The EuRApean Spring 2025 by Dominic Tidey

The EuRApean

Wattisﬁeld

IP22 1NH +44 1379 640883

www.eura-relocation.com

Contributions on all aspects of mobility are welcomed for publication in the EuRApean. If you are a member of EuRA and would like to contribute news about your company please get in touch. Please contact Dominic Tidey, Managing Editor dominic@eura-relocation.com or Maria Manly, Editorial Consultant maria@eurarelocation.com

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in the EuRApean are not necessarily those of the publisher unless otherwise stated.

Notes from the Editor

It’s very nearly conference time again and we are all really looking forward to welcoming you to Zagreb. The teams at our venues are also gearing up to deliver what will be an excellent conference. Our programme is looking very solid, our moderators and speakers are working hard to make their sessions as interesting and relevant as possible and our teams are looking forward to a very busy and rewarding few days.

moving other events around to let us have our May dates.

The hotel is lovely and the team are great, however it is smaller than we are used to and this is why we have reduced our numbers from 825 in Vilamoura, to 650 in Zagreb. This is not something we did lightly! There is of course plenty of space in the ballroom for attending the sessions!

We have been working hard to manage the expectations of the event. If you don’t know, we had to switch venues at the last minute due to an unfavourable risk assessment and the Zagreb Sheraton have been amazing at accommodating such a large group at such short notice,

The upshot is that the networking spaces in the hotel will be very busy. We have researched the local area and have a map of cafes and bars nearby which you can download here. If you can’t find a space for a meeting, take a short walk, get some air, grab a coffee and a pastry in one of the many cafes in the local area. The theme of the conference is “Well-Being” and taking time away from the noise to walk and talk one to one with a colleague or a

friend, is something I strive to do when at other conferences around the world. Taking time, even 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle is something very powerful.

The Zagreb people have a strong affinity with taking time for coffee which is why Zagreb has so many wonderful “Kavana”, cafes and patisseries. Martina, our Zagreb based amazing fixer told me that it’s a daily ritual to meet with friends and colleagues away from work. This is not the Italian style stand-up fast espresso experience, this is a ritual for taking time and most people will spend at least an hour a day catching up over “Kava”.

So dive into the culture, take time, don’t overbook meetings, get outside, take a leisurely stroll and enjoy your few days in Zagreb.

Dom Tidey Managing Editor

Letter from the CEO

There is a great deal of uncertainty in the world at the moment and I know this is causing ripples of anxiety across our industry. One thing I have learned over my decades representing our amazing members is how resilient they are in the face of challenges. We don’t know what we don’t know and in the famous words of the serenity prayer, we need the strength to change the things we can, the serenity to accept the things we can’t and the wisdom to know the difference. Supporting our clients, or for me and my team, our members is where we focus all of our energies and that does not change.

I have recently been over to Zagreb to meet with the brilliant teams at our venues and they are excited to welcome us. Our overarching theme for the event will be Well Being and we are delighted that our partner charity this year will be Dom Nade Zagreb, who promote social inclusion among the homeless of the city. Homelessness has many causes. As Dom writes in his article about the charity, in most European countries a huge underlying factor is poor mental health. In England, 80% of homeless people report mental health issues which lead to substance misuse which can then lead to homelessness. Dom Nade work not just to help people get off the streets but to promote improvements in the homeless populations’ well being.

As we see protectionism and challenges to global trade growing around us along with geo-political instability and conflict, I have to look to what the EuRA family represents to stay positive. In Zagreb we will gather as we have for decades to meet with old friends, create business relationships, meet new people who by next years’ conference, will be new friends. The EuRA members are exceptional

Tad Zurlinden

people and it is a true privilege to work for them.

The upcoming event has a terrific programme and if you are one of the lucky 650 to have a ticket I urge you to take a look and block some time to attend. Our moderators and speakers are working hard at delivering the very best learning they can and our topic of well being is probably more important at this time than we thought when we designed the sessions.

We are limited to 650 this year because, as I’m sure you are aware, we moved venues at the last minute. The Zagreb Sheraton and it’s terrific team make for a great venue for us, but it is smaller than we are used to hence the limit on delegate numbers. I would ask you to take a good look at the App and check when you are asked for a meeting whether the person is registered. It isn’t fair that an unregistered delegate will take up valuable space in the bar of the hotel when everyone else has paid not just for their conference badge, but for their travel, accommodation and all the other expenses that go with attending an event like the EuRA Conference. It is a big chunk of change, an investment not just of money, but of time and energy. Myself and the team will be more determined than ever that this year that we prevent unregistered delegates from being in the hotel. But it’s also an investment in sharing and fun and we have two terrific events planned in terms our Gala and Party Nights.

On a practical note, we will be writing to all delegates with some of the initiatives we are working on to help people network effectively, including a daily early “Net-Walking” group around the lovely city to raise money for charity. Dom is also

working on putting together 20 minute “Walk and Talk” routes to help delegates get out of the hotel

into the fresh air to have meetings on foot so bring some comfortable shoes! The Zagreb citizens love nothing more than hanging out over coffee and cake, in fact it’s a daily ritual. Marina, our fixer in Zagreb maintains most people will do this twice a day for at least an hour as part of the working as well as social culture. Again, well being! There are many little coffee and cake shops within a ten minute walk of the hotel so use the guides, seek them out and get into the city for a meeting rather than just hanging out in the lobby, networking areas and bar which will be very busy.

There will be a chance to catch up with the work EuRA has been doing over the year after our opening session on Tuesday.

I’m deeply sorry to say that our amazing, energetic and brilliant Conference Host and MC Frances Edmonds cannot be with us this year due to personal circumstances but she will visit us virtually and is looking forward to joining us in 2026.

Take a look at the App, build your schedule and make some time for the sessions. One of the great bits of advice that came over loud and clear in our Newcomers Online Briefing recently was to give yourself time. Yes meetings are important, but so is your well being so take time to hang out, take a walk, get some air, see the city!

Letter from our President and Vice President

We’re just a few days away from one of the most anticipated events of the year—the EuRA Conference! Nearly 700 professionals from around the world will be gathering in the vibrant and historic city of Zagreb to connect, collaborate, and learn. Both the EuRA Team and the EuRA Executive Group are eagerly looking forward to welcoming you for an event that promises to be insightful, inspiring, and enriching.

This year, we are focusing on an essential and timely theme: Mental Health & Wellness. Our carefully curated agenda is packed with engaging sessions, hands-on workshops, and thought-provoking discussions designed to provide valuable takeaways for all attendees. While it’s tempting to ﬁll your schedule with back-to-back meetings, we encourage you to strike a balance. Make time to attend sessions, participate in workshops,

Sophie Rehberg - Managing Director Professional Organizing Relocation Consult Simon Robins - Business Development Director TTH Curzon

and immerse yourself in the thoughtfully planned social events. Some of the most meaningful moments happen in the spaces between formal meetings—those unexpected, organic interactions that strengthen professional relationships and foster new connections. Reﬂecting on the past year, we recognize that many of the challenges facing our industry remain. Geopolitical uncertainties, economic ﬂuctuations, and evolving immigration policies continue to shape our sector. In some cases, these challenges have become even more complex. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for us to remain connected, work collaboratively, and stay well-informed. The EuRA Executive Board and Team are committed to ensuring that our association continues to serve as a powerful advocate for its members. Through strategic partnerships with other

mobility industry organizations, we are making sure that our collective voice is heard at the highest levels, shaping policies and inﬂuencing discussions that impact us all. We also have exciting news to share! During the Opening Conference Session, EuRA will be unveiling a major development that we’ve been working on behind the scenes. We can’t wait to share this with you! So, as you prepare for Zagreb, keep in mind that this event is more than just a conference; it’s a chance to recharge, gain new perspectives, and build lasting connections. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing what promises to be an incredible experience together! See you soon in Zagreb!

EuRA Global Quality Seal+ Update

You may or may not be aware of the changes we have made to the EGQS+ process. At the end of last year, we ended our relationships with our external audit partners and brought the system entirely in house.

There were three reasons for doing this.

“Please be aware that it is not just EuRA’s relocation providers who are eligible to undertake the Seal. It is also open to all Supplier Members!”

communication with members and at the same time increase efficiency. Maree Barnes who is our EGQS+ Lead now handles all of this and has a great job in streamlining the system.

The third reason was address the issue of auditors being appointed by the audit partner who were unfamiliar with our industry. We now have 6 auditors, led by our Lead Auditor Jochen Muskalla who are all experienced in auditing the EGQS+ and in our industry and how it works.

Firstly, we want to have control over the administration of the programme. One of the issues we most commonly heard reported by EGQS Holders was the confusing and sometimes inaccurate communication concerning audit planning. Our brilliant Project Manager Martina Scharwey designed a process flow that we could implement internally to improve

The second reason was to ensure that the process remains cost effective. We have reduced the costs by implementing the remote audit system as well as reducing costs by not outsourcing and removing those extra fees. For the vast majority of EGQS+ holders, recertification costs have dropped by up to 50%.

During the Zagreb Conference, we will holding open drop in sessions with the whole team.

Myself and Martina will be on hand to answer questions throughout the event. We will have our brilliant mentors on hand to guide you through how they can help you start the process of getting certified.

Our Lead Auditor Jochen will also be on hand to help with any queries to do with getting audit ready, to what actually happens during the the adult itself.

In the last edition, we published the results of our annual satisfaction survey, drawn from a questionnaire sent to all certified members and yet again they were overwhelmingly positive about their experiences. They also told us where we could improve and what we

may need to add to the system.

Just last week Martina asked our auditors how they felt the system was working and they too gave us some excellent feedback, both on the success of the new system and on ways we can continue to improve.

They rated the new process overall 4.5 out of 5.

“The audit process is really simple”

“Overall, I find the new EuRA GQS+ Audit Process to be very well-structured, efficient, and beneficial for both auditors and EuRA members. The planning, administration, documentation process, communication, and overall information flow are wellorganized, allowing for a smooth audit experience.”

“What I really appreciate about the new EuRA GQS+ Audit Process is how it balances structure with flexibility. While we still follow the criteria and checklist, the process gives auditors more room for professional judgment, making it feel less like a rigid tick-box exercise and more like a meaningful evaluation.”

“Another key advantage is the direct communication it allows with EuRA members, enabling faster responses and more immediate feedback after the document analysis and final report. This not only streamlines the process but also makes the audit experience more collaborative and efficient for everyone involved.”

One excellent area pointed out for improvement is changing the process so that the auditor can see previous audit report. We of course cannot keep any audit details on file as these are 100% confidential between the member company and the auditor. But in the preaudit document review, the auditor will now ask to see the previous audit report given to the member.

“This will enable auditors to verify past findings and assess how effectively any identified issues have been addressed. “

So if you would like to join the ranks of members who really benefit from the EGQS+, we are aiming to introduce more support to help you get started in 2025. Don’t forget our two brilliant mentors, Åse Löfgren Gunsten and Michéle Bramstoft who are available

at no charge to help you get started, set milestones with you and guide you through the process. You can get full details here.

