (or wife and kids) would be more difficult to establish. That is a huge benefit for compound living: the built-in English speaking neighbors!
Other aspects are compound functions and bus transportation for the school kids and for shopping. This is from my experience at least—some compounds may be no-frills type of affairs and only provide housing and security (or maybe just housing).
The compounds which I have lived on in Riyadh have all had swimming pools, gym of some extent or another, a library of contributed books, videos and magazines. Most have a restaurant, some serve excellent quality and selection of meals.
Our company just recently left the Jadawel compound. It had an excellent restaurant, one formal dining area (for special occasions or ladies coffees). The Jadawel also had a full gym, racquetball and squash courts, swimming pool and part-time theatre (very part-time).
Other compounds offer similar, more or less. Some smaller ones are open for rental. One man in Riyadh that I know of specializes in smaller compounds for small companies or individuals. The features vary from place to place but the price generally starts at about U.S. $23,000 per year furnished. Villas outside have a broad spectrum of prices—from U.S. $13,000/yr to huge numbers (well above my counting range).
I am currently in the process of bringing my Mom here to experience life in the “sandbox” for herself. We will rent an apartment as my company doesn’t allow families (‘as per the contract’).
Dating is a compound thing as it is illegal to be alone in a car or alone in the company of the opposite sex without being related (marriage, blood relative) or without a married couple along.
Deportation can happen quickly as can jail detention. Everyone knows the risk and consequences for being with your girlfriend or boyfriend out on the town. Often, people are never asked by the Mutawa (religious police) and go their entire stay in Saudi without a problem. Sometimes, however, people do get caught, get taken to the police station (until the company comes and gets them out) or get deported quickly.
That is why compounds are desired as well: protection from getting busted for something normal.
Dating local girls or guys can be risky—but especially dating Saudi girls. If caught, she can be beaten and suffer greatly at the wrath of their family.
Best advice: stay away from that temptation—it can mean the death of the girl if discovered.
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Climate: Tropical; warm, humid, lots of rain. Singapore has two monsoon seasons: northeastern from December to March and southwestern from June to September. Between seasons thunderstorms are common.
Government: Parliamentary republic
Population: 4,740,737
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Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD): 1 SGD = 0.77 USD
Language: Mandarin [official] (35%), English [official] (23%), Malay [official] (14.1%), Hokkien (11.4%), Cantonese (5.7%), Teochew (4.9%), Tamil [official] (3.2%), other Chinese dialects (1.8%), other (0.9%)
Religious Groups: Buddhist (42%), Muslim (14.9%), Taoist (8.5%), Hindu (4%), Catholic (4.8%), other Christian (9.8%), other (0.7%), none (14.8%)
Ethnic Groups: Chinese (76.8%), Malay (13.9%), Indian (7.9%), other (other 1.4%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S: High (especially Real Estate) |
This literal island of cleanliness and efficiency at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula is open for business, attracting economic libertarians from all over the world with their laissez-faire business environment and degree-toting foreigners chasing the highest per-capita expat salaries in the world. Libertines, stoners and slackers, however, should probably look elsewhere.
Living There
Governance: If you live in Singapore you can look forward to top-notch healthcare, a well-developed infrastructure, a thriving business sector, and spotlessly clean streets. In exchange, you’ll have to rethink how much you value your freedoms. The media is tightly regulated, some Internet sites are blocked, elections are largely controlled by the ruling party, and the country’s criminal laws are notoriously harsh.
Infrastructure: Well-developed: completely digital telecommunications system, extensive road and modern mass transit system (bus, light rail, train), air and sea ports are well-maintained and efficiently run.
Internet: Nearly 80% of Singapore residents enjoy Internet access and the country is one of the world leaders in broadband penetration.
Healthcare: The healthcare system in Singapore has been rated one of the best in the world. Medical facilities are state-of-the-art and healthcare practitioners are well-qualified (many are trained abroad). The country currently has one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates and longest average life expectancy. Singapore’s healthcare plan is available to citizens, permanent residents, and non-residents.
GDP: $292.4 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $57,200
Sovereign Debt: 102.4% of GDP
Working There: Construction, digital media, finance, healthcare, sales and tourism.
Regulatory Environment: A prime location for new businesses; Singapore is ranked first in the World Bank Doing Business Index. The average time to start a business is three days, there is minimal red tape, and corruption isn’t an issue.
Taxes: Individual: 0–20% (non-residents taxed at 15%), Corporate: 17%, VAT: 7%. Singapore does not tax foreign-sourced income.
