What's working abroad like?

[whattodo]

Ah, I should have said i'm in the UK. There's work lined up in here until about half way through the tax year.

I haven't had any firm offers, I just get sent a lot of job adverts for countract positions in a few european countries, agents say there are positions waiting etc. That makes me think I could easily get a contract, hopefully for a decent rate

Usually they say they're looking for a 6 month duration with the possibility of extension. So it could be as little as 6 months, or ,12+ months. Depends if I like it (or more importantly what my other half thinks)

I'm tempted, but want to go into it with my eyes open and not discover later it's really stressful, or there are lots of catches.

[ace00]

Language shouldn't be an issue. They all talk English, even if they pretend they don't....

[AlfredJPruffock]

Aye Cojac

I recall -many Moons ago - the day after when you wrote on this board about your brush with the Law in Switzerland- I didnt realiise you managed to survive it and work on !

Its one of the few European countries I havent worked in - muy understanding is that the tax rate is something like 20-24 per cent which is pretty OK - plus you get a pretty good social security - if you ever need to claim it.

BlasterBates methinks is still yodelling out there.

Cue BB ...

[Mehmeh]

I'm on the tail end of a 3 monther at the moment in italy, and have worked abroad before for another 3 monther.

Adventure yes, although I find the novelty wears off after 2 months, and suddenly I start wanting sunday roasts and missing friends/family.

Language barrier can be annoying, the office I'm in everybody speaks awesome english. BUT every lunch time we spend the time talking about the difference between england and italy or english and italian. Gets abit boring, talked the ear off a english consultant the other day about bulltulip english rubbish.

If your single and independent, do it. Make sure you find "real" accomodation and not hotels the whole time as that can get old very fast. And join sports clubs and stuff to make friends/keep you occupied when not working and you'll have a great time.

Ciao (its become natural to say ciao at every moment now, I'm gunna sound like such a nob when I return to england)

[Fred Bloggs]

I have worked away a lot but only for short durations of a few weeks. What really bothers me is the difficulty in finding easily accessible, reliable, easily understood information on taxation. The industry seems full of people offering opinions rather than hard facts. The industry that has evolved around working abroad also seems to have a "nudge wink" attitude towards taxation in my opinion which is both extremely unhelpful and potentially extremely dangerous financially if all you want is to be 100% tax compliant. That's my 2 cents, ofcourse, YMMV greatly.

Personally, if I was seriously looking to move abroad it would be to the middle east, taxation is "fairly" straight forward as long as you're over there pretty long term (more than a tax year). However, the salaries now on offer and the really stupid rents being asked for apartments in Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc.. really means there's no longer big money to made out there unless you're very lucky or have really specialist high demand skills. IMO that is. Lots of folk being laid off in the construction sector too and many skilled jobs now going to asian workers etc...

[NotAllThere]

Have you already had an offer of a job in CH? Is it permie, contractor or what? Are you an citizen of an EU country? Which part of CH?

I've been here seven years now, and wouldn't move back to the UK.

If you intend to leave the UK for good, you'll stop being liable for UK taxes on the day you leave. This is a concession by HMRC.

You will earn more here than in the UK - because of the exchange rate (1.62). E.g. a typical contract could be ~1000CHF. About 18 months ago that was ~£400. Now it's over £600.

However, you won't be richer here, in cash terms, because most things are more expensive. But the life-style can be much better, so it's better value for money.

[threaded]

- Don't have to see Gordon Brown on telly

Unfortunately most countries trot him out on the goggle-box, usually in the comedy moment at the end of the news.

[cojak]

You'll probably earn the same as in the UK, go over for the lifestyle rather than the money.

[whattodo]

So at the risk of venturing into the accounting section, was it easy setting everything up to get paid, pay taxes etc over there?

I'd like it to be worth my while. For instance i've read about "183 day" rules, so if I left the UK 200 days into the tax year does that mean you're hammered with UK tax making it not worthwhile? Tried reading a few web pages but as always it's left clear as mud

[Toolpusher]

As long as the pros outweigh the cons (at least in your own mind!), do it!!

After leaving uni, I worked at home (London) for six years before I decided to pack my bags and leave the UK. I've now been overseas long enough to acquire a second passport.

London no longer feels like home when I visit......

[cojak]

"Bit of an adventure" alright.

Between them my agent and the client cocked up my Swiss work permit, which found me literally running between offices like the criminal I was, in order to find sanctuary. If the law had found me (and they were looking) they would have put me on the 1st plane home. They had to send a senior manager to plead to keep me on as I was 'super-critical' to the programme...

Other than that it was brilliant.

Just make sure your paperwork is in order, or they'll have your balls on a plate.

[whattodo]

Just playing with the idea of working abroad at the moment (Switzerland). Started weighing up pros and cons. So far i've come up with:

Pros
- Good pay with exchange rates as they are
- Bit of an adventure
- Don't have to see Gordon Brown on telly

Cons
- Hassle of moving
- Dealing with taxes and what not
- Language barrier

Anyone done it? Worth doing or what?