Certificate of Coverage: The International Social Security Gap Nobody Talks About
Ask most HR or finance teams about Certificate of Coverage social security compliance for international assignments and you will hear one of two things. Either: “we handle that through payroll.” Or: “we have an A1 for EU travel.” Both answers are incomplete. And in a significant number of cross-border situations,… Read more about the International Social Security Insurance Certificate of Coverage (COC)
NHR Portugal: Complete Guide to NHR 2.0 Requirements
The NHR Portugal regime was, for more than a decade, one of Europe’s most attractive tax incentives for foreign residents. It drew retirees, remote workers, and high‑skilled professionals from around the world — particularly from the US and UK — thanks to its generous tax exemptions and flat‑rate structures. But… Read more about the NHR Portugal replacement 2.0 requirements
Tax in Dubai for Foreigners: What Expats Need to Know About UAE Tax Rules
Tax in Dubai for foreigners is often described as a “paradise” attracting many expats with zero personal income tax and a high standard of living aspirations. However, relocating to the UAE does not automatically make foreigners tax-free. While the UAE offers one of the most favourable tax environments globally, expats… Read more about tax in Dubai for foreigners and expats
Cross Border Tax Accountants & Consultants: What They Do and When You Need One
Searches for cross border tax accountants and cross border tax consultants have surged over the past year — and for good reason. More people are living, working, investing, or running businesses across multiple countries than ever before. With that comes a level of cross‑border tax complexity that local accountants —… Read more about cross‑border tax accountants and consultants
What Happens When Expat Tax Residence Is Assessed Retrospectively
Most organisations only discover they got their expat tax residence assumptions wrong months after the fact — when the tax authorities tell them. Employers in fact often assume expat tax residence is something they can determine proactively — a clean, forward‑looking assessment based on expected days, expected ties, and expected… Read more about expat tax residence
Most organisations do not pay much attention to business travellers and “accidental expats”. They believe often their biggest global mobility and cross-border working risks come from expatriates — the employees on formal assignments, with relocation packages, tax support, and structured documentation. In reality, expats are rarely the problem. The real… Read more about tracking business travellers, assignees and accidental expats
How Assignment Letters Quietly Create Tax Risk for Employers
The Hidden Tax Exposure Sitting Inside Your Assignment Letters Most organisations treat assignment letters as administrative paperwork — something HR drafts, Legal reviews, and employees sign. They’re rarely reviewed by tax, and almost never by someone who understands how tax authorities interpret cross‑border employment arrangements. That’s precisely why assignment letters… Read more about assignment letters and employer tax risk
Digital Nomad Visas: Employer Risks Behind Employee Requests
Requests from employees to work abroad under digital nomad visa arrangements are becoming increasingly common. Often framed as a personal lifestyle choice — with employees offering to “take care of everything themselves” — these requests are frequently underestimated by employers. In reality, agreeing to digital nomad visa arrangements can create… Read more about employer risks in digital nomad visa requests
What Triggers a Global Mobility Audit — And How Employers Invite One
Audit triggers are usually more common than many organisations and inviduals think. Yet, many are surprised when a global mobility audits occur in cross-border secondments. Often, it’s not about bad intent — it’s about patterns that invite scrutiny. For Heads of Tax, understanding why audits happen and how they arise… Read more about cross‑border tax audits
Why Decentralised Management of International Assignments Creates Hidden Risks
Introduction Many multinational organisations assume that local teams can manage international assignments autonomously, and that HQ oversight is only needed for complex moves. While decentralisation offers agility, it can obscure material compliance and operational risks. Heads of Tax, CFOs, and HR leaders should understand where these gaps appear — because… Read more about decentralised international assignments management risks
Why Expat Assignment Costs Rarely Match the Approved Budget
1. Why Initial Assignment Budgets Are Often Incomplete Visible Costs Are Only Part of the Picture Most assignment budgets focus on direct and visible costs, such as: Salary and assignment allowances Housing and cost-of-living adjustments Relocation and travel expenses Hidden Costs Are Often Excluded Indirect, variable, or jurisdiction-dependent costs frequently… Read more about expat assignment costs and budget risks
Tax Equalisation Isn’t a Policy — It’s a System (And Where It Breaks)
Many multinational employers implement tax equalisation thinking it’s simply a policy decision: “we will make sure our assignees pay no more than their home country tax.” While technically correct, tax equalisation is not a policy in isolation — it’s a complex system that relies on payroll, mobility, and tax processes… Read more about tax equalization policies and where they break down
When Short-Term Assignments Quietly Create Permanent Establishment (PE) Risks
Introduction Even the most carefully managed short-term assignments can create unexpected tax and compliance exposure. Many US and UK outbound employers assume that a brief overseas assignment — often under six months — is too short to trigger obligations. In practice, the combination of duration, activity type, and local interpretations… Read more about PE risks for short-term assignments
The complete guide on how to move to Japan on an intra-company transfer Are you planning to move to Japan on an intra-company transfer? Japan is a global business hub, and the intra-company transferee visa is a popular route for professionals relocating within multinational organizations. This comprehensive guide explains how to… Read more about how to move to Japan on an intra‑company transfer
Moving to the UK from the USA: tips for US expats on assignment
