Guide for expatriates in Oslo, Norway
easyexpat
17 August, 2010 17:11
We are proud to launch our new city guide for expatriates in Oslo, Norway.
The city of Oslo lies on the southeastern region of Norway (Known as Norge, this section of Scandinavia lies to the northwest of Finland and its immediate neighbour, Sweden on Europe's most Northern peninsula.).
Oslo is Norway's capitol and the largest city (total area of 454 km2). There is a population of around 590,041. The city is also incredibly safe with one of the lowest homicide rate in the world.
The metropolitan area of Oslo accounts for 25 percent of Norway's gross domestic product. The region has one of the highest per capita GDPs in Europe.
Oslo is a global city, ranked "Beta World City"
(major world cities) in studies performed by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group
and Network in 2008. It has also been consistently named as one of the most expensive cities for expats (ECA) and one of the best cities to live in.
You will find the usual articles in our guide to prepare your expatriation to Oslo and manage your life once in there: Overview, Job, Passport, Visa & Permits, International Removal Companies, Finding Accommodation, Work, Benefits and Tax, Moving in, Education, Health, Practical Life (banks, transport, shopping...), Entertainment...
You can also discuss and share experience in Norway in our forum.
Rome guide for expats in French / Guide pour expatriés sur Rome en français
easyexpat
01 August, 2010 15:08
We have now fully manually translated our original guide in English into French.
Rome, the Eternal City (la Città Eterna), or Capital of the world (Caput Mundi in Latin,) is surrounded by seven hills. The Capitoline, Palatine, Viminal, Quirinal, Esquiline, Caelian and Aventine hills determine both the city layout and geography of the historical centre. The Tiber (il Tevere) winds south through the heart of Rome and derives from the Aniene River (l’Anio.) The Tyrrhenian Sea is located 24 kilometers east of the city centre.
Capital of Italy and located in the central-western region of Latium (Lazio), Rome (Roma in Italian) has a population of over 2.7 million residents, while the full metropolitan area consists of about 4 million inhabitantsThe Urban Area of Rome, which is the entire metropolitan area, extends to 5,352 km² (2,066 sq mi). 156,833 residents in the comune are of foreign nationality, making up 6.2% of the total population.
The French community in Italy is (according to last figures provided by the French Embassy) 44 497 registered (French nationals in Italy), plus an estimated 34,500 non-registered residents (December 31, 2006). In contrast there are over 380,000 Italians living in France.
The French cultural network in Italy is particularly extensive: In addition to the Cultural Service of the Embassy and Cooperation Office and Artistic Linguistics (BCLA in Rome), there are five types of cultural organisations and linguistic cooperation (CCCL), Florence , Milan, Naples and Palermo, plus two cultural delegations in Turin and Bologna, and a delegation of the French Alliance of Paris in Italy and a dense network of fifty French alliances with those of Genoa, Bari, Aosta, Venice and Bologna.
The French Cultural Centres and Institutes in Italy, under the supervision of the Cultural Service of the Embassy of France in Italy, is a network of institutions to publicize productions and news of French culture in Italy. They plan cultural events on the visual arts, performing arts, cinema, books, music and all French manifestations.
A global system, coordinated and facilitated by the Office of linguistic and artistic cooperation of the Cultural Service of the Embassy of France in Italy, covers the Italian territory, involving specialized staff, French and Italian educational institutions. You will learn French in French schools in Italy and in sections of bilingual schools in Italy. It also offers the opportunity to learn French in the French Cultural Centres and Institutes and the French Alliance network.
In Rome there are:
- a French cultural center
- two French schools
- one Consulate (+ Embassy)
You will find the usual articles in our guide
to prepare your expatriation and manage your life once in there:
Overview, Job, Passport, Visa & Permits, International Removal
Companies, Finding Accommodation, Work, Benefits and Tax, Moving in,
Education, Health, Practical Life (banks, transport, shopping...),
Entertainment...
You can also discuss and share experience in Rome and Italy in our forum.
Guide pour expatriés sur Rome en français
Nous venons de terminer la traduction française manuelle de notre guide en anglais.
Rome, la Ville Eternelle (la Città Eterna) ou Capitale du Monde (Caput Mundi en Latin) est entourée par sept collines. Le Capitole, le Palatin, le Viminal, le Quirinal, l'Esquiline, le Caelus et l'Aventin ont dessiné la ville et la typographie de son centre historique. Le Tibre (il Tevere), affluent de l'Aniene (ou Teverone), traverse le cœur de Rome en direction du Sud et débouche par un delta dans la mer Tyrrhéenne 24 kilomètres plus bas.
Capitale de l'Italie, Rome (Roma en italien) est située dans la région centre-ouest de Latium (Lazio) et compte plus de 2,7 millions d'habitants, 4 millions si l'on inclut la périphérie de la ville.
La Zone Urbaine de Rome, qui représente l'ensemble de la ville et de sa périphérie, s'étend sur 5352 km². 156833 résidents de la commune sont de nationalité étrangère. Ils représentent environ 6,2% de la population totale de la ville.
La communauté française en Italie est (selon le décompte de l'Ambassade de France) de 44 497 inscrits (registre des Français établis en Italie), auxquels s'ajoutent une estimation de 34 500 résidents non inscrits (au 31 décembre 2006). A l'inverse on compte plus de 380 000 Italiens vivant en France.
Le réseau culturel français en Italie est particulièrement étendu : outre le Service culturel de l’Ambassade et le Bureau de Coopération Linguistique et Artistique (BCLA à Rome), on dénombre cinq établissements de type centre culturel et de coopération linguistique (CCCL), à Florence, Milan, Naples et Palerme, auxquels s’ajoutent deux délégations culturelles à Turin et Bologne, ainsi qu’une Délégation de l’Alliance française de Paris en Italie et un réseau très dense de cinquante Alliances françaises dont celles de Gênes, Bari, Aoste, Venise et Bologne.
