Moving abroad can be tough for anyone. But if you’re taking the leap while also trying to find a new job, there’s an additional level of uncertainty which needs to be factored into things. Migrating overseas brings with it a wealth of benefits, but it would be naive to assume that starting a new job – or even a totally different career – in a new country is something that you’ll immediately adjust to.
It could be that you aren’t even sure where you want to move, or what the rules for work look like in the country you’ve chosen. If you’re someone who wants to emigrate without a specific purpose, it might be smart to pick a country that is recognised for having a better workplace culture as a starting point.
In this handy guide, we’re going to discuss some key tips for starting a job in a new country, as well as looking at what the current state of the working abroad landscape looks like. If you’re unsure where you want to start a new career from you can also check out where in the world is considered the best place to work as an international employee.
Top tips for working abroad
It’s natural to feel nervous about starting a job in a new country. While everywhere will be different, there are certain ways of thinking and practical tactics that can make the transition to a new location a little bit easier. Here are some of the most valuable tips to keep in mind when working overseas for the first time:
1. Look into the cost of living vs your expected salary
Money doesn’t buy you happiness, but the more you have, the easier it tends to be to get through the month. It’s important to know two things when it comes to living abroad:
1.
How much you can expect to pay every month for things like rent, groceries, tax rates, leisure activities and transport.
2.
How much money you’ll get paid for working in the sector you’re looking for employment in.
This is most likely something you already have a strong concept of back at home, but there can be big changes when you cross international borders. You’ll want to make sure there’s a good balance. The last thing you’ll want is for you to live in an amazing new city, but not be able to afford to do anything.
2. Consider holiday/vacation rules
Not all countries have the same laws when it comes to the number of holiday or vacation days you’ll be given. This also extends to sick days, which can change a lot between sectors. While those in the UK are used to 20 days as the base minimum, that’s definitely not the case all across the globe.
The number of holiday days you get will change depending on what the laws of the land say. Here are some of the places with the most amount of days off as a minimum:
Country |
Total days off |
|---|---|
1. Andorra |
45 (31 vacation, 14 public holidays) |
2. Malta |
41 (27 vacation, 14 public holidays) |
3. Estonia |
39 (28 vacation, 11 public holidays) |
4. Iceland |
38 (24 vacation, 14 public holidays) |
5. Austria |
38 (25 vacation, 13 public holidays) |
6. Luxembourg |
37 (26 vacation, 11 public holidays) |
7. pain |
36 (22 vacation, 14 public holidays) |
8. France |
36 (25 vacation, 11 public holidays) |
9. Denmark |
36 (25 vacation, 11 public holidays) |
10. Finland |
36 (25 vacation, 11 public holidays) |
Source: HRreview
At the other end of the spectrum, countries like Canada only require 10 days to be given to employees, while the US has no legal minimum number of days.
3. Have a budget ready to go
Once you have a specific destination in mind, it’s important to plan ahead and make sure you have the funds needed not just for the move itself, but the first few months of your new life. You’ll also want to consider how much the application for a visa is going to cost you.
One of the most effective ways to do this is by breaking down how much you expect or intend to spend on each of the core areas of your life. Having your finances planned out on a spreadsheet means you can follow where your money is going, and how much you’re going to need to be able to afford to live comfortably.
4. Build a network before you travel
The beauty of the modern world is that we’re able to connect with people half the world away more easily than ever before. That means you might be able to reach out via dedicated forums, or social media platforms like Reddit or Facebook groups, to learn more about your new home.
Getting advice from locals or fellow migrants can make the first few months in a new country much easier. While we always advise exercising caution when talking to people from the internet, it’s also a good opportunity to chat with people who might become in-person contacts or friends further down the line. That extends to people who work in your specific field, as well as your actual co-workers themselves if you happen to already have an offer from a company.
5. Check compliances with your visa
While it’s not something we love to think about, it’s important to make sure you always cross the T’s and dot the I’s when it comes to the legal compliance factors of your visa. You need to make sure you’re applying for the right kind of application for the job or sector you’re going to be working in.
