Is Moving Abroad with a Family Worth It?

Relocating to another country for work can be a life-changing opportunity, offering the chance to earn higher salaries, experience a new culture, and build a better future.

However, when is moving abroad with a family worth it? The answer suddenly becomes much more complex.

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Unlike single expats, who only need to consider their career and lifestyle, families must think about education for children, healthcare access, spouse employment, long-term residency, financial stability, and social integration.

For some, moving abroad can provide a higher quality of life, better work-life balance, and long-term financial security.

For others, it can create significant financial stress, emotional difficulties, and bureaucratic challenges that make the move more trouble than it’s worth.

Is moving abroad worth it if you have a family?

Working abroad with a family is much different from doing it on your own. It’s not just about your career. Your spouse and children also need to adjust and thrive.

Long-term planning becomes even more crucial, because unlike solo expats who can move easily, families need stability in visas, housing, and schooling.

Meanwhile you have to consider things like cost of living becoming much higher. A high salary may not be enough if international school fees, private healthcare, and rent eat up most of your income.

There are also the unstated issues of social and emotional well-being. Children especially must adapt to a new culture, and spouses may struggle with career changes and isolation.

Who should consider moving abroad with a family?

• Professionals with high salaries or full expat packages (housing, school, healthcare included).
• Families with young children who can easily adapt to a new culture and language.
• Those seeking long-term relocation with a clear pathway to residency and citizenship.
• Expats moving to family-friendly countries with strong healthcare, education, and work-life balance.

Who should think twice?

• Expats on temporary contracts who may have to move frequently.
• Families with older children who might struggle with major educational transitions.
• Households relying on two incomes, if the spouse may have trouble finding work abroad.
• Anyone moving to a country with strict immigration policies that make residency unstable.

Ultimately, moving abroad as a family requires a completely different level of planning than moving alone.

The most important factor to consider before making the move is whether your family’s residency and legal status will be secure long-term—which brings us to the next critical topic.

Visa & Immigration: Can you move family overseas long-term?

One of the most overlooked risks of moving abroad with a family is residency and visa stability.

Many expats assume that if they have a work visa, their family will automatically have the right to stay long-term—but immigration laws vary widely between countries.

Work Visas & Family Residency

Many countries issue work visas that allow the primary expat to live and work legally, but they often have strict rules for dependents.

• In some cases, family members automatically receive dependent visas, allowing them to stay as long as the primary worker remains employed.

• Other countries require separate visa applications for spouses and children, sometimes with financial requirements or restrictions.

• Some nations have quota-based approach, meaning visas are not guaranteed for family members.

Examples of Family-Friendly Work Visa Policies

• Canada – Spouses of skilled workers can apply for an open work permit, allowing them to find employment freely. Children automatically receive study permits.

• Germany – Spouses of work visa holders can live in Germany and work without restrictions.

• United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Employees can sponsor their spouse and children, but spouses need a separate work permit to take a job.

Examples of Restrictive Work Visa Policies

• Japan – Spouses on dependent visas cannot work unless they apply for a separate work permit.

• Saudi Arabia – Expat spouses are not allowed to work on a dependent visa and need their own employer-sponsored visa.

• United States – The H-1B work visa does not grant automatic work rights to spouses (unless they qualify for specific exceptions).

Work Permit for Spouses

One of the most common frustrations for expat families is when a spouse is not allowed to work. This can create financial strain, especially if the family relied on two incomes before moving.

• Some countries are more open to allow spouses to work (e.g., Canada, Germany, Netherlands).
• Others require separate work permits (e.g., UAE, Japan, Singapore).
• Certain countries significantly restrict spouses from working unless they find an employer to sponsor them a work visa (e.g., Saudi Arabia).

If your family depends on two incomes, make sure that your spouse can legally work before moving.

Permanent Residency or Citizenship for Children Abroad

If you’re planning to stay in the new country long-term, it’s important to check whether your children can become permanent residents or citizens.

• Birthright Citizenship (Jus Soli) – Some countries grant automatic citizenship to children born there.