Les Centres et Instituts culturels français en Italie, placés sous la tutelle du Service culturel de l’Ambassade de France en Italie, constituent un réseau d’établissements pour faire connaître les productions et l’actualité de la culture française en Italie. Ils programment des manifestations culturelles sur les arts plastiques, les arts vivants, le cinéma, le livre, la musique et toutes les manifestations de la pensée française.
Un dispositif d’ensemble, coordonné et animé par le Bureau de coopération linguistique et artistique du Service culturel de l’Ambassade de France en Italie, couvre le territoire italien, associant personnels spécialisés, établissements d’enseignement français et italiens. Il permet d’apprendre en français dans les établissements d’enseignement français en Italie et dans les sections bilingues des établissements d’enseignement italiens. Il offre aussi la possibilité d’apprendre le français dans les Centres et Instituts culturels français et dans le réseau des Alliances françaises.
A Rome on compte:
- un centre culturel français
- deux établissements d'enseignement français
- un consulat (+ambassade)
Comme d'habitude, vous trouverez toutes les informations dans notre guide
pour préparer votre expatriation et de gérer votre vie une fois là-bas:
présentation générale, emploi, passeports, visas, déménagements
internationaux, trouver un logement, travail, avantages sociaux et
fiscaux, l'emménagement, l'éducation, la santé , le vie sur place
(banques, transports, commerces ...), divertissements ...
Vous pouvez également discuter et partager vos expériences à Rome et en Italie dans notre forum.
[Source: http://www.ambafrance-it.org/]
Eyjafjallajokull: summary of a volcanic ash cloud story
texkourgan
16 June, 2010 20:21
What is it?
Volcanic ash consists of small tephra (particles of rock and glass smaller than 2 mm). This ash can be spewed into the air during eruptions. Volcanic ash can be hazardous as it can affect breathing and cause malfunctions in machinery.
Eyjafjallajokull's Eruption in Iceland
The volcanic eruption in Iceland of Eyjafjallajokull (pronounced ay-yah-FYAH-lah-yer-kuhl) is believed to have started on March 20th, and led to a worldwide transportation disaster. The ash cloud hovered over the Atlantic Ocean and caused a week-long suspension of air traffic in Europe. Ash turned the sky hazy and tinted it a dirty yellow. Volcanic ash particles cans stay in the troposphere for weeks, and the finest tephra particles remain in the stratosphere for months. This suspended material can create spectacular sunsets. At its greatest height, the plume reached 33,000 ft (about 11 km) into the air. The controlled airspace of many countries was closed to instrument flight rules traffic resulting in the largest air traffic shut-down since World War II.
Day-to-day life in Iceland continued with very little disruption. Businesses were open as usual and people went about their usual routines.
Effects of Volcanic Ash on Airplanes
Sandblasting effect- Ash can "blind" pilots by sandblasting the windscreen requiring an instrument landing, damage the fuselage, and coat the plane.
Clogging of the plane's sensors- Accumulation of ash can also block an aircraft's pitot tubes. This can lead to failure of the aircraft's air speed indicators.
Electromagnetic wave insulation- Volcanic ash particles are charged and disturb communication by radio.
Combustion power failure- Damages the machinery as large amounts of air are sucked in during combustion operation, posing a great danger to aircraft flying near ash clouds. Very fine volcanic ash particles (particularly glass-rich if from an eruption under ice) sucked into a jet engine melt at about 1,100 °C, fusing onto the blades and other parts of the turbine (which operates at about 1,400 °C).
Airspace was largely re-opened on April 23rd, 2010, but was intermittently closed in different parts of Europe in the following weeks. To track the ashfall, the Icelandic Meteorological Office issues daily forecasts of ashfall. By the 21st of April, 95,000 flights had been canceled. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimated that the airline industry worldwide would lose €148 million (US$200 million) a day during the disruption.
Alternative Options
The closure of the airspace left five million travelers stranded around the world. Airports in the east, such as Portugal, Morocco, and Turkey were open. Once inside Europe, many people tried to reach their final destination by train or road. Once travelers made it to France, travel conditions continued to be poor as there was an ongoing rail strike affecting long-distance trains.
Compensation from airlines and travel insurance was received to some, but the vast majority of people were out considerable sums of money and time.
Since many travelers were stranded in Great Britain, Eurotunnel allowed driving access from the island to mainland Europe.
During the worst parts of the crisis, bookings rose 30 percent. One-way fares cost about £150 per car. This can include up to nine passengers plus luggage. Travel off-peak and lead-in fares are from £44.
Eurostar (08432 186186) was another option as this train carried an extra 110,000 people during the ash shutdowns. Cheapest return fares are around £69 from London to Paris. However, they did reach capacity and Eurostar passenger trains were solidly booked.
Ferries (0871 244 1400) offered yet another option, departing from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander. Peak pricing for ferries to Santander start at £675 return for a car and four people, including en-suite cabin accommodation. Journey time is 24 hours.
Coach operator Bus Éireann tried to aid the heavy ferry traffic through Ireland by arranging extra Eurolines services between Ireland and England via ferry.
Some passengers were ferried to Britain after the British cabinet crisis response committee (COBRA) decided that Royal Navy ships should be utilized to repatriate stranded British travelers.
Important Links
How Has The Volcanic Ash
Cloud Affected You?
Tell us your story in the comments below...
Erin Ball
Freelance Writer from Seattle
The Kunstenfestivaldesarts takes over Brussels from May 7th to 29th
easyexpat
28 April, 2010 15:07
The Kunstenfestivaldesarts’ 15th edition is about to start in Brussels, offering an international program and taking place in dozens of welcoming theatres and art houses for 3 weeks in May. It will, this year again, feature performing arts and visual arts, by Dutch- and French-speaking, Western and non-Western artists.