If you’re unfamiliar with the legal landscape of the country you’re headed to, it might even be worth investing in a consultation process with a legal expert. They’ll be able to guide you through the entire process.
6. Ask locals how they find jobs
If you’re moving overseas without having already secured a job, reaching out to locals is a clever way to learn more about how a specific role, or even the wider application process might work. This process is bound to change as you cross borders, with some countries relying on CV/resume handouts, and others entering a more digital landscape.
One of the best people to talk to for this is a recruiter. It’s their job to find you work. If you have the time (and sometimes money), you can even sign up to one of these services in order to streamline things.
7. Look into healthcare and insurance
If you’re used to something like the NHS, where the majority of your healthcare requirements are taken care of for free, then you probably aren’t used to thinking about how much you might have to pay to visit the doctor.
Healthcare isn’t a universal privilege across the globe. Rather than forking out thousands for a visit to a GP, many take out monthly insurance premiums to cover the costs of medical bills. Make sure to do your research and find out how much you can expect to pay for the level of coverage you need.
This is something which a lot of companies offer in countries where free healthcare isn’t a given. You also find insurance policies for privatised services even in those where being a resident or citizen would normally get you free check-ups (such as Canada).
8. Take some basic language classes
Unless you’re planning to move somewhere that speaks the same native language as yourself, it’s important to at the very least learn some core phrases and words which will help you get through day-to-day life. It’s smart to try and take lessons in a class, or even just use online apps like Duolingo to help hone your skills.
Classes where you’re expected to chat in the language throughout (often called immersion sessions) tend to be the most effective at helping you truly learn. Even a few simple words here and there could help you if you’re lost or confused in a new country.
9. Look for employers who already hire foreign workers
If you want to make it more likely that you’re going to fit into your new place of work, it can be smart to seek out employers who have a track record of hiring overseas workers. This means they’re probably quite well versed with the legal loopholes of employing foreign nationals, and might even have special policies in place which make it easier for you to adjust to life in your new home.
They’ll be more understanding when it comes to the challenges of immigration – in regards to both settling into your new country, as well as tax rules and local laws you may have to be wary of as part of any move. Not being the only person from overseas can help you feel less alone, too.
10. Discover what tax rates look like
Every country has unique laws when it comes to how they tax workers. That applies to both the location you’ve moved to, alongside your home nation. It’s not uncommon for countries to have tax treaties with their economic allies, but this isn’t always the case. These usually mean you will only have to pay tax to the country you’re living in. Make sure to do your research on tax rules, as well as the tax bands your wage might fall into, ahead of time.
11. See what other migrants are saying
Speaking with other foreign nationals who’ve emigrated to your new country is a great way to break down cultural barriers with the help of someone who’s already bedded themselves in. They can serve as a buffer, helping to educate you about local customs which might not be immediately obvious.
Finding migrants from your home country can also help to alleviate any feelings of homesickness, as you’ll have a touchpoint with your old life while you start to settle into your new one.
12. Think about how you’re going to get to work
Getting to your job, and just generally travelling around, might not be something you think much about when choosing a job or moving abroad – but it can have a huge impact on your happiness. If you’re intending to take public transport, make sure to do plenty of research around this before you move to your new city. If you want to drive while you’re abroad, make sure that your licence is valid there.
13. Think about specific diplomas and qualifications
Every country will treat qualifications and degrees differently. While some are universally accepted (most diplomas from somewhere like Oxford or Harvard will be recognised the world over), it could be that a qualification from your home country needs an additional year of study on a specialised course in order to make it relevant.
A lot of the time this will mean needing to also show your proficiency in speaking the native language of the country you’re moving to. This can normally be done by passing a language test. Some of the most common tests that migrants will be asked to take and pass are:
Mandarin Chinese
Some countries will have more than one test, so be sure to do your research and find out which you’ll need to take.
14. Brush up on the interview process
Every company will have a specific interview process. But there are definitely traits and patterns that countries follow as part of the hiring process. By educating yourself as much as possible on what that looks like in your new country, and even the sector you’re working in, it should be easier to prepare yourself for an interview. In turn, your chances of landing the job take a serious boost.
