Real Families. Real Moves. Real Lessons.
Expat Stories
Moving countries as a family isn’t easy — and no two stories look the same. Here, we share grounded, honest stories from real people navigating life, money, and parenting across Europe.
Why We Share Stories
Facts help. But sometimes, what you really need is to feel seen.
Each of these stories is shared with full consent and anonymized where needed. They aren’t financial advice — just reflections from people walking a path like yours.
What You’ll Find Here
We spotlight stories across diverse experiences:
- Moving as a solo parent
- Navigating two tax systems with kids
- Relocating while pregnant
- Balancing cultural identity with practical logistics
- Dealing with emotional burnout during a cross-border move
- Learning to talk to children about instability, gently
Stories span countries like: Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, France, and more.
Sample Story Snippets
“When we moved from Italy to Germany, I thought the hardest part would be paperwork. It was actually helping my son feel safe in a new school. I learned to slow down and choose one emotional win per week.”
— Nina, relocated with 2 children
“We were doing great in France… until our rental fell through 10 days before the move. What saved us wasn’t money — it was a WhatsApp group of other moms who’d been there before.”
— Samira, UK to France
“There’s no way to sugarcoat the tax stuff. My partner and I had to redo everything after realizing we were both listed as ‘head of household’ in two countries. But now we know – and we talk about it before every job offer.”
— Anonymous, Sweden to Spain
Legal Disclaimer
Important Note
- These are personal stories, not financial or legal advice. Always consult a qualified advisor or your local tax authority when making decisions based on residency, benefits, or cross-border regulations.
- Stories are published with permission and lightly edited for clarity.
Where to Go Next: Blog Articles for Expat Banking
Emergency Fund for Expats in Europe: Your First Layer of Financial Security
Emergency Fund for Expats: How Much to Save in Europe (2025) Because surprise costs don’t stop just because you moved…
Financial Planning for Expats in Germany
Financial Planning for Expats in Germany: Complete Guide Living abroad comes with spreadsheets, not just suitcases. For families relocating to…
Best Expat Bank Account in Europe: 2026 Family Guide
How to Choose the Best Bank Account as an Expat Parent Because juggling currencies, apps, and fees shouldn’t be harder…
Want to share your story?
We’re always looking for honest, kind voices from the expat parenting world.
Submit your story anonymously or explore our planning tools to help you write your own chapter — with a little less stress.