The Kunstenfestivaldesarts is a festival dedicated to new creations, intended for artists with a personal outlook on the world and spectators willing to question their own views, a cosmopolitan city festival. We are increasingly becoming part of a complex network of communities that cross and redefine national, linguistic and cultural borders. The city is the environment “par excellence” in which this cosmopolitan society can be seen.
The Kunstenfestivaldesarts takes place in Brussels, the only city in Belgium where the country’s two largest communities live together. Several Flemish- and French-speaking institutions are involved in the project. Fundamentally conceived as a bilingual undertaking, it contributes to encouraging dialogue between the communities living in the city.
Discover over thirty new works, most of which have been coproduced by the festival.
Listen to what they have to say, here and now, and through them take stock of the times in which we live.
Where?
In over 30 different places, but the festival’s centre is set in KVS BOL, Lakensestraat 146 Rue de Laeken (1000 Brussels). You can buy your tickets and gather information there.
When?
From May 7th to May 29th, 24/7!
For more information
- check our website: www.kfda.be
- Or call the box office: +32 (0) 70 222 199
Pre-nuptial agreements: of any use in England?
easyexpat
20 October, 2009 15:52
The Court of Appeal in England has recently re-made the law concerning the recognition of pre-nuptial agreements in England. So, what does this mean for you as an expatriate who may or may not have a prenuptial agreement in place with your spouse?
In July 2009 one of Germany’s richest women, Katrin Radmacher was awarded victory in her appeal to have her pre-nuptial agreement recognised in the English courts. Her former husband, Nicolas Grantatino had signed a pre-nuptial not to make any claims on her fortune if they split up, however he was awarded £5.85 million for his own use by a High Court Judge in 2008. The Court of Appeal overturned that decision.
To understand the present situation, we need to look at some of the history. The English courts have always maintained the rule that in matrimonial cases people cannot overrule the jurisdiction of the Court by contract. This was taken so far as to say that any agreement that tried to tell the Courts what decision they should reach was contrary to public policy and void. It remains the law that parties cannot eject the jurisdiction of the Court, but more modern case law started to recognise pre-nuptial agreements in some respects.
The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 sets out a number of factors that a Judge must consider when calculating a financial award following a divorce. The first consideration has to be given to the welfare of any children. The Court must also consider:
- Income, earning capacity and other financial resources;
- Financial needs;
- Standard of living;
- Age;
- Physical or mental disability;
- The contributions each party has made etc.
The Courts also developed a practical working rule when assessing the overall justice and equity of the position, that they should consider ifthe parties had entered into a pre-nuptial agreement, and the outcome that would apply if the agreement was followed. If application of the agreement would plainly be unfair, the Court would disregard it. On the other hand if it appeared to be a fair and open attempt by the parties to avoid all the uncertainties of a discretionary judicial decision then the justice of the situation might well require that the agreement was upheld. It was not therefore binding the hands of the Court, but it was evidence of what the parties themselves thought was appropriate, and should be given very considerable weight.
Most pre-nuptial agreements failed for obvious simple reasons. Very commonly they simply laid out what each party had at the start of the marriage, what they should keep, failing to anticipate the arrival of children, the accrual of assets predominantly in one name rather than the other, etc...
The other great difficulty was working out if the contract had been entered into under fair conditions. If the would be bride, for example had no idea of her fiancée’s property and assets, how could she have a proper appreciation of what the contract meant? Furthermore, there might well be elements of emotional coercion – e.g.. the would be bride might be expecting a child and in no realistic position to negotiate. The essence of negotiation is that you have the option to walk away from the agreement if your terms are not met. However the fact that so many countries recognise them and the rising demand in England that they be recognised led to considerable debate. In 1998 the Law Commission produced a Green Paper recommending that the pre-nuptial contracts become enforceable, but with certain safeguards. It considered that the safeguards which ought to be in place before the contract became enforceable were any one of:
- Where there is a child of the family.
- Where under the general law of contract the agreement was unenforceable.
- Where one or both of the couple did not receive independent legal advice.
- Where the Court considers that enforcement of the agreement would cause significant injustice.
- Where one or both of the couple have failed to give full disclosure.
- Where the agreement was made fewer than 21 days prior to the marriage.
Moving back into the present day, when Ms Radmacher and Mr Granatino separated, Mr Granatino brought an application for a financial settlement in the divorce proceedings. Ms Radmacher’s lawyers responded that there had been a comprehensive pre-nuptial agreement which provided that she kept her own assets intact, he kept his assets intact, and there were no further claims to be made, other than any necessary assessment as to claims concerning the welfare of the children. Mrs Justice Baron was the Judge at first instance.
She came to the conclusion that the pre-nuptial agreement relied upon by Ms Radmacher was defective under English law for the following reasons:
- The husband received no independent legal advice;
- It deprived the husband of all claims even in the situation of want, and that was manifestly unfair;
- There was no disclosure by the wife;
- There were no negotiations;
- Two children had been born during the marriage.
The case was then taken to the Court of Appeal. The judges there disagreed with Mrs Justice Baron and took a different view of how the evidence should have been applied to each of those reasons:
- Lack of independent legal advice: However in this case the husband did not deny that he understood the contract nor suggests that he would not have entered into the contract even if he had received advice against doing so. Lord Justice Thorpe added that the husband was of great ability, and in both the husband’s and wife’s countries of origin a pre-nuptial contract was standard practice.
- Absence of disclosure: What was lacking here was any finding that if there had been accurate mutual disclosure, the husband would not have or might well not have entered into the contract.
- Absence of negotiations: The absence of negotiations only proved that the parties were aware of what the contract entailed.
- The birth of the children: The contract had been well drafted and it quarantined any possible claims in respect of the children themselves. On that basis the Court was able to make a limited award in favour of the husband, by reference to the housing needs he would have as joint parent. Otherwise though, it was to be assumed that the couple expected to start a family after marrying, and the fact that they did so was of no weight.