• Citizenship by Descent – Some countries allow expat children to inherit nationality if one parent is a citizen.

• Long-Term Residency for Children – In some countries, children on dependent visas must reapply for residency at 18 and may not have an automatic right to stay.

Divorce & Custody Issues for Expat Families

Many expat couples don’t realize that family law works differently in other countries. If a marriage ends in divorce, custody battles can become legally complicated if the child was born abroad or has citizenship in a different country.

• Some countries favor the local parent in custody disputes.

• Certain nations do not allow children to leave without the other parent’s permission.

• Legal systems may treat foreign marriages differently, leading to unexpected legal challenges.

Legal and immigration stability is one of the biggest factors in deciding whether moving abroad with a family is truly a good idea.

Financial Considerations: Is it expensive to move abroad with family?

Moving abroad for work with a family is an entirely different financial challenge compared to relocating as a single professional.

Salary vs. Cost of Living

Many professionals move abroad assuming that a higher salary means better financial security. However, the cost of living can quickly offset any salary increase, especially in countries with expensive housing, high taxes, and costly private education.

Some countries offer great salaries for expats, but they also come with extremely high living expenses, making it difficult to save money or even break even.

• Example: Switzerland – A software engineer in Zurich may earn $120,000 per year, but rent for a family-sized apartment can exceed $4,000 per month, and groceries, childcare, and healthcare are all expensive.

• Example: Singapore – A banking professional earning $150,000 annually may still struggle with rent, school fees ($20,000+ per year), and the high cost of daily living.

• Example: UAE – Dubai offers tax-free salaries, but housing, private schools, and healthcare can consume a large portion of earnings.

On the other hand, some families reduce expenses significantly by moving to countries where their home currency stretches further.

Before moving, expats must calculate whether their salary actually translates into a better financial situation. A higher paycheck doesn’t always mean higher savings if living expenses consume most of it.

Financial Tips for Moving Abroad with a Family

Even if an expat earns a high salary, there are many hidden costs that families often overlook.

📍International Schools vs. Public Schools

For expat families, schooling is often the biggest expense—especially if public schools are not an option due to language barriers or curriculum differences.

• International School Fees – Can range from $10,000 to $50,000 per year per child.

• Local Public Schools – Free or low-cost but may have language barriers or a different education system.

• Bilingual or Private Schools – A middle ground but still expensive in many countries.

📍Healthcare & Insurance

Expats may not have access to free public healthcare and must rely on private insurance, which can be costly.

• Employer-provided health insurance? Some companies offer family health coverage, but not all do.
• Private insurance costs? Family insurance can range from $2,000 to $10,000 per year.
• Pre-existing conditions? Some countries deny coverage for pre-existing health issues.

📍Visa & Residency Costs

• Work visas often include fees for family members ($500-$2,000 per person in some countries).
• Renewal costs – Some visas require annual renewals, which can be expensive.

📍Cost of Relocation & Setting Up a Home

• Flights & Moving Costs – Shipping household items can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the country.

• Housing Deposits – Many landlords require 3-6 months’ rent upfront.

📍Currency Exchange & Financial Instability

• If an expat earns in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) but spends in a weaker one, they benefit.

• If the local currency fluctuates or weakens, expenses can suddenly rise, making it harder to maintain financial stability.

📍Taxes, Benefits & Savings

Many expats assume they will pay fewer taxes abroad, but some still owe taxes in their home country.

• The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income, meaning Americans working abroad must file US taxes even if they pay foreign taxes.

• Some European countries have high expat tax rates (e.g., France, Sweden).

• Low-tax countries (UAE, Singapore, Panama) allow expats to keep more of their salary.

📍Retirement & Long-Term Savings

• Some countries do not allow expats to contribute to national pension systems.
• Expats must set up private retirement plans, which can have higher fees and fewer benefits.
• Will the expat job offer pension contributions? If not, how will you save for retirement?

For more personalized guidance, it is highly recommended to speak to an expat financial advisor.

Pained by financial indecision?

Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.