The money side of moving abroad

Spain is one of the world's most popular relocation destinations, drawing retirees, remote workers and families with its climate, lower living costs and established international communities along the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and the islands. Wherever you are moving from, the biggest money decisions are funding the non-lucrative or digital nomad visa, transferring property and pension funds at the right exchange rate, and registering with the Spanish tax authority once you become resident.

France attracts international movers for its rural property value, world-class healthcare and central European location. Whatever country you move from, the key money tasks are budgeting for the high Notaire fees on property, moving funds for completion through the Notaire, and understanding France's wealth tax on real estate and its broad network of double-taxation treaties.

Portugal is a top choice for retirees and remote workers worldwide thanks to its climate, safety and historically generous tax incentives. Wherever you move from, the money priorities are the D7 passive-income visa, transferring pension and savings efficiently, and understanding how the tax regime has changed since the original Non-Habitual Resident scheme closed to new entrants.

Italy draws movers from around the world with its lifestyle, food and affordable rural property, including the famous €1 homes in depopulating villages. The money focus is the elective residence visa for non-workers, the costs and notaio process around property, and Italy's flat-tax incentive for new residents with foreign income.

Moving to the United States is typically driven by work (employer-sponsored visas) or family, and applicants come from every corner of the world. The money side is dominated by the cost and complexity of US visas, the strict FATCA reporting regime, and managing the exchange rate on large transfers for housing deposits and tuition.

Canada is a popular choice for skilled workers and families worldwide through its Express Entry system. The money tasks centre on the mandatory 'settlement funds' you must prove for economic immigration, moving savings across the exchange rate, and the fact that foreign pensions generally cannot be transferred into Canadian plans.

Australia remains a leading long-haul destination for skilled workers and families from around the world. The money challenges are larger here: funding a points-based or sponsored visa, moving life savings across a volatile exchange rate, and deciding what to do with a foreign pension that generally cannot be transferred into an Australian super fund.

The UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) attracts movers worldwide with tax-free salaries and residency visas tied to employment or property investment. The money priorities are understanding the dirham's US-dollar peg, the property-investment route to a visa, and the tax interaction between zero local income tax and your ongoing obligations back home.