Moving from the USA to the UK on assignment? Find out what the immigration and tax implications are for both expat employees and employers.. As a US expat moving to the UK from the USA for a work assignment, navigating the complex world of immigration and international taxation can be… Read more about moving to the UK from the USA as an expat on assignment
SARP (Special Assignee Relief Programme) Ireland: Maximize Your Expatriate Tax Relief
Comprehensive Guide to SARP Tax Relief in Ireland The Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) is a tax relief initiative in Ireland designed to attract skilled employees from overseas to work in the country. Introduced initially by the Irish government as Section 825C into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, it applied… Read more about SARP in Ireland and expatriate tax relief
Remote Working: PE risks of a Home Office in a Foreign Country
Employees working from a home office in a foreign country? Have you considered the potential permanent establishment (PE) implications for the company in that country? Employees Working From Home Office Remotely Overseas: Permanent Establishment (PE) Implications for Employers The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated what was already a growing trend as a… Read more about PE risks from remote working and home offices abroad
Expatriate Management Process and Best Practices
Expatriate management best practices, risks and opportunities A good thought-through expatriate management process will no doubt significantly reduce the stress level for any company sending employees abroad and for the individuals themselves. Once employees to send abroad for a company’s international expansion needs (or perhaps because the employee has requested… Read more about the expatriate management process and best practices
Short Term Business Visitors (STBV): UK rules, reporting and compliance (incl. Appendix 4 exemption)
UK Short Term Business Visitors (STBV): guidance to stay compliant.. When it comes to short term business visitors (STBVs) to the UK, confusion can arise on whether or not there are any tax liabilities or reporting requirements to fulfil even for just short business trips. Often people may have heard… Read more about UK STBV rules, reporting and Appendix 4 compliance
What is hypothetical tax and how to calculate hypotax for expats in 7 steps
Hypothetical tax explained – what it is and how hypotax calculations work Hypothetical tax / hypotax is a concept we have already briefly touched upon in our previous article on shadow payrolls. However, from feedback received, we have decided to write a more in-depth article to explain in greater details… Read more about hypothetical tax and how to calculate hypotax for expats
What is a shadow payroll and when is it needed?
Find out what is a shadow payroll and how companies and individuals can benefit from it.. The question “what is a shadow payroll” comes up quite frequently in our conversations about working abroad with organisations and individuals. For this reason, we have decided to write this article with the aim… Read more about shadow payrolls and when they’re needed
A1 Certificate for short business trips in Europe
We often get asked whether or not an A1 certificate is needed when visiting a European country even if it is only for a short business trip. The regulations around posted workers and social security protocols can often be confusing and vary in their implementations in the various European countries. Organisations… Read more about A1 Certificates for short business trips in Europe
Germany per diem rates and how to manage employees travel expenses
One of the most frequently asked questions we get asked by our clients is how to manage employees travel expenses and Germany per diem rates. German regulations governing per diems, telecom expenses, hotel costs, meals reimbursements, mileage and so on, can often be confusing and different from an organization’s home-country… Read more about Germany per diem rates and managing employee travel expenses
Italy tax break scheme for impatriates (“Lavoratori Impatriati”)
What is the Italy impatriate tax break (in Italian “Lavoratori Impatriati”) According to Italian authorities (official courtesy translation of Lavoratori Impatriati rules here), the Italy impatriates tax break can be summarised as follows: It is a temporary subsidized taxation regime, recognized to workers who transfer their residence to Italy. ..in… Read more about Italy’s impatriate tax break scheme and expatriate tax relief
Expatriate tax regime in France (Régime Des Impatriés)
What is the expatriate tax regime (in France also known as “Régime Des Impatriés”) According to French authorities website, the expatriate tax regime in France can be summarised as follows: The tax scheme for expatriate employees provides for partial tax exemption for part of the income, expatriation bonuses and compensation… Read more about the expatriate tax regime in France (Régime des impatriés)
Beckham Law Spain – Special Tax Regime For Expats
The Beckham Law is a special Spanish tax regime that enables expats moving to Spain to pay a flat tax rate of 24% on their Spanish incomes.. Read more about Spain’s Beckham Law and the special tax regime for expats
The Dutch 30% ruling: what are the eligibility requirements, application process and how to apply
The Dutch 30% ruling What is the 30% ruling (also known as “30% facility”) The 30% ruling is a Dutch expatriate tax regime. It is designed to facilitate the hiring of employees with special skills or expertise from abroad to the Netherlands. Under application of the 30% ruling, the employer… Read more about the Dutch 30% ruling, eligibility requirements and how to apply
There is no doubt that remote working and home working arrangements were already a growing trend prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. A recent study published by PwC in the US into attitudes towards home working shows that the unintentional mass experiment which forced most of us to work from home… Read more about remote working across borders and key issues for international employers
Copyright© Global Mobility Tax Services 2026
16 Carlton Drive, London SW15 2BD, UK
The content on this website has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, nor should you rely on it for, legal, tax, or accounting advice in any jurisdiction. You should consult your own legal, tax, and accounting advisers as part of your international expansion and global mobility plans. Additional details can be found in our compliance statement.
Find out if you're leaving money on the table with our free 45-second assessment
✓ 100% confidential
Show Me My Risks