This scenario is one which has cropped up on a number of occasions and one which can be difficult to clarify without the correct information. The thread was started by someone who works for themselves in the UK under the ltd company laws but is looking to move to Spain on a permanent basis. Where does the company pay its corporation tax? Where does the individual pay their income tax?

There is a fair amount of comment on the exact situation of the person asking the questions, which again highlights the fact that it is impossible to give informed advice unless all of the facts are known. After some discussion its seems as though it is quite feasible for a company to be registered in the UK and employ someone in Spain, but it looks as though the individual will pay Spanish tax on their income and UK corporation tax on the company’s profits.

Other issues which arise include the double taxation agreement between Spain and the UK which means that nobody will be taxed twice on their income (the matter of company profits and employee income is different because in the eyes of the law a company is a separate legal entity), the 183/90 day rule and health cover regulations.

There does not seem to be any way of avoiding Spanish tax on your personal income if you are resident in the country and while you could take your income as a salary or dividends from your own limited company, professional advice should be sought to clarify the situation.

Continue reading ‘Self Employed In The UK But Living in Spain – Who Gets The Tax?’ »

As the world of technology continues to develop many people are now looking to telecommute, i.e. work for a homeland country while actually living overseas. But how does the tax situation pan out? How is the visa situation resolved?

This is a very different type of thread from the norm but one which we shall hear more about in the future as more and more people look to work remotely, taking advantage of their homeland employment laws and taxes while living in a different country. This post involves a US citizen who is looking to move to France while still working remotely for their US office. Sound complicated?

There are many issues which arise in this post including taxes, the legality of such a move and labour laws to name but a few. Some people may be aware that if you are deemed to be working in France then you are automatically classed as a French fiscal resident and all of your worldwide income is taxed by the French authorities.

This post covers some of the misunderstandings which accompany telecommuting and other issues which arise. It seems as though it is possible to obtain a long stay visa in France, not a working visa, and telecommuting between your overseas office but whether your company needs to formally agree this with the French authorities or not is up for debate.

The subject of telecommuting has prompted a number of useful questions and some answers but the situation is far from clear with differing opinions presented on the thread.

Continue reading ‘Telecommuting Between France And The US’ »

As soon as anyone mentions Canada it seems to be viewed as the poor cousin of the US but a quick glimpse at this post will show you that the country seems to have a lot going for it!

This thread was started by a couple, one of whom is Canadian by birth and the other is a UK resident, looking to relocate to Ontario. A number of very important factors are mentioned and some very probing questions are covered on the thread. Areas such as visas, work prospects, rent, cost of living, safety and which areas offer the best value for money are all covered in the thread.

Initially the thread was very slow to start but it soon kicks into life when a number of posters contribute some very helpful information. One thing which becomes apparent at an early stage is the risk of taking advice from one source rather than cross checking with other avenues.

One such scenario seems to have occurred with regards to a visa for the lady, who was not born in Canada, with one embassy official seemingly suggesting that a visa was not required in order to work, because of her husband’s Canadian roots. This turns out to be incorrect and while the sponsorship process seems very straight forward, in that her husband is able to sponsor her after he finds employment, this could have led to a rather tricky situation.

There are a number of informative websites covered in the post, a number of potential areas in which to live and a general outlook on life in Canada. All very straight forward and very informative for those looking at the country as a possible destination.

Continue reading ‘Moving To Ontario – What Will The Future Hold?’ »

This thread was posted to try and gauge the cost of living in Dubai and while this has been achieved it has also turned into a look down memory lane with regards to how much it used to cost for food in Dubai some years ago.  A quick glimpse at some of the price changes will show you that the price of food has moved in line with property prices – higher!

There are some useful comments with regards to information websites and places to visit in Dubai for good food at good prices.  While the cost of food in Dubai has moved higher we are seeing a widening of the spectrum with fast food still fairly cheap in comparison to the higher end of the market.  It seems that the new wealth in the area has created something of a polarised food sector, a situation which looks set to continue into the future.

One post in particular will be very interesting for those looking to move to the area, stating the local price of a number of popular food items and where these prices can be found.  If you are moving to a new country it is very easy to follow the crowds to the tourist spots and incur prices towards the top end of the market, when there may be cheaper alternatives.

This post also confirms the continued interest in the region and the fact that more and more people from around the world seem to be considering moving there to live.

Continue reading ‘How much does it cost for a good meal in Dubai?’ »

Ever wondered hope you would cope in an emergency in a foreign land? Remember there is no NHS outside of the UK!

While this post is a little tongue in cheek in places it does bring home the need to adapt to your environment and also to learn how the accident and emergency system works, wherever you are.  This particular post refers to Australia but it could be any country in the world.  A health diet, plenty of fluids and knowledge of how to call an ambulance in an emergency is vital.

The post also tackles the subject of charges for calling out an ambulance and the need for health cover in the land of your choice.  Don’t just assume that the medical profession works in the same manner as the place you left to move to places such as Australia – this is ever more vital for those who come from the UK where the NHS picks up the bill for all residents.

Health insurance is a must for anyone who is moving overseas and something which should be one of the first things that you do when you land.  You never know when you may require medical assistance and how much this might cost.  When the stress of an illness or an accident builds up the last thing which you want to be thinking about is money!

These are the kind of posts which look fairly tongue in cheek on the surface but actually highlight something that many people may overlook.  Health insurance should be near the top of your list when you are emigrating!

