Expatriation Barometer survey results N°7 : Support during expatriation

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Support during expatriation

Whatever the status of those living abroad, expatriation has consequences on their health insurance, their pension rights, the management of their assets or their marital status.

In this seventh survey, Expat Communication has looked at the concerns of expatriates and the needs that the complexity of their status implies.

The results of this survey highlight 2 major points:

information is unequal according to the topics covered
expatriates receive little or no support to face the new challenges that their status entails.

Unequal information

Health insurance is, along with retirement, the topic that expatriates are most concerned about during an expatriation. They are respectively 72% and 71% to be concerned about the impact of their life abroad on these aspects. Keeping good health insurance for themselves and their families is a necessity for them as is finding out about their pension rights on return.
The conditions for entitlement vary according to the country and the contributions paid. While asset management is a concern for 66% of expatriates, the impact on the matrimonial regime is poorly documented before departure. Only 41% foresee any impact on it. However, any change in the family situation can be complicated when you live abroad and the rules are different from your country of origin.

An almost non-existent support

Aware of these issues, only 23% seek support in these four areas during their expatriation. 77% of expatriates therefore leave without managing the complexity of their status. All age groups are concerned by this phenomenon. Both families and singles seem to find that the steps to complete and the cost of obtaining quality information are too high to use a service provider.

Despite a real need for support

Nevertheless, there is an undeniable need for support during expatriation. Ideally, expatriates would like an advisor to follow them over time (39% of them express this need), even if they recognize that this is “utopian”.

The interface with a consultant is also desired, but the most important thing is to have a specialist who deals with this complex status. The rules are not the same from one country to another and the implications differ according to the family, professional, patrimonial situation… So many parameters that only a specialist of the topic seems to be able to master.

Through a platform with human contacts

And to adapt to new trends in working conditions, a platform is preferred by 81% of them. Face-to-face meetings are not necessary, only 4% wish to travel to meet their advisor. Videoconferencing replaces the traditional meeting.

The need for human relationships is crucial. Digitalization does not mean robotization. The expatriate wants to keep contacts with people and not robots behind digital tools.

Take the current survey

The questionnaires are available in French or English. This link is accessible from your computer, tablet or phone.

Duration of the questionnaire: about 5 min

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