In principle this should make pre-nuptial agreements much more secure, because each of those matters can be conclusively established in the contract itself. If the contract makes it clear that parties have the opportunity to seek legal advice, if it makes clear that they would enter the contract regardless of the size of the assets that the other had, and if it makes it clear they know what a pre-nuptial contract is intended to do, then that should be a conclusive answer to each of the points. Undoubtedly dissatisfied spouses will try to go behind the wording of the contract to say that, yes, they signed an acknowledgement to that effect, but no, they did not really mean what they signed. It is possible that the background facts might support that, for example if the contract was presented as a “take it or leave it” ultimatum close to the wedding. In most circumstances however the key is careful drafting that should enable the Court of Appeal’s criteria to be satisfied.
It is therefore safe to say that a well drafted pre-nuptial agreement, based on a proper understanding of the parties’ circumstances should hold good in English law.
By Henry Brookman, Partner and Founder of Brookman Solicitors
Brookman
is a highly specialist boutique firm of international family lawyers.
The firm conducts the full range of family law services, but has a
particular reputation in the field of complex, cross-border issues
involving divorce, ancillary relief and children-related matters. For
further information visit the website www.brookman.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 7430 8470.
INTERVIEW: Olivier Giraud - How to become parisian in one hour?
easyexpat
16 October, 2009 16:22
You love Paris but you think that Parisian are rude! You're right, they are! You are too nice and you want to become arrogant and learn the typical Parisian language, facial expression.
Olivier Giraud is a young comedian is playing a One Man Show in Paris, Théâtre de la Main d'Or until December, and answer our questions below.
Can you talk about your activity?
I am a French comedian and I'm doing a stand up comedy show 100% in English "How to become parisian in one hour?"; I'm playing for three months and the show becomes successful.
I'm planning to play this show in America and England in 2010.
What is the profile of your audience?
The audience is mainly foreigners living in Paris (Americans, English , Australians ); they come to understand the Parisian mentality! By the way the Parisians are coming as well to laugh at themselves!
Why did you write and play a show in English in Paris?
I used to live in America and so many people told me that they were in love with Paris, but they were disappointed about the night life because except the expensive show like the Lido, nothing were made for tourists. When I came back to live again in Paris, I thought of creating this show.
Could you tell us a little bit more about the show?
I'm pointing out the cultural differences between tourists and Parisians. How to act excacty as a Parisian in a shop, restaurant, taxi, metro, club etc......... The show is playing every Tuesday and Wednesday, Theatre de la main d'or, 75011 Paris. (metro Ledru Rollin ).
Any other activity?
I'm also doing private shows for companies.
Can you speak about the difference regarding other shows?
I'm offering the only show 100% in English, so I don't have any competitors! It's perfect this way!!!
What advantages/discounts could you offer to our readers?
I'm doing 50% off to EasyExpat's readers, so it's 10€ instead of 20€ (just mention it when buying)
Contact
The show is playing every Tuesday and Wednesday, Theatre de la main d'or, 75011 Paris (metro Ledru Rollin ).
Next year in the US and Canada.
Top MBA programs in Europe
siddlobo
25 August, 2009 17:26
In recent years, there has been an explosion of European MBA
programs. And with it, comes an inevitable explosion of MBA rankings as well.
While different rankings rate schools on different criteria, here are some of
the consistent top performers on most European MBA rankings.
London
Business School, UK
A consistent top performer, LBS offers a 15-21 month MBA
course at its campus in the heart of London.
It boasts of students from 120 countries, networking opportunities with over
28,000 alumni from across the globe and 34 International Exchange schools that
you can partner with during your study here. The next program starts in August
2009 and the course fee is £45,500.
Find more information about expat life in London on Easy Expat.
Insead, France
Another top pick amongst business schools, Insead boasts of
two fully-integrated campuses in France
and Singapore
and students from over 70 different nationalities. Time pressed students will
be happy to know that the MBA course is completed in a compact 10 months. It’s
probably too late to apply for the next program that begins in September 2009
but there’s another one that starts in January 2010. Tuition fees are €51,000.
HEC Paris, France
HEC Paris currently tops the FT list of European Business
Schools. It offers a highly valued 16 months MBA program that is structured
around two, eight month periods. It also offers many intensive, optional
language courses throughout the program. Tuition fees are €42,000 and as with
most other reputed MBA programs, they also offer scholarships and loans.
Find more information about expat life in Paris on Easy Expat.
IMD, Switzerland
Based in Lausanne, Switzerland,
IMD’s ‘Real world. Real learning’ approach has made it a hit amongst European
business schools. The school boasts of an international alumni consisting of
over 98 nationalities and a diverse faculty as well comprising of professors
form over 19 countries. It has been ranked as the number 1 program by Forbes,
FT and the Economist and is definitely one of the more prestigious programs
across the continent. The MBA course is fitted into a 11 months curriculum and
costs CHF 58,000 for tuition fees. The five application deadlines for the
program are February 1, April 1, June 1, August 1 and September 1.
Find more information about expat life in Switzerland on Easy Expat.
IESE
Business School, Spain
The IESE Business
School is also a topper on many
business school rankings. It was ranked number 2 in the world and number 2 in Europe
by Economist in 2008 and FT ranked it number 2 in Europe
and number 5 in the world for 2008. It boats of a multicultural faculty and
student profile. The IESE MBA is a two year program that’s conducted in its
campus in Barcelona and costs
approximately €68,000.
Find more information about expat life in Spain on Easy Expat.
Rotterdam School of Management, Netherlands
RSM offers a 12 month, full time international MBA program
that’s ranked among Europe’s top MBA programs. It boasts
of a multicultural environment with students from over 80 countries. Tuition
fees costs €36,000 and the application deadline for the next program is October 5th, 2009.
