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Legal guides for foreigners
204 guides · 12 countries · general information, not legal advice
Plain-language guides to the legal side of living, buying property and working in another country, grouped by country, with reading paths for common situations.
Newest
- EU Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83: 14-Day Right of Withdrawal
- EU Package Travel Directive 2015/2302: Your Holiday Rights
- Employment Rights in Greece for Foreign Workers: A Practical Guide
- EU Restructuring Directive 2019/1023: Stay, Plans, Cram-Down
- EU Cross-Border Mediation: Directive 2008/52/EC Explained
Reading paths
Just arrived: getting legally settled
The first paperwork that unlocks everything else — a tax number, your residence footing, then the long game of citizenship.
- Getting an AFM (Tax Number) in Greece: A Foreigner's GuideTax
- Malta Residence & Citizenship Options for ForeignersImmigration
- German Citizenship by Naturalisation: The New Rules ExplainedImmigration
- Greek Citizenship by Naturalisation: Routes and Timelines for ForeignersImmigration
- Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis): Eligibility and StepsImmigration
Buying a home abroad, safely
Property law differs wildly country to country. Start with your destination, learn what to check before you sign, and where foreigners get caught out.
- Buying Property in Spain as a Foreigner: NIE, Taxes & ProcessReal estate
- Buying property in Portugal: a foreigner's legal checklist (2026)Real estate
- Buying property in Italy as a foreigner: a legal checklistReal estate
- Buying property in Dubai as a foreigner: freehold areas, process and feesReal estate
- Buying Property in Thailand as a Foreigner: Condos & LeaseholdReal estate
- Buying Property in Germany as a Foreigner: The Legal ProcessReal estate
Starting a business as a foreigner
From the right visa to the right legal structure — the sequence that keeps you on the correct side of ownership and tax rules.
Protecting your family across borders
When family and cross-border law collide, which country's rules apply is the whole game. Start here.
Every guide, by country
Germany15 guides
- Buying Property in Germany as a Foreigner: The Legal ProcessReal estate
- Criminal Defense in Germany for Foreigners: A Practical GuideCriminal defense
- Divorce and Family Law in Germany: A Guide for Foreign CouplesFamily
- Employment Rights in Germany for Foreign Workers: A Practical 2026 GuideEmployment
- German Citizenship by Naturalisation: The New Rules ExplainedImmigration
- German Residence Permits for Non-EU Nationals: Types and How to ApplyImmigration
- Germany's Exit Tax When You Leave (Wegzugsbesteuerung): § 6 AStG After the 2022 Reform and the 2025 Extension to Fund UnitsTax
- Germany's Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): The Points-Based Route to Find WorkImmigration
- Germany's Self-Employment and Freelance Visa (Freiberufler) ExplainedImmigration
- Inheritance and Succession in Germany for ForeignersInheritance
- Recovering Unpaid Invoices in Germany: the Mahnverfahren and Enforcement for Foreign Creditors (2026)Debt recovery
- Renting in Germany as a Foreigner: Tenant Rights, Deposits and NoticeReal estate
- Setting up a GmbH in Germany: company formation for foreignersBusiness
- Tax residency in Germany for expats: the basicsTax
- The EU Blue Card in Germany: Who Qualifies and How It WorksImmigration
Greece15 guides
- Buying Property in Greece as a Foreigner: Legal ChecklistReal estate
- Criminal Defense in Greece for Foreigners: A Practical GuideCriminal defense
- Divorce and Family Law in Greece for Foreign CouplesFamily
- Employment Rights in Greece for Foreign Workers: A Practical GuideEmployment
