All Questions
7,684
questions
73
votes
11
answers
5k
views
How important is knowing German in Germany?
I was recently speaking to a German about learning the language, and he said not to bother – whether planning a permanent move or only a short visit, you can get by just fine, as everyone there speaks ...
Benubird
60
votes
10
answers
113k
views
How to match EU income to US salary?
I'm a software engineer in Europe, and my firm is about to offer me a position in the US to bring up a team (In San Francisco or New York, it's still not decided yet)…
Looking at the job market in ...
- 973
53
votes
11
answers
180k
views
How to open up your first UK bank account without proof of address?
In the UK, to prove your address you can usually use your bank statement. But to get a bank statement, you need to get a bank account, and to get a bank account, you have to prove your address.
While ...
- 7,544
49
votes
3
answers
386k
views
Answer for "Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?" in academic/postdoc position
The following sentence is asked in early stage of all academic positions and postdoc jobs advertised in US-based universities or institutes:
Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?
I ...
- 603
42
votes
5
answers
12k
views
Can I lose my US citizenship for accepting employment with a foreign government?
In my US passport, there's a section entitled "Important Information" located just before the visa pages. Item number 13 deals with circumstances in which one might lose their US citizenship (emphasis ...
- 1,653
40
votes
8
answers
40k
views
How to build credit history in the USA?
What are the ways in which a new immigrant can begin building credit history in the United States of America ?
- 1,400
37
votes
9
answers
11k
views
Choosing between private and regular health insurance when moving to Germany
It seems that health insurance is mandatory in Germany and employees with a salary above a certain threshold can choose between private insurance and the regular statutory system (gesetzliche ...
- 17.4k
36
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Practicing Catholicism in Saudi Arabia
I know that the public practice of any religion other than Wahabbi Islam is strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia, and there would be no places of worship. I also know that the morality police raided a ...
- 919
33
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How do I deal with PPACA ("Obamacare") as an expatriate (US citizen)?
I'm a US citizen and according to the government's dol.gov website am subject to the regulation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, aka ACA or "Obamacare"). This means I must ...
- 500
28
votes
7
answers
26k
views
Adjusting to the local water
Pretty much whenever you move, the water will taste different. Maybe it'll be harder, maybe softer, maybe it'll have been purified with a different process or different chemicals. Chances are, you may ...
- 3,659
28
votes
10
answers
16k
views
What can I expect in the "Life in the UK Test"
To get an English citizenship you usually have to take the "Life in the UK Test". Apart from reading the handbook, what can I do to get prepared for this test?
- 7,544
28
votes
3
answers
27k
views
Blue Card vs Work Permit for IT Specialists
I see here lots of questions regarding the Blue Card for Europe and Germany.
I have been researching a lot about the blue card and work permit for the purpose of employment in Germany and so far, I ...
- 1,087
25
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Where can I be tax resident when I don't stay in any EU-country longer that 6 months a year?
I'm a Polish citizen. I've become a German resident because I'm working there, and as fair as I have learned, I'm treated as resident if I'm in given country (Germany) more than 180 days a year.
This ...
user41
25
votes
4
answers
8k
views
How to go about building credit history in the UK?
I understand that if I move to another country, my good credit history in the United States will not be recognized. But this leads to a chicken-and-egg issue: if no one will give me credit, how can I ...
- 919
24
votes
16
answers
16k
views
What countries offer descendant citizenship (by blood) further back than 1 generation?
Most countries can offer citizenship to people with at least one parent that is currently a citizen.
What countries' (if any) nationality laws exist that will allow citizenship by blood for people ...
- 401
24
votes
4
answers
12k
views
How to get a job in Australia before I go there?
I have been granted permanent residency in Australia (i.e. I can live and work there). I intend to relocate from Ireland in October. Ideally I could have a job line up before I go, as it's a high-risk ...
- 453
23
votes
2
answers
43k
views
Which EU territories outside Europe does an EU citizen have right of residence in?
Several EU countries such as the UK, France and Netherlands have territories and dependencies outside of Europe. Examples include many islands in the Caribbean, Falkland Islands, Tahiti, and so on.
...
- 2,467
22
votes
6
answers
59k
views
How to lease a car in the USA just after relocation?