Cannabis: Bad idea: prison for possession/use. Death penalty for large amounts. The fortunate get off with just a caning.
Homosexuality: Illegal between men (generally not enforced) but can result in two years imprisonment. No legal recognition of same-sex partnerships. No laws against discrimination. Small but growing gay rights movement.
Abortion: No restrictions (gestational limit of 24 weeks)
Women’s Issues: Laws against rape but no laws against sexual harassment. Women enjoy the same legal rights as men but are underrepresented in politics and business management.
Guns: Some shotguns may be legally owned. License required and weapon must be stored at gun club-type facility.
Crime: Rare. Occasional petty theft in tourist areas, some credit card fraud.
Real Estate: Foreigners are allowed to purchase apartments but houses, bungalows, or vacant lots require permission of Singapore Land Authority (SLA). Financing is available for up to 70% of purchase price at competitive rates but proof of income required. Prices are some of the highest in Asia—a two-bedroom apartment can easily cost you a cool million.
Life Expectancy: 82.14 years
Moving There
Work or business. And be prepared to show your stuff. If you want fun in the sun, try Thailand.
Tourist Visa: Visa not required for U.S. citizens. Length of stay is determined by immigration officer at Singapore Changi Airport (usually 14–30 days). Visitors can request an extension of stay by applying in person at Immigration and Checkpoints Authority before duration of stay expires.
Employment Pass (EP): The standard EP is the most common type of work visa for foreign workers. Applicants must show proof of qualifications (work history, experience, education, etc.), have an offer from a Singapore employer (company must apply on your behalf) and expect to earn a minimum of around (effective January 2012) $2,300 per month (S$3000) to be eligible for the most basic of the three varieties (Q-1). There is also a P-2 (monthly salary above S$4500) and P-1 (monthly salary above S$8000). Passes are renewable after two years for first-time applicants and every three years after initial renewal. Job seekers are advised to research available positions and work visa options at the Singapore Ministry of Manpower site (MOM): www.mom.gov.sg
Entrepass: Available to entrepreneurs. Applicant must show proof of experience in successful business ventures and submit plan that involves hiring at least two Singapore citizens. Minimum of $50,000 in operating capital deposited in Singapore-based bank required. Company must be registered as a Private Limited Company with Singapore Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority: www.acra.gov.sg.
Permanent Residency: Singapore offers four different schemes to immigrants seeking permanent residency. The Global Investor Program Scheme (GIPS) is available to recent arrivals seeking to invest a substantial sum in the local economy (approx. $800,000) or launch a well-funded startup. The Financial Investor Scheme (FIS) is for “high net worth” individuals (minimum assets approx. $15 million) willing to invest approx. $8 million. The most common route to a permanent stay is the Professional, Technical Personnel and Skilled Worker scheme (PTS). Applicants who hold most work passes are eligible to apply after six months, though one and two years (depending on the visa) is more the rule. The Foreign Artists Talent Scheme (FA) is a new program available to distinguished foreign artists in the fine arts, photography, dance, music, theater, literature, and film.
Citizenship: If you are gainfully employed or married to a Singapore citizen, you can register for citizenship after two years of permanent residency. Dual citizenship is not recognized by the government of Singapore so applicants must renounce U.S. citizenship. Citizens of Singapore are also considered Commonwealth citizens and are afforded certain rights and privileges in the U.K. and other Commonwealth countries.
Paul Tenney
Singapore
Singapore is a very expensive place, and some things like housing costs have simply exploded over the past year. I arrived in Singapore in January of 2010, at a low point in the housing market. That said, it depends on your lifestyle. I enjoy dining, drinking, and smoking cigarettes, which are all quite pricy here. However, it is also entirely possible to live quite cheaply here as well if you aren’t trying to pretend your life is an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. In any case, despite the high cost of living (I’d put it on par with Manhattan), I remarkably find that I in fact do have quite a bit more money and do enjoy a much better style and quality of life.