You will also become a Premium Member. This brings some significant advantages such as early access to event bookings, a discounted conference rate and next year we will phasing in free to access MIM+ training for Premium Members.

So if you need any help to get started you can contact Maree Barnes who will give you everything you need.

Dom Tidey EuRA COO

EuRA Global Quality Seal+

Newly Certiﬁed and Re-certiﬁed Members

Congratulations to our newly certified and re-certified EuRA Global Quality Seal Members

Newly Certiﬁed

Dwell Relocation Ghana - Dec-24

Newly Recertiﬁed

Pathﬁnder Relocation Services - Apr-25

Relocation AS - Mar-25

IKAN Relocation Services - Mar-25

Helma International - Mar-25

Eres Relocation - Mar-25

Clapham Relocation Services - Feb-25

EER Middle East - Feb-25

Training and Mentoring

There is a full module in the EuRA Academy

Free to all members. This module of ﬁve components covers everything you need to know about setting up a process management system. You'll learn how to build your Quality Manual and how to implement all the required policies to ensure you're completely compliant for the future. Following these three (free to EuRA Members) modules will simplify the process, led by a true expert in quality management.

When we asked members earlier this year, 65% said they wanted to undertake the process but 70% said the main barrier to undergoing certiﬁcation was lack of internal resources and time. We have just implemented a Mentoring programme to help members get started and stay on track. In 2025 we will be developing live clinics with certiﬁed members and our SC

Reloko Ltd - Feb-25

Palladium Mobility Group - Feb-25

Wilde Relocation - Jan-25

Map Relocations (Anywr Belgium) - Jan-25

Home Conseil - Jan-25

Prime Relocation LLC -Jan-25

Executive Relocations France - Dec-24

Icon Relocation - Dec-24

Martina Scharwey as well as peer to peer help on LinkedIn. If you haver an idea that would help you to get started please let us know, we want to give members as much assistance as possible to join the ranks of our Premium Members.

To access the full training module, click here.

To learn more about becoming a Premium Member and our Mentoring programme, click here.

The EuRA E-Book!

We are working hard to get Relocation Recognition and one way of doing this along with our YouTube Brieﬁngs and Virtual Summit sessions is by putting together an E-Book with anecdotes that really show the great value of what we do in our industry! If you have a tale to tell that you would like to see in print, just let us know!

We’ll be running podcast interviews in Zagreb which we will transcribe into the book so if you have a story to tell come and ﬁnd Dom Tidey or make an appointment in advance - dominic@eura-relocation.com

All Things Legal… April 2025 Gordon Kerr

Gordon Kerr

EuRA Strategic Consultant Legal gordonkerr@gklegal.co.uk

Since resuming his White House residency in January, President Trump has been making a lot of noise on the world stage, much of it very uncomfortable to European (and Canadian!) ears.

More quietly, his torrent of Executive Orders covers vast swathes of territory, and that includes some announcements which impact on the services delivered by relocation businesses. Leaving aside the huge issue of immigration controls, I highlight below two areas where the “Trump effect” may have consequences for our industry:

• Suspension of enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

• Suspension of operations of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.

Moving on from the “noise” of Washington, a welcome move from the UK Government is the stepping up of action against those big companies who will happily boast of their ESG credentials while being consistent late payers of their hardpressed suppliers. This is an age-old problem within our industry, so all steps to tackle the issue are very welcome. See more below.

It seems clear that AI will play an increasing role in the operations of relocation businesses, but the ﬂipside is the additional sophistication of cyber-attacks which AI offers to criminals. One spectacular example is described below.

Finally, I am highlighting EuRA’s plans to introduce GDPR certiﬁcation for members – at a fraction of the cost charged by consultancy ﬁrms!

If there is a particular legal topic that you would like me to cover in a future edition of The EuRApean, please let me know.

The “Trump effect” on the relocation industry

Two announcements from the Trump administration, which have gone largely unnoticed, could have implications for relocation management services.

Firstly, the President signed an Executive Order freezing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), describing it as a “horrible law”. This coincides with the latest annual corruption index, compiled by Transparency International, showing the USA slipping down the anti-corruption rankings to 28th place. Denmark remains the world’s least corrupt country, followed by Finland and Singapore.

but in practicality, it's a disaster. It's going to mean a lot more business for America." (In fact, most US businesses liked the FCPA: it enabled them to resist extortion.)

By contrast, Transparency International said Trump's order "diminishes - and could pave the way for completely eliminatingthe crown jewel in the US's ﬁght against global corruption".

An example of the FCPA in action was the $3bn settlement payment, in 2020, by Goldman Sachs after its Malaysian subsidiary admitted in a US court that it had paid more than $1bn in bribes to win work raising money for the Malaysian state-owned wealth fund.

The FCPA has been in place for around 50 years and prohibits US companies from trying to retain or win new business with other countries by bribing government ofﬁcials. But, according to Trump, “ﬁghting corruption harms US competitiveness and national security. It sounds good on paper

Legislation such as the FCPA and the Bribery Act (UK) have required relocation companies to take reasonable steps to ensure that their foreign suppliers are not paying bribes to customs ofﬁcials, immigration ofﬁcers etc. It remains to be seen if these global steps to stamp out corruption will no longer apply to US corporations.

The second White House announcement affecting our industry

is slightly more obscure. President Trump has decided to withdraw Republican members from the US Privacy Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB). This leaves the Board without a quorum and unable to operate.

This matters because the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, which allows personal data to ﬂow freely from Europe to the US, relies on a functioning PCLOB. Without the Board’s oversight role, other than for a temporary pause, there is a real danger that the EU could suspend the Data Privacy Framework. In turn this would cause real admin hassles for the many relocation businesses which currently rely on regular data transfers to the US.

Calling out persistent late payers

payments. Various government initiatives to remedy the problem often seem to have little practical effect, so the latest measures just announced by the UK Government are likely to be met with some scepticism about their “real world” impact.

Here are the main measures:

• UK Government contracts: from 1 October 2025, businesses bidding for larger government contracts will be expected to have paid their own suppliers within an average of 45 days.

• Further transparency/scrutiny measures: all larger businesses will require to publish payment performance data in their annual reports. For example, the total sum of invoices paid (i) within 30 days; (ii) in 31 to 60 days; and (iii) in 61 days or more

Working with large, multi-national clients brings many beneﬁts, but a common complaint in our industry continues to be the issue of late

• Small Business Commissioner (SBC): the SBC will provide a route for smaller businesses to make complaints and it has in the past "named and shamed" businesses which it considers have a poor record on late payment; high proﬁle examples include Holland & Barrett, BUPA and Zurich Insurance.

On a global basis, late payment is increasingly being viewed as an ESG issue, with businesses that take

a long time to pay now being seen as "bad corporate citizens". As for the latest UK initiatives, the SBC has issued some strong words: “It’s not fair to use your power to push the smaller supplier into accepting long payment terms in your contracts. It’s not fair that your procurement department should tell a supplier that they’ll be paid in 30 days when the company has long, convoluted approvals processes, or a single payment run each month, that means the supplier won’t get paid for 90 days. 30 must mean 30 days from the day the invoice is submitted to the customer, or the contractual negotiations have misled the supplier.”

Let’s hope that these words have an impact.

Artiﬁcial Intelligence: are you listening to your Finance Director or a “deep-fake”?

The cyber security landscape is constantly evolving, with new forms of sophisticated cyber-attacks targeting ﬁnancial and conﬁdential information. Even well-protected businesses can fall victim to determined cyber criminals. The harsh reality is that cyber criminals have been quick to adopt various forms of new AI technology to their advantage.

The impact of AI is illustrated by a cyber-attack on Arup, a multinational design and engineering consultancy. In January 2024, an Arup Hong Kong employee was invited to a video conference with the ﬁrm’s CFO and other colleagues, during which the CFO instructed the employee to transfer HK200m (EUR25m) to several local bank accounts. The employee left the video call and completed the transactions only to later discover that they had never actually spoken to the CFO or any other colleagues.

The video call participants had been deep-fakes: video impersonations created by an AI system using publicly available video and audio footage to resemble the CFO and other staff. The entire interaction was an elaborate, targeted cyberattack to defraud the company. Similar attacks have been carried

out on many professional ﬁrms (law ﬁrms are a particular target) and similar risks apply to those relocation businesses which routinely make substantial bank transfers (e.g. for house purchases and tenancy deposits).

According to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the likely short-term impact of AI on cybercrime, includes:

• AI will signiﬁcantly improve the success of phishing attacks (that deliver ransomware and other malware), particularly through generative AI

• AI will generate malware capable of evading detection by current security ﬁlters

• AI’s ability to quickly summarise data will likely enable cyber attackers to identify and target high-value assets, amplifying the damage caused by attacks in the next two years

• Most sophisticated attacks are likely to come from “highly capable state actors” with the resources and data necessary to create their own AI models

• AI tools will be used to attack organisations in completely new ways (the Arup example)

Clearly, these are worrying predictions and I think it’s worth repeating here the 3 key takeaways

(on minimising security risks) from February’s EuRA Brieﬁng:

• Implement cybersecurity measures

• Firewalls, antivirus software and detection systems

• Regularly updated and patched

• Educate employees

• Phishing scams and safe email practices

• Conduct regular back-ups

• Encrypted backups of critical data stored ofﬂine or in a separate, secure network

GDPR

certiﬁcation to be issued by EuRA

At the upcoming Zagreb conference, EuRA will be launching its new GDPR Compliance Certiﬁcate. I believe that this Certiﬁcate will be of great value to

EuRA members, providing independent evidence that a ﬁrm is GDPR-compliant.

Where compliance gaps are found to exist, EuRA will provide the necessary support to help the firm fill these gaps and to obtain certification. This package of support will be provided at a lower cost to members than the fees normally charged by external consultants.

The assessment involves 4 steps:

• Your ﬁrm completes a questionnaire which provides a description of the types of personal data which the ﬁrm collects and processes

• You provide EuRA’s assessor with copies of your GDPR documents (e.g. privacy notices, data protection policy etc) and an overview of your data security measures

• Your ﬁrm’s compliance is measured against the GDPR requirements

• A report is issued to you, identifying any compliance gaps and how to remedy these. Subject to completing any required remedial actions, your ﬁrm is issued with EuRA’s GDPR Compliance Certiﬁcate

Having worked with many member ﬁrms on GDPR issues, I am looking forward to acting as EuRA’s assessor in the initial roll-out of this new service. One of the Zagreb “legal clinics” will be devoted to the topic. I hope to see you there!

If you need advice on these or any other legal issues affecting your business, please feel free to contact me.

The Legal & Tax Report is produced for The EuRApean by Gordon Kerr, EuRA’s Strategic Consultant - Legal Services. Gordon can be contacted at gordonkerr@gklegal.co.uk.