Usually leasing requires you to have a credit history in US and establishing it takes at least a year. What options you have to lease the car without credit history in US but having employment here (...
- 321
21
votes
2
answers
18k
views
What happens when Chinese acquire foreign citizenship?
China doesn't recognize dual citizenship.
What are the practical consequences today if a Chinese citizen also acquires the citizenship of another country, but does not formally renounce their Chinese ...
- 213
20
votes
2
answers
8k
views
If asked for ID in France by the police, as an EU national what is considered valid?
On the rare occasion when I've seen people in France challenged by the police about their identity, they've always seemed to show their Carte nationale d’identité sécurisée (CNIS).
However, since I'm ...
- 3,659
20
votes
5
answers
4k
views
As a digital nomad, is it possible to live such that one owes no tax obligation?
This answer makes an interesting observation that
At the end of the day it's even possible you're not explicitly required to pay taxes anywhere.
Is this really true? Under what circumstances ...
- 2,117
20
votes
4
answers
66k
views
Do differences between NTSC and PAL matter with modern TVs?
There is a lot of old information on the web about the differences between NTSC and PAL television systems. Most of this information says that you cannot use a US TV in Europe because NTSC and PAL are ...
- 4,156
20
votes
2
answers
341
views
Are there any private pensions, life annuities, or similar, suitable for people working in many different countries throughout their lives?
In many countries, there exist excellent private and public pension funds. However, those are often designed on the assumption that people will work with the same employer for decades, and certainly ...
- 3,521
19
votes
11
answers
4k
views
Finding an apartment in US as an expat (big city)?
How difficult is it to find an apartment in the USA as an expat, and how long does it take (how early should I look for it)?
In Germany, it's an immense issue, because the typical dismissal time is ...
user41
19
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Is there any benefit in having two EU nationalities?
Given the single market and many of the EU directives that apply are there any benefits other then patriotism or nationalism that would advocate for having two or more EU citizenships?
- 2,299
19
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Is it possible to find an apartment for rent in Germany before coming there and looking for a job/contract?
When I first went to Germany for work, I was shocked by the problems I encountered with finding an apartment. My company found me a temporary accommodation before I arrived (a single room in a cellar, ...
user41
19
votes
13
answers
3k
views
Advice needed from Central or South America based freelancing expat
I'm an expat free-lance consultant working for a U.S. client in a European country that is not my home country. I'm also an E.U. citizen.
Currently, my combined income tax and social security ...
- 191
19
votes
4
answers
141k
views
How long can I drive a EU-registered car in the UK?
I live in the UK but travel back to Poland every 8~14 months. Also my car is left--hand drive instead of right-hand as in UK.
This means that I do not have to MOT (Motor Inspection) or tax my car in ...
- 1,508
19
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What would happen with my pension if I leave Europe and never return?
I have pensions in Norway and the UK. I was told that it is possible to transfer the funds between European countries. But what would happen if I leave Europe and never return?
- 1,621
18
votes
2
answers
66k
views
Can a naturalised British citizen live anywhere in the world without losing UK citizenship?
Following up on How do i get a British citizenship?, I realised that one of the requirements is
you’ll continue to live in the UK
When googling for the question I'm asking here, unofficial ...
- 325
18
votes
3
answers
223k
views
What is the highest number of citizenships one can hold?
So I have two citizenships/passports - South Africa and New Zealand.
My understanding is if I wanted a British passport, I'd have to give up one of the others.
However, SA, NZ and Australia allow ...
- 3,946
18
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Dealing with depression
As one of the people who have immigrated to another country, I recall the initial years of that process as rather depressing, if not clinically most definitely psychologically.
Are there any tips or ...
- 5,378
18
votes
4
answers
114k
views
How to renew a US driver's license when living abroad
My driver's license expired last autumn (September 2013). I hadn't used the license/driven anywhere in several years at the time that it expired, but now I'm thinking of using it again for short ...
- 323
18
votes
4
answers
709
views
What is a credit history and why should I care?
I just read a question on having credit history in the UK. The credit-history phenomenon has puzzled me for some time. Similar to people considering it a good thing to have many credit cards.
What ...
- 2,299
18
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Male US/Russian dual citizen returning to Russia at 28. Possible risks?