- Getting an AFM (Tax Number) in Greece: A Foreigner's GuideTax
- Greece Golden Visa in 2026: Tiered Investment Zones, Real Estate Rules & Expat Tax GuideReal estate & Immigration
- Greece Golden Visa: Investment Routes & Residency GuideImmigration
- Greece's Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements and How to ApplyImmigration
- Greece's Financially Independent Person (FIP) Visa ExplainedImmigration
- Greece's Non-Dom and Pensioner Tax Regimes: A Plain Guide for New ResidentsTax
- Greek Citizenship by Naturalisation: Routes and Timelines for ForeignersImmigration
- Inheritance and Succession in Greece for ForeignersInheritance
- Property Tax in Greece for Foreign Owners: ENFIA and Transfer TaxTax
- Self-employment in Greece for foreigners: A practical legal guideBusiness
- Setting Up a Company in Greece as a ForeignerBusiness
Indonesia13 guides
- Building or Renovating a Villa in Bali: Permits, Contracts and Risks for ForeignersConstruction
- Buying Property in Bali: Leasehold, Freehold and Nominee RisksReal estate
- Criminal Defense in Indonesia for Foreigners: A Practical Guide (2026)Criminal defense
- Employment Law in Indonesia for Foreign Workers and EmployersEmployment
- Indonesia Business Visa vs Investor KITAS: What Each AllowsImmigration
- Indonesia's Golden Visa: Who Qualifies and What It OffersImmigration
- Indonesia's Second-Home and Retirement Visas ExplainedImmigration
- Inheritance and Foreign-Owned Assets in Indonesia: What Expats Should KnowInheritance
- Marriage and divorce in Indonesia for foreignersFamily
- Owning Property in Bali, Indonesia: Leasehold & the Right SetupReal estate
- Setting Up a PT PMA: Foreign-Owned Companies in IndonesiaBusiness
- Tax for Foreign-Owned Companies (PT PMA) in Indonesia: A Practical GuideTax
- The KITAS Permit: Living and Working in Indonesia LegallyImmigration
Italy15 guides
- Buying property in Italy as a foreigner: a legal checklistReal estate
- Criminal Defense in Italy for Foreigners: A Practical Guide (2026)Criminal defense
- Divorce and Family Law in Italy for Foreign CouplesFamily
- Employment Rights in Italy for Foreign WorkersEmployment
- Inheritance in Italy for Foreigners: Succession Rules and WillsInheritance
- Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis): Eligibility and StepsImmigration
- Italian Citizenship by Residency and Naturalisation: Routes and TimelinesImmigration
- Italy Elective Residence Visa: Who It Suits, Income Proof & StepsImmigration
- Italy's Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements and How to ApplyImmigration
- Italy's Flat-Tax Regimes for New Residents, ExplainedTax
- Italy's Investor Visa: Routes, Thresholds and BenefitsImmigration
- Opening a Company in Italy: Setting Up an SRL as a ForeignerBusiness
- Partita IVA in Italy: Freelancing for ForeignersBusiness
- Property Taxes in Italy for Foreign Owners: IMU, TARI and MoreTax
- Work Permits in Italy for Non-EU Nationals: The Nulla Osta and the Decreto FlussiImmigration
Malta3 guides
Portugal15 guides
- Buying property in Porto as a foreigner: a practical checklistReal estate
- Buying property in Portugal: a foreigner's legal checklist (2026)Real estate
- Buying Property in the Algarve as a Foreigner: Full ChecklistReal estate
- Criminal Defense in Portugal for Foreigners: A Practical Guide (2026)Criminal defense
- Divorce in Portugal for Foreigners: Jurisdiction & CustodyFamily law
- Getting a NIF and Opening a Bank Account in Portugal: A Practical Guide for ForeignersImmigration
- Inheritance and Succession in Portugal: A Guide for ForeignersInheritance
- Portugal D7 visa: the 2026 guide for retirees and passive-income earnersImmigration
