Expatriation

Expatriation, or expatriation, refers to living outside one's native country. The term describes people who reside abroad for work, study, retirement, or family reasons. An expatriate, or expat, typically retains citizenship of the country of origin and may intend to stay temporarily rather than pursue permanent naturalization. The term can also appear in discussions of renunciation of citizenship, but this formal use is less common than the broader sense of living abroad.

Legal and logistical aspects shape the expatriate experience. Expatriates navigate visas, residency permits, and work authorization, as well as taxation, social security, and access to healthcare. Some countries tax residents on worldwide income, while others apply territorial rules; double taxation treaties may lessen burdens. Workplace arrangements, housing, schooling for children, and language services are common considerations. The distinction between expats and immigrants is often historical or pragmatic rather than legal, and many expatriates plan a temporary assignment rather than permanent settlement.

Causes and patterns: Globalization, multinational employment, and the expansion of higher education encourage mobility. Retirement destinations, safety concerns, and personal ties also motivate relocation. Expatriates may stay for a defined period or become long-term residents; many urban centers host sizable expatriate communities and related services, including cultural associations and international schools. The rise of digital nomadism adds a dimension of location-independent residence.

Social and cultural effects: Expatriation can affect identity and belonging, offering access to cross-cultural networks and professional opportunities while posing challenges such as homesickness, discrimination, or legal uncertainty. Networks of fellow expatriates, local allies, and diaspora communities can provide support. Migration patterns of expatriates influence both sending and receiving countries, with implications for labor markets, demographics, and development.

In contemporary usage, expatriation is intertwined with migration studies, taxation, and citizenship debates, highlighting mobility as a defining feature of modern life.