Naresh Purohit’s Post

It appears that Germany is not so attractive to expats, ranking 50th out of 53 in the best places for expats. In 2014 when the survey first started it ranked 11th. My first thought was that I find that hard to understand, but thinking more about this, I can see that having a German wife and owning a house, makes this significantly easier than it would be if I were here myself on an expat assignment. Then I look back on my time in other countries and run a quick comparison in my head, sure there are frustrations, but 50th out of 53 (that made it onto the list)? However, there are many circumstances in Germany, where the experience is certainly not user-friendly, often very frustrating, restrictive, and time consuming. I will provide examples and comparisons in a separate post. In the meantime what do other expats in Germany think and feel? https://lnkd.in/d-XECwN4

🌍 How satisfied are expats living in Germany? 🇩🇪 Did you know? Germany ranks 49th out of 53 countries in the Expat Insider 2023 survey, making it one of the least attractive destinations for expats. But why the dismal rating? Takeaways: 🔍 Challenges Abound: Expats face significant hurdles upon arrival, from navigating the country's digitalization woes to grappling with inflexible bureaucracy and a strained housing market. Adding to the struggle, Germans rank among the bottom 5 for friendliness, leaving many expats feeling isolated and disconnected. 😞 Unhappiness Abounds: With only 64% of expats reporting satisfaction with their life in Germany (compared to 72% globally), it's clear that there's room for improvement. The Ease of Settling In Index, which covers local friendliness and finding friends, ranks Germany at the bottom, highlighting the uphill battle expats face in building a social circle. 🤝 Seeking Connection: A staggering 55% of expats find it challenging to make local friends, while 32% lack a personal support network, contributing to feelings of alienation and homesickness. Unfortunately, this trend isn't new—Germany has consistently struggled in these areas over the past decade. 💼 Bright Spots: Despite the challenges, Germany shines in the Working Abroad Index, boasting a robust job market and high job security, placing it in the global top 5. Expats also appreciate the quality of life, particularly the infrastructure and availability of green goods and services. 🗣️ A Mixed Bag: While Germany offers ample opportunities for career growth and sustainability, expats grapple with the complexities of daily life, from language barriers to bureaucratic hurdles. It's up to all of us in Germany to extend a helping hand to fellow expats, especially those who have recently arrived. Assisting with bureaucracy and facilitating the integration of expats into society is not just a responsibility—it's a testament to our values of inclusivity and community. By fostering a supportive environment for expats, we enrich our cultural tapestry and strengthen our bonds as a global community. Together, let's make Germany a welcoming home for all. 🤝 #ExpatLife #Germany #LivingAbroad https://lnkd.in/euizejnn

"Expats in Germany Are among the Unhappiest & Loneliest Worldwide." Hoping to find some data on how long recruitment processes in Germany take on average, I downloaded the Expat Insider Report 2023. The report is based on a survey conducted by InterNations GmbH. While I am not surprised to read that "[e]xpats have a very hard time making friends, finding housing, and dealing with Germany’s lack of a digital infrastructure," I find the numbers quite shocking: "Germany comes 49th out of 53 in the Expat Insider 2023 survey — ranking among the least attractive expat destinations. When starting life in Germany, expats face big challenges due to the country’s lack of digitalization, the inflexible bureaucracy, and the tense situation in the housing market. On top of that, Germans rank among the bottom 5 least friendly local populations (50th). This might explain why expats are unhappy with their social life and have difficulties making friends. It is therefore hardly surprising that expats in Germany are among the unhappiest worldwide (50th). Overall, 64% of expats are happy with their life in Germany, compared to 72% globally." Those of you who know me are probably already getting tired of me sharing that I am currently writing on the topic. Yesterday I drafted a sub-chapter on "Culture Shock," or cultural adaptation, if you prefer that term. The text is eight pages long, and I first thought I may need to cut down on pages and that I could delete some of the many examples I give. Maybe better not... Hopefully the book will help further generations of expats struggle less when they come to Germany. Stay tuned - I am going to shift up a gear.

New York City is among the worst global cities for expats, but it continues to have a strong hold on people seeking a new life abroad. New York ranked 39th out of 49 global cities for foreigners based on social, financial and career factors, according to the latest report from the online community Internations, which surveyed over 12,000 individuals living in 172 countries or territories around the world. The Big Apple’s slide from its 16th placement in 2022 is “one of the most significant falls in expat eyes,” according to the report, in part due to a big jump in people saying they’re unhappy with the high cost of living. Roughly 2 in 5 expats (39%) say their disposable household income in New York is not enough to lead a comfortable life (versus 27% of expats who feel that way globally), and roughly 1 in 3 (34%) are unhappy with their financial situation (versus 22% globally). New York ranks second-to-last on personal finance factors, just ahead of Vancouver. The largest U.S. city, which ranked No. 3 for working abroad in 2022, also lost popularity for its work opportunities in the last year. Expats in New York are especially dissatisfied with their job security and work-life balance this year. New York isn’t alone in being a popular destination for newcomers despite its challenges. Among the 10 worst cities for expats this year are Paris (41st), London (42nd) and Berlin (45th). “One main problem with the big cities is that expats are less and less able to afford them,” says Malte Zeeck, CEO and co-founder of Internations. “What might seem surprising at first glance has to do with the rising costs of living, a decreasing quality of life, worsening work conditions and increasing hurdles to making friends in those big cities.” It’s not all bad, though: New York ranks highest for its leisure options thanks to its world-class parks, museums, restaurants, historical landmarks and other cultural attractions. Overall, the Expat Insider rankings are based on how expats feel across five main categories, including quality of life (like leisure options), ease of settling in (like how easy it is to make friends), working abroad (including work-life balance factors), personal finance (which covers the cost of living), and an overall “expat essentials” category that evaluates things like how easy it is to secure a visa or open a bank account. The top three best global cities for expats are in Spain: Malaga, Alicante and Valencia. https://lnkd.in/dETnnZKz