Continue reading ‘Life In Oz With No NHS’ »

How many times has the above phrase been repeated? How many times will it be repeated in the future?

As much as people try to knock Marbella as a mature property market it seems as popular now as it has been over the last few years – although down on the boom times when the market went into orbit!

The thread offers an interesting mix of social conversation and details on insurance and schools in the area as well as an informative overview of how the rental market works in Spain over the peak tourist periods, i.e. no discounts for long term deals.

There appears to be some confusion as to the cost of EHIC and NIE cards, who needs them and what they can really do for you. However, slowly but surely the picture becomes clearer and highlights the fact that you need to do your own research before spending your hard earned money on a card which may not give you any benefits.

The subject of overseas education seems to be something of a buzz word at the moment and it is surprising to see that Spanish schools fees appear to be significantly lower than those in the UK. It also seems as though more and more couples with young families are looking to escape the UK with some very favourable comments on the behaviour of school children in Marbella.

Towards the end of the thread a number of areas of Marbella are put under the spotlight with many highlighting the differing rental costs and local services on offer. However, there are no disparaging remarks about Marbella which makes a change from those trying to talk down some of the more mature markets of Spain.

Continue reading ‘Marbella Here We Come!’ »

This thread touches on a number of issues which will be close to the heart of those who are self employed and looking to move to France. The working environment is very different to that of the UK and unless you can master even the most basic grasp of the language you will be at a disadvantage before you even begin!

The thread starts with a couple asking for advice about finding work for a UK qualified plumber and electrician in France as well as a side issue about where to house their horses when they move to the South of France. The issue about the horses is well covered although the issue of working overseas has opened up a ‘can of worms’.

It seems that while the UK and France are both part of the EU they operate under very different employment laws. It is suggested that finding full time employment in France is tricky because of the labour laws but finding self employed work is also difficult unless you embrace the language and the various qualifications required. There are many issues to consider which include tax, health insurance, insurance on the work you carry out and the likelihood that as a foreign worker you will ‘probably’ receive more than your fair share of attention from the local inspectors – whether this is true or not is debatable but it is worth being aware of it.

There are some very useful suggestions about promoting yourself when in France and areas where work should be fairly regular if you can grasp the language quickly.

Continue reading ‘Working The French Way’ »

The whole concept of forums has never been as well demonstrated as this thread where one comment about a couple looking to move to Cyprus to retire has attracted posters from every angle you could imagine!

While it is obvious that the couple looking to retire to the Island of Cyprus have looked at other venues – they already have property in Spain – it is also a good idea to get comments from those on the ground. However, even though we would all like to hope that moving overseas is a bed of roses and very simple this is not always the case. We can all learn as much from those who have moved back home as those that have stayed in the area for many years.

On the subject of location the thread seems to have attracted lovers of each and every part of the country with some very passionate arguments for and against certain areas. One thing which is blindingly obvious is the fact that Cyprus seems to offer something for everyone, whether you are looking for a quiet life, a lively time or a mixture of the two.

Cyprus is one of those countries which are often overshadowed by problems of the past but when you check the area out it has always been a magnet for young and old from all parts of the world. Threads like this one give people the chance to promote the real Cyprus and not just the headlines which you see in the press. For that we should be very grateful…….

Continue reading ‘Retiring To Cyprus – Where To Look And What To Look For’ »

As the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair once said ‘Education, education, education’ is vital for all children of today and even more so in the lives of those who move overseas. This thread picks up the subject of education for those moving to the United Arab Emirates and has a lot to offer for families thinking of moving to the area.

While the thread initially starts off with a list of British schools in the region it very quickly moves on to take in schools of all nationalities as well as nursery establishments. However, perhaps more importantly there are a number of people on hand who have been through the often difficult process of choosing the correct school for your child or nursery for a really young child. You can get all of the paperwork correct to enter and move to the country but you also need to ensure that life is as normal as possible for the children and while taking in some of the local culture they need to be in a school where they feel comfortable and the standards are high.

One problem which some posters have commented upon is the cost of schools and nurseries in the UAE and the need to balance the standards available with what you can actually afford. There is also the opportunity of asking your employer to contribute to the cost as many are desperate to keep their employees happy and build up a long term presence in the area.

Continue reading ‘Education, Education, Education.’ »

While there are many process which in theory should be very simple and very quick, it seems that gaining your Australian visa may not be as simple as many would have your believe. This thread covers the process by which you apply for your Australian visa to move there permanently and brings up a number of elements of the process which you need to be aware of!

The main focus of the thread is medical examinations and police checks which are a vital part of the entry process into the country. However, there is some confusion as to whether you should look to have these reports available prior to applying for your visa or after your visa process has begun. The problem seems to evolve around the fact these reports are only valid for one year and may be invalidated if your visa and other paperwork are not completed in time.

Even though the Australian authorities have decided to try and automate the system as much as possible some people are wary and nervous about making their applications online. A great number seem to prefer the traditional person to person route at an early stage rather than having a case officer assigned to your case further down the line.

There seem to be a number of potential elements which can drag on and cause problems for those looking at quick professional visas as well as those looking for the more traditional visas. Many have highlighted one particular automated email which is causing concern as it suggests medical records are required at the outset, while a case office confirmed that it will be requested at a later date. Cutting corners in this system could be counterproductive but some people seem happy to take that chance.

Continue reading ‘Moving to Australia - Paperwork, Paperwork and More Paperwork’ »