BritandDutchie

We're currently in the USA. Have EU passports. Want to move back with 2 kids.

We're looking at France, Holland, Germany or Switzerland.

Any pros to one location vs the other? I have noticed pay is much less than the USA, but maybe it works out OK with lower living costs. (rent is very high in this area, there are lower rent areas but the crime is high)

Language is less of a problem in Holland, 2nd would be german but that isn't a huge issue, as most code work is English anyway.

Thanks so much in advance!

RedDragon2008

I would also be interested in locations from a setting up of data centres perspective

dmu

Hi, from the point of view of unemployment rate and language, you should cross France off your list. You'd have stiff competition from bilingual French candidates for any jobs going, unless you set up your own business. It's not the moment to move to France without a job to come to, esp. with two children dependent on you. How old are they?
And even if your work is in English, you and the family will have to cope with the nitty gritty of actually living in a new country, coping with bureaucracy, the children's schooling, healthcare coverage, etc... It sounds as though you're happier with Germanic languages - disregard France!
Good luck with your decision!

mikelincs

Not being pedantic, but you can't have an EU passport, it's either UK, French, German etc, they are still sovereign countries. Also don't forget that many of these countries now require a certain level of income and that you have healthcare provisions in place to become residents, not citizens, just registered as residents. Would be a good idea to investigate if there are any of these requirements where you wish to move to.

dmu

I gathered from the user name that one is British and the other Dutch and that "EU" meant they were both European citizens, but you're right in saying that each country has its own laws and requirements and that they should investigate throroughly where to settle in the EU before taking the plunge.

BritandDutchie

Currently we work remote for US customers, have done so for over 7 years, bu if clients where to go bust, would be good to know there is new work around.

School isn't an issue really on our minds.

BritandDutchie

We can live anywhere in the EU we want unless some new law came about in the past 3 years. We've both lived in France, Belgium, NL, and UK (and USA) without an issue, why would it be an issue now?

Switzerland I know you need to apply for a permit but I read it is usually not an issue

mikelincs

For many of the EU countries, you now have to prove an income and that you have provisions for healthcare set up before you can register as residents. This is relatively recent and does apply to people moving within the EU. Until you register as residents you would find it difficult to get any official documentation and to do many things.

BritandDutchie

I've never had any issues in the past, I can't imagine it becoming so much more difficult! What happened to the agreements between countries for healthcare, forgot the name but it was a little plastic card.

I can't see say moving to Belgium and being deported back to the UK, I've never heard of anything like this, is there some new law?

BritandDutchie

Going off topic, I don't feel we will have any issue being "allowed" to live any where in the EU or Switzerland.

Which would be best though?

brioche

Sure you can have an EU passport, and it'll say so on the cover. They are of course issued by the member state of which the holder is a citizen, but are nonetheless evidence of EU citizenship:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen...European_Union

There are some non-EU British passports too, just to make things more complicated.

No, not if you're moving there to work.

Public provision of health care varies quite a bit between EU countries, so it's worth looking into this, and seeing if potential employers provide top-up insurance.

BritandDutchie

I must say I can't imagine anywhere in the EU with a worse healthcare system than we currently are experiencing in the USA

I didn't have an issue seeing a doctor in Paris or Brussels, this was 11 years ago, I'd suspect things got easier not worse?

We have our own business currently as long as we have wifi..... we're peachy. But want to be somewhere that there ARE good IT jobs in case my husband wants to get more work/new work. So say the middle of a no where won't work.

dmu

Please go into everything very carefully.
Things have changed in Europe since you lived here and, with all due respect, school SHOULD be an issue. Younger children can settle in a foreign school more easily if they're of Primary school age, but adolescents are a different matter, unless they go to an International School.

BritandDutchie

Can you tell me what has changed in the past 3 years then?

And schooling isn't your concern, it's not what I asked about either. What a warm welcome! I must say people who tell me "well they may not speak english there" when I speak of moving, maybe it's good, they can't argue then ay?

mikelincs

Sorry, yes, you have to show that you will have sufficient income every month, so need a job of some sort or be a pensioner. There is a right of movement within the EU, but that isn't an automatic right to become residents.