I'm a 28-year-old male with a dual US/Russian citizenship who's going to be entering Russia for the first time in maybe 15 years. I'm slightly nervous about being able to get out once I'm in, since ...
- 181
17
votes
6
answers
26k
views
How do countries access criminal information from foreign citizens?
One of the requirements that most (all?) countries have for issuing a work permit is that the applicant does not have a criminal record. On the other hand, I suppose nations do not open the criminal ...
- 648
17
votes
3
answers
1k
views
BBC licence fee if I don't watch TV
I checked the Check If You Need One page from the TV Licensing website, but it didn't seem clear to me: must I pay the licence if my television is capable of showing the broadcasts, or only if I ...
- 919
17
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How do I get Photo Identification, in the UK as a foreign national?
As a European Citizen (either from Schengen or non-Schengen), what should I do to get a photo identification card to use instead of my passport?
Can I apply for such a ID straight away or are there ...
- 1,508
17
votes
3
answers
20k
views
In Germany, is lunch included in an 8 hour shift?
I've recently moved to Germany and I am used to having unpaid lunch time; so I've been coming in at 8am; 1 hour lunch and leaving at 17 (5pm).
But I've noticed some people here who, when they come ...
- 355
17
votes
2
answers
13k
views
No last name on documents
I plan to apply for my MS degree in Europe or the United States. The problem is that my name – written in English – becomes a single name with no last name.
Persian: حسیب الله
English: Haseebullah
...
user2042
17
votes
0
answers
683
views
Dutch dual citizens' loss of Dutch citizenship — can it be avoided if married to a UN employee?
A Dutch citizen who is also a citizen of another country will lose Dutch nationality after living outside the Kingdom of the Netherlands or the EU for ten years. The ten-year clock can be reset by, ...
- 21.2k
16
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Under what circumstances must a US citizen forfeit their citizenship when obtaining a new one?
For some reason I have been under the impression that US law prohibits US citizens from retaining their citizenship if they ever obtain a new citizenship. Is this always, sometimes, or never true? ...
- 2,117
16
votes
3
answers
2k
views
If I'm from another EU country, what do I need to do to permanently live and freelance in Germany?
I'm from Croatia and have been studying Computer Science for the past 5 years in Germany so now that I'm finished I'd like to stay a bit longer and make my living freelancing legally (open a small ...
- 161
16
votes
2
answers
12k
views
How to open bank account in France if I don't have address of residence yet
I just moved into France from another EU country. I wanted to open a bank account, but traditional banks want a confirmation of address (either from the landlord or e.g. an electricity bill), and ...
- 844
16
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Consequences of declaring 'Konfessionslos' when formally belonging to Church in Germany
For many people migrating for work to Germany it's quite surprising, or even shocking, that they are asked about their religion by the employer. They are usually not informed about the consequences, ...
user41
16
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Can I be a citizen of a country but do not have the right to live there?
Under what conditions can I be a citizen of a country but do not have the right to live there?
The question arose while reading the VWP conditions for a travel in the USA... where suddenly I've ...
16
votes
5
answers
43k
views
Changing jobs after 6 months as a Blue Card holder
I have been working in Germany for 6 months as a software developer with my blue card. The company's name is not written on the card, but it is written on an extra paper that came with the card.
I ...
- 161
16
votes
3
answers
2k
views
If I obtain a driver's licence in Germany as a non-German EU-citizen, would I have to revalidate it after leaving Germany?
I'm temporarily living and working in Germany. I'm an EU-citizen (Poland).
If I get my driving licence in Germany, would I have to revalidate it in Poland after leaving Germany? As far as I know, ...
user41
16
votes
1
answer
733
views
How can US citizens not residing in the US visit the White House?
US citizens who want to visit the White House are supposed to book a tour through their Representative or Senator. Which Representative or Senator should citizens not living in the US apply to, and ...
- 313
16
votes
4
answers
731
views
The UK has voted to leave the EU. How does this affect UK/EU (and other) citizens living/working in the UK and vice-versa?
On 23rd of June, 2016, the UK voted in a referendum to leave the EU. This leads to the following questions:
Are UK citizens working in the EU affected?
Are EU citizens working in the UK affected?
Are ...
- 2,344