Expat FAQ

Do you have a general question on expatriation? FAQs give you answers to the most frequent questions.

Search in the FAQ

  1. Non-French residents: What are my tax obligations if I own a furnished property rented out in France [27-04-2024] 
  2. Are French non-residents exempt from CSG and CRDS? [26-04-2024] 
  3. What is a Schengen Visa? [18-04-2018]
  4. United States of America: Do I need a visa?  [08-03-2018]
  5. Taking your pet abroad [18-04-2017]
  6. Form of overseas care reimbursement [08-09-2016] 
  7. What are bike sharing systems accross the world? [02-06-2013]
  8. Where is it safe to live/travel as a homosexual? [03-05-2013]
  9. Watch French TV channels abroad [01-05-2013] 
  10. French and expatriate taxation: what to do at the start [13-03-2013] 
  11. Can you study with the Erasmus Programme Outside of Europe? [05-03-2013]
  12. What is the Erasmus Programme? [01-03-2013]
  13. How do I apply for a social security number in the USA? [19-10-2012]
  14. What is Fiduciary Factoring and what are its advantages? [05-10-2012]
  15. How do I eat like a local? [27-09-2012]
  16. What are some international job search strategies? [08-09-2012]
  17. What do I need to do to prepare to move house as an expat? [08-09-2012]
  18. Schengen Area: What is an EU Blue Card? [24-08-2012]
  19. Schengen Area: How do I obtain a study visa? [24-08-2012]
  20. What is a Location Independent Career? [14-08-2012]
  21. How can I find out if an International School is accredited? [28-06-2012]
  22. What if I need to make an emergency trip in order to go back home? [26-06-2012]
  23. What is a Discount Card? [25-06-2012]
  24. How do I find a short-term job / a seasonal work? [25-06-2012]
  25. What are the benefits of a short-term accommodation? [25-06-2012]
  26. What are types of Expat Package? [11-05-2012]
  27. What should you include in an Expat Contract? [11-05-2012]
  28. Which countries are in the Schengen Area? [12-04-2012]
  29. Schengen Area: Do I need a visa?  [11-04-2012]
  30. What is the European Health Insurance Card?  [10-04-2012]
  31. America's Green Card System [09-04-2012]
  32. America's Diversity Lottery [09-04-2012]
  33. UK: Do I need a visa? [09-04-2012]
  34. UK: How do I obtain a study permit? [09-04-2012]
  35. UK: How do I apply for a work visa?  [09-04-2012]
  36. United States of America: How do I obtain a study visa?  [09-04-2012]
  37. Canada: How do I obtain a study permit? [08-04-2012]
  38. Canada: How do I obtain a temporary residence visa? [07-04-2012]
  39. Canada: How do I obtain a permanent resident card? [07-04-2012]
  40. Australia: How can I bring my family with me?  [07-04-2012]
  41. Australia: How do I obtain a permanent resident visa?  [07-04-2012]
  42. Australia: How do I obtain a visa to study?  [07-04-2012]
  43. Australia: How do I obtain a visitor visa? [07-04-2012]
  44. Australia: How do I apply for a work visa?  [07-04-2012]
  45. Australia: Do I need a visa to enter?  [07-04-2012]
  46. Canada: Do I need a visa to enter?  [07-04-2012]
  47. Canada: How do I obtain a Work Visa? [05-04-2012]
  48. How do I apply for a National Insurance Number in the UK? [08-02-2012]
  49. How much Notice do I need to give when leaving an Apartment? [03-02-2012]
  50. What are my rights as a renter in the USA? [03-02-2012]
  51. How do I find a Reputable Mover? [19-01-2012]
  52. What are my options for International Shipping? [19-01-2012]
  53. What is the difference between an Embassy and a Consulate? [16-01-2012]
  54. Tourism: Should I take a Tour? [16-01-2012]
  55. What are my voting rights after I move abroad? [25-11-2011]
  56. How Do I Protect Myself Legally While Abroad? [07-11-2011]
  57. How do I prepare to have a baby abroad? [07-11-2011]
