I live in the UK and every year I've filed my tax return via H&R Block's expat services. I've never had any problems and it's always worked out at about $200. This year, they want to charge $324 (I've already done the FBAR myself).

Is this the going rate now or can I get it cheaper with another company? My tax return is really very, very simple.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AmericansInGermany/

I am assistant teaching in a classroom in France for students learning English. I am American, and looking for specifically "American" videos (not Canadian or British) that show what America is like, preferably without curse words or innapropriate themes. My best example for this would be the SNL skit "Taco town", which shows how Americans take foods from so many different cultures and slap them together. Any other ideas to show my class?

[Feel free to delete this if it’s not appropriate for this group]

Hi guys,

Currently living in the UK as a result of having gone to uni in Europe, something I now regret. I’m 25 yrs of age and really want to relocate to the U.S., and since most of you in here probably have done the reverse journey I was wondering if you think like being 25 makes me too old to uproot and move across the pond?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I am moving to Paris in August to pursue my MA in International Law and Diplomacy at the American University of Paris. There is no way I can live there without working, but I really would like to do something more than just babysitting or working at a café. I will be there on a student visa, so I can work maximum 20 hours a week. Does anybody know of organizations focusing on international relations that hire part-time employees? I have searched and searched but I just cannot find anything.

Hi, I'm and American citizen since birth but always lived in France. I have a bunch of questions, I don't really know where to look first, who to ask and how I can start whatever procedures to register to vote. I've received no documents or emails reminding me to register to vote like they would here in France, I also want to register to vote in California, from the information I've seen, I'm allowed to. Another important question, is it too late to register for the election end of this year? I can use all the help I can get with this, the consulate is kinda slow with answering emails. Do any of you have any experience with a similar situation?

This is my situation: I have a permanent EU resident permit in Germany, I’ve live here for 30+ years. I would like to give up my apartment and just travel around the world, but still be able to come back to Germany. I know I can leave for at least 12 months but don’t know if I can just be deregistered here. The local foreigners office was of no help. So does anyone know if I can just leave for a year? I don’t know how that would affect my bank account, etc. Thanks!

Oh, I will eventually apply for German citizenship, but not as long as my mother in the US is alive as I have to be able to spend time with her without having to get a US visa.

I’m looking to move from Texas to Prague in June. I’m bringing my small dog over. Trying to find flights is proving to be difficult and expensive. Does anyone have any tips or advice about finding a reasonably priced flight that will allow my dog in cabin? He’s not an emotional support dog.

I will have a MS in microbiology in May 2021 and am trying to figure out what would be the best avenue to getting a job in the EU.

Anyone have experience working in labs in Europe after getting their masters in the US and could share their experience?

Hi All,

I am looking to move from the US to either Munich, Frankfurt, or Gothenburg with a career in software development. I've been checking Stepstone, Linkedin, Indeed, Xing, Graduateland, and Stackoverflow. Are there any others that I am missing?

Also, I've been applying each company's website and emailing someone in the HR department, but have received few responses. Am I going about trying to find a job the right way or should I be doing other things? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hey all, American here. Living in Czech Republic. Least year a (former) business client sponsored some training for me in Netherlands. My client paid the first half of the training and apparently have not paid the second half. Now the training organization is contacting me to get me to pay for the remainder.

I feel this is not my responsibility. I did not agree verbally or in writing with the training organization to pay for the training. Moreover, I happen to have a digital copy of the signed agreement where my former client agreed to pay.

Recently I received an email from a law office representing the training organization. I have not replied. Any advice on how to proceed? Do I need a lawyer to protect myself? Or will a few polite emails and/or phone calls solve this for me?

So I have the potential to transfer my job to Geneva Switzerland in the next few months. Geneva and the surrounding area are incredibly expensive to live in, which I knew and expected. Most of the co-workers that I would have are French and live just a bit over the boarder where cost of living is dramatically less. What I am wondering is, as an American is it possible for me and my wife to live in France while I work in Switzerland. My company will be sponsoring my VISA and work permits as well as any other additional paperwork I may need to live and work there.

The uni I work for just announced a new year-long Master's program based in Italy which is very reasonably priced. I already have a BA and MS in international relations, but I haven't had much success finding work in IGOs, NGOs, or non-profits in my desired field in the US or the EU, and I think this program could be my path to getting there (it includes a semester-length internship as the capstone, the degree is less build-it-yourself than my MS, and it would give me access to a much better network). Does anyone have experience finding work in the EU after completing a European Master's program? Did it make your transition to Europe easier?

Even though i‘m German I grew up abroad and always had many American friends :) Now after moving to Switzerland I find it very difficult to find new friends. Anyone interested in meeting up some time? I‘m a 24 year old girl.

Hi!

My name is Ross, I'm a casting assistant with Leopard USA, the production company behind House Hunters International. We're currently casting a similar show featuring folks that have moved from the USA to the Mediterranean. You may have seen a similar post recently, just wanted you all to know we’re still looking for candidates!

