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Expatriation guide &
Health Insurance
Going abroad means leaving your country to settle abroad, for a few years or permanently. It’s time for a new start! Whether for professional opportunities, to change areas or to acquire new skills, such as developing self-confidence. It’s the opportunity to discover new horizons alone or with family! It is also an adventure with its difficulties: sometimes tedious administrative hassles, budget management and adjustment to the local healthcare network. Between excitement and worry, expatriation is a unique experience, which transforms for those who experience it.
Santexpat.fr acts as an expert in health insurance for expatriates and travelers. Specializing in international health insurance, our platform offers a complete range of tailor-made services: personalized advice, comparisons of international health insurance offers, and solutions adapted to offer expatriates optimal health coverage wherever they are.
Everything you need to know about expatriation
Expatriating is more than changing countries: it is starting a new life, discovering a new world, adapting to a new country. The word “expatriation” comes from the Latin exo (for “outside”) and patrida (meaning “homeland”) and captures the fact of leaving the known for the unknown to leave. Every year, more and more French people choose to emigrate, whether to Europe, in Asia, in America, in Africa or in Oceania.
Expatriation is often motivated by professional opportunities. Many companies opt for mobility of their employees abroad to open new branches, train local teams or carry out one-off missions. We then speak of professional expatriation, generally coordinated by human resources.
Leaving to settle elsewhere is also a personal challenge. You have to find accommodation, organize the children at school, sort out the administrative procedures and, for many, learn the language of the country of residence. This transition requires preparation, curiosity, and a great capacity to adapt. Expatriation is an enriching experience, an open door to the world and a superb human adventure!
Choose your destination
Before moving abroad, it is important to prepare your project well. The choice of destination country depends on a series of criteria including the standard of living, infrastructure, professional opportunities and the living environment. A thorough approach and careful planning helps avoid unpleasant surprises, ensuring a smooth transition to a new life abroad
The best countries for expatriation according to different criteria
To make your choice easier, here is a classification of popular destinations based on various aspects
Travel insurance
The choice of your destination may depend on the region of the world that attracts you the most. Each continent offers unique advantages in terms of culture, opportunities and quality of life.
- Europe: France, Spain, Portugal, Germany.
- Asia: Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam.
- Americas: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil.
By lifestyle
Your lifestyle plays a key role in your expatriation decision. Whether you’re looking for seaside living, the excitement of a big city or adventure in the great outdoors, there are destinations to suit every desire.
- Beach life: Thailand, Costa Rica, Philippines, Portugal.
- City life: London, Tokyo, New York, Singapore.
- Adventure and nature: New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Iceland.
By cost of living
Living expenses are an element to take into account for many expatriates. Some places to live are both pleasant and have a low cost of living, others, although more expensive, provide a very good standard of living.
- Affordable expatriation destinations: Vietnam, Mexico, Portugal, Colombia.
- Countries with a high cost of living but a high quality of life: Switzerland, Singapore, Australia, Canada.
Find the best destination according to your profile
The choice of country also varies depending on your personal situation. Whether you are a professional, an entrepreneur or a retiree, certain destinations lend themselves better to your projects and your life goals. The choice of country also depends on the expatriate’s personal project:
- For professionals: Some destinations like Germany, Canada and the United Arab Emirates are in real demand for skilled workers – due to their dynamic job markets.
- For entrepreneurs: Countries like Singapore, Estonia and the United States offer favorable environments for business creation.
- For retirees: Portugal, Thailand and Costa Rica are very popular for their pleasant climate and advantageous taxes.
Essential steps in planning your expatriation
Moving abroad requires careful preparation to ensure a successful transition. The essential steps in expatriation planning will help you organize every aspect of your project, from finding accommodation to adapting to the local culture, in order to make this experience a real success.
Visa and Immigration
Each country has its own visa and residency requirements. You need to find out about the different types of visas (work visa, study visa, investor visa, etc.) and start the formalities as soon as possible. Some destinations have specific requirements such as a certain income threshold, compulsory health insurance or even an employment contract concluded before mobility. Consult the official websites of embassies and immigration services to find out about deadlines and required documents.
Finance and Banking
Opening a bank account abroad is a key step in managing your money with complete peace of mind. Some local banks require proof of residence or a long-stay visa to open an account. It may be advantageous to opt for an international online bank or a neobank that facilitates international transactions. It is also recommended to find out about the exchange rate, bank fees and tax rules related to fund transfers between countries.
Health and insurance
Accessing healthcare abroad can be expensive and vary greatly depending on the country. International health insurance is essential to avoid unexpected medical expenses. Santexpat.fr offers solutions adapted to expatriates, including complete packages covering routine care, hospitalization and specialized medicine. Discover our offers of international health insurance for expatriates and our guides on CFE (Caisse des français de l’école), which ensure continuity of health coverage between France and abroad.
