Contract Abroad

[Figgsey]

Hi all,

I am currently considering contracting and relocation and would appreciate your advice regarding how best to go about this - whether to buy a home in the UK and let out a room say or put things in storage.

The worry with the latter is that I would be trusting storage companies with official documentation and as I rent would be making myself (in UK) homeless). Also banks don't seem to like posting mail to virtual addresses (unless you know any?).

I could buy a flat and say let out the second bed but the market is strange at the mo. It's an important decision and am struggling so would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

[BlasterBates]

I don't see the point of buying just to have an address. I would buy a place because you want somewhere to live and you like it.

On the whole having a foreign address isn't a problem, the only exception are banks. I gave them my parents address because I couldn't be bothered to go about setting up an account as non resident.

I would use friends or relatives. Perhaps you could arrange with the bank to send correspondence to your foreign address, not sure about it though.

If you do have a house it can become a burden, I mean you have to look after it, fix the roof when it's leaking etc. I would say a big hassle not worth it.

[northernladuk]

Contracting and relocating are not two words I would tend to see in the same discussion. Right now the market is so up and down by relocating as you indicate is going to severely cut your chances of getting a contract. I would think you need to get a contract first, rent/hotel etc until you have a steady grounding and then relocate. You could put all your time and effort in to buying somewhere and then find you end up in a different coutry to get work. It is quite possible for a time yet you will be living out of a bag so would be very flexible on the relocation issue for now.

[chef]

I'm not quite sure what you mean, is it:

a) you want to start contracting and you want to move elsewhere, i.e start a new life in both career and living
or
b) you want to start contracting and expect to be elsewhere and want to know what to do/how to manage being away long term

and as you state that you'll not be living in the Uk anymore, where are you thinking of moving to?

[contractorcontractor]

Things to consider

Some things to consider:

1) Foreign Tax considerations - dealing with tax in a foreign language is not simple. You need to trust the accountant and his fees will probably reflect the fact that you are helpless. Try to to get cross border worker status - otherwise there are a host of expenses.

2) Returning to the uk market - you may find it difficult to return to the uk. If single and living out of a suitcase it isnt a problem. Otherwise it can be very difficult.

3) Currency fluctuations - if currencies crash, as did the pound 2 years ago - you may find yourself on buggerall money. Get the contract in the currency where it will be spent.

4) Healthcare - you may find that you must stump up for healthcare. Even though (theoretically) you should get reimbursed by the UK eventually, it can be very beauracratic.

5) Consider the overheads - house rental, local tax (50%+20% social tax???), payroll & accounting, private health care (300EUR pcm for family cover), car rental or reregistration.

6) You may find the local police target British/foreign cars. You may get pulled over for random inspections or for speeding while keep up with the flow of the traffic. The local police know that British vehicles often dont have a triangle, hi-viz vest or headlight mods. The law may require you to register your car locally after a certain period. These investigations eventually resemble harassment.

The EU / open borders thing is a bit of a lie. While Britian makes foreigners welcome, it is not always reciprocated. You may even find it difficult disposing of rubbish at the local tip.

[BlasterBates]

The EU / open borders thing is a bit of a lie. While Britian makes foreigners welcome, it is not always reciprocated. You may even find it difficult disposing of rubbish at the local tip.

hmm disagree with you on this. I've worked in a few different EU countries and now Switzerland. It's very simple, i.e. no need to apply for work visas etc (as was necessary in Switzerland up until 2005) no border guards on most borders, even Switzerland now is doing away with border guards slowly, and reciprocal tax agreements means you don't get stung for double taxation. For example I live in Germany and work in Switzerland.

If you speak the lingo then you'll always be treated like anyone else, yes if you only speak english they might get impatient, but I think that's mainly because it's much harder work to speak to someone in a foreign language, and not so much a personal thing especially when you're trying to sort out a problem. I mean a foreigner doesn't have the command of the English language to speak with humour or charm you'd get in England, you're going to get very simply basic sentences, and then if they get flustered it'll come across as rude. So if you go to the rubbish tip, the guy in charge might not know the English for recycled paper or is able to give you an explanation that they only accept toxic waste on Thursdays, so he'll probably come out with a simple "you can't dump that here"

[contractorcontractor]

Disagree with you on this.

What a surprise. Offer benefits of experience and someone that knows better pops up to disagree. I should have timed it.

"I went to France and it was windy."

"I disagree. I went to France and it wasn't windy at all."

[SueEllen]

What a surprise. Offer benefits of experience and someone that knows better pops up to disagree. I should have timed it.

"I went to France and it was windy."

"I disagree. I went to France and it wasn't windy at all."

Everyone has different experiences of working in another European/foreign country. Some people love it some hate it. A lot of it depends on your personality and the people you meet.

Oh I've met foreign people who hate the UK for the reasons you out lined and others who love it but don't like particular regions.

[contractorcontractor]

Oh I've met foreign people who hate the UK for the reasons you out lined and others who love it but don't like particular regions.

Good for you.

Now, here is a small list.

1) I never said I liked it or otherwise.

and more importantly

2) The original poster was after advice. My original post lists very real pieces of advice and observations gained from many years of contracting abroard in many countries from a person able to speak fluently in 5 languages.

Take it or leave it. I dont care. It nt meant for you.

So where were we? Ah yes.

"I went to France. It was windy"

"It is often windy in England and can even rain"

[Brussels Slumdog]

Never had a problem opening a bank account anywhere

Hi all,

Also banks don't seem to like posting mail to virtual addresses (unless you know any?).

Thanks

Banks are by law expected to know their customers so they would like to meet you in person.
If you have a local UK Bank account you can use them as a reference if required.
Mrs BS may have a problem finding all the bank accounts I have opened up whilst contracting in other countries.