Esade Business School
The Esade Business
School offers a flexible MBA
program that allows you to customize your MBA experience. While all candidates
start at the same time, you can choose to complete the program in 12, 15 or 18
months according to your personal situation and preference. The program has
been consistently ranked within the top 10 MBA programs form across Europe
by a number of polls. The full time MBA costs €52,000 and application deadlines
occur throughout the year.
Find more information about expat life in Netherlands on Easy Expat.
ESCP Europe
This highly ranked school offers a truly European experience
with campuses spread across Paris, Berlin,
London, Madrid
and Turin. Candidates are offered
the opportunity to rotate amongst these campuses. The MBA is an 18 month full
time program and applications are accepted from February to December. The next
program starts in January 2010. Tuition fees for the 18 month program are
€42,000.
Find more information about expat life in Madrid or London or Paris on Easy Expat.
For links to recognized European MBA ranking, please click
here.
Please note that the costs mentioned above are for tuition
fees only. Depending on the duration of your course and your lifestyle, you’ll
have to also factor in living expenses, cost of books etc. Also bear in mind
that most of the descriptions above are for full time MBA programs, but most if
not all of the universities also offer part time programs.
Good luck with your
MBA.
Sidd Lobo
Freelance writer based
out of Munich
How to arrange your studies abroad? You will find the answer in our series of 5 articles:
Decide Where to Go
Determine When to Go
Language Problems and Programs
How to Pay for It
Practical Matters
INTERVIEW: Balthazar Tax Advisers, Amsterdam
easyexpat
10 August, 2009 17:59
Balthazar Tax Advisers is a Dutch and international tax consulting firm
specialised in advising expats in the Netherlands.
Company - City - Country :
Balthazar Tax Advisers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Can you talk about your project?
On our website http://www.netherlandstax.com we have provided a lot of detailed
information on tax in the Netherlands. The aim of our website is to help
expats in the Netherlands know more about the Netherlands tax system and how
they can benefit from it.
What is the status of your project?
As tax laws are changing continuously, our website has to be updated continuously. We also try to add new articles and topics as often as we can.
What is the most interesting Dutch tax rule expats should know about?
That definitely is the 30% rule. On the basis of the 30% rule expats are
eligible to a 30% tax discount.
What do expats not like about tax in the Netherlands?
That probably is the high tax rate of 52% for the income you earn in the
Netherlands in excess of EUR 55,000 (for 2009).
Why can it be helpful for expats to have a tax adviser assist them?
Having a tax adviser assist you in the Netherlands is in most cases a
sensible thing to do. A Dutch tax adviser can reduce your tax payable. He
knows which deductions and credits are available for you. He can assist you
with your tax return and create the optimal tax position.
What is your activity on the Internet?
On our website http://www.netherlandstax.com you will find a lot of information on
Dutch tax. It can serve as your tax guide in the Netherlands. We also write
articles and communicate on blogs to share our knowledge on tax in the
Netherlands to everybody that is interested.
What advantages/discounts could you offer to our readers?
We can assist expats in the Netherlands with their tax matters. Obtaining
the 30% ruling for expats and filing their tax return such that their tax
position is optimal, that is our expertise.
Contact (Email/Tel/website) :
Balthazar Tax Advisers
http://www.netherlandstax.com/
Telephone: +31 10 737 0424
INTERVIEW: Les Euronautes
easyexpat
13 July, 2009 13:38
LesEuronautes.eu is a website aiming at informing young people about opportunities of mobility in Europe and encouraging them to take advantage of it. The project (initiated by the European Union and the French government) is managed by Touteleurope.fr, a company which aims at giving to the citizens as much information as possible about EU, its organisation and actions.
Company - City - Country :
Les Euronautes, Paris, France (H.Q) All over Europe
Can you talk a bit about your company/project?
Touteleurope.fr is a company which aims at giving to the citizens as much information as possible about EU, its organisation and actions. At the end of 2008 we launched a new website, leseuronautes.eu.
LesEuronautes.eu is a website aiming at informing young people about opportunities of mobility in Europe and encouraging them to take advantage of it.
Even if LesEuronautes.eu is a French-speaking website, and therefore more suitable for French-speaking people, it is open for everyone.
Can you talk about the project?
This website provides practical information about the programs set up by the European Union and enabling young students or workers (aged between 15 and 25) to experience mobility in Europe; not only on the programmes (Erasmus, Leonardo, European Volunteering, etc. ), but also the accompanying facilities (scholarships, recognition of diplomas, European CV, etc. ). It offers also advice on how to move, study, and work abroad. It is a fully interactive place, enabling members of the community to exchange on their experiences, ask questions and share tips or good memories of a given city.
What is the status of the project?
Leseuronautes.eu is completely free from any kind of commercials and is of general interest.
In which way your services are different to other companies/projects?
As we do not depend on any kind of advertisement resources, we can focus on the quality of our contents, our goal being to provide youngsters with the best information regarding opportunities of mobility in Europe.
For example, the internships/jobs and accommodation offers published on the website are deemed to be adapted to youngsters with a limited work experience and budget.
What services/information/help do you provide to other companies/individuals?
One of the most interesting features of the website is the “Club” area, which hosts the “Euronautes” community. This interactive part of the site enable the Euronautes to exchange good deals concerning their trips or stays in various European cities, share an experience of mobility, and most importantly, meet other “Euronautes”.
We will provide soon a research engine for jobs/internships offers provided by companies/NGOs in Europe. We will soon extend this service to accommodation offers in Europe (flat sharing all over European capitals). You are also going to find a GoogleMap to localise not only members of the Club and the good deals they have posted, but also the jobs offers available through the search engine.
What is your activity on the Internet?
Leseuronautes.eu is an entirely on line activity. Our goal is to propose fitted information and advice to young people, and to provide them with a virtual place to share videos, pictures, thus fostering a specific social network.
