Finance

banking, taxes, budgeting

Finance22 November 2025

EU Banking Shake-Up 2025: New IBAN Rules, SEPA Instant, Hidden Fees and the Best Expat Strategies

2025 is a turning point for European banking. Wider deployment of SEPA Instant transfers, stronger rules against IBAN discrimination, rising cross-border fees and the growth of fully online banks mean expats need to rethink their setup. This long-form guide explains what is changing, how it affects you in daily life, and how to avoid losing hundreds of euros a year without even noticing.

Read the article

Finance21 Nov 2025

Best Banking Strategies for Expats 2025: Hidden Fees, IBAN Discrimination, Transfers, SEPA — How to Avoid the Traps

Opening a bank account abroad should be simple. In 2025, it rarely is. IBAN discrimination still appears despite EU law, SEPA transfers that should be free are charged, hidden FX fees multiply, and some companies refuse payments from specific foreign accounts. This guide explains how to avoid those traps, save hundreds of euros per year and build a resilient banking strategy for your expat life.

Read the article

Finance14 Nov 2025

International Money Transfers for Expats in France (2025): Wise, Revolut, Banks – Fees, Rates, Real-World Tips

Moving money across borders is part of daily life for many expats: salary, pension, rent, children’s tuition, or supporting family abroad. Every euro matters, and bank fees can quietly eat a significant share of your income. In 2025, competition between fintechs like Wise, Revolut and N26 and traditional banks such as BNP Paribas, Société Générale or Crédit Agricole reaches a new phase. This guide breaks down real costs, delays, and practical ways to move your money without nasty surprises.

Read the article

Finance09 Nov 2025

Best Banks for Expats in Europe: 2025 Pillar Guide (Accounts, Hidden Fees, IBAN, Real-World Scenarios)

Most expats open a 'quick' account when they land. Then come surprise fees, blocked transfers, a provider rejecting your foreign IBAN. This 2025 pillar gives you a clear method to pick the right bank, avoid traps, and secure your money flows. No jargon—just readable tables, copy-paste scripts, and real scenarios (student, employee, freelancer, FR–CH cross-border).

Read the article

Finance06 Nov 2025

Switching Bank Accounts in Europe as an Expat: Avoid Freezes and Hidden Fees

When you first arrived in Europe, you opened a bank account quickly—but now the fees, language barriers, or online access issues make you want to switch. The good news: changing bank accounts in Europe is easier than ever, if you avoid three major traps—blocked accounts, IBAN rejections, and hidden transfer fees.

Read the article

Finance01 Nov 2025

Best Banks for Expats 2025: How to Choose and Avoid Hidden Fees

Whether you're on assignment, freelancing abroad, or retiring under the sun, choosing the right expat bank can mean peace of mind—or a financial nightmare. Transfer fees, FX markups, IBAN discrimination… In 2025, offers abound but not all are equal. Here's the complete guide to picking the best bank, opening an account remotely, and dodging the most common traps.

Read the article

Finance17 Oct 2025

VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) Reform: What Expat Businesses & Freelancers Need to Know

Since 12 April 2025, the EU adopted the 'VAT in the Digital Age' (ViDA) package, a major VAT reform affecting digital businesses, freelancers, and independent operators providing cross-border services. If you're an expat running an activity or online business, these changes may impact your invoicing, reporting obligations, and cash flow. This article guides you through the situation, what to expect, how to prepare, and essential takeaways.

Read the article

Finance07 Oct 2025

Expat banking in Europe: open fast, pay less, get paid on time

Use a two-step strategy: open a digital account now, a local account later. You'll avoid fees, pass KYC faster, and never miss payroll.

Read the article

Finance

banking, taxes, budgeting

Finance22 November 2025