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Four ways to move — one site, every country.

The Global Expat Hub is built around four budget styles that shape every plan, cost estimate and recommendation across all 52 destinations. Pick the one that fits and explore everywhere.

How to use tiers

  1. Choose your tier on the home page. Affordable, Mid-range, Luxury or Retirement. This sets your research lens for the whole site.
  2. Browse countries. Every destination shows costs, timelines and checklists scaled to your chosen tier and that country's real price level. More expensive cities cost more in every tier — the model adjusts automatically.
  3. Open any country page and click the tier tab. Near the top of each country page you'll see four tabs — Affordable, Mid-range, Luxury and Retirement. Click any tab to instantly switch plans, costs and checklists for that country.
  4. Download the free guide. Each country has a free 16-page PDF covering all four tier breakdowns, timelines and checklists — great for sharing with family or printing out.
  5. Switch tiers anytime. There's no account, no lock-in and no charge. Change your mind as many times as you like.

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Affordable move

You're moving on savings or a modest income, doing the paperwork yourself, and treating the first year as a test. You'll rent furnished, fly economy, ship almost nothing, and learn the language in group classes.

About 33 weeks from decision to settled.

Mid-range move

You have a steady income or remote job, want the move to be smooth rather than cheap, and will pay for help where it saves weeks. You'll ship some belongings, rent a proper apartment, and use a relocation agent for the hard parts.

About 28 weeks from decision to settled.

Luxury move

Time matters more than money. You'll hire a full-service relocation firm, an immigration lawyer and a buyer's or leasing agent, fly business, ship everything, and land in a home that's ready.

About 20 weeks from decision to settled.

Retirement move

You're moving for good on a pension, savings or both, and the priorities are different: a visa that doesn't depend on a job, healthcare you can rely on as you age, a tax outcome that doesn't shrink your income, and a community you'll actually enjoy. Comfort matters more than speed; certainty matters more than either.

About 48 weeks from decision to settled.

Example: the same move, four ways

CountryAffordableMid-rangeLuxuryRetirement
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates$12,150$23,850$67,650$34,200
🇪🇸 Spain$10,250$20,000$56,950$28,700
🇵🇹 Portugal$9,800$19,050$54,250$27,300
🇲🇾 Malaysia$8,100$15,750$44,750$22,550
🇵🇦 Panama$8,900$17,550$50,000$25,200
🇹🇭 Thailand$7,700$15,250$43,400$21,850
🇲🇽 Mexico$8,250$16,250$46,200$23,250
🇸🇬 Singapore$14,050$27,600$78,400$39,600

Estimated first-year setup for one adult, before ongoing rent and living costs. Model estimates; see each plan for what's included.

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