THE 10 MOST MISUNDERSTOOD FACTS ABOUT EXPAT LIFE IN EUROPE

Moving to a new place can be a little scary. Further, not knowing anything about the country and misleadings on the internet can increase your stress about moving out. Europe is one of the best countries for starting a new life or business, getting an education, or traveling. But there are many misconceptions about expat life that scare people beforehand. 

You can clear your mind and achieve your goal of sending money back home by working hard in Europe. These are the ten most common misconceptions about expat life in Europe. 

It is difficult for expatriates to Manage their Expenses.

The biggest misconception is that living on your own will make you responsible for your savings and investments. People believe that they get control of their assets. The truth is that when you run in the world, you vigorously run short of money. Moving to a new place comes with a lot of unnecessary financial investments. Budget and tax policies vary in every country. It is advisable to always consult a financial strategist or a budget planner before moving to Europe. 

Expatriates live a life free from Financial Stress.

People believe moving to one of the world’s economic stations, Europe will free you from spending analysis overnight. Most expatriates earn more than they used to back home, but it comes with many hidden expenses. Foreign Exchange rates and living costs cause a massive cut to your regular salary. There are pros and cons of living in any place around the world. Make sure to go through them before finalizing your migration.

Expatriates won't Stay for Long Haul in Europe.

Expatriates return to their homes for specific reasons. Either they don't get settled and want to be close to their family or invest in their homeland. Whatever the reason is, you can never judge your destiny by seeing the results from someone else’s experience. If you want to do something significant with your life and make your name, the first thing you would need to do is step out of your comfort zone and try your luck in different auditoriums. Moreover, international experiences are always better for your growth. Trends like habitual expatriates and restless expat syndrome are ubiquitous these days, and expats want to travel to different countries. According to research from 2020, over 60% of expats stated that they would not stay in Europe for long. 

Expatriates go to Europe to Retire.

People go to Europe with different conceptions in mind. Some go to find new adventures, and others go to make their lifestyles better. According to research by Statista, 13% of expatriates migrate for better job opportunities, and 11% to find love. Some are sent for work or better educational opportunities. Only 4% of expatriates move to retire. 

Moving to another country will be a Life-Changing spell.

Some people got so excited by the idea of moving to Europe that they left the purpose of migration far behind. They assume that moving abroad will only broaden their horizons.  They forget the cost of living, timing for adjustment, cultural shock, etc. They remember that moving abroad is not only about profitable money transfers. The fairytale period of the starting will wear off soon, and then reality checks in. Rather than hyping yourself with unreal social media ideas, try to look deep into expat life before making any mature decision. Expat life is not suitable for everyone as it comes with many untold and unseen troubles. Some people take it so well and quickly adapt to the new culture, while others return homes with heavy hearts and empty pockets. 

You will only become Friends with other Expatriates. 

When you move to a new place, looking for people who feel at home is natural. Moving and adapting to a new culture could be stressful. You will find it difficult to socialise with people who are entirely unknown. It is better to go for people with common characteristics. Eventually, you will find yourself friends with other expatriates rather than locals. But it is essential to make yourself at ease with locals and step out of your bubble. They will help you get to know the place and its culture better. They can also be your best guides. Making your social circle bigger is the key to successful expat life and being comfortable. However, people are different and have different natures. Some will dive into the traditions, and others will take a slower path; consequently, everyone will get used to the place. 

Moving back home is comparatively easy. 

Some people assume that moving back to their homes is easy and stress-free. The only tricky part is adjusting to a new culture. But their misconception got vanished when they were hit by reverse culture shock. Many people have already heard of it. When the time to return home comes, they feel sick. It is as complex as moving in. one of the common reasons for getting hit by reverse culture shock is getting used to the new culture and new people. Especially if you are an expat in Europe, you know how beautiful life is. Returning to dull life sometimes makes your stomach hurt. 

Expat life in Europe is not suitable for families.

If you are thinking of migrating your family to Europe, many will come your way to tangle your mind by telling foul stories. Moving out becomes twice as easy if you are moving with your loved ones. Migrating to a better country gives you better health, education and other opportunities. Moreover, you are also saved from the expense of running two kitchens at a time. Europe can be a home for you and your family too. It gives the best facilities to raise your children. It will also save you from sending money online monthly to your family for their bread and butter, as global transfers are often costly.  

Expats pay less tax

It is a very costly mistake commonly made by people. It is essential to go through the tax payment methods and types of tax you will fall under before you move to Europe. You can check with your financial adviser to check this out or visit the local government website. The tax payment rules differ depending on what countries you are migrating to. For example,  In the US, a yearly tax return is filed. You have to pay the tax even if you are not living in the country. 

It is easy to get fluent in a foreign language.

Staying where people speak different languages may help you catch some words but learning a new language has never been a piece of cake. It requires a lot of work. Becoming fluent in any language is an ongoing process that does not happen automatically. If you think you will learn the language while you stay as an expat, you are making a clown of yourself. Just being in a country does not guarantee accuracy. Maybe after some weeks, you will be able to make casual conversations, but for good fluency, you need to work on it and do regular practice apart from taking classes. 

Bottom line

We hope this blog helped clear the most misunderstood facts about expat life in Europe. It is not as scary as told if you are moving with preparation. Still, it is always better to get prepared for the worst. If any mishap occurs and you need an immediate global money transfer, that is not a problem because  ACE Money Transfer is at your service. It is the fastest online money transfer service available in Europe and helps in swift and easy transfers.