- Portugal digital nomad visa (D8): requirements and how to applyImmigration
- Portugal employment rights for foreign workersEmployment
- Portugal golden visa in 2026: routes, costs and timelineImmigration
- Portugal NHR & Tax Residency Explained for New ResidentsImmigration
- Portuguese Citizenship After Residency in Portugal: Full GuideImmigration
- Setting Up a Company in Portugal as a ForeignerBusiness
- Tax in Portugal for Foreigners: Residency, Rates and What Actually Gets Taxed (2026)Tax
Spain15 guides
- Becoming autónomo in Spain: self-employment for foreignersBusiness
- Buying Property in Spain as a Foreigner: NIE, Taxes & ProcessReal estate
- Criminal Defense in Spain for Foreigners: A Practical GuideCriminal defense
- Divorce and Family Law in Spain for Foreign CouplesFamily
- From Residency to Spanish Citizenship: Timelines and RoutesImmigration
- Inheritance and Succession in Spain for ForeignersInheritance
- NIE and TIE in Spain: What They Are and How to Get ThemImmigration
- Setting Up an SL Company in Spain as a ForeignerBusiness
- Spain Beckham Law Guide 2026: Special Expat Tax Regime for Digital Nomads & ExecutivesExpat Tax & Immigration
- Spain Employment Rights for Foreign Workers: A Practical GuideEmployment
- Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV): Income, Process, RenewalsImmigration
- Spain Tax Residency for Foreigners: The 183-Day Rule and Your ObligationsTax
- Spain's Beckham Law: the special expat tax regime explainedTax
- Spain's Digital Nomad Visa: Who Qualifies and How to ApplyImmigration
- Spain's Golden Visa Has Ended: Alternatives for Investors and ResidentsImmigration
Switzerland1 guide
Thailand13 guides
- Arrested in Thailand: Criminal Defense for ForeignersCriminal defense
- Buying a Condo in Thailand as a Foreigner: The Legal LimitsReal estate
- Buying Property in Thailand as a Foreigner: Condos & LeaseholdReal estate
- Divorce in Thailand for foreigners: process and which courtFamily
- How Foreigners Hold Land in Thailand: Leasehold, Usufruct and SuperficiesReal estate
- Inheritance and Wills in Thailand for Foreigners: A Practical GuideInheritance
- Registering a Company in Thailand as a Foreigner (2026)Business
- Thailand Marriage Visa (O Category): Marrying a Thai NationalImmigration
- Thailand Retirement Visa: Requirements, Finances & RenewalsImmigration
- Thailand Tax for Foreigners: Residency and Income ExplainedTax
- Thailand's Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa: A Guide for ForeignersImmigration
- The Thailand Privilege (Elite) Visa: Tiers, Costs and BenefitsImmigration
- Work Permits in Thailand for Foreigners: How the Legal Process WorksEmployment
Türkiye22 guides
- Buying Property in Antalya as a Foreigner: Checks, Process, CostsReal estate
- Buying Property in Istanbul as a Foreigner: Process, Checks and CostsReal estate
- Buying property in Türkiye: a foreigner's legal checklist (2026)Real estate
- Challenging a Turkish entry ban or deportation: a 2026 guide for foreignersImmigration
- Compensation after a traffic accident in Türkiye: a guide for foreignersPersonal injury
- Debt Collection & Enforcement (İcra) in Türkiye: Foreign Creditor GuideBusiness
- Divorce in Türkiye for foreigners: which law applies, process and custodyFamily law
- Employment Rights for Foreign Workers in Türkiye ExplainedBusiness
- Enforcing a foreign court judgment in TürkiyeBusiness
- Evicting a Tenant in Türkiye: A Landlord's Legal GuideReal estate
- Extradition From Türkiye: How the Process WorksCriminal defense
- Getting a work permit in Türkiye: the 2026 guide for foreigners and employersImmigration
- Getting Married in Türkiye as a Foreigner: Documents & ProcessFamily law
- How to get a Turkish residence permit (ikamet) as a foreigner (2026)Immigration
