The best places for sun-seeking expats
Now that September is here, the summer is definitely drawing to a close for another year. For those of us living in the UK, we no doubt have a dark, cold, and almost certainly, wet autumn and winter to look forward to. While this summer may have been better than some years – 2017 saw the country blessed with bursts of intense heat, including the hottest August Bank Holiday weekend on record – the warm sunshine was only fleeting.
It's no wonder then, that so many Britons become tired of the long stretches of gloomy weather of their native land, choosing to move to warmer climates; and this is backed up in the the latest Expat Insider survey from InterNations.
New tax changes could cause problems for expat landlords
When you move abroad to a popular expat destination, whether that's to France, Italy, Spain, or Grand Cayman, good wealth management is key to ensuring you'll enjoy your life abroad to the fullest.
Proper financial planning should ensure you have enough saved for retirement, but some people are always looking for ways to boost their pension pots. One of the key methods used by many expat retirees to accomplish this is by owning a UK property and renting it out.
However, expats who rely on rental profits from buy-to-let properties back home for a steady stream of income may face issues thanks to new tax changes, which apply to all landlords letting out UK property regardless of where in the world they themselves reside.
Is joint-sovereignty on the cards for Gibraltar?
There have been new developments regarding Gibraltar in recent Brexit negotiations and they should give Gibraltarians hope that Spain will refrain from making any unnecessary demands to make things difficult for Britain.
Spain's foreign minister, Alfonso Dastis, has confirmed that Spain will not "jeopardise" any Brexit agreement in a bid to reclaim the Rock. "I won't make an agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom conditional on recovering sovereignty over Gibraltar," Dastis said, speaking to the Spanish newspaper ABC.
British expats settling in the Spain after Brexit
If you're an expat living in the EU, you've no doubt Brexit on the mind since the referendum in 2016, worrying about what the future may hold. So, it's reassuring that the British negotiating team managed to secure rights of residency for existing UK expats, as part of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Is time almost up for the 15-year voting rule?
If you're a British expat who has lived outside the UK for at least 15 years, then current legislation denies you the ability to vote in parliamentary elections and referendums.
It's a policy that, suffice to say, has become very controversial given recent events. Long-term expats already feel that their fate was taken out of their hands when they were denied a vote in the EU referendum and this year's General Election, which was an election largely based around Brexit.
Potential loss of free movement for Britons high on Brexit talks agenda
As Brexit negotiations continue, the freedom of movement that expats in Europe will be entitled to is still unclear.
While many expats are worried about whether they'll have trouble staying in their destination of choice in a post-Brexit world, it now appears that they may also be in a difficult situation if they ever plan to move anywhere else.
Returning British expats could face high property prices
It's hardly a new revelation to state that Brexit has caused uncertainty for British expats. Until the EU and British government reach a final agreement in Brussels, the lives of many expatriates are certainly in a state of limbo.
Depending on how negotiations unfold, Britons who are living abroad may need to move back to their home country. But trends in the housing market, in both the UK and EU countries, suggest they could run into financial difficulty if they haven't made sufficient wealth management plans for the future.
Taking a preventative approach to common expat stress factors
Moving overseas is exciting. The idea of making a fresh start in an exotic location is generally a cause for optimism and joyfulness, and for many becoming an expat will bring a positive outlook for the future.
But expatriates have a lot to consider before saying goodbye to their home countries: sorting out a new home, finding a school for any children who will be moving as well, and figuring out what's best for future finances (an international financial adviser can help you with this) are all sure to be top priorities.