What advantages/discounts could you offer to our readers?
As expatriates, back from a foreign country or future expatriates, your readers will find on leseuronautes.eu all the practical and updated information on travelling to, settling in, studying or working in the 27 EU member states. They will also learn everything about the programmes set up by the EU to enable students or workers to move in Europe.
Taking advantage of our "club" section, they can find other "euronautes", ask questions and find answers, or share experiences among nationals from different European countries.
Contact:
www.leseuronautes.eu
Videos (French): http://www.dailymotion.com/www-leseuronautes-eu
The Top 4 Reasons to Travel During a Recession
easyexpat
16 June, 2009 15:34
The recession has brought about a lot of chaos in the financial and economic world, but travel is one of the few sectors that can increase revenue worldwide. So many countries have been hit hard by recession and inflation rates that they are on a huge budget, dropping prices everywhere; Iceland has decent hotels running from $60 a night. This is extremely low considering previous rates for similar hotels in Europe. Rates all over the world have dropped, making this an ideal time to travel the world; additionally, many of us have been laid off recently, so why not make a dent in the economy and travel while you’re at it.
Exchange Rate
The exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and many countries that have been hit hard in the economic downturn has become much different than it once was. Now many Americans can afford to stay in luxury hotels and travel to countries they could not previously afford to vacation in. While the exchange rate is not wonderful in all countries, it is still substantially lower in popular destinations, such as England and Australia (relatively speaking).
Cheap Flights
Competition between rival airlines has caused it to become a customer’s market, with fares dropping daily in order to compete effectively in the market for tickets. The price of oil is finally beginning to get back on track, but it is still relatively low when compared to previous rates; this results in lower fares all across the spectrum. Because of these low rates, airlines are also inclined to offer discounted packages, even teaming with hotels to ensure they attract customers. Additionally, the offers that many credit card companies offer with regards to flight miles are still usable, although you need to use them soon to ensure you will get the amount you were promised; many credit card companies are changing these policies as an effect of their dwindling corporations.
Money in the Economy
The only way to get the economy back to normal is to get it running again; consumerism is the only possible way to help the economy out. By travelling around the world, we will assist the global economy back onto its feet, which will only further result in good financial news for the United States. Economists around the world have maintained that this is the only way to ease ourselves out of a recession; rather than sit at home and conserve our money, we need to put money back into the economy to see improved results.
Everyone Wants your Business
The recession has caused many hotels and services to compete for your business, resulting in better service for you as the customer overall. Additionally, with the job market being the way it is, employees will furthermore be in danger of losing their jobs if they do not treat you with the best service possible; even if they do offer you poor service, they are easily replaceable with the amount of people looking for jobs.
This post was contributed by Ashley Brooks, who writes about the degrees online. She welcomes your feedback at AshleyBrooks234 at gmail.com
HSBC: Protecting your wealth in turbulent times
easyexpat
21 April, 2009 22:36
Article sponsored by HSBC
A seminar for foreign nationals in the UK
Investment strategies for volatile times
There are few certainties wherever you look in today's volatile global economy, but HSBC believe that this is the time when you need to think positively about the future.
HSBC invite you to a seminar on "Protecting your wealth in turbulent times".
They'll discuss the nature of the current markets and how you can best position your portfolio for long-term results.This seminar is for foreign nationals in the UK, and will cover:
- Globalmarket overview
- Wealthmanagement for foreign nationals living in the UK
- Benefits of international life insurance protection
HSBC's InternationalWealth Managers will be on hand to offer independent financial planning solutions to help you achieve your financial goals and aspirations. Minimum investment criteria of GBP50,000.
Invest a little of your time in the seminar:
- Date: Thursday 30 April 2009
- Time: Registration 6 pm, seminar 6.15 pm– 8 pm
- Location: The Grand Room, 78 St James’s Street, London SW1A 1JB
to reserve your seat:
This seminar is part of a series they have put together to help you understand financial planning. To find out more about these seminars, please:
Festivals in Europe this March
siddlobo
26 February, 2009 15:36
It’s still a bit chilly but that’s never stopped anyone from having fun. Here’s a roundup of the top festivals happening across Europe this March.
Banlieues Blues, Paris, France
6th March – 10th April
Banlieues Bleues is one of the biggest and brightest jazz festivals in Paris. An annual festival, it has developed in seventeen towns in the county of Seine-Saint-Denis, on the edge of Paris. It takes place in spring, lasts for five weeks, and hosts some sixty groups from all round the world. It is open to jazz and to blues, contemporary and world music too.
http://www.banlieuesbleues.org/accueil.html
Find more information about expat life in France on Easy Expat.
Manchester Irish Festival, Manchester, England
6th March – 21st March
Music to parades, funfairs to Guinness, you’ll find it all at the Manchester Irish Festival. Don’t miss the St. Patricks’s parade on 15th March which is all set to break records for the number of people participating and floats set to appear.
http://www.manchesteririshfestival.com
Find more information about expat life in England on Easy Expat.
Las Fallas, Valencia, Spain
1st – 19th March
If loud, rowdy and fireworks sound like fun, Las Fallas is the festival for you. Las Fallas literally means "the fires" in Valencian. The focus of the fiesta is the creation and destruction of ninots--huge cardboard, wood and plaster statues--that are placed at over 350 key intersections and parks around the city. The ninots are extremely lifelike and usually depict bawdy, satirical scenes and current events (lampooning corrupt politicians and Spanish celebrities is particularly popular). Artists work year round to build these as fire fodder. Bound to bring out the pyromaniac in you.
http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/fiestas/lasfallas.asp
Find more information about expat life in Spain on Easy Expat.