If you’ve moved to the Mediterranean within the last year and have sea views, you might be a great candidate for our show!

If you’re interested in being considered for the show, I'd be happy to send you more info as well.

Thanks and hope to hear from you soon!

All the best,

--

Ross Ehrlich – Casting Assistant

P: +1 (917) 210-5724

Ross.Ehrlich@leopardusa.com

Howdy, Americans. I'm looking for a substitute for this:

https://www.amazon.de/St-Ives-Gentle-Apricot-K%C3%B6rperpflege/dp/B0036Y10K6/ref=asc_df_B0036Y10K6/?tag=googshopde-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310585364573&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16750112481765276779&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9062726&hvtargid=pla-561961731809&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63466571682&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=310585364573&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16750112481765276779&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9062726&hvtargid=pla-561961731809

I don't recall it being 6 bucks/7 Euros at CVS or Walmart. :( I typically buy beauty and hygiene products at the DM (Germany/Austria), and I'm totally okay with generics! I hope there's some kind of substitute. Thank you.

I'm looking for advice on finding housing in the coastal areas of countries like Spain, France, Italy, Greece etc. Any good recommendations for expat communities or for good real estate agents in these areas? Thanks!

Hey all,

I'm a recent graduate from the US, conversationally fluent in German, and looking to try to get work in German-speaking Europe. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to start? Right now, from what I can find online, it seems like my easiest bet is teaching English there since a bachelor's degree in International Relations isn't the most competitive degree. Do you have any thoughts or advice?

Thank you so much to all who answer!

So I'm earning money in GBP - My visa does not lead to a UK "green card" (Indefinite Leave to Remain) - however, I have every intention of staying in Europe (Spain or UK likely). So what is the best way to keep investing for retirement with my GBP when I don't know where in the world I'll retire? I could continue to contribute to an IRA in the USA but of course I would have to convert GBP to USD each time (maybe just one dump a year to save on fees?). Maybe I'll only be in the UK a few more years then move to Spain (and start earning Euros). Thanks so much in advance for any advice.

A few months ago I filled out the forms online to print out my registration as an absentee voter in my last state of residence before moving to Europe. I didn't print out the envelope part because I didn't want to try and fold and tape printer paper to make an envelope and I was already paying postage to send it all the way to the destination. (There was something on it about "postage paid if mailed within the US".

​

Well it's been some time now and I haven't heard anything. I asked to get my ballot and notifications by email, but nothing has come. I'm afraid they just threw it out if it didn't come in the correct envelope. Does anyone know anything about this?

I’m considering become a programmer and I would love to live in Europe, so I’m wondering if any of you code?

Hello! I am traveling through Nice with some friends for the women’s World Cup. Does anyone know of any more American bars that would play the USA versus Sweden game tomorrow night? Appreciate any tips! Thank you!

Hi guys!

I'm sending this out to all expat-related subreddits I belong to. So I apologize if you're seeing this more than once.

My business partner and I are creating a smart phone application and website that will allow foreign residents/immigrants/expats to find home-related services in their new locale. It will combine the personal connections of your local Facebook group with the geographic directional functionality of Google Maps in an easy to use interface. Similar to Yelp, Next Door, and Angie’s List, our website/app will give newly arrived foreign residents/immigrants/expats an opportunity to find products and services for their home and family in their new city. They will have the confidence to navigate their city’s streets, and interact with vendors and service providers, without having to speak the local language upon arrival.

We would love for members of this subreddit to participate in our initial market research survey. We want to know what expats are thinking about using this service. The responses will help guide our tech guys who will design and build the app.

The survey is located here: https://forms.gle/GhpemXSdYWgP6FKo9

Thank you in advance!

Hello everyone

I’m a dual US/UK national who’s lived in London since 1994. I travel home to the US most years. In my most recent trip it was frustrating that my UK mobile was being blocked from looking at websites, using apps and generally being as useful as it used to be on the go. In particular I was trying to download a taxi app other than Uber and it was near impossible because I didn’t have a US phone number. Argh.

So ... my actual question is... how does everyone else get around this problem? I’m thinking I need something like a phone that can take a Pay as You Go sim (such as Giff Gaff). But to be honest I wouldn’t know where to start.

Any guidance would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks. ;)

I'm curious what everyone here on incomes below the $104k cap chooses.

I have always been taking the FEIE, but am thinking it may be better to switch to the FTC. I'm located in Denmark where the income tax rates are much higher than the US. The excess foreign tax paid can be carried over up to 10 years to offset foreign income liabilities to the IRS. So this could be advantageous if moving to a lower tax country in the future. Plus only the FTC route allows IRA contributions. The only annoyance is that you can't switch back to FEIE within 5 years, so I want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything important.

I'd be happy to hear what you all decided