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Expat Switzerland News
Latest 10 news items tagged Switzerland
20 May at 6 PM 2013
Poll shows Brit expats more comfortable about personal finance
A recent poll showed an increase in the number of British expats living overseas who feel positive about their current financial situations. The survey, undertaken by financial advisory organisation deVere Group, showed that 54 percent of those who took part feel more confident about their current financial status. Those feeling less confident represented 19 per cent, and the inevitable ‘don’t knows’ came out at 27 per cent. Participants in the poll were drawn from the firm’s existing and potential clients in Switzerland,...
8 May at 6 PM 2013
British tax havens under threat from UK government
British, American and EU member state overseas territories seen by many expats as tax havens are increasingly falling under new disclosure rules set out by the UK and USA governments. British Overseas Territories such as the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, Montserrat and even the Isle of Man have capitulated to the disclosure demands of the UK government, although Jersey and Guernsey are not yet involved. The US is targeting Switzerland and the EU is demanding what it calls ‘fair tax practice’. For expats with...
25 Apr at 6 PM 2013
Increase in expat influx pushes up Swiss property prices
Switzerland’s continuing popularity as an immigration destination is causing a further increase in the country’s already high property rental prices. Real estate agents in the country are reporting further increases over and above the 2.3 per cent 2012 increase in rental charges for apartments. Rents are already another 2 per cent higher than at the end of last year, and are expected to continue to rise. Demand for rental properties and the resultant rent rises are attributed to increased immigration from other EU countries as...
19 Apr at 6 PM 2013
Wealthy Chinese migrants look for unusual immigration destinations
As the present-day Chinese Diaspora gathers momentum fuelled by wealthier business people eager to stash their cash in safe locations, less obvious havens such as Portugal and St Kitts are emerging. Scared by the savings grab in Cyprus, unimpressed with the USA, disallowed in Canada and perhaps not quite rich enough for Australia, wealthy Chinese families are searching out unusual destinations with reliable banking laws. The small island of St Kitts is happily cashing in on demand, especially in the property sector, with shares in one...
18 Apr at 6 PM 2013
Is Australia the new Switzerland for expat financial stability
Switzerland’s most famous product wasn’t the cuckoo clock or the sound of unmusical yodelling, it was its traditional reputation for secrecy and financial stability. A well-managed currency, sound banking system and its long tradition of secrecy and exquisite service to its wealthy international clients put the country at the top of the financial tree for those wishing to keep their finances private and remunerative. Nowadays, however, the advantages of a Swiss bank account have diminished to the point of no...
10 Apr at 6 PM 2013
British expat in China becomes TV talent contest singing sensation
When British expat Iain Inglis was invited to audition as a contestant on the TV talent show China’s Got Talent, he took it as a joke, never dreaming he’d become a household name for his performances. Convinced that he’s one of the worst singers on the planet, Southampton-born and Cardiff-raised Iain donned fake military gear and belted out a medley of Communist songs, expecting to get thrown out after the first round. To his utter amazement, one million viewers fell in love with him and voted for him right up to the semi-finals,...
21 Feb at 6 PM 2013
Expat private health insurance overburdened with red tape
Expats taking up jobs overseas and including the purchase of international private health insurance in their plans are being increasingly burdened with red tape and confusing choices. One of the least-understood and most important issues is the policy itself, especially for expats heading for Abu Dhabi, China and Russia. Is your chosen policy ‘admitted’ or ‘non-admitted’? Accepted definitions of the two terms state that an admitted expat health policy is from a provider who has been licensed by the state to sell the...
19 Jan at 6 PM 2013
Hague states no hope for UK expat pension increases
During his recent visit to Australia, British Foreign Minister William Hague made it clear that expat retirees living in OZ would not receive annual increases to their state pensions. Speaking in Sydney, Hague dashed the hopes of around 250,000 UK retirees who had their pensions frozen when they left the UK and are now facing financial difficulties. Hague stated that the UK was undergoing economic problems preventing the government form considering any changes in the expat pension policy. Referring to the budget deficit inherited...
9 Jan at 6 PM 2013
UK expat retiree winter fuel payments under threat
According to recently released figures, the majority of the total of £13 million paid to UK retirees through the winter fuel grant is being sent to expat pensioners living in warm countries. The figures, published by the UK’s Department of Work and Pensions under the Freedom of Information Act, state that almost £6 million went to retirees in Spain and over £3 million was paid to pensioners living in France. Those in Greece, Cyprus and Italy also received the payment, with a total of 74,885 expats receiving at least £200. The...
3 Jan at 6 PM 2013