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Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
Government: Parliamentary Democratic Republic
Population: 2,005,692
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Currency: Euro (EUR): 1 EUR = 1.36 USD
Language: Slovenian (91.1%), Serbo-Croatian (4.5%), other or unspecified (4.4%)
Religious Groups: Catholic (57.8%), Muslim (2.4%), Orthodox (2.3%), other Christian (0.9%), unaffiliated (3.5%), other or unspecified (23%), none (10.1%)
Ethnic Groups: Slovene (83.1%), Serb (2%), Croat (1.8%), Bosniak (1.1%), other or unspecified (12%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: A cut below, though a plummeting dollar can quickly change that
The tiny nation of Slovenia was the first to break with the former Yugoslavia and did it with a minimum of bombing and bloodshed as well. Its capital, Ljubljana, offers plenty of well-preserved European architectural beauty as well as a thriving avant-garde scene. Prices remain lower than its Western European neighbors. A poor man’s version of Vienna and a bit more exciting and exotic. |
Living There
Governance: Slovenia embraces all the tenets of liberal Western-style democracy and its citizens suffer the least amount of corruption of all the newly admitted E.U. states. Oddly, it is against the law to insult a public official.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Hi-speed widely available
Healthcare: Adequate medical care readily available
GDP: $56.81 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $28,400
Sovereign Debt: 35.5% of GDP
Working There: English teachers are needed in private schools in Slovenia. There are specially-trained EURES advisors in all E.U./EEA countries, whose job it is to support those seeking employment in another E.U./EEA country.
Regulatory Environment: Efficient, minimal red tape
Taxes: Corporate: 21%, Individual: 16–41%, VAT: 20%.
Cannabis: Illegal. Punishable by fine. Fairly ubiquitous.
Homosexuality: Legal. Recognition of same-sex unions pending. Laws against discrimination. Slovenes are generally tolerant of gays and lesbians and open communities can be found in cities and resorts.
Abortion: No restriction as to reason; however, parental authorization is required.
Women’s Issues: Gender equality is a matter of law. Slovenia has the smallest male-to-female wage disparity in the E.U.; women earn 93.1% of what their male counterparts are paid.
Guns: Strictly licensed but legal for hunting providing one has valid membership in hunting club. Can be owned for self-defense but must show proof that life is in danger. Permit required as well as medical exam and must show knowledge of firearm use and safety.
Crime: Overall crime is low and violent crimes are relatively uncommon.
Real Estate: Slovenia’s E.U. status has made purchasing property far less complicated. American citizens can now purchase property without having to apply directly to the government. 10% down payment is required and mortgages can be obtained via SKB Banka in Slovenia.
Life Expectancy: 76.92 years
Moving There
Non-E.U. citizens (e.g. Americans) don’t have too many categories to choose from. You can study, do research, somehow swing a job offer or get married. Slovenia does offer some allowances for students who study here to seek employment after graduation and apply for a work and residence permit.
Schengen Visa: Maximum of 90 days per 180-day period, no extensions.
Temporary Residence Permit: Valid for up to one year stay and renewable. Applicants are required to possess valid passport, proof of sufficient monthly income (roughly equivalent to what a typical worker earns in Slovenia), and adequate health insurance. They must have a valid reason for wanting to stay in Slovenia.
Work Permit: The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs (www.mddsz.gov.si) posts complicated regulations and legislation relating to labor laws. More detailed information can be found on the Employment Services of Slovenia website (www.ess.gov.si) though, sadly, in Slovenian. If you are hired by a Slovenian company, the employer will handle the bulk of the paperwork. Corporate transfers (people working in Slovenia for a foreign firm) can also receive a permit. Under very limited circumstances where your skill set is actively sought, a permit can be issued without a job offer, allowing you to surf the Slovenian employment market. As a rule, work permits are narrowly defined and are issued for one year (occasionally up to three), renewable.
Permanent Residence: Requirements are similar to a Temporary Residence permit and applicants must live for five years in Slovenia uninterrupted.
Citizenship: Ten years legal residency (at least five years continuous prior to application), evidence of good character, proficiency in Slovenian language, and proof of self-sufficiency required.
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Climate: Desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters. The climate on the east coast is subtropical. Rainfall occurs mainly during late spring and summer and during this time daily late-afternoon thunderstorms are the norm.
Government: Republic
Population: 49,052,489
Currency: South Africa Rand (ZAR): 1 ZAR = 0.14 USD
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Language: IsiZulu (23.8%), IsiXhosa (17.6%), Afrikaans (13.3%), Sepedi (9.4%), English (8.2%), Setswana (8.2%), Sesotho (7.9%), Xitsonga (4.4%), other (7.2%)
Religious Groups: Christian (79.7%), Muslim (1.5%), other (2.3%), unspecified (1.4%), none (15.1%)
Ethnic Groups: Black African (79%), white (9.6%), colored (8.9%), Indian/Asian (2.5%)
Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Reasonable |
Though things have decayed a bit in recent years, post-apartheid South Africa still boasts the best infrastructure on the continent. It also has a spectacular landscape, great beaches and abundant resources. It also boasts the worst crime problem in all of Africa, if not the world (which it leads in homicides and rapes). Things have improved following its hosting of the 2010 World Cup and for those willing to take some risks, opportunity knocks.