Expats who live and work in Panama are among the happiest in the world, according to the latest Expat Insider report from InterNations, the global community for people who live abroad. Panama was named the No. 1 country for expats out of 53 countries in this year’s report. A majority, 82% of people who move to Panama say they’re happy with their lives, compared with 68% of expats around the world. Most people said they moved to the Central American country for financial reasons, to retire or for a better quality of life. Tap here to see the full list of the top countries for expats to live and work abroad, according to InterNations data. 👇️

Expats who live and work in Panama are among the happiest in the world, according to the latest Expat Insider report from InterNations, the global community for people who live abroad. Panama was named the No. 1 country for expats out of 53 countries in this year’s report. A majority, 82% of people who move to Panama say they’re happy with their lives, compared with 68% of expats around the world. Most people said they moved to the Central American country for financial reasons, to retire or for a better quality of life. Tap here to see the full list of the top countries for expats to live and work abroad, according to InterNations data. 👇️

🌎😬 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬! Last week, I shared an article about the ten countries where expats feel the most at home but as things do not always go as exptected, let's now have a look in the ten countries where expats are faceing particular challenges. For expats, feeling comfortable in a country is crucial as it can positively impact their job performance, social integration, health, quality of life, and long-term commitment. Currently, Mexico, Spain, and Panama offer expatriates the best conditions for a successful work life and a sense of well-being on site. However, there are also countries where expats face challenges and find it difficult to adapt. I currently live in the (sometimes) challenging country number 5 🤐 🤔 Did you ever live in one of those "worst" 10 countries for expats ? Or do you think that another country should also be in this ranking 🧐 ? BDAE GRUPPE tells you more on the outcome of the survey from the Expat Insider 👇

🌍 The Challenges Expats Face When Relocating to Germany Without Help 🌍 Relocating to a new country can be an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges, especially when you're doing it alone. As someone who has worked closely with expats, I've witnessed firsthand the hurdles they often encounter when moving to Germany without assistance. 📦 Navigating Bureaucracy: From visa applications to residence permits, navigating Germany's bureaucratic processes can be overwhelming for expats, especially when they're unfamiliar with the language and local regulations. 🏠 Finding Housing: Securing accommodation in a new country can be a daunting task, with challenges ranging from understanding rental contracts to competing with locals for available housing options. 📚 Language Barriers: While many Germans speak English, expats may still encounter language barriers in everyday interactions, from grocery shopping to seeking medical care, which can make settling in more challenging. 💼 Job Search: Finding employment in a new country can be a lengthy and competitive process, requiring expats to adapt to different job markets and cultural norms. 💡 Cultural Adjustment: Adjusting to a new culture and way of life can take time and effort, from understanding social customs to adapting to workplace dynamics. #Relocating to #Germany without assistance can be a daunting experience, but it doesn't have to be. With the right support and guidance, #expats can navigate the challenges of relocation more smoothly and focus on embracing their new adventure. If you're an expat currently navigating the relocation process, remember that you're not alone. Reach out to local expat communities, seek advice from professionals, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Your journey may have its ups and downs, but with perseverance and resilience, you'll find your place in your new home. #Expats #Relocation #Germany #CrossCultural #LinkedInTips

Expats living in the U.S. say the best part of living here is having plenty of career opportunities, but for many, a high cost of living makes it a challenging experience. The U.S. ranks as the No. 35 best country for expats out of 53 global countries, according to the latest Expat Insider report from InterNations, the global community for people who live abroad. The report, which considers survey responses from more than 12,500 expats around the world, covers their satisfaction across five broad indices. Out of these indices, the U.S. ranks highest for “working abroad.”

🌍✨ 🇵🇦Panama Ranks Best Place for Expats in 2024!✨🌍 Panama has been named the top destination for expats in the latest Expat Insider survey by InterNations, highlighting several key aspects: 1. Personal Safety: An outstanding 90% of expats in Panama rated the country positively for safety, emphasizing its secure living environment.    2. Expat Essentials: Panama excels in essential expat needs, ranking 4th overall. Expats commend its ease of finding housing, overcoming language barriers, and accessing digital services. The straightforward visa process is also noted as a significant advantage.    3. Personal Finance: Panama impresses with 74% of expats satisfied with their financial situation, citing affordability and a favorable economic environment. These factors make Panama an ideal choice for expats seeking safety, convenience, and financial stability. Read the full article here: [InterNations Expat Insider 2024 Report](https://lnkd.in/enbm8jhK) #ExpatLife #CorporateImmigration #Panama