Cheltenham Festival, England
10th -13th March
Here’s one for horse lovers and gamblers. Place a bet at one of the year’s most entertaining horse racing events. The 2009 Cheltenham Festival betting markets will be some of the richest in the sport. Punters from all over the world cumulatively bet millions on the Cheltenham Festival, and tens of thousands make the pilgrimage to Cheltenham to watch riders compete in some of National Hunt racing’s most exciting horse races.
http://cheltenham-festival-betting.com
Find more information about expat life in England on Easy Expat.
The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, London, England
29th March
The idea for the boat race started when two friends, one from Cambridge and the other from Oxford University decided to challenge each other to a boat race. Thus, was born a tradition in 1829 where the loser challenges the opposition to a rematch. The modern Boat Race has become a major international sporting event that attracts millions of viewers from across the world. Join in on the action at the 155th Boat Race.
http://www.theboatrace.org
Find more information about expat life in England on Easy Expat.
Spring Festival, Budapest, Hungary
20th March – 5th April
With over 200 events across 50 – 60 venues across Budapest, it’s hardly surprising that this is one of Hungary’s biggest cultural events. Highlights include concerts, chamber evenings, opera, folk music and dance, exhibitions and an International Theatre Festival.
http://www.btf.hu/btf2009
Paris Film Festival, France
Date to be decided
Paris Film Festival is also known as Festival de Paris-Ile-de-France in France. It is one of the most visited festivals of Paris among the tourists. This film festival in Paris was originally dedicated to children in its initial years. Paris Film Festival first started in the year 1986. The present day competition in the film festival depends on films of every genre and focuses on new talents.
http://www.mapsofworld.com/cities/france/paris/film-festival.html
Find more information about expat life in Paris on Easy Expat.
Please note that there may be changes to the dates, events and line-ups at the festivals. For detailed information, check the official websites.
Sidd Lobo
Freelance writer
Carnivals in Europe this February
siddlobo
06 February, 2009 17:06
It’s carnival season all across Europe. Here are some of the wildest and fun places to be this February.
Carnival, Binche, Belgium
22nd February – 24th February
This is Belgium's most famous carnival and attracts thousands of visitors annually. This colorful event has even made it to the UNESCO Heritage list. One to visit if you’re in the vicinity.
http://www.visitbelgium.com/
Find more information about expat life in Belgium on Easy Expat.
Carnival, Barcelona, Spain
19th – 25th February
Barcelonians celebrate their carnival with an emphasis on gluttony. On Jueves Lardero - Fatty Thursday, a tortilla competition takes place, judged on taste, filling and presentation. Carnival weekends are known for their competitions for the much acclaimed pimiento de oro - golden pepper. On Saturday afternoon the celebrations come to a climax with the Gran Rua de Carnaval, a colossal parade of adorned carriages and carnival groups and a snowfall of streaming confetti.
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/
Find more information about expat life in Spain on Easy Expat.
Carnival, Bailleul-Monts des Cats, France
20th – 23rd February
Visit for four days of processions, chaired by the 'Gargantua Giant' - one of 50 floats that wind their way through town. Known for its local brass bands, processions, confetti and parties that go on until late in the town's cafés and bars. The carnival was originally set up by the Philanthropic Company of Bailleul and a staged search still goes on during the festivities to find the needy folk of the city.
http://www.istc.org/
Find more information about expat life in France on Easy Expat.
Carnival, Bremen, Germany
13th February -14th February
If parades, masked concerts and parties are your idea of fun, Bremen is the place to be! Each year the theme changes, but the infectious sound of pounding drums always accompanies colourful and flamboyant celebrations.
http://www.bremer-karneval.de/
Find more information about expat life in Germany (abroad in Frankfurt, expatriate in Munich) on Easy Expat.
Carnival, Foiano, Italy
8th February – 1st March; Sun only
Dating back to 1539, the Foiano Carnival in Arezzo is the oldest carnival in the country. Neighborhoods compete with each other to build the most impressive and creative floats, which parade through the town on four Sundays in February/March.
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/
Find more information about expat life in Italy (living in Milan, abroad in Rome) on Easy Expat.
Carnival, Funchal, Portugal
21st – 24th February
Often referred to as one of the best street parties in Europe, the Madeira Carnival brings the streets of the capital Funchal to life with its colourful carnival and parades. The biggest parade takes place on the opening Saturday, which involves thousands of participants all dressed in outlandish costumes as they dance to the sounds of the samba bands that fill the streets. Partying goes on late into the night and events continue throughout the weekend before the final parade on Shrove Tuesday during which everybody dresses up - many as cheeky caricatures of famous people or local politicians.
http://www.worldeventsguide.com/
Carnival, Venice, Italy
13th February – 24th February
The Venice Carnival is the largest and most important Venetian festival that attracts thousands of people from around the world each year. To keep with the tradition that everyone is equal, people at the carnival wear world renown masks on their faces. A must visit for those who want to experience a heady mixture of processions, masks, theatre, food and music.
http://www.venicecarnival.com
Find more information about expat life in Italy on Easy Expat.
Carnival, Rijeka, Croatia
22nd February
This 100-year-old tradition attracts carnival groups, spectators and the media, as well as guests from around the country and abroad. Carnival customs include the making of "ugly masks", which scare away evil forces, calling the spring and celebrating the birth of new life. Concerts, exhibitions, parties, performances and other festivities fill the days that precede the major event - the International Carnival Parade. Hundreds of floats, thousands of masks and streets crowded with spectators are the result of a competitive spirit built on originality, inventiveness and wittiness.
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/
Please note that there may be changes to the dates, events and line-ups at the festivals. For detailed information, check the official websites.
Sidd Lobo
Freelance copywriter based out of Munich
Top 10 Winter Travel Gadgets
siddlobo
16 January, 2009 14:15
Planning a winter break? Here are some gadgets that’ll make your trip a lot more comfortable and fun.