- Inheritance in Türkiye for Foreigners: Law, Process, TaxFamily law
- Interpol red notices and arrest in Türkiye: what foreigners need to knowCriminal defense
- Setting up a company in Türkiye as a foreigner (2026)Business
- Setting Up a Tech Startup in Türkiye as a Foreign FounderStartup & tech
- Tax Residency in Türkiye for Foreigners and Expats: A Practical GuideTax
- Trademark Registration in Türkiye: A Guide for ForeignersBusiness
- Turkish citizenship by investment: the 2026 guide for foreignersImmigration
- Turkish Citizenship Through Marriage in Türkiye: A GuideImmigration
United Arab Emirates18 guides
- Bounced Cheques in the UAE: The Legal Risks for ExpatsCriminal defense
- Buying Property in Abu Dhabi as a Foreigner: Areas, Process and CostsReal estate
- Buying property in Dubai as a foreigner: freehold areas, process and feesReal estate
- Child Custody in the UAE for Expats: Which Law AppliesFamily law
- Divorce in the UAE for expats: civil divorce and which law appliesFamily law
- Employment in the UAE: What Foreigners Need to Know (2026)Employment
- Employment Rights in the UAE for Expats: A Practical GuideBusiness
- Freelance and Remote-Work Permits in the UAE ExplainedImmigration
- Inheritance in the UAE for Foreigners: Which Law Applies and How to Protect Your Estate (2026)Inheritance
- Recovering debts in the UAE: a guide for foreign creditorsDebt recovery
- Setting up a company in the UAE free zones: a 2026 guide for foundersBusiness
- Setting Up a Mainland Company in the UAE: A Foreigner's GuideBusiness
- Tenancy and Rental Disputes in the UAE: A Practical Guide for ForeignersReal estate
- UAE Corporate Tax for Foreign-Owned Businesses, ExplainedTax
- UAE Corporate Tax for Free Zone Companies: Qualifying Income, 0% Relief and De-Minimis RulesTax
- UAE Golden Visa Explained: Who Qualifies and How to ApplyBusiness
- VAT in the UAE: What Foreign Businesses Need to KnowTax
- Wills for expats in the UAE: why you need one and how registered wills workFamily law
United Kingdom15 guides
- British Citizenship by Naturalisation: Requirements and StepsImmigration
- Buying Property in the UK as a Non-Resident: A Practical GuideReal estate
- Criminal Defence in the UK for Foreigners: A Practical GuideCriminal defense
- Divorce and International Family Law in the UK: A Guide for ForeignersFamily
- Self-employment in the UK for foreigners: sole trader basicsBusiness
- Setting Up a UK Limited Company as a ForeignerBusiness
- The UK Global Talent Visa: Who Qualifies and How It WorksImmigration
- The UK Innovator Founder Visa: Building a Business in the UKBusiness
- UK Employment Rights for Foreign Workers: A Practical GuideEmployment
- UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Qualifying and ApplyingImmigration
- UK Inheritance and Wills for Expats: A Practical GuideInheritance
- UK Skilled Worker Visa: Sponsorship & Requirements GuideImmigration
- UK Spouse and Partner Visas: The Family Route ExplainedImmigration
- UK Student and Graduate Visas: The Study-to-Work Route ExplainedImmigration
- UK Tax Residency for Expats: The Statutory Residence Test ExplainedTax
Worldwide44 guides
- Apostille and Document Legalisation for Use Abroad: A Practical GuideImmigration
- Arrested Abroad: What to Do and Your RightsCriminal defense
- Avoiding Double Taxation as an Expat: Tax Treaties ExplainedTax
- Best Countries for Retirement Residency in 2026: A Foreigner's OverviewImmigration
- Buying Property Abroad: A Cross-Border Legal Checklist for ForeignersReal estate
- Citizenship by Investment vs Residency by Investment: Which Fits YouImmigration
- Claiming Maintenance Across EU Borders: Which Court, Recognition, Enforcement and Central Authorities (Regulation (EC) No 4/2009)Family