Gordon will be running 2 drop in sessions at the Zagreb Conference and the MIM+ Module “Legal Compliance in Mobility” is free to all members until mid-May - https:// www.eura-relocation.com/ mim-learning

MIM Update April 2025

We are currently working with our fantastic website designers on a new site and CRM, but they are also doing so much more!

Over the coming months they will be doing a full review of EuRA brand consistency and this gives us the perfect opportunity to redesign the MIM Fixed Syllabus Programme. We will be updating the four Modules and Carmelina our Consultant for Education will be reviewing what topics will be covered in the foundation programme as well as what we will be concentrating on in MIM+. She will also be reviewing the Coaching Approaches in Mobility programme

As a result we will be taking those modules affected by the re-brand ofﬂine to complete these updates from May 12-19 this year.

Free To Access

In the run up to Zagreb we have made the module “Legal Compliance in Mobility” free to access up to midMay. Our brilliant Primary Trainer Gordon Kerr will be running two Legal Update session during the conference and anyone wanting to attend would beneﬁt from going through this training. The coupon codes for free access are on the website. Remember you need to be logged in to access that page. The

module is worth 50 credits towards you MIM certiﬁcations at all levels.

Coming Soon

Working in the Supply Chain is in development and will tie in with our Supply Chain workshop in Zagreb. We will be launching that live and free to access from mid May.

We will also be looking at developing training to help members use our Carbon Calculator which we hope to launch with the Coalition for Greener Mobility Partners later this year.

Licensing

From last year, we have been charging a nominal amount to access the Modules themselves. Access to each module now costs €50. Access to the quiz also costs €50 so each module will cost a total of €100 to qualify.

However we are developing a licence scheme for members to access the Academy which will reduce those costs, so if you have several team members that you would like to put through the programme, please just contact us and we can work out a year long licence at a discounted rate. Full details to follow

So if you are planning to put your team through MIM and or MIM+ and CAM Certiﬁcations, contact us so we can create a licence for you to enable your teams to participate at lower costs.

Martina Scharwey our Consultant for Quality has updated the “Introduction to the EuRA Global Quality Seal” which is 100% free for all members to certify and gain 50 credits towards MIM and MIM+ certiﬁcation.

All the amazing content in the Academy is accessible for just €50 for modules and €50 for Quizzes. Non-members pay €250 to access a Module and a Quiz.

Our current MIM+ Programme consists of:

• Legal Compliance in Mobility

• Achieving Business Growth

• You are Your Brand

• Collaboration in the Next Normal

• Coaching Approaches in Mobility, four modules

• Sustainability in Mobility

• Sustainability; A Company Wide Approach

• Introduction to the EGQS

• Anti-Money Laundering

• Duty of Care

Coming soon;

• Working in the Supply Chain

The Maddalena Michieli Scholarship Fund

In Seville we launched the Maddalena Michieli Scholarship Fund to help individuals to join the industry. Throughout her professional life Maddalena placed a great emphasis on the enabling her teams through training and we are delighted that we have had six people successfully graduate from the Academy thanks to the programme. Full details are on the Education Page of the website.

Don’t forget you can mix and match modules to suit your learning needs and gain your credits to get your qualiﬁcations.

Below are downloadable guides with everything you need to know;

• Guide to Qualifying with EuRA

• Routes to Qualifying Explained

Upcoming Mobility Events

2025 FIDI Conference, Dubrovnik April 27 - 30

International Relocation Congress, Zagreb 5-8 May

Regional Summit, Singapore 27-28 May

CERC 2025 Annual Conference, Calgary 14-16 September

Asia Talent Alliance Mobility Conference, Singapore 24-25 September

IAM 63rd Annual Meeting & Expo, New York 24-27 October

Global Workforce Symposium, Salt Lake City 28-31 October

ARP Conference & Awards Gala, Southampton 20 November

ARP Christmas Lunch, London 5 December

International Relocation Congress 2026, 27-30 April

Zagreb 2025 Conference Programme

For full details and Speaker Bios go to the Conference App

Monday 5th May

15:00 - 16:00 EGQS+ Update

Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Split 1st Floor

Moderator; Martina Scharwey

• Join Martina as she takes the group through the changes that have been made to the 2025 EGQS+ Quality Standard

16:00 - 17:00 Premium Members & Sponsors Reception (Invitation Only)

Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Split 1st Floor

• Join the whole EGQS+ team for a celebration of our EGQS+ Holders! Our Project Director Martina Scharwey, Mentors Åse Löfgren Gunsten and Michèle Bramstoft, Lead Auditor Jochen Muskalla will be there to toast you!

17:00 - 17:45 Newcomers Reception

First Floor Gallery

18:00 - 19:00 Speed Networking Ballrooms A&B Lobby

• Join us for our fast and popular Speed Networking session! Come early as it will be ﬁrst come ﬁrst seated as we are limited to 200 delegates.

Tuesday 6th May

07:15 - 08:00 Net-Walking Tour of Zagreb (€5 charge all proceeds to our Zagreb charity) Meet in the Sheraton Lobby

• Join the group for a 45 minute walking tour around the streets and parks of the Lower Town.

10:00 - 11:00 Conference Opening Ballrooms A&B

Moderator; Tad Zurlinden EuRA CEO

Speakers; Sophie Rehberg EuRA President, Simon Robins EuRA VP, Ben Jones Simply London

11:00 - 11:30 Morning Coffee

11:30 - 12:15 Session - EuRA Update Ballrooms A&B

Moderator; Tad Zurlinden EuRA CEO

12:15 - 12:30 Session - AGM Ballrooms A&B

Moderator; Tad Zurlinden EuRA CEO

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

All the ﬁlmed sessions will be available on YouTube during the summer.

14:00 - 15:00 Session - Dealing with Adversity; Navigating Challenges in Relocation & Immigration Ballrooms A&B

Speakers; Dana Pick, Tracy Kautzmann, Manon Dumas, Daniel Drenger

• In an industry shaped by constant change, professionals often face unexpected challenges—whether personal, professional, or global. This panel brings together industry experts to share real-life stories of resilience, from navigating workplace toxicity and professional setbacks to coping with crisis situations like war and economic uncertainty. Through candid storytelling, panelists will explore themes of betrayal, powerlessness, and frustration, while also highlighting the lessons learned and the strength gained in adversity. Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking discussion on overcoming obstacles, adapting to change, and ﬁnding empowerment in difﬁcult times.

15:00 - 15:30 Afternoon Tea

15:30 - 16:30 Session - Addressing Mental Health and Wellness – Innovative Solutions from Around the World Ballrooms A&B

Speakers; Susan Ginsberg, Brenda Levis, Irina Yakimenko, Sylvie Schmit-Verbrugghen, Diwaker Gupta

• We are amidst a mental health crisis. Highlighting the importance of developing mental health and wellness solutions worldwide serves multiple purposes, from raising awareness and education to elevating employee engagement, sparking innovation, and promoting cultural exchange. This frank discussion provides a comprehensive understanding of how diverse cultures approach mental health and offers practical solutions that can be adapted to various contexts to improve overall well-being, quality of life, and employee engagement.

18:30 - 20:30 Welcome Reception Conference Areas, Ground Floor and First Floor

Wednesday 7th May

07:15 - 08:00 Net-Walking Tour of Zagreb (€5 charge all proceeds to our Zagreb charity) Meet in the Sheraton Lobby

• Join the group for a 45 minute walking tour around the streets and parks of the Lower Town.

09:30 - 15:30 EuRA Corporate Housing Summit

Panorama Suite, Westin Hotel

• Buses will leave the Sheraton at 09:00

10:00 - 12:30 - MIM Coaching Session (Pre-Registered Delegates Only)

Imperial Room Conference Lobby

Trainer; Dr Carmelina Lawton Smith, EuRA SC Education

• In this two and a half hour workshop we will explore the current understanding of the concept of ‘WellBeing’ in the organisational context. It will be a highly interactive session where delegates will be asked to share their knowledge and experience of the area, discussing challenges and potential solutions. Participants will be directed to further resources that they may wish to follow up. The same workshop will be run twice, in the morning and afternoon, to enable delegates to schedule the most convenient time to attend the full session as attendees should plan to join for the whole period in order to avoid disrupting table discussion groups. Places will be allocated on a ﬁrst come ﬁrst served basis.

10:00 - 12:30 Workshop - Immigration Ballrooms A&B

• Panel 1: Navigating change in Immigration - Exploring regional changes in immigration laws and policies and what effect the current geopolitical landscape is having on global immigration. The panel will also suggest practical considerations for global mobility professionals in this new chapter for the industry.

• Panel 2: Immigration Compliance - Why it matters and the risks of falling short - Why is it important and what are the consequences if we fail to comply? How can we ensure we remain compliant and what impact will digitisation have across the sector?

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

13:00 - 14:00 Legal Workshop

Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Split 1st Floor Speaker; Gordon Kerr EuRA SC Legal

• Legal Workshop 1 - Complying with the GDPR Gordon Kerr will provide an overview of how a relocation business should comply with the GDPR and answer questions on data privacy and cyber security issues. This will also be an opportunity to learn about EuRA's new GDPR Compliance Certiﬁcate.

14:00 - 15:30 Workshop - Value Chain / Supply Chain

Ballroom AB

• Session 1: Becoming a Successful Global Mobility Supplier - This session will provide valuable insights for aspiring global mobility service providers. Learn how to effectively position your services, develop a strong marketing and sales strategy, and increase your visibility within the industry. We will explore key strategies for generating leads, building relationships, networking with potential clients, and successfully managing RFIs and RFP requests.

• Session 2: Maintaining Success as a Global Mobility Supplier - This session will focus on best practices for maintaining long-term success as a trusted global mobility supplier. We will discuss strategies for successful onboarding and implementation, effective issue resolution and escalation procedures, and techniques for managing ﬂuctuations in demand. Learn how to build strong client relationships, enhance service delivery, and ensure continued success in the competitive global mobility market.

14:00 - 16:30 - MIM Coaching Session (Repeated)

Imperial Room Conference Lobby

Trainer; Dr Carmelina Lawton Smith, EuRA SC Education

• This is a repeat of the session that took place this morning.

15:30 - 16:00 Afternoon Tea

16:00 - 17:30 Workshop - Well Being Ballrooms A&B

This year we are recognising the importance of our own mental health and wellbeing more than ever. The subject of wellbeing will not be a new one to you and your business. But how often do we focus on the wellbeing of the individuals and families that we are relocating, compared to how much we are focusing on the people who look after them? It is time to put your mask on ﬁrst! Join us for an interactive workshop where we will focus on you, and your wellbeing.

Hear from industry leaders from all over the world who will exchange their perspectives, experiences, and solutions, with practical tips you can start using straight away! This interactive discussion is geared towards individuals, managers, and business owners supporting colleagues, friends, loved ones, and most importantly themselves. We will be discussing

How to monitor and manage the wellbeing of your remote team

Rewiring your mind - Understanding NLP (Natural Language Processing)

· The power of Anchors

Practical techniques for emotional wellbeing – recognising all of our emotions and responding to them, rather than ignoring them

The power of movement, what walking in the pandemic taught us

· Your tips – what have you done in the last 12 months?