Sno-Baller
This is the easiest way to make up to 60 perfect snowballs per minute! With long handles, you’ll never have to worry about wet gloves and frozen fingers. And since Sno-Baller snowballs disintegrate on contact, they don’t hurt like ordinary hand packed snowballs.
http://www.vacationgadgets.com/productmgmt/
Snow Ball Blaster
Or you could go for the Snowball Blaster. This snowballing weapon sculpts up to 3 snowballs at a time and then, using the internal slingshot, fires them at your neighbours, friends and enemies.
http://idleparis.co.uk/snowball-launcher-gun-fun-cold-wars
DOTS gloves
Don’t you hate it when you have to take off your gloves every time your i-phone rings? Fret no more. DOTS gloves are the perfect solution. They have a couple of little balls on the fingertips that let you use your gadgets without freezing your fingers or forcing you to take off your gloves. Only $15 - $20.
http://www.dotsgloves.com
Heated socks
Stay warm and comfy with battery powered heated socks. HEAT SOX are knitted with a combination of Thermastat, high quality wool, nylon and acrylic yarns that form a very soft, yet extremely warm and truly comfortable fitting sock. It also comes with a battery pack and an embedded coil element that generates safe heat to keep your feet warm and comfortable, even on the coldest days.
http://www.vacationgadgets.com/productmgmt/
Boot, glove and skate dryers
Feeling damp and soggy after a day out in the snow? The Dry Fast is a portable footwear & garment dryer that allows you to dry footwear and garments anywhere. http://www.vacationgadgets.com/productmgmt/
Bench warmer
Never sit on a cold seat again with Bench Warmer. This heated seat is operated by a rechargeable battery and makes sure you keep your tush warm. It’s comfortable, portable, lightweight and water resistant.
http://www.vacationgadgets.com/productmgmt/
Make your own snow
And for those who’d like to make their snow, the SnoWonder is for you. SnoWonder looks and feels like natural snow. In fact, if you pour a bowl of it on real snow, you won't even be able to tell the difference!
http://www.vacationgadgets.com/productmgmt/
Shoe, boot warmers
Keep those cold feet warm all winter with boot warmers. These battery operated warmers come in a one size fits all deal. All you need to do is slip it into your sole and say goodbye to cold feet.
http://www.vacationgadgets.com/productmgmt/
g.cell gloves
Bluetooth technology has been finding its way into ski gear for a while now. The latest is the g.cell gloves. When it detects an incoming call, it gives your wrist a shake and enables you to quite literally talk to the hand. It’s a bit pricey but your hands will feel snug all through your call.
http://www.swanyamerica.com/
Winter Sports adventures
siddlobo
04 January, 2009 16:02
There’s more to winter sports than skiing and snowboarding. If you’d like to try something different this time, read on for alternative ways to keep the adrenaline pumping this winter.
Snowkiting
This is the ultimate winter sport for kiting enthusiasts or skiers and snowboarders looking for added action. Snowkiting is an outdoor winter board sport that combines kites and techniques used in kitesurfing with the footwear used in snowboarding or skiing. It differs from other alpine sports in that it is possible for the snowkiter to travel uphill when the wind is blowing uphill. No surprise then that it is becoming increasingly popular in places often associated with skiing and snowboarding, such as Canada, Austria, France, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and the Northern United States.
http://www.snowkiting.com
Bobsledding
Invented by a group of Englishmen on holiday in Switzerland in 1890. Their aim was to create a sled that could carry two or more people down a snow covered road between St Mortiz and Celerina. The new sport immediately caught on and a special track, complete with banked curves made of ice was constructed next to the road in 1902. . Bobsleigh has evolved over the years into a dramatically exciting and demanding sport with competitions run down ice tracks that are at least 1500m long, have at least 15 banked curves which allow speeds of over 90 mph to be achieved.
Dog sledding
Here’s something for the dog lovers. Steer a team of strong and eager sled dogs through the snow-covered wilderness. Dog sledding is an exhilarating experience but can be hard work and tiring. Best places to try this sport out are Alaska, Canada and Lapland.
Tobogganing
If coasting down snowy hillsides or chutes is your idea of fun, tobogganing might be the sport for you. A toboggan is a simple sled used on snow, to carry one or more people (often children) down a hill or other slope, for recreation. A toboggan differs from most sleds or sleighs in that it has no runners or skis on the underside. The bottom of a toboggan rides directly on the snow.
Ice Karting
With its roots embedded deep within go-karting, ice karting is the latest craze to hit the ice. Ice Karting is a very exciting and thrilling activity, it’s fast and furious, even intense at times with your driving skills being tested to their limits. With the introduction of studded tyres, ice karting is a very new driving experience that requires very different driving skills. It is an activity where technique wins over outright speed, allowing drivers of all ages and experiences as long as they are of a certain height to compete on level terms.
Ice diving
This is for scuba diving enthusiasts who won’t let a small inconvenience like ice or snow come in their way of fun. Ice diving as the name suggests is a dive that takes place under ice. This is your opportunity o experience pure escapism beneath the surface of an ice covered lake, marvel at the ice formations and shafts of light penetrating through the frozen surface that create a kaleidoscopic array of colours when day-light is refracted through the ice above. Remember, ice diving should not be attempted by anyone not trained (or in training) by a qualified instructor.
Snowmobiling
Snow Mobiles, are known to many as Ski Doos, Snow Bikes and Snow Scooters. These land vehicles are propelled by one or two rubber caterpillar tracks, with skis for steering. Zip across icy landscapes at 150mph where the only roads are the ones you make.
Ski Joering
A new sport in fashion, ski-joering was originally a simple method of transport used by Lappish who harnessed reindeers. The idea is simple - a skier is pulled along by a horse on the snow. A bit like waterskiing, the skier lets himself be dragged along whilst holding on to a rudder bar and steering the horse with the reins and a whip. You can try it out at the Meribel and Courchevel Ski Resorts in France.
Sidd Lobo
Freelance copywriter