- Cross-border inheritance in the EU: which law appliesInheritance
- Digital Nomad Visas Compared: Spain, Portugal, Greece and ItalyImmigration
- Dual Citizenship & Renunciation: What Expats Worldwide Must CheckImmigration
- Enforcing a Foreign Court Judgment in Another Country: A Guide for ForeignersLitigation
- EU Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83: 14-Day Right of WithdrawalContract
- EU Cross-Border Legal Aid: Directive 2003/8/EC ExplainedLitigation
- EU Cross-Border Mediation: Directive 2008/52/EC ExplainedLitigation
- EU Package Travel Directive 2015/2302: Your Holiday RightsPersonal injury
- EU Restructuring Directive 2019/1023: Stay, Plans, Cram-DownBusiness
- European Enforcement Order for Uncontested Claims (805/2004)Debt recovery
- GDPR for Foreign Businesses Selling into the EU: A Practical GuideData protection
- Getting Married Abroad: Legal Checklist for Expats WorldwideFamily law
- Golden Visa Comparison 2026: Portugal, Greece, Italy and BeyondImmigration
- Holding Company Formation in Luxembourg vs Netherlands vs UAE for Expat FoundersCorporate & Tax
- How to hire a lawyer in another country: a checklist for expatsExpat guide
- Injured Abroad as a Tourist: How Compensation Claims WorkPersonal injury
- Injured in Another EU Country: Which Country's Law Decides Your Compensation Claim (Rome II Regulation (EC) No 864/2007)Personal injury
- International Child Custody and the Hague Convention ExplainedFamily
- International Divorce in the EU: Which Country's Court, and Which Country's Law (Brussels II ter and Rome III)Family
- Low-tax residency regimes in Europe for expats: Beckham, NHR, non-dom and moreTax
- Making a Will as an Expat: Protecting Cross-Border AssetsInheritance
- Opening a Bank Account Abroad as a Foreigner: A Practical GuideBanking
- Property of International Couples in the EU: Which Court, Which Law and How to Choose It (Regulation (EU) 2016/1103)Family
- Protecting Your Trademark Internationally: A Founder's GuideIntellectual property
- Served With Court Papers From Another EU Country: How Cross-Border Service Works, When You May Refuse Them and What Protects You If You Never Appeared (Regulation (EU) 2020/1784)Debt recovery
- Signing Contracts Abroad: What Foreigners Should Check FirstContract
- Tenant Rights When Renting Abroad as a Foreigner: A Practical GuideReal estate
- The European Account Preservation Order: Freezing a Debtor's Bank Account in Another EU Country Before They Move the MoneyDebt recovery
- The European Order for Payment and the European Small Claims Procedure: Recovering a Cross-Border Debt Inside the EU Without a Full TrialDebt recovery
- Unfair Dismissal Abroad: What Foreign Workers Can DoEmployment
- Using a Birth, Marriage or Other Public Document in Another EU Country: No Apostille, Certified Copies, Translations and Multilingual Forms (Regulation (EU) 2016/1191)Family
- Using a Power of Attorney to Handle Legal Matters AbroadImmigration
- Where to set up your company abroad: choosing the right jurisdictionBusiness
- Which Country's Law Governs Your Contract in the EU: Choice of Law, Default Rules and Consumer Protection (Rome I Regulation (EC) No 593/2008)Business
- Which EU Court Can Hear Your Case? Brussels I bis RulesLitigation
- Your Debtor Went Insolvent in Another EU Country: How to Lodge Your Claim, the Standard Form, Languages and the 30-Day Floor (Regulation (EU) 2015/848)Debt recovery
- Your Witness or Evidence Is in Another EU Country: How Courts Take Evidence Across Borders, Hear Witnesses by Video and When a Request Can Be Refused (Regulation (EU) 2020/1783)Debt recovery
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