Come ready to be inspired, come ready to learn, and be prepared to leave with more tools to manage your wellbeing than you came in with!

19:00 Buses to Gala Dinner

Gastro Globus

Thursday May 8th

07:00 - 08:00 Net-Walking Tour of Zagreb Meet in the Sheraton Lobby

10:00 - 11:00 Session - State of the Industry - What’s Happening Globally? Ballrooms A&B

• The exact contents of this session will be published closer to the date.

11:30 - 12:30 Session - Decision Making and AI Ballrooms A&B

AI is revolutionising the world, but does that mean humans are becoming obsolete? This session explores how AI is reshaping the relocation industry, not by replacing professionals, but by empowering them. Our expert panellists will share real world applications, debunk AI myths, and reveal how relocation providers and global mobility teams can leverage AI to enhance decision making, efﬁciency, and the customer experience. Don't miss this insightful discussion on why those who embrace AI will lead the future of mobility.

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

13:00 - 14:00 Legal Workshop

Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Split 1st Floor

Speaker; Gordon Kerr EuRA SC Legal

• Legal Workshop 2 - Negotiating Contracts with Clients and Suppliers - Gordon Kerr will provide an overview of relocation contract terms and explain why some contract clauses can damage your business. This is also an opportunity to raise and discuss your concerns about the contract terms which clients may attempt to impose in their standard agreements.

14:00 - 15:00 Session - Ignite

Ballrooms A&B

• 5 minutes, 20 slides, 15 seconds per slide! Join our intrepid band of Igniters for this ever popular session.

• 15:00 Afternoon Tea

15:30 - 16:30 Keynote Closing Speaker

Ballrooms A&B

Speaker; Paul Krismer

• Executive Leader and Positive Psychology Expert - After more than 20 years as a leader of leaders—Paul brings his practical expertise in business to his passion for organisation development, positive psychology and employee engagement to the forefront with his inspirational speeches and workshops. Paul is in his element when speaking about innovative culture change, succession planning, and the cultivation of high-performance teams. All of Paul’s work is grounded in the science of positive psychology.

16:30 - 17:00 Conference Closing & 2026 Destination Reveal

19:00 Buses to Party Night

Clubbing in Croatia Dinner & Disco Stil Event

Feature: EuRA Foundation Our Croatia Charity

Dom Nade Zagreb Dom Tidey

As you’re probably aware, each year we ask you to support a local charity based in the conference location.

This year our main theme is Well Being and we have worked with our venues to select Dom Nade Zagreb to fund raise for.

We will be raising money to support the work of the amazing team who run the House of Hope Homeless Day Shelter, the only one of its kind in Zagreb, where they provide both physical and emotional support to the people they are working with. A huge component of homelessness is driven by mental health problems. In England for example 85% of the homeless population suffer with mental health issues. Think about that for a minute. Suffering with depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia or other mental health issues is hard enough to navigate. Throw in having nowhere to live, feeling disenfranchised from society and the light at the end of the tunnel gets further and further away.

The work of the House of Hope centres around psychosocial support. The House works with the Croatian Institute for Social Work to support the practical and emotional needs of the service users including well being and a special emphasis on the problems faced through social exclusion.

The mission of the Association is;

“Helping those in need until it is no longer necessary while respecting the values of humanism, altruism, philanthropy, empathy, inclusivism, equality and fairness for all, tolerance and tolerance, appreciation of diversity, respect for others and those who are different.”

The service users experience a great deal of trauma and know the absolute urgency of the work of the Association;

”When I arrived a year ago, I was a mess: depressed and without any sense of purpose in life. Thank you for showing me that I am not completely useless. Thank you for never giving up and for recognizing something in me that I don't even recognize in myself. Thank you simply for existing.”

”If this place closes, I’ll either completely ‘go down’ or I’ll pull through. It’s quite possible I’ll end up in a canal somewhere…”

The Association is actively looking for new premises and this is what we are raising money for. There has been a big increase in the numbers they are helping and they urgently need a larger space, suitable for both residential and business use close to the tram. They are always raising money for the work they do, for food, clothing, or the ﬁnancial resources necessary obtaining ID cards for example.

Any money we raise will be directly helping to improve the well being of a population of people in very great need.

Founders Danijel Vuga & Marijana Ivanić Vuga

EuRA’s YouTube Channel

#eurabrieﬁng #eurapresents

We’re running EuRA Briefings each quarter and they’re really popular! They’re available for members to join and only to members On Demand for the first month before being made public on our YouTube channel. You can also find all of our conference sessions on the channel so take a look!

EuRA Brieﬁngs & Interviews - All on our YouTube Channel

• Mergers & Acquisitions P1

• EGQS 2025 Update

• MIM Duty of Care Interviews

• MIM Managing International Assignments Interviews

• The Coalition for Greener Mobility Update

• Well Being and Mobility Brieﬁng

• Corporate Housing Catch Up Brieﬁng

• All the Vilamoura Conference Content

And coming up:

• Zagreb Brieﬁng

• Legal and Contracts Brieﬁng

You can watch them all on our YouTube Channel Please subscribe to the channel and helps us grow awareness of our industry online!

“The Power Of Local”

Things might be done a little differently in Brussels than in Bahrain, but, in all reality, we are all faced with the same challenges. From changing client proﬁles to a shortage of affordable properties, the highs and lows of the global mobility industry are universal.

It’s precisely this shared experience that makes the EuRA Conference such an essential event in the mobility calendar. The perfect time to catch up with colleagues we mostly see by video link, learn from one another’s experiences, and openly share best practices and thought leadership on a wide variety of topics.

And just as EuRA delivers members an unrivalled experience, so do our national associations. They help us grow as businesses and as individuals. When it comes to ensuring consistent levels of professionalism, service, and ethical practices, the ﬁrst place to turn for advice is your national association.

Member meetings – whether inperson or online – not only mean excellent networking, but they also offer industry insights, training, and information relevant to both the local and global markets, ensuring we as service providers can give our assignees and their employers the

By Fiona Klomp

best possible experience. More importantly, associations play an essential role in promoting and supporting the relocation industry.

Most associations, ABRA – the Association of Belgian Relocation Agents included, were founded to provide members with a professional framework within which they can grow and develop. Yet industry recognition remains elusive. As a sector, we are consistently overlooked and undervalued by corporates and legislators alike.

A quick online search tells us that real estate agents in the UK represented a £13.3bn market share in 2024. And an informal enquiry by the ARP in 2021 revealed that the UK relocation industry can conservatively be estimated to represent 8bn market share. Does this mean our associations are falling short when it comes to achieving industry recognition?

Not quite.

From the inaugural meeting between national associations in Vilamoura in 2024 to the ofﬁcial registration of the Coalition for Associations in Global Mobility as a legal entity this March 12th, we’re pulling together. Never

before have our various associations been so aligned in aim and ambition.

“It’s been one of my long term goals to foster and promote the national and international associations working together. As part of my role within the ARP, I’ve been so happy to work with ABRA and the other national bodies. In some ways we can achieve more on a national level than the larger international associations can. In the ARP we have run a successful lobbying group for some years now with the aim of streamlining tax and immigration rules for assignees. The creation of the Coalition for Associations in Global Mobility is a great way forward. It came about with regard to sustainability but we have some great ideas of how together we can improve visibility, communication and education for our diverse memberships.” Tad Zurlinden, EuRA & ARP CEO

And we’re looking forward to all the opportunities these close collaborations are set to bring.

It's why, as ABRA, we’ve decided to open this year’s member meetings to

our neighbouring colleagues from the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Germany. To strengthen the ties between our associations and our members. So we can learn from and support each other even better. The challenges are universal, we believe the solutions will be too.

Of course, we can’t do any of it without you, our members. We need your active participation as you give us direction. Your concerns are our concerns, and we need to know how to serve you best. We believe achieving industry recognition is an important step forward. And you can help us do so by taking part in EuRA’s annual relocation survey.

The aim is not to look inside your business, but to uncover the economic value our sector represents. Solid ﬁgures that will help us convince governments, the press, and the public that the relocation industry deserves its place on the global and local stage. So keep an eye on your inbox, your participation is crucial. We know how much value our members bring to international transfers. It’s time to make sure the world knows it too.

Click here to view March’s event pics

Fiona Klomp

ABRA Secretary

ABRA – the Association of Belgian Relocation Agents

Feature: AIRINC

“Tax 'Heat' Map - Focus on Europe”

Tax 'Heat' Map - Focus on Europe

How do taxes impact take-home pay across the globe? AIRINC has recently published our Global Tax Rates map to illustrate effective tax rates across the globe.

What Is the European Tax Rates Map?

Europe presents a fascinating contrast of economic structures, where robust social systems are funded by higher taxes. For global mobility professionals and curious readers alike, understanding these tax systems is essential for navigating the region’s ﬁnancial landscape. Click here and zoom in for rates per country.

Analyzing Income Tax Rates on Employment Income Across Europe

Income tax is a critical revenue source for European governments, funding public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. However, tax rates on employment income vary signiﬁcantly across the continent, shaped by national policies, social beneﬁts, and economic strategies. This post explores these variations, highlighting key trends and insights.

A Diverse Tax Landscape: Progressive, Flat, and Mixed Systems

European countries generally fall into three income tax categories:

• Progressive Tax Systems – Tax rates increase with income, often paired with social beneﬁts and comprehensive public services

By Jeremy Piccoli

• Flat Tax Systems – A single tax rate applies to all income levels, promoting simplicity and efﬁciency

• Mixed Tax Systems – A combination of both, incorporating elements of ﬂat and progressive taxation

1. Progressive Tax Systems

Germany: Employment income is taxed progressively, with rates from 0% to 45%. The tax-free threshold is €10,908, while income above €277,825 is taxed at the highest rate. Additional levies include a solidarity surtax and, for some, a church tax.

France: Tax rates range from 0% to 45%, with the ﬁrst €10,777 tax-free. A high-income surcharge applies to incomes exceeding €250,000 (single) and €500,000 (married). France’s ‘coefﬁcient’ system adjusts tax liability based on family size. Notably, social security contributions often surpass income tax costs for many employees.

United Kingdom: The UK has a progressive system with three bands. The ﬁrst £12,570 is tax-free, followed by 20% on income up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140, and 45% beyond. Employees and employers also contribute to National Insurance (NIC), with employer NIC set to increase to 15% from April 6, 2025.

These progressive systems aim to reduce income inequality while funding extensive public services.

2. Flat Tax Systems

Estonia: A 20% ﬂat tax on all employment income simpliﬁes administration and attracts investment.

Bulgaria: Since 2008, a 10% ﬂat tax has made Bulgaria an attractive destination for businesses and individuals seeking lower tax burdens.

