Expats are people who live outside their home country but do not consider themselves immigrants. They may relocate for work, investment, remote income, or simply a change of environment. Unlike migrants, expats often see relocation as a phase of life rather than a permanent decision.
What Is Expatriation
The term “expat” comes from the English expatriate, meaning “someone living outside their homeland.” Typically, an expat moves to another country for an extended, but not necessarily permanent, period. They may be employees of international companies, investors, digital nomads, or retirees seeking a more comfortable climate.
It’s important not to confuse expats with immigrants: immigrants usually intend to stay permanently, whereas expats maintain flexibility — they can move again or return home.
Expats are not limited to top managers. They include specialists on international contracts, entrepreneurs, freelancers, researchers, and creative professionals — essentially anyone living legally abroad while keeping ties to their home country.
Who Are Expats: Characteristics and Traits
An expat is not a tourist, but also not a traditional immigrant. They live abroad for extended periods but may not consider the new country their final destination. Some stay a few years, others indefinitely — it depends on their goals and circumstances.
Formally, expats are similar to other legal migrants: they need visas or residence permits — work, study, investment, or digital nomad permits. They often engage with a different culture and may not speak the local language. Moving abroad is a deliberate choice rather than a necessity.
However, expats usually enjoy greater freedom and quality of life. They have resources, options, and the ability to adapt without compromising comfort.
Money Isn’t Always the Main Factor
Migrants often relocate for income. Expats move for experience, new opportunities, international careers, or simply a lifestyle change. Professionals accept overseas contracts to access global markets, work in multicultural environments, and broaden their horizons.
Retirees may choose countries with a mild climate and relaxed pace of life. Entrepreneurs seek markets with new opportunities and consumer trends. Financial motivation matters, but it is rarely the only criterion.
Confidence and Flexibility
Expats usually have education, experience, in-demand skills, and language abilities, allowing them to feel confident anywhere in the world. If something goes wrong, they can return home or move to another country without losing their standard of living.
Typical challenges for expats include:
- Loneliness and losing familiar social networks
- Cultural differences
- Missing aspects of their home country, including cuisine
These challenges can be overcome with openness, curiosity, and social skills. Friendly individuals make connections easily, curious people explore local culture, and tolerant people adapt well.
How to Become an Expat
Relocation Options
Many developed countries have large expat communities, which newcomers can join. Common paths include:
- Assignments and internships: International companies often send employees to overseas offices for experience exchange.
- Work contracts: Qualified specialists with language skills regularly receive offers from foreign employers.
- Digital nomad, retiree, and passive income visas: Countries provide long-term visas for remote workers or those with stable passive income.
- Residence or permanent residence through investment: “Golden visa” programs allow residence permits or even citizenship in exchange for investing in real estate or the economy. This is one of the fastest ways to obtain legal status — permanent residence is not required, and minimum stay requirements are often symbolic. Investors can also decide whether to become tax residents.
Choosing a Destination
When choosing a country, consider several factors:
- Attitude toward foreigners
Look for local expat communities to gauge how welcoming the city is. Openness, tolerance, and willingness to engage are key to successful adaptation.
- Safety
Check safety levels — for walking around, using your phone, traveling. Global risks like wars or terrorism can be assessed via the annual Global Peace Index, while daily safety is best evaluated by talking to locals or expat communities.
- Infrastructure
Assess healthcare accessibility: doctors, pharmacies, complex procedures, and insurance for foreigners. Families should also consider education: language of instruction, availability of free schools, private school costs, and waiting times for kindergartens or medical appointments. Transport, shops, cafes, parks, and other amenities matter depending on lifestyle.
- Cost of living
Use tools like Numbeo to estimate basic expenses: rent, transport, utilities, and insurance. Compare your income to understand how comfortable life will be.
Leading Countries for Expats
According to 2025 surveys, the top countries for expats are:
- Spain – 2nd place
- Portugal – 10th place
- Greece – top 30
- Cyprus – top 40
These countries are valued for mild climate, natural beauty, affordable leisure, and relatively low living costs. Work opportunities may be limited, but many expats earn remotely, so it does not affect rankings.
All of these countries offer various legal paths for residence: employment, study, family reunification, digital nomad visas, and investment. Investment programs are particularly popular among expats, as they allow residence without mandatory employment, language proficiency, or permanent stay.
- Portugal’s Golden Visa: Invest at least €500,000 in funds to receive a renewable residence permit. Minimum stay: one week per year. Investment must be maintained for six years, with potential returns of 5–7% annually. After five years, applicants may qualify for citizenship.
- Greece’s Golden Visa: Popular and accessible, entry threshold from €250,000 in real estate (including commercial-to-residential conversions). Residence can cover the whole family; living in Greece is not required unless pursuing citizenship. Citizenship eligibility: 7 years, plus language and law exams. Investors gain visa-free access to the Schengen Area and other benefits.
- Cyprus: Permanent residence for property investments of €300,000. No Schengen visa access yet, but Cyprus offers low taxes, large expat communities, and business-friendly conditions. Citizenship is possible after eight years with conditions.
These countries allow including family members in applications and provide access to local healthcare, education, and banking systems. Residence by investment is a secure path to European citizenship if requirements are met.
Spain: The Golden Visa program officially ended on April 3, 2025. Other paths remain: employment, study, family reunification, or financially independent residence. Expats still choose Spain for high quality of life, infrastructure, and pleasant climate.
Other popular destinations include Malaysia, Thailand, and Bali — low living costs, rich culture, history, and scenic landscapes.
Northern Europe (e.g., Norway) ranks lower despite safety, infrastructure, and tolerance due to high costs and complex legalization. Locals are polite but harder to integrate with socially.
If you want guidance on countries offering residence permits or citizenship through investment, Astons immigration investment experts can help select the optimal destination and provide a legal, comfortable relocation plan.
