What might be motives for moving or emigrating abroad without a partner and/or children?

Several reasons for emigrating, temporarily living and working abroad alone

When you have a partner and/or children, there are a number of additional considerations surrounding the decision “to move abroad or not. Of course the starting point is often to move together with your partner and any children.

In some situations, however, partners decide differently. For example because:

• the country of destination is not safe (enough) for your partner and/or children -> you will have to weigh up whether the country is safe (enough) for you, what risk you are willing to take (together).
• your salary/expected income is not, or not yet, calculated for moving with the entire family; for example, if you plan to run a bed & breakfast or ho(s)tel abroad. You can then jointly choose to first start up the business alone, with your partner continuing to generate income in your home country. As soon as the business is well established and there is sufficient income to generate, your partner and any children will move too.
• your children are at an important stage of their education or there is no good or suitable education available at the new destination.
• your partner has a successful career and has no opportunities to develop it abroad or does not want to give it up.
• you expect different social acceptance: cohabiting or same-sex partners are not considered cohabitants in some countries.
• the period you are going abroad is expected to be of limited duration; for example, if you are being posted by an employer. The disadvantages of a temporary move with partner and children sometimes outweigh the advantages.
• your partner is not allowed to work in the intended new country of residence, or because there are too few (volunteer) work opportunities for a meaningful daytime activity
• the motives or wishes of you, your partner and any children differ too much, or the desire to live abroad is simply not shared.

A survey of HR expat managers from more than four hundred companies worldwide found that 53 percent of employees declined a deployment because of the lack of work opportunities for the partner.

Something to consider in this situation is tax liability.

• Depending on individual circumstances, your income abroad may also be subject to tax in your home country. And that is not always 'fiscally attractive'.
• In particular, the implementers look at “what is the country of residence/living center of your total family.” If your partner continues to work in your original home country, or if your children continue studying there,etc., this original 'home country' may also be considered your center of life. Even though you yourself live abroad.

Quote

"My new partner had been active in Germany for years; first as an intern, later as an independent entrepreneur. My love for him was enough for me to take the step; I quit my job and went after him. Exciting, because I had to give up a lot and in the beginning I didn't know what I would get in return. I started working at the local supermarket; sitting at home is not for me. After legalizing my qualifications at the court, a few months later I was able to join the village nursing home as a nurse."

Germany emigrant