Hungary: With a 15% ﬂat tax, Hungary boasts one of Europe’s lowest personal income tax rates, promoting economic growth but raising concerns about income inequality.

3. Mixed Tax Systems

Switzerland: Switzerland’s decentralized system involves federal, cantonal, and communal taxes, leading to effective rates from 0% to 40% depending on location. Progressive tax elements remain, but cantonal competition inﬂuences overall tax burdens.

Sweden: Sweden combines a ﬂat municipal tax (30%-35%) with a progressive national tax (0%-20%). High tax rates support extensive welfare programs and a high standard of living.

Key Trends in European Income Taxation

• Higher Taxation in Western Europe: Countries like Germany, France, and Sweden maintain high tax rates, funding strong welfare states and extensive public services

• Attractive Tax Rates in Eastern Europe: Nations such as Bulgaria and Hungary favor ﬂat taxes to attract investment and stimulate growth

• European Union Regulations and Cooperation: European Union policies encourage harmonization, facilitating cross-border work and social security agreements

Key Takeaways

The diversity of income tax rates on employment income in Europe underscores the complexity of tax systems across the continent. Whether adopting progressive tax models to fund comprehensive welfare states or utilizing flat tax systems to attract investment, European countries prioritize different approaches based on their unique economic, political, and social circumstances. As global economic trends evolve, it will be interesting to see how these tax policies continue to adapt in response to changing demographics, technological advancements, and fiscal pressures. For both individuals and businesses operating within Europe, understanding the nuances of these tax systems is crucial for effective financial planning and decision-making.

https://www.air-inc.com/global-tax-rates/

https://www.air-inc.com/contact-us/

Jeremy Piccoli: Director, Global Tax Solutions

Jeremy joined AIRINC in the fall of 2012 and is responsible for managing AIRINC’s International Tax Guide and tax calculator products, as well as consulting with clients. Prior to joining AIRINC, Jeremy spent more than 6 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers’ International Assignment Services practices in Hartford and Boston, providing tax compliance and consulting services to multinational companies and their expatriate population. He received his B.S. with a concentration in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Connecticut. Jeremy is an Enrolled Agent, a federally licensed tax practitioner who specializes in taxation.

Feature: New Executive Group Member

“Dana Pick - Eres Relocation Czechia”

Hello from Prague,

I’m incredibly honored to join the EuRA Executive Board. All the kind words, support, and encouragement I’ve received from this amazing community means the world to me.

If you’ve ever spoken to me for more than ﬁve minutes, you know how much I care about this industry. I care about the newcomers who walk into EuRA for the ﬁrst time feeling totally lost (been there), the small providers trying to grow without losing their soul (been there too), and about building a future where we uphold high standards but keep the way we work human.

My own journey started 26 years ago when I arrived in Prague as an expat, only to ﬁnd myself caught in a relocation and immigration process that was far more complicated than it should have been. Instead of accepting it, I built something better. In 2008, I founded ReloCare, and this year, we took our next big leap by joining Eres Relocation, becoming part of a global group that shares our values of quality, compliance, and innovation.

Over the years, EuRA has given me so much: knowledge, connections, and a

strong sense of belonging.

Now, I’m excited to give back by bringing a Central European perspective to the table and pushing for practical education, real support for small providers, and a more human path to excellence in global mobility.

I’m energized, full of ideas, and ready to work!

And if you’re ever in Prague, drop me a message. I’d love to meet for a coffee and talk about how we can keep building this industry together.

Warm regards, Dana Pick

Country Managing Partner, Eres Relocation Czech Republic

“At the time of going to press there is an open election for one more place on the Board and we will be publishing the successful candidates bio in the summer edition.”

Feature: Asia Relocation

“Expanding Relocation and Mobility Services in the Philippines and Vietnam ”

By Philibert Challan Belval , CEO - Asia Relocation

As the global relocation industry continues to evolve, the demand for comprehensive, high-quality mobility services is greater than ever. Asia Relocation, with 13 years of experience, has positioned itself as a key player in Southeast Asia, offering a full suite of in-house services across the Philippines and Vietnam. What began as a moving and storage company has rapidly expanded into a full-service relocation and mobility provider, ensuring seamless transitions for individuals, expatriates, and corporations moving to or within the region.

With a strong focus on international moving, visa and immigration, home search, cultural integration, and car leasing, Asia Relocation has embraced the challenges of the industry head-on. The company continues to lead the way with sustainability initiatives, digital innovation, and a client-ﬁrst approach. All while maintaining full control of its operations.

The Growing Need for Comprehensive Visa and Immigration Services in Southeast Asia

One of the most complex aspects of global mobility remains visa and

immigration compliance, and nowhere is this more evident than in Southeast Asia. With rapid economic growth in both the

Philippines and Vietnam, governments have implemented strict and frequently changing immigration policies, making visa processing one of the most crucial and challenging parts of any relocation. Asia Relocation has seen its visa services increase tenfold since 2020, reﬂecting the growing need for expert guidance in navigating regulatory frameworks. Unlike many providers that outsource visa handling, Asia Relocation manages the entire process in-house, ensuring better control, faster processing, and direct accountability.

With a team that is fully accredited and trained in immigration law, the company specializes in work permits, residency visas, 9G working visas, investor visas, retiree visas, and short-term business permits. The in-house approach has

resulted in fewer errors, reduced processing times, and a seamless experience for clients who require reliability and compliance when entering Southeast Asia’s highly regulated business environments.

Home Search in the Philippines and Vietnam: A Market That Demands Expertise

The home search process in the Philippines and Vietnam presents unique challenges, requiring an indepth understanding of local markets, strong relationships with property owners, and tailored solutions for expats and businesses. Asia Relocation has built an in-house home search team, partnering with some of the most renowned real estate agencies in Vietnam and the Philippines to meet these needs.

By keeping the home search service internal, Asia Relocation ensures that clients receive veriﬁed property listings, accurate market pricing, and honest guidance, avoiding the conﬂicts of interest that

often arise with commission-based brokers. The company also assists with lease negotiations, renewals, pre-move and post-move support, ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition for expatriates and corporate assignees.

Sustainability in Moving: Making a Difference in a Traditionally Wasteful Industry

While relocation and mobility have become Asia Relocation’s primary focus, moving and storage remain our core services in both the Philippines and Vietnam. However, the company recognizes the environmental challenges associated with the moving industry, particularly when it comes to packaging waste, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions.

To address these issues, Asia Relocation has implemented several sustainability initiatives in its moving department, including:

• Switching from wooden crates to triwall cardboard: By eliminating the use of traditional wooden pallets and crates, the company has signiﬁcantly reduced wood waste while

maintaining the same level of protection for shipments.

• Reusable plastic moving boxes: Clients moving locally or within corporate ofﬁces are now encouraged to use high-durability, reusable plastic crates instead of traditional cardboard boxes. By integrating these sustainable practices, Asia Relocation is helping reshape the moving industry in Southeast Asia, aligning its business operations with global environmental goals.

A Fully In-House Approach for Consistency and Quality

One of the key differentiators of Asia Relocation is its fully in-house model. While many providers subcontract essential services such as visa processing, home search, and moving services, Asia Relocation believes that maintaining full control over operations leads to a better client experience. By keeping all services under one roof, the company ensures:

• More accurate communication between departments, avoiding delays and errors.

• Stronger accountability, with a single point of contact for clients throughout the entire relocation process

• Consistent quality standards across different services, whether a client is moving, securing a visa, or searching for a home

• Cost efﬁciency, as eliminating thirdparty commissions allows the

company to offer competitive pricing without compromising service quality

This in-house strategy has allowed Asia Relocation to build trust with both corporate clients and individual expatriates, ensuring that their entire relocation process in the Philippines and Vietnam is seamless, efﬁcient, and reliable.

Looking Ahead: A Stronger Future for Relocation in Southeast Asia

As global mobility continues to evolve, Asia Relocation’s expansion into Vietnam has allowed it to serve a wider network of clients while maintaining the same high standards that have deﬁned its operations in the Philippines. By focusing on visa and immigration excellence, high-quality home search solutions, sustainability in moving, and a 100% in-house service model, Asia Relocation is not only responding to industry demands but also setting benchmarks for relocation professionals worldwide.

For those looking to expand their reach into Southeast Asia, Asia Relocation offers a trusted, experienced, and fully integrated relocation solution for both the Philippines and Vietnam.

Feature: Jon Harman

“The Assignee Experience – Awash in a Sea of Experiential Blindness”

There is a growing consensus among those who study the brain that, rather than a processing machine that makes sense out of our experience based on inputs from our ﬁve senses, the brain is actually in an ongoing process of predicting sensory input and then adjusting those predictions based on input from the senses. In other words, the brain is not running on an input/ response model, but rather on a predict/ correct model.

At ﬁrst glance, thinking of the brain as a prediction machine is disorienting. For as long as any of us can remember, we have been encouraged to thinking of brain function as a matter of stimulus-response. We see something or hear something or taste something, and a response in the brain is triggered by those sensual inputs.

If we take a close look, however, the model of a brain that runs a continuous loop of predictions and adjusts the predictions based on input from the senses is actually more closely aligned with how we experience of reality.

Take reading, for example, as your eyes move across this page taking in the shapes of the letters, your brain is already actively predicting what word will come … Do I even need to type it? Okay... next. If I had left the word “next” out entirely, there would have been a nagging sensation in your

mind as your brain longed to complete the puzzle and check its prediction against reality.

We have learned to read so well that it is a natural process that we don’t really consider closely. We take the ability for granted, as we should. However, on closer examination, reading only makes sense as a predictive process. The sense responsible for reading is sight, but understanding what we read is not the result of us seeing letters on paper and then allowing our brain to tell us what those combinations of letters mean. If that is how the process for reading worked in the brain it would be slow and energetically expensive. Rather, our eyes skim the page of symbols that and our brains have seen (and heard) the language in question so often that it is a step ahead of us taking in the meaning of the symbols on the page and turning them into a prediction of what will come next. If the text surprises us by including a sandwich that we did not predict, the process breaks down as we go back and look over the words again. Our prediction was incorrect, and we try to make sense of it. Oh, the author used the word “sandwich” to make a point about how reading is a predictive process. And then we get right back to predicting.

Our brain had already predicted that the next word would be “word” and that is why seeing the word “sandwich” throws us off and broke down the process.

Further evidence of how the brain works on a predictive model can be found in optical illusions. Consider this image. Just glance at it without studying it in detail.

Additional information: the shadow is a bit wavy but that’s because the surface of the sand is uneven.

I did prime you for the fact that there is an illusion in the picture, but even with that priming, most of us will initially see a lady standing on a ﬂoating wooden platform. Our brain sees the platform, sees the shadow, and predicts that the shadow is made by a ﬂoating wooden platform, in part because the shadow is correctly placed beneath the platform, and in part because the real source of the shadow does not appear in the image. Only upon closer inspection does additional evidence (there is the shadow of a pole attached to the shadow beneath the platform) allow us to correct the prediction our brain made. Our brain has seen shadows so many times that it predicts (automatically and unconsciously) that the platform is making the shadow. Only when the brain picks up extra clues is the correction made. It happens so fast that it may look something like this.