  58. When does school start? [15-09-2011]
  59. French Pensions: How does it Work? [08-09-2011]
  60. How do I plan a timeline for Moving Abroad? [31-08-2011]
  61. How can I travel/live in Muslim countries during Ramadan? [31-08-2011]
  62. How can you manage a high Cost of Living? [31-08-2011]
  63. What are the most expensive cities to live in? [01-08-2011]
  64. How should I tip in Africa and the Middle East? [25-07-2011]
  65. How should I tip in Australia & New Zealand? [24-07-2011]
  66. How should I tip in restaurants in North America? [24-07-2011]
  67. How should I tip in restaurants in Asia? [22-07-2011]
  68. How should I tip in restaurants in South America? [22-07-2011]
  69. How should I tip in restaurants in Europe? [21-07-2011]
  70. German Pensions: How does it Work? [22-06-2011]
  71. How to immigrate to the USA using an employment-based Visa? [17-06-2011]
  72. How to immigrate to the USA thanks to Family member (green card)? [15-06-2011]
  73. How to Go Abroad as a Physically Disabled Person? [07-06-2011]
  74. Should I Keep an Expat Blog? [07-06-2011]
  75. How to Battle Culture Shock and Win? [07-06-2011]
  76. What is the International Baccalaureate (IB)? [19-05-2011]
  77. What courses for adults can you find abroad? [12-05-2011]
  78. How to find telephone directories in other countries? [12-05-2011]
  79. How to eat vegetarian abroad [11-05-2011]
  80. Can I teach English as a foreign language? [12-04-2011]
  81. What about your health when abroad? [12-04-2011]
  82. Looking for information about Erasmus? [07-04-2011]
  83. What is EURES? [07-04-2011]
  84. The European Voluntary Service (EVS) [07-04-2011]
  85. What is the Lifelong Learning Programme? [07-04-2011]
  86. What are the Student Discount Cards? [07-04-2011]
  87. Cover Letter [15-03-2011]
  88. Information on Customs [15-03-2011]
  89. International Removal Companies [15-03-2011]
  90. Resume or CV (curriculum vitae) [15-03-2011]
  91. Steps to Find a School [14-02-2011]
  92. What number to call in case of emergency? [09-02-2011]
  93. What is an EEA1 for the UK Home Office? [08-02-2011]
  94. What is an EEA2 for the UK Home Office? [08-02-2011]
  95. What is an EEA3 for the UK Home Office? [08-02-2011]
  96. What is an EEA4 for the UK Home Office? [08-02-2011]
  97. What is a UK Fiance Visa? [07-02-2011]
  98. What is a UK Marriage Visa? [07-02-2011]
  99. What is a UK EEA Family Permit? [07-02-2011]
  100. What is an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)? [07-02-2011]
  101. UK Pensions: how does it work? [29-01-2011]
  102. What are the Steps to Repatriate? [23-01-2011]
  103. Prepare your repatriation: How to find an accommodation? [23-01-2011]
  104. Repatriation: how to get a job when moving back? [23-01-2011]
  105. French and expatriate secondment? [20-01-2011] 
  106. International tax treaty and method of taxation of the French expatriate [20-01-2011] 
  107. French: Taxation of stock options in the event of expatriation [20-01-2011] 
  108. French: Life and Expatriation [20-01-2011] 
  109. French: Can you have dual nationality? [19-01-2011] 
  110. Retirement in America: how does it work? [11-01-2011]
  111. What is a Pension Plan? [10-12-2010]
  112. Taxation of French employees seconded [16-10-2010] 
  113. Tax agents of the French state employees abroad [16-10-2010] 
  114. French and expatriate taxation: what to do when you come back [15-10-2010] 
  115. French expatriate: determine your new tax clearance [15-10-2010] 
  116. Are you a French tax resident under the criteria of the French law? [15-10-2010] 
  117. I lost my National Insurance Number - UK / London [02-03-2008]
  118. Rights to ride small motorcycles and mopeds in UK [13-02-2008]