Why associate the CFE with international complementary health insurance?
- Reinforced coverage: The CFE ensures continuity of protection between France and abroad, but it does not always reimburse all medical costs.
- Optimized care: International health supplement supplements CFE reimbursements and covers remaining costs, particularly in the event of hospitalization or specialized care.
- Easier access to care: With appropriate supplementary coverage, you benefit from an international care network and guarantees adapted to local medical standards.
By combining the CFE with international health insurance, you optimize your coverage and access the best care anywhere in the world. Contact us to find the right solution for your expatriation!
Accommodation
Finding an apartment abroad requires knowing much more than the price per square meter on the local market. Some countries require specific guarantees, such as an employment contract or a high security deposit. It is advisable to visit the neighborhoods, find out about rents and choose specialized sites or trusted agencies. Thinking about temporary accommodation upon arrival can also make adaptation easier.
Taxes
You should know that international taxation helps avoid errors and ensure compliance. Many countries have tax agreements with France in order to be able to free themselves from double taxation. You must be informed about tax charges, local taxes, and exemption benefits. Surrounding yourself with a specialist in expatriate taxation can be a real asset in optimizing your situation and leaving.
The 10 big questions to ask yourself before going abroad!
Before leaving to settle abroad, it is essential to obtain good information to properly prepare for this adventure. Here are the first 10 questions to ask yourself:
- Why move abroad? Is it for my professional advancement, quality of life or just for personal interest?
- Which country to choose? Which destination suits me in terms of culture, security and professional opportunities?
- What administrative formalities need to be carried out? Do I need a visa, work permit, additional documents?
- What is the cost of living? Can I maintain my standard of living or should I adjust my budget?
- How is the job market? Are there any positions in my profession or should I consider a career change?
- What is the local health system? Does the country cover my health in a way that meets my needs?
- How will I get used to the language and culture? Should I learn a new language or conform to habits and customs?
- How do I manage my family? What solutions are available for the education of children or for my partner’s work?
- What are the security and stability conditions? Is it a safe place for me and my family to live?
- Do I have a return plan? What solutions do I have if I wish to return to France or if adaptation does not happen?
By asking yourself these questions, you will be much better prepared for your expatriation, you will make the right choices and you will be able to anticipate the problems that could arise along the way.
Expatriation checklist: leave nothing to chance!
Expatriating is a great adventure, but with careful preparation to avoid unforeseen events and make your arrival easier. Between administrative formalities, logistics and the necessary cultural adaptation, there are a lot of things to prepare. Before leaving, you have to hurry up with visas, insurance, taxes and administrative documents. Once there, finding accommodation, opening a bank account, enrolling children in school, subscribing to local or international health coverage are mandatory formalities. Without forgetting language learning, knowledge of local customs, social integration which are part of a successful expatriation.
To not forget anything and leave with peace of mind, we have prepared a complete and downloadable checklist bringing together all the key points to check before, during and after your installation abroad. Download it now and prepare your expatriation with complete peace of mind!
Health comparator and services, our services!
Santexpat.fr offers you a free, no-obligation quote to allow you to quickly compare the best international health insurance options. Our experts support and advise you throughout your project to help you understand the challenges of social protection abroad. Thanks to our health insurance configurator for expatriates, you can find in just a few clicks the plan that perfectly suits your needs. We also provide you with a network of international partners who guarantee you access to quality care wherever you are. Finally, we offer you practical guides and useful resources to properly prepare for your expatriation and master all aspects of your health coverage abroad.
Our services include:
- Personalized support: Our experts advise you throughout your project to help you understand the challenges of social protection abroad.
- A health insurance comparator for expatriates: Find in a few clicks the plan that perfectly suits your needs.
- A network of international partners: Enjoy access to quality care wherever you are in the world.
Don’t let the unexpected compromise your expatriation. Contact us today to benefit from personalized support and find the best international health insurance solution!
Make your expatriation a success with complete peace of mind
Expatriation is a great adventure that allows you to open the door to new possibilities and new experiences. To fully enjoy it, careful preparation is necessary. From administrative planning to the choice of personalized expatriate health insurance, everything is put in place to achieve a smooth transition. With Santexpat.fr, you benefit from tailor-made support and international health insurance solutions adapted to your situation. Anticipate your departure with complete confidence and live your expatriation with peace of mind.
Discover our detailed expatriation guides by country to obtain all the necessary information about your future destination and prepare for your new life abroad with complete peace of mind.
Discover our detailed expatriation guides by country to obtain all the necessary information about your future destination and prepare for your new life abroad with complete peace of mind.