Initial prediction: the platform is making the shadow.

Additional information: yes, but undulating patters on the sand do not match the undulation of the shadow so there must be something else going on here.

Additional information: ah, there’s another part to the shadow that has nothing to do with the platform. It’s in the shape of a pole.

Result: where we once saw a ﬂoating platform, our brain corrects the pattern and we see the platform sitting in the sand because we know the source of the shadow.

Prediction makes sense of many more dayto-day activities. While driving, we are constantly predicting what other drivers will do and we are surprised, alarmed sometimes, when they break from the predictive pattern.

If we are on the football ﬁeld running down a long pass that has been sent through the air (this works for both games of football) our body is running, instinctively, based on the brain’s prediction of where the ball is likely to land, and adjusting when our predictions are a bit off. If a breeze moves the ball then our initial prediction is off and we have to correct based on that new information. That process would not work without prediction because the fraction of a second that it would take for the athlete to sense where the ball is and respond to that visual input, would be delay their response to the point where they would not arrive in time to receive the pass.

Another example from sport, when one player leads another player with a pass into open space, those players are both seeing the space on the ﬁeld, perhaps brieﬂy making eye contact, and without speaking a word the player with the ball lines up to pass while her teammate is already running to the gap where the pass will meet her.

she looked disgusted and walked away. I’ll remember that for next time. I thought that questioning my boss in front of a client would show my courage and intelligence, but the look on his face is telling me that he didn’t see it that way.

Successful predictions are based on previous experience. We learn to read predictively (efﬁciently) by spending hours and hours reading. We learn to predict where the football pass will land by running down countless passes or playing regularly with teammates so we are better able to predict what they are likely to do next. We learn to anticipate the actions of other drivers by driving and we learn to sense unusual driver behaviors (I can tell that driver is texting) by their departure from our predictions.

There is a word for what happens when our predictions are wrong. That word is learning. Those moments when reality fails to align with our prediction get our attention. We have an emotional response (the strength of which is relative to the importance of the circumstances) and that emotion tags our prediction error so that we remember it for the future. I thought it was funny to pour my spaghetti on the ﬂoor, but mom didn’t laugh, she got angry! I thought this was an appropriate moment to lean in and give her a kiss, but

The learning is built into our prediction architecture such that we can rely on it to help us avoid the pain of making a similar mistake the next time around. Here’s that old nugget, “Experience is the only teacher.”

The state of not having any experience upon which to base our predictions is called experiential blindness. The less experienced make mistakes not because they are stupid, but because they lack experience. Toddlers drop their spoon from the highchair repeatedly because they don’t know what will happen. They are gaining knowledge of gravity by experience. Your ten-year-old runs outside in a t-shirt on a sub-freezing morning, not because he is foolish, but because he has never stood at the bus stop for ﬁfteen minutes in the freezing cold without the proper clothing. Your new hire doesn’t send an overly casual email to an important client because she is rude. She lacks the necessary experience to know that doing so is inappropriate.

Understanding the predictive brain and its implications, including the concept of experiential blindness sheds a whole new light on the experience of being a parent. All those times you ﬁnd yourself saying,

“How could he not know that if he sets his glass on the edge of the counter someone is bound to knock it down?” can now be easily explained. He did not have the experience necessary for knowing.

One of the reasons that infants and toddlers sleep so much is because every day includes brand new experiences that enhance their understanding about how the world around them, and the objects in that world, work. They need extra sleep not only because their bodies are growing, but also because their brains need time to encode all the learning.

Understanding the brain as a prediction machine that is helping to manufacture our reality, and that it relies heavily on our experience offers a unique insight into the experience of being a ﬁrst-time expat in a new country. You could say that an assignee moving through their ﬁrst several months on assignment is like a toddler in the sense that they are awash in a sea of experiential blindness. They lack awareness of cultural norms around greetings, or how business meetings are run. They don’t know how to validate their ticket on the metro or how to greet a shop keeper. They are unfamiliar with subtle differences in etiquette around seating on public transport or they don’t know the customs for tipping and may feel awkward about how to acknowledge a barista. So many activities that were routine at home are now fraught with uncertainty.

So much of what they will learn, from how to pay for parking at a shopping mall to how to greet a stranger in an elevator to what gift to bring for the host of a dinner party, will be the product of a mix of trial

and error, embarrassing mistakes, observation (“Oh, that’s how you do that!”) and tips from helpful friends and strangers. There will be uncomfortable moments of learning every day, and then every week, and then only occasionally as, months into the assignment, they are comfortable in their new environment because they can predict what will happen next based on experience and they can choose the appropriate words and actions based on their growing experience of life in this new, and daily-less-strange city they now call home.

As relocations professionals, we can reduce the number of painful learning experiences our assignees have by teaching them how things work even little things like paying for parking of validating a metro ticket. And we can also be patient with them. They just don’t know. And while I’m at it, neither do your kids. Help them when you can and let them learn the hard way when you can’t. Those are the lessons we remember the most.

A 20-year mobility industry veteran, Jon Harman has lived and worked on three continents and has seen mobility from both sides, having completed three international moves, two of them as a family including three children. IN8WORK offers an engaging and relevant learning environment for leaders and teams from all areas of global mobility. The platform is still in development and testing with a formal launch expected in early 2025.

Feature: Expat Support

“Who

No Longer Needs a Work Permit in the Czech Republic?”

Exciting news for employers and foreign workers alike! Starting July 1, 2024, citizens from certain countries no longer need a work permit to work in the Czech Republic. While they still need a longterm residence permit for stays longer than 90 days, this change streamlines the process and opens up new opportunities for talented professionals.

What’s changing?

Gone are the days of dealing with the usual red tape. Citizens from select countries now have unrestricted access to the Czech labor market, meaning they don’t need to navigate the lengthy process of getting a work permit. This makes hiring foreign talent quicker and simpler for employers. However, keep in mind this only applies to stays over 90 days—not for short-term Schengen Visa holders.

Which countries are included in this exception?

How does it work?

By Jakub Cyrani

While no work permit is required, citizens from these countries still need to apply for an Employee Card. But here's the twist: this is now a non-dual Employee Card, which means there’s no need to open the job position with the Labor Ofﬁce. The application is much simpler—just submit the employment contract. This update doesn’t just make life easier for employees, but it also offers ﬂexibility for employers.

Why is this such a gamechanger? Here’s how the Non-Dual Employee Card beneﬁts both employers and employees:

• No need to register the job position with the LO

• Simpliﬁed change of employer – no need for approval from the Ministry of Interior, only proper notiﬁcation

(P.S. There could be more countries added soon!)

•Immediate change of employer permitted upon arrival in the Czech Republic

•Usable for "secondment" employment arrangements –no need for arranging work permit from the LO

A few extra details:

• The Non-Dual Employee Card grants permission to live and work in the Czech Republic, as well as travel within the Schengen Area and internationally according to the holder’s passport. However, it does not permit work in other EU or Schengen countries

• If a Non-Dual Employee Card holder wishes to work in another EU or Schengen country, they must apply for a work and stay permit in that country

Professional, Personalized, and Trusted Support for Expats

At Expat Support s.r.o., we specialize in providing seamless, stress-free immigration and relocation solutions for expatriates moving to the Czech Republic. With over a decade of experience, we have successfully guided individuals, families, and businesses through the complexities of residence permits, work visas, and essential administrative processes. Our team of 17 multilingual experts is renowned for its professionalism, efﬁciency, and

personal approach. Whether assisting with legal documentation, securing health insurance, obtaining a Czech driver’s license, or navigating local bureaucracy, we ensure a smooth and hasslefree transition to your new home.

Beyond the Czech Republic, we also support outbound mobility, helping clients secure visas and work permits for destinations worldwide. Whether partnering with multinational corporations or private clients, we provide tailored advice, swift processing, and unwavering reliability—all backed by deep expertise and genuine care.

With a reputation built on integrity, excellence, and continuous improvement, Expat Support s.r.o. is the trusted partner for those seeking world-class immigration assistance.

Expat Support s.r.o. – Your Friendly Experts for Life and Work in the Czech Republic and Beyond.

Feature: “Relocate to West Africa: Key Challenges and Practical Solutions”

Relocating to West Africa presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges. For relocation professionals, understanding the complexities of immigration, housing, cultural integration, education, and day-to-day living is crucial. As West Africa continues to grow economically, the realities of relocation can differ signiﬁcantly from what one might expect from the outside. By acknowledging these challenges, companies can better support their employees through the relocation process.

Francophone vs. Anglophone Markets: Key Differences

West Africa is broadly divided into francophone and anglophone countries, and this linguistic split shapes nearly every aspect of the relocation experience.

Francophone countries such as Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire follow French-style civil law systems, with French as the ofﬁcial language of administration and education. These markets tend to have more centralized administrative systems and a strong emphasis on procedural formality. Cultural and social norms are often shaped by French institutional inﬂuences.

On the other hand, anglophone countries like Ghana and Nigeria operate under common law systems with English as the working language. This often makes business operations and day-to-day communication easier for English-speaking expatriates. Anglophone countries may also offer more ﬂexible business environments and more private-sector-led infrastructure, including international schools and medical services.

While Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire are praised for their relative political stability and growing middle classes, Ghana and Nigeria are known for their large populations, active entrepreneurial ecosystems, and diversiﬁed economies. Understanding these structural differences helps companies tailor their relocation strategies to local realities.

Immigration Challenges

One of the most signiﬁcant hurdles for expatriates moving to West Africa is navigating the immigration process. Visa requirements, work permits, and residency laws vary by country and can change frequently. Lengthy processing times, unclear instructions, and inconsistent enforcement can create confusion and delays.

Legal Representation Requirements by Country:

● Nigeria: Immigration typically requires the support of a law ﬁrm, particularly when applying for Expatriate Quotas and STR (Subject to Regularization) visas. This

By Danielle Ciribassi

adds a layer of cost and complexity but is necessary for compliance.

● Ghana: Although legal assistance is not mandatory, many companies opt to use local immigration consultants to handle work permit and residency applications due to bureaucratic complexity.

● Senegal: Legal assistance is optional. Most work and residency permit procedures can be handled directly by companies or HR teams, making it one of the more accessible systems in the region.

● Côte d’Ivoire: Similar to Senegal, legal support is not strictly required. The process is clear for corporate sponsors, though legal help may be used for special cases or appeals.

Tips for Navigating Immigration Challenges:

● Work with local immigration consultants or law ﬁrms when required, especially in Nigeria or for complex cases.

● Submit all documents well in advance, particularly during peak seasons or around holidays.

● Stay updated on regulatory changes, which can occur with little notice.

