Going Global - Living and Working Abroad
Have you ever considered taking a job abroad? If so, you’re not alone, we asked just that question to over 4,000 legal professionals and 51% of candidates said that they would be willing to relocate overseas. We share the most popular locations, what difference age makes and cover some of the key potential benefits and downfalls of moving abroad.
What are the most popular locations?
Among 51% of our respondents who said they would be willing to relocate overseas, the most popular location was Europe (39%), followed by the Middle East (22%), North America (12%) and Australia (11%)
This huge interest in working abroad is reflected by what job seekers are looking at on TotallyLegal, with 35% of our total browsers (98% of whom are browsing from the UK) actively looking at jobs abroad. Here though, the Middle East is currently in first place for popularity, followed by Asia and Europe.
Does age make a difference to appetite for moving?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, candidates in the 25-34 age bracket had the greatest appetite for moving overseas, with 53% saying they would consider a role abroad. Interestingly, when looking at individual job titles, 77% of General Counsel would also consider relocating overseas.
The benefits and downfalls of moving abroad
One of the biggest potential benefits to living abroad is the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in a different culture; no matter how globally oriented you are, staying in one country will inevitably means you are more settled with a certain view of the world. Moving abroad can test your world view, making it an experience with the potential to be challenging yet hugely rewarding.
Getting set up and settled in will also take focus and energy, even more so if you have a family going with you. From learning a language, to getting around, to necessary work permits, to understanding the local customs, it’s important to identify everything you need to consider and there are many reputable companies which can help in this process.
In many jurisdictions, you can continue to practice English Law abroad with English Law practices found across Europe and the rest of the world. This includes the Middle-East where the majority of work is English-law governed.
Understanding the Financial and Tax implications can also be a headache and unless this is your specialist area, this is where third party advice and guidance can be invaluable. They will help you understand any continuing UK obligations as well as helping you take advantage of any tax relief your new location may bring.
Explore TotallyLegal’s jobs abroad today
