Hello

Before the end of January, let us reiterate our best wishes for 2021. We sincerily hope that this year will mark the end (or at least the containment) of the current Covid-19 crisis.

In our magazine, we continue to give you the main information related to the expat world. We talked about the likely changes and consequences that may affect 2021, including the healthy habits that we got during the pandemic and we should keep. As most of Europe is focused on the American (Pfizer and Moderna) and the AstraZeneca vaccines, we try to provide a wider picture with Chinese and Russian vaccines currently used in a number of countries. You will learn more on how the vaccine will impact us in our article.

There is also another hot topics that is not only impacting the UK but affecting a lot of other countries: Brexit of course! As expected, it's only on the very last days of December that the UK and the European Union managed to sign a deal (although incomplete, notably on services). It is now effective: the UK is no longer part of the EU. On top of the Coronavirus crisis it has already created many difficulties and uncertainties remain on a number of topics. In January we have covered the fact that the UK Government has chosen to withdraw from the Erasmus Plus scheme, one of EU biggest success. They talked about designing a new international exchange scheme, but are very vague on how it may work. We present also the new rules for working in the UK, with the end of free movement. It means that European Union citizens will have to get a visa to work in the UK, based on a points. Employers will need to become sponsors.

Last but not least, you should have a look at the sponsor of this Newsletter

TaxSamaritan provides a FREE expat tax guide, explaining the requirements of the US tax system for those Americans living abroad. We have covered some of the issues created by the complicated tax system applicable to US expat (FATCA...etc) and you may also refer to our previous article detailing the nightmare created by the 2010 tax reform. Is the new Biden administration going to reform the burden currently generated? We will see, but in the meantime, TaxSamaritan is helping with the process.

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And of course, keep safe, respect the social distancing and wear masks when necessary.

PS: If you have a personal expat blog, don't forget to register in our worldwide directory of expat blogs.