Housing and Accommodation

In cities like Accra, Lagos, and Dakar, securing housing can be both challenging and competitive. Desirable areas often have high rental prices, and property listings are not always reliable. Scams are unfortunately common, and lease terms may include complex clauses regarding fees and maintenance responsibilities.

Tips for Navigating Housing Challenges:

● Partner with a reputable local real estate agent to navigate the market and avoid fraud.

● Thoroughly review lease agreements including lock-in periods, security deposits, and broker fees. Consider short-term housing options (serviced apartments, hotels) while exploring neighborhoods before committing to a long-term lease.

Cultural Integration

Cultural norms in West Africa vary, but shared regional themes include strong family values, respect for hierarchy, and the central role of religion. In countries like Senegal, for example, Islamic practices inﬂuence the structure of daily life—including business hours, especially on Fridays.

Tips for Cultural Integration:

● Respect local customs, particularly around religion, gender roles, and seniority

● Learn some of the local language or dialect (such as Wolof in Senegal or Twi in Ghana), which builds goodwill and opens doors.

● Understand cultural protocols in business settings, where greetings, attire, and relationship-building are highly valued.

Daily Life and Infrastructure Challenges

West African cities are growing rapidly, but infrastructure often struggles to keep pace. Common issues include:

● Frequent power cuts (especially in Nigeria and even parts of Ghana)

● Trafﬁc congestion due to poor road networks

● Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria

● Unreliable water supply in certain areas

Tips for Managing Daily Life Challenges:

● Invest in backup power solutions (generators, solar panels, or inverters).

● Allow extra time for travel and create ﬂexible schedules.

● Use mosquito nets, repellents, and air conditioning to protect against malaria.

● Identify reliable local service providers in advance.

Healthcare and Safety

The availability and quality of healthcare in West Africa vary signiﬁcantly between urban and rural areas. In major cities, private hospitals provide quality care, but emergency services and specialized treatment may still be limited. Political stability and security also vary by country and even by neighborhood.

Tips for Healthcare and Safety:

● Secure comprehensive health insurance, including emergency evacuation.

● Keep a list of vetted clinics and hospitals for different types of care.

● Monitor local news and avoid high-risk areas or neighborhoods prone to unrest.

● Prepare a basic medical kit for daily use and emergencies.

International Schooling Options

For families relocating with children, access to quality education is a major consideration. International schools are present in all key relocation hubs but vary widely in cost, curriculum, and reputation.

● Dakar (Senegal): Strong francophone options (e.g., Lycée Jean Mermoz) and growing anglophone schools (e.g., ISD – International School of Dakar, offering IB).

● Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire): Predominantly francophone schools (e.g., Lycée Blaise Pascal), with a few Englishmedium institutions.

● Accra (Ghana): Wide variety of British, American, and IB schools (e.g., Lincoln Community School, Ghana International School).

● Lagos and Abuja (Nigeria): Extensive options with British, American, and Nigerian curricula, though quality and fees vary.

Tips for Choosing Schools:

● Visit in person if possible, and speak with school administrators.

● Consider commute times, as trafﬁc can be a daily obstacle.

● Be aware of long waitlists for top schools—apply early.

Conclusion: Flexibility Is Key

To relocate in this region, having contingency plans Plan A, B, and C is essential. Flexibility and patience are key, especially when things don’t go according to plan. It’s important for both relocation professionals and the employees they support to understand that setbacks are part of the process. With the right mindset and preparation, these challenges can be overcome.

West Africa presents vast opportunities for growth and development, and those who navigate its challenges with cultural sensitivity and practical readiness can thrive in this dynamic region.

About the Author

Danielle Ciribassi Seck, Founder and CEO of Niofar Consulting

Niofar Consulting is a Dakar-based ﬁrm specializing in business expansion and relocation across West Africa. With deep local expertise, Niofar supports companies with market entry, immigration, administrative setup, and operational continuity across the region. Since 2018, the ﬁrm has helped clients build strong foundations in some of West Africa’s most dynamic markets. “Niofar” means “we are together”—and we mean it. For any inquiries, feel free to contact us at: info@niofarconsulting.com

For more information on Niofar Consulting’s services: www.niofar-consulting.com

Members’ News Advertorial

VisaDoc Launches, with an AI-Powered Visa Processing Platform To Support Business Travel & Global Mobility Programmes

• VisaDoc’s AI-Powered platform ensures businesses are compliant with business travel visa requirements, globally

• VisaDoc’s service resolves the 17% of delayed or cancelled business trips every year, due to incorrect visa documentation

• VisaDoc delivers end-to-end automation, from AI-enabled document verification, AI-supported process automation, through to final approval

London, 4 February 2025 - James Tomlin, and Oleh Voronko, industry experts within the Business Travel Visa arena, have launched VisaDoc, a London-headquartered AIpowered global business visa processing platform.

VisaDoc has successfully launched with first clients, partners and revenue within days of their product going-live.

Crown Worldwide Group shifts growth emphasis amid ongoing disruption to world order

Geopolitical moves to ‘reverse globalization’ mean that as business known best for international relocations turns 60, it has its sights for growth firmly set on providing ‘glocalized’ information management and workplace services

Thursday, February 13th: Crown Worldwide Group, one of the world’s largest privately-owned logistics companies, is refocusing its emphasis for growth on services and divisions that are inherently local, as a changing geopolitical environment seeks to slow globalization further.

Events in the USA over the past several months have reinforced the prevalence of an anti-globalism sentiment, with new trade tensions now in the mix to give companies of the globalized world – such as Crown – further cause to rethink how they do business.

VisaDoc’s solution brings together AI capabilities to facilitate the automatic completion of travel visas, AI verification of documents, and simplify the minefield of the 186k visa variations globally into a single solution.

In both the verification of documents and visa application assistance, VisaDoc is the first global solution to support all business travellers, and is proudly already operating with a strong pipeline of clients.

An advisory group, made up of key industry figures from both the corporate and supplier networks, will be announced formally, in the near future..

James Tomlin comments: “Existing collaborations and exciting announcements on the horizon, underscore VisaDoc's commitment to driving innovation in business travel.”

James, who is VisaDoc’s CEO, is joined by Oleh Voronko, previously head of product in AI Startups and lead product in a top-tier Visa company.

James added: “I am truly humbled by the support and encouragement we’ve received from the travel and global mobility industry as we launch this truly innovative solution into the market”.

This follows several years of global conflict, compounding the lingering economic impacts of the pandemic, both coupled with simmering anti-migration sentiment around the world which have curbed demand for international relocation.

Group CEO Jennifer Harvey has set out how the company – which has just celebrated its 60th anniversary - is responding to deliver continual growth and profitability.

She said: “Crown was established 60-years-ago in the midst of rapid globalization. Containerization and affordable air travel created new horizons for those wanting to live in other parts of the world.

“But today the world is quite different. Fewer people are moving internationally, with technology that facilitates remote work reducing the need for corporate assignments, and geopolitics making moving overseas more challenging and expensive – a trend that’s likely to continue following recent political events in the USA.”

She added: “But we have a proud track record in diversification and adaptation. We have leveraged a core asset base that lends itself to world-class logistics and storage, combined with a talented, diverse team, and now find ourselves at the intersection of other pressing business challenges for which solutions are more localized.”

To read more click here

Members’ News Advertorial

RNA Group Unveils New Brand Image

February 17, 2025, Nagoya, Japan: The RNA Group has announced a refreshed brand image that better reflects the strength and unity of its family of companies.

The RNA Group is the parent company of Asia’s leading talent mobility services providers: H&R Consultants K.K., Relo Japan, K.K., and Relo Network Asia. Collectively, these companies offer a wide menu of services that support the relocation of

employees and their families throughout Japan and Asia. Services include visa and immigration, destination services, real estate, car leasing, furniture rental, and temporary staffing.

The shared image represents the shared vision and values of our team. It visibly unites us, enhancing our motto, “Where You Belong.” Externally, the singular logo will spotlight for our clients our best-in-class service quality.

“We are excited to take this step into the future with each and every one of our valued partners, clients, and customers as we help you find the very place Where You Belong” states Steve Burson, Director of RNA Group, President of Relo Japan and CEO of Relo Network Asia.

“Our company names, our services, and our commitment to excellence remain the same. Beyond the red globe branding, our existing contracts, agreements, and payments will continue under the existing company names.” adds Bryce Colan, President of H&R Consultants.

Our companies will continue operating as:

• RNA Group K.K. (Nagoya, Japan), a holding company that directs the group's strategy.

• H&R Consultants K.K. (Nagoya, Japan), delivering real estate, car leasing/rental, furniture rental, temporary staffing, and other services for employees relocating to Japan.

• Relo Japan K.K. (Tokyo, Japan), delivering relocation and visa and immigration services to support inbound Japan assignments and domestic moves.

• Relo Network Asia (HQ Singapore), delivering relocation and visa and immigration services across 15 countries in Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Mainland China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Japan files are overseen by Relo Network Asia’s Relo Specialists, with services delivered by Relo Japan.

To read more click here

BRS Global Mobility achieves record growth in 2024 amidst a strong year for global talent mobility to Spain

• Spain’s leading global mobility company closed the year with a 24% increase in relocations, supporting international talent from 83 different nationalities

• Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia led as the most popular cities for international employees moving to Spain in 2024

• The pharmaceutical and IT sectors accounted for the highest number of relocations in Spain among cases managed by BRS

Barcelona, January 9th 2025 - BRS Global Mobility, the leading global mobility company for international talent moving to Spain, achieved a double-digit record growth in 2024. As a trusted partner in relocation and mobility services, BRS has managed more than 1,200 relocations of international employees last year, a 24% growth in cases compared to 2023, showcasing a strong year for global talent mobility to Spain. The global mobility company, with over 20 years of history and a team of 40 relocation experts across the Iberian Peninsula, has another year established itself as the go-to global mobility provider Spain-based multinationals, thanks to its values of excellence, personal touch, empathy, integrity and sustainability, achieving a 97% satisfaction rate across all 2024 cases.

Pascal Bourbon, founding partner at BRS, assessed the company’s yearly results: “This record growth proves that, although remote work has changed the mobility landscape in some sectors, physical presence in the destination country remains key for many roles, particularly those involving local management or business development. In 2024, many companies have doubled down on talent globalization as their competitive advantage. Particularly in Spain, economic challenges such as real estate instability and increased tax pressures may complicate employee relocations, but they have not slowed companies’ global mobility programs.”

A Year of Growth and Achievement

In 2024, BRS Global Mobility handled 1,258 relocations of international employees to Spain, a significant 24% increase from the 1,016 cases managed in 2023. The company supported employees and their families from 83 different nationalities, showcasing its expertise in providing tailored solutions for diverse cultural and professional needs.