Living There
Governance: South Africa enjoys all the trappings of a Western-style democracy with free and fair elections, independent press and judiciary, etc.
Infrastructure: The 2010 World Cup was held in South Africa and to meet the exacting standards of FIFA, the world’s most influential soccer organization, significant upgrades were made to the country’s public transportation, roads, and telecommunications system.
Internet: Despite advances over the past few years, Internet use among the general population remains sluggish with just a little over 10% of the population connected. Broadband is mostly available in urban areas and resorts and can be expensive as can dial-up due to telephone call charges. Mobile cellular remains the most popular communications medium and is widely available.
Healthcare: Both public and private systems. Private medical facilities are good in urban areas and in the vicinity of game parks, but they may be limited elsewhere. Pharmacies are well-stocked and equivalents to most American medicines are available. Public facilities tend to be lower quality.
GPD: $527.5 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $10,700
Sovereign Debt: 33.2% of GDP
Working There: Shortage of skilled labor, managerial and technical personnel.
Regulatory Environment: Recent reforms have made it easier to launch a business, but the regulatory process still has a great deal of red tape.
Taxes: Corporate: 28%, Individual: 18–40%, VAT: 14%. South African residents are taxed on all income sources. Temporary residents living in South Africa more than 183 days per year are only taxed on income earned in the country. Capital gains are taxed at 15% for individuals, 30% for corporations.
Cannabis: Illegal but widely available
Homosexuality: Legal. Same-sex marriage legally recognized. Laws against discrimination. There are disturbing cases of “corrective rape” in which lesbians are targeted for rape in order to “cure” them of homosexuality.
Abortion: Unrestricted
Women’s Issues: Domestic violence and violence against women are a longstanding concern.
Guns: Gun ownership legal for pistol, shotgun, rifle with permit.
Crime: South Africa ranks first in the world in rape and murder. Carjacking, assaults, and robberies are very common. There has been a small decline in violent crime, offering a glimmer of hope for those yearning to venture out of their secure compounds.
Real Estate: Non-citizens are allowed to purchase property. Properties over $71,000 are subject to a transfer tax of R7,000 ($1,010) plus between 5–8% of the value of the property over $71,000. Attorney fees for transferring property can be as much as an additional 2%. Full mortgages are available for permanent residents or those in the process of becoming residents. Non-residents can finance up to half the cost.
Life Expectancy: 48.98 years
Moving There
Generally open to people of adequate means. South Africa is eager to attract people who can help economically (via labor or capital) rebuild their country. Skilled workers are in demand and investors are golden, and recent college grads are invited to apply for all-inclusive work/visa/accommodation packages. Very detailed information is posted on the South African Government services website: www.services.gov.za.
Tourist Visa: A visa is not required for U.S. citizens wishing to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days.
Visitor Permit: Available to foreigners seeking to reside in South Africa on sabbatical, for voluntary or charitable activities, or research. Applicants must provide documentation from institution confirming mission in South Africa and letter from host organization. A deposit in the amount equivalent to the cost of a roundtrip plane ticket is required as is proof of valid medical insurance and adequate funds. Visa is valid for three months to three years.
Temporary Residence Permit: Over a dozen categories of these permits exist. They are available to foreigners seeking to work, study, retire, or operate a business in South Africa. Requirements are similar to visitor permit (proof of funds, insurance etc.) and valid for up to three years. General work permit requires contract signed by employer and proof of experience and/or qualifications. There are also permits for workers with exceptional skills and those who fulfill quota needs, as well as corporate transfers. Retiree permit requires proof of income (approx. $2,877/month). Business Permit requires capital outlay of 2.5 million Rand (around $375,000) plus it must employ five locals. There is also an Exchange Permit program allowing applicants under 25 to come to South Africa for one year and work in a program where all lodging and other needs are taken care of by the employer.
Five years temporary residency with work permit allows immigrant to apply for Permanent Residency. Also offered to anyone who has received a permanent offer of employment.
Student Visas available per the usual requirements.
Citizenship: Four years residence required in eight-year period prior to application. Must be proficient in each of South Africa’s official languages, be of good character, and possess knowledge of rights and responsibilities of South African citizenship.