15. Prepare for challenging days
Nobody said moving to a totally new country would ever be easy. It’s important to prepare for and accept that you’re going to face some hardships as part of any move. That doesn’t just mean the job hunt itself, or the first few months in a new career. It extends to your personal life too.
Finding friends, dealing with culture shock, or even adapting to a new climate are all things which can make you pine for your old life – even if things are going well in your new environment. Breathe and remind yourself that it’s all part of your journey. If you’re struggling, take some time to yourself and try to talk to a friend or family member you love and trust.
Facts you should know about working abroad
Whether for a bump in pay, a totally new professional opportunity, or just as part of a wider life move, it’s easier and more popular than ever to start a career in a new country. Here are just a few stats breaking down what this international transition looks like today.
1.
165,000 Brits now work as digital nomads, spending as much as 7 months every year working overseas
2.
These same overseas workers are estimated to earn as much as £5.2bn combined
3.
7% of the workforce expect themselves to move abroad in some capacity in the next three years
4.
That would represent 1.4 million total digital nomads moving out of the UK
5.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are now believed to be 4.47 million foreign nationals currently living and working in the UK
6.
In 2024 alone, there was an increase of 179,000 (4% of the total) in foreign workers entering the UK.
7.
2.12 million of these workers were from EU nations
8.
2.35 million people originated from non-EU countries
9.
International work has been made easier with the growth of remote working opportunities. At the height of the pandemic, as many as 50% of people were working from home in some capacity
10.
IT and technology are the sectors where this happens most frequently, with 60% of those in this field working remotely from different parts of the world
11.
40% of Lawyers, accountants, and consultants also regularly work from their own homes
12.
35% of educational trainers also work remotely, as well as 30% of those who work in the financial and insurance sectors
13.
When it came to the total number of migrants moving abroad in 2024, the USA led the way, welcoming 52.4 million new Americans during this time
14.
Germany saw the next most international arrivals, with a total of 16.8 million
The 10 best countries to work abroad in
If you’ve made up your mind that you want to try something new, but aren’t sure of exactly where you want that new life to start, we’re here to help. This list provides an overview of the ten most popular countries to work in.
The top 10 countries
InterNations recently carried out a study to find where they believed to be the best place to work internationally. They looked at four core factors to determine which countries they felt provided the best environment for someone to live and work overseas in. The areas they assessed were:
Career prospects
Salary and job security
Work satisfaction
Work and leisure activities
Using these metrics, they concluded that the following countries were the 10 best to work in:
1. Denmark
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Belgium
4. The Netherlands
5. Luxembourg
6. UAE
7. Australia
8. Mexico
9. Indonesia
10. Austria
These countries were featured regularly in the top 10 for each of the subcategories used to determine the overall rankings. The full breakdown can be seen below:
The best places to work for career prospects
-
1
Saudi Arabia
-
2
UAE
-
3
USA
-
4
Luxembourg
-
5
Qatar
-
6
Belgium
-
7
Ireland
-
8
Australia
-
9
UK
-
10
Hong Kong
The best places to work for job security
-
1
Luxembourg
-
2
Saudi Arabia
-
3
Switzerland
-
4
Denmark
-
5
Austria
-
6
UAE
-
7
Netherlands
-
8
Norway
-
9
Belgium
-
10
Vietnam
The best places to work for work satisfaction
-
1
Denmark
-
2
Belgium
-
3
Netherlands
-
4
Australia
-
5
Sweden
-
6
UAE
-
7
Saudi Arabia
-
8
New Zealand
-
9
Norway
-
10
Ireland
The best places to work for leisure activities
-
1
Denmark
-
2
Indonesia
-
3
Panama
-
4
Netherlands
-
5
Sweden
-
6
Costa Rica
-
7
Norway
-
8
Vietnam
-
9
Mexico
-
10
Brazil
Final thoughts on moving abroad
If any of these subcategories are more important to you than the others, it might be smart to make the nations that rank the highest a priority as part of any search.
Moving abroad can be challenging – but being prepared for what the professional side of things might look like in a new country can take a lot of the pressure off your first few months. Make sure to use this informative guide as a springboard for your move. And, most importantly, good luck to you as you begin this new chapter.