Key

Trends in 2024

These results prove that Spain remains a sought-after destination, with Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia leading as the most popular cities for international employees moving to the Iberian country. The Pharmaceutical and IT sectors accounted for the highest volume of relocations, highlighting Spain’s appeal for skilled professionals in these dynamic fields. …

To read more click here

Members’ News Advertorial

Celebrated industry professional, Lorna Keen joins the senior leadership team of CAP Worldwide as Global Sales Operations Director

Richmond, London Thursday 18th September 2024 – CAP Worldwide (CAP), the award-winning global provider of sustainable corporate accommodation programmes and solutions, is delighted to announce the continued expansion of the senior leadership team, with the appointment of Lorna Keen to the position of Global Sales Operations Director.

After celebrating their 5th anniversary in 2024, CAP continues to drive and deliver unprecedented levels of service excellence and programme management into 2025 and beyond, ensuring the consistent elevation of the client, booker and traveller experience.

Reporting into CAP CEO Jo Layton and COO Andrew Hopgood, Lorna joins the influential, respected and highly experienced senior matrix leaders Liz Warnes, Clare Ace, Kate Scott, Francine Migliorati, Dan Woodburn, Jess Sharpe and Simon Beauchamp globally, and supporting Laura Rurode (Director Americas) & JP Lin (Director APAC).

Jo Layton says ‘Lorna brings with her a wealth of industry experience, knowledge and vision. Her proven track record in sales and service delivery for both BridgeStreet Worldwide and more recently, Homelike, adds additional bandwidth to our already highly experienced team’ Layton continues ‘‘Having worked successfully alongside Lorna to develop and drive the original global agent model for nearly 10 years in BridgeStreet, I cannot think of anyone more aligned with our company culture, growth and values than Lorna to join us at this pivotal and exciting time. My respect for her as a professional in our industry for more than 25 years is second to none. Lorna is the final recruit to the CAP Family in 2024 and to the global matrix leadership team, planned as part of our CAP3.0 strategy – which is now firmly in place’.

Andrew Hopgood, COO says ‘Lorna’s knowledge of the various models in our industry, including her experience of platforms, hybrids, agents and operators, ensures that we can continue to develop our online and offline customer journey through our celebrated digital eco-system, CAPTURE and CAPStore, always supported by the most passionate and driven service delivery team in the sector’

To read more click here

We are proud to announce the appointment of our CEO, Philippe Mirault, as President of FIDI France, effective January 1st, 2025

This nomination underscores Grospiron Mobility Solutions' dedication to cultivating exceptional leadership and actively shaping the future of our industry. Philippe Mirault’s appointment is a testament to his expertise, strategic vision, and ability to unite stakeholders within the sector.

As President of FIDI France, Philippe will prioritize fostering collaboration among its members and championing best practices across the network. Reflecting on his new role, Philippe shared: “I am deeply honored to take on this responsibility and am eager to work alongside my colleagues at FIDI France to drive our shared ambitions forward.” We approach this new chapter with excitement and are confident that Philippe’s dynamic leadership will bring fresh perspectives and innovative energy to this important position.

Members’ News Advertorial

Dwellworks and CORT Business Services Announce GameChanging Partnership

CLEVELAND, OH, JANUARY 15, 2025 – Dwellworks, LLC, the world’s largest provider of destination-related services and temporary living solutions for the globally mobile workforce and business travelers, based in Clevland, OH and CORT Business Services, Inc. the nation’s leading provider of transition services, including furniture rental for home and office, trade show and event furnishings, and other services, headquartered in Chantilly, VA, have announced a landmark partnership designed to elevate service offerings and service standards within the global mobility industry. The announcement includes several key components.

Effective December 31, 2024, Dwellworks has acquired CORT's Destination Services business, encompassing rental home finding, area orientation, settling-in, and departure services for moves into and within the US. Beyond this highimpact acquisition, the two industry leaders have agreed to an exclusive partnership, which combines a shared vision to optimally serve their customers. The partnership delivers two primary benefits.

CORT has granted Dwellworks exclusive connectivity to ApartmentSearch.com, CORT's unique and proprietary rental property search aggregator. This technology will be integrated into Dwellworks industry-leading myDwellworks® platform. Further, Dwellworks will gain access to CORT’s best-in-class proprietary nationwide network of licensed real estate agents for relocation support services. Together these resources will provide Dwellworks customers with access to over 35,000 vetted rental property listings across the US and an expanded network of more than 2,500 local destination services experts.

James Conigliaro, CEO and President at Dwellworks noted, “This collaboration leverages the strengths of each organization, creating a solution and service capability that will redefine supplier standards across the mobility industry.”

Jeff Rowe, Executive Vice President of CORT Business Services, stated, ‘Our partnership with Dwellworks enables CORT to continue serving our global customers through a shared vision while continuing to provide a customer-centric and innovative approach to destination services.” Rowe added, “We are excited to have the opportunity to bring together an unprecedented volume of relocation executives and our residential property management partners around the country.’

To read more click here

Arpin International Movers Strengthens Its Position in the Domestic

Containerized Moving Sector with Assumption of Walkboard’s Contracts

Arpin International Movers, a full-service moving company providing the very best transferee experience for moves across the country and worldwide, has assumed the contracts of Walkboard Technologies, Inc., ensuring continued, uninterrupted domestic moving service for its existing customers as the company ceases operations.

‘At Arpin, we understand that employee relocation is more than just a move—it’s a critical moment in their professional and personal journey. That’s why, as we welcome Walkboard’s customers into the Arpin system, we are committed to maintaining stability, minimizing disruption, and preserving trusted relationships,’ said Peter Arpin, president of Arpin International Movers.

Ensuring a Seamless Transition

With Arpin’s trusted supplier network, proven reliability, and personalized support, customers can rest assured that their employees’ relocations will remain in expert hands.

Moreover, we’ve added two seasoned Walkboard Move Coordinators to the Arpin staff to ensure a seamless transition. They bring their expertise and knowledge of each client's moving policies and procedures and details of all moves in progress, ensuring transferring employees will continue receiving the same high level of service they expect without disruption.

‘Walkboard has grown substantially over the past five years. With their experience and resources, Arpin was the ideal company to ensure Walboard’s customers and relocating employees have the best relocation experience possible. The leadership and staff have been wonderful to work with, and their forward-thinking culture has been a perfect fit,’ said CEO Greg Maczka of Walkboard.

Arpin will continue to work closely with Walkboard and its clients to facilitate a smooth transition. Focusing on efficiency, compliance, and personalized support, Arpin is dedicated to making this change seamless for all stakeholders.

A Strong Future for Your Business Starts with Arpin

If you're considering selling your moving company or want to accelerate the volume of corporate sales leads you receive, you’ll want to consider partnering with Arpin. As a 5th generation family-owned and operated company, we understand what it means to build a legacy and genuinely respect the values, culture, and reputation you’ve worked hard to establish. …

To read more click here

New Members

Welcome to Our New Members

Adina – Supplier Member Germany

Asian Mobility Services – Associate Member Singapore

Asia Relocation – Full Member Philippines

Century 21 – Supplier Member USA

Expat Support – Supplier Member Czechia

Expatria – Full Member India

Foretagsbostader – Supplier Member Sweden

Fragomen – Associate Member Saudi Arabia

HR Relocation – Full Member Switzerland

K-One Relocation – Full Member South Korea

Local Home – Full Member Germany

MBW – Supplier Member Guyana

Mobility Mastery – Associate Member Spain

Morocco Relocation Agency – Full Member Morocco

Quest Relocation Group – Supplier Member USA

Sözer – Full Member Turkey

The RFP House – Supplier Member Canada

Members Who Have Left

ReloTracker

Azurplus Relocation

OptiMission Consulting

Juniper Shores

Apartmentservice

Worldwide Mobility

Money Jar

Plus Relocation Services

Spencer How Relocation

MSI

J and S Relocation Ltd

Sun Mobilite

MoveAssist International

LABS Relocation Services

Naﬁcy Consulting Group

Dorsett Hospitality International

AvenueWest Global Franchise

Asia-Finland Law Consulting

Furnished Quarters

Croatia by the numbers

Citizens of Croatia who live in Zagreb

22 Degrees

Average temperature in Zagreb in May (Chilly in the evening bring a sweater!)

3,860,000

99.9%

Households in Croatia who use tap water for drinking

Croatian Population 20% Of GDP comes from tourism 1 in 5

€650

Average monthly rent of a 1 bed apartment in Zagreb Centre

1244 Islands off the coast of Croatia

The EuRApean Spring 2025

The EuRApean

Letter from the CEO

Letter from our President and Vice President

EuRA Global Quality Seal+ Update

EuRA Global Quality Seal+

Newly Certiﬁed and Re-certiﬁed Members

Training and Mentoring

The EuRA E-Book!

All Things Legal… April 2025 Gordon Kerr

The “Trump effect” on the relocation industry

Calling out persistent late payers

certiﬁcation to be issued by EuRA

MIM Update April 2025

Online Now

Free To Access

Coming Soon

Licensing

Upcoming Mobility Events

Zagreb 2025 Conference Programme

Feature: EuRA Foundation Our Croatia Charity

Dom Nade Zagreb Dom Tidey

EuRA’s YouTube Channel

#eurabrieﬁng #eurapresents

“The Power Of Local”

Feature: AIRINC

“Tax 'Heat' Map - Focus on Europe”

Tax 'Heat' Map - Focus on Europe

What Is the European Tax Rates Map?

Analyzing Income Tax Rates on Employment Income Across Europe

A Diverse Tax Landscape: Progressive, Flat, and Mixed Systems

1. Progressive Tax Systems

2. Flat Tax Systems

3. Mixed Tax Systems

Key Trends in European Income Taxation

Key Takeaways

Feature: New Executive Group Member

“Dana Pick - Eres Relocation Czechia”

Feature: Asia Relocation

“Expanding Relocation and Mobility Services in the Philippines and Vietnam ”

The Growing Need for Comprehensive Visa and Immigration Services in Southeast Asia

Home Search in the Philippines and Vietnam: A Market That Demands Expertise

Sustainability in Moving: Making a Difference in a Traditionally Wasteful Industry

A Fully In-House Approach for Consistency and Quality

Looking Ahead: A Stronger Future for Relocation in Southeast Asia

Feature: Jon Harman

“The Assignee Experience – Awash in a Sea of Experiential Blindness”

Feature: Expat Support

No Longer Needs a Work Permit in the Czech Republic?”

How does it work?

Feature: “Relocate to West Africa: Key Challenges and Practical Solutions”

Francophone vs. Anglophone Markets: Key Differences

Immigration Challenges

Tips for Navigating Immigration Challenges:

Housing and Accommodation

Cultural Integration

International Schooling Options

Tips for Choosing Schools:

Conclusion: Flexibility Is Key

About the Author

Members’ News Advertorial

Members’ News Advertorial

RNA Group Unveils New Brand Image

A Year of Growth and Achievement

Trends in 2024

Members’ News Advertorial

Members’ News Advertorial

Ensuring a Seamless Transition

A Strong Future for Your Business Starts with Arpin

New Members

Welcome to Our New Members

Croatia by the numbers