  119. Pension calculation when you have contributions in several different European countries [09-01-2008]
  120. Claim back tax, Tax return, Tax refund in the UK, P60, P45, P85 [24-11-2006]
  121. Unemployment compensation: How to get the E301? [22-09-2006] 
  122. What are the European E-forms for unemployment? [22-09-2006]
  123. What does the UK tax code mean? [09-09-2006]
  124. Special tax regime for foreign executives in Belgium [13-04-2006] 
  125. At you one right to family allowances in Britain? [07-12-2005] 
  126. Do you need to set up a company if you are contracting in the UK? [07-10-2005]
  127. What is the IR35 UK tax? [07-10-2005]
  128. How to set up a company in the UK? [07-10-2005]
  129. What is the minimum wage in the UK? [06-10-2005] 
  130. What is an Umbrella Company? [06-10-2005]
  131. Comparison of different levels of taxation in Europe [10-09-2005] 
  132. Pensions in the European Union [09-09-2005] 
  133. How to make a claim in the UK? [11-08-2005]
  134. US citizens: Who must complete a US Tax Return? [10-08-2005]
  135. What are the European E-forms for pensions? [27-05-2005]
  136. What are the European E-forms for family benefits? [27-05-2005]
  137. How to get the US citizenship? [27-05-2005]
  138. How to get the French nationality? [26-05-2005]
  139. What are the European E-forms for healthcare? [26-05-2005]
  140. London: How to open a bank account? [16-03-2005] 
  141. UK: I've Lost My NI Number Card, what do I do? [15-02-2005]
  142. What is the rule for a non-EU to marry an EU citizen and living a EU Country? [31-01-2005]
  143. What are the dole in England after leaving France? [31-01-2005] 
  144. How to keep his green card? [31-01-2005] 
  145. Which visa for an internship in the U.S.? [31-01-2005] 
  146. Do we have to pay UK taxes in the USA? [31-01-2005]
  147. Can I get a UK passport for UK born children [31-01-2005]
  148. What are the living arrangments for Spousal Visa in America? [31-01-2005]
  149. How long does it take to get dual citizenship in the UK? [31-01-2005]
  150. How long does it take for a non-EU to aquire a work visa in UK? [31-01-2005]
  151. Marriage / Divorce - Check your Social Security number (SSN) [31-01-2005]
  152. US citizens: Do I still need to fill a tax form if I become a British Citizen? [31-01-2005]
  153. US citizens: I've married a UK citizen in UK, how do I fill my US Tax form? [31-01-2005]
  154. Will I lose US citizenship if I naturalize as a UK citizen? [31-01-2005]
  155. What happens if I keep an IRA in the US while living somewhere else [31-01-2005]
  156. How do I convert my 401k plan into an IRA? [31-01-2005]
  157. London: What is the budget way to start? [31-01-2005] 
  158. London: Help me find a home. [31-01-2005] 
  159. London: How to find work? [31-01-2005] 
  160. What are the formalities before going abroad? [31-01-2005] 
  161. What is a local contract? [25-01-2005] 
  162. Domiciled or resident in the UK? [25-01-2005] 
  163. What is an international mission? [17-01-2005] 
  164. What is the eurocommuting? [17-01-2005] 

Consult our FAQ made by the most frequently asked questions and specific terms of expatriation.

You can ask details, information and post comments on the forums.

The list of all the questions in the website language is available in one click, ordered by refreshed date or by number of hits.

For other discussions, advice, question, point of view, get together, etc...: please use the forum.



- My Life Abroad -
A selection of expat stories

"A fun compulsive read!"
J. Matcham, Amazon

"I strongly advise people ready to live abroad to read this book!"
Patrice, Amazon

More on the book >
Read the latest news in the expat world, info, trends, interviews, and much more: Browse our Expat Magazine