that the country can accommodate personal and business needs.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Transport and accessibility
What is the general accessibility around the country including public transportation, train connections, domestic air travel, condition of the roads?How good are the travel connections by road, air, rail or sea to other countries?
Utilities
Is the cost, access, quality and reliability of electricity, gas, water and waste services satisfactory?Is public water clean/safe to drink?
Telecommunications IT, Internet
Are the telephone systems, mobile phone networks, broadband internet access up to date? Are IT-support services quality and availability acceptable?
Access to services
How is the access to standard services such as local banks, post office, grocery stores, shopping malls, etc.?
Medical facilities
Are there reliable and modern hospital facilities?Is there free access to medical services? Are there any waiting times? What is the access to medical specialists? Are private medical facilities available and is access restricted?
Social security
Is there a mandatory social insurance scheme? What is the contribution level and is it in fact an additional tax? Is there a mandatory health insurance scheme?
Civic services
Are there civic facilities such as parks, playgrounds, city hall or public libraries available?
Entertainment
What entertainment, cultural, sport and/or outdoor activities are available? Is there a choice of cinemas, restaurants, bars, clubs etc.?Are there recreational clubs such as golf, sailing, polo, tennis?
Education
What is the reputation of local schools and universities? Is private education readily available? Are there international schools? How does the education system and the schools rank globally?
Child care
Are there good public day nurseries/after-school care facilities? Are private nannies and au-pairs easily available?
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Geographic location
Is your new home centrally located in the region; is there a larger city in the vicinity? Or is your home located in a rural area? If your home is in a large city, are green spaces and recreational areas easily accessible?Are there any issues/problems with neighboring countries that could lead to conflict or war?
Climate
Is the climate to your liking? Number of sunshine hours per year? Average temperatures (summer/winter)? Is the area prone to winds and changeable weather?
Pollution
How clean is the environment and what are the levels of pollution of air, water, soil etc.?
Natural hazards
Is the place susceptible to flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, heat waves, heavy snow?
Industrial hazards
Are there any nuclear power plants in your area? Are there other factories or production sites that may affect you? (Industrial smells, dust, hazardous products etc.)Is your new home located in the flight paths of the nearby airports?
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Currency and Capital restrictions
Stability of local currency, exchange controls? Export of capital restrictions?
Government and political stability
Is there a stable government and political environment?What is the political culture like? Are there frequent protests? Strikes?
Cost of living
What is the cost of living? Are import duty exemptions possible?
Banking and financial services
Are high-level banking services easily available?Can the local banking and financial services industry support your business requirements?
Trade restrictions
Are there trade restrictions that could hamper international business dealings (i.e. repatriation of capital restrictions)?
Copyrights and patents
Is there a robust protection for copyrights and patents?
Company governance
Is it easy to incorporate and operate a company? Are corporate laws, regulations, taxes etc. mature and efficient?Are minority shareholders’ rights protected?
Public and private corruption
Is there any public or private corruption? Is it difficult to do business legally without having to bribe or other illegal means?
PEOPLE, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE
Language
What is the local language? Do people speak English, other languages?
People
Are you moving to an open and liberal society? Are the people friendly and welcoming, non-discriminatory? Are there social tensions or harmony between different ethnic or other groups in the society?
Culture
Is there uniformity or diversity in the community with regard to religion, ethnicity? Are there places of worship particular to your religion in the country? Is there discrimination against your own culture/religion?
Gender and minority issues
What is the status of women in society? Are there restrictions in public life for women or for people of certain ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, etc?
Civil rights and freedoms
Is there freedom of speech, religion, language, press, political expression, information etc.?
Quality of living
What is the overall quality of living in the main cities and the countryside? How do the main cities and the country compare globally in terms of quality of living?
RESIDENCE PERMIT
Application procedure
What is the minimum time and requirements to apply for a residence permit?
Ease
Is it easy to become a legal resident? Are there many steps required, interviews, visits to the country?
Physical presence
Are there any minimal physical presence requirements to maintain legal residence status?
Time to Permanent Residence status
What are the conditions and the minimum time required to obtain Permanent Resident status?
Cost
What is the cost to obtain and maintain the residence permit (including tax considerations)?
Visa-free travel
As a resident, are there any visa-free travel benefits irrespective of citizenship?
Status
Does residence in the country provide international social status benefits?
Revocation
Under what circumstances can residence permits be revoked/not renewed?
CITIZENSHIP
Time
What is the minimum time of residence required to apply for citizenship?
Ease
Is it easy to become a citizen or restrictive? Does the country traditionally welcome new citizens (e.g. Canada) or is it restrictive (e.g. UAE)?
Language
Are there strict language requirements?
Other restrictions
Are there other restrictions on becoming a citizen (e.g. sub- national restrictions, cultural, ethnic, etc.)?
Visa-free travel
Do citizens enjoy good visa-free travel?
Cost
What is the cost to obtain and maintain citizenship?
Obligations
Does citizenship come with burdensome obligations (e.g. military service, taxation)?
Status
Does citizenship provide national or international social status benefits?
Revocation
Under what circumstances can citizenship be revoked?
LEGAL AND TAX
Taxation
What is the taxable base and rate of taxation of the following?• Income and capital gains taxes• Net wealth and property taxes• Inheritance and gift taxes• Tax planning options• Are there strict anti-avoidance laws and restrictions on international structuring?• Import duties, tax exemptions• Value Added Taxes
Matrimonial and divorce regime
Will pre-nuptial agreement be recognized in this country?What impact has residence in the country on a possible divorce filing?
Real estate
What is the state of the real-estate markets (residential, commercial)?What is the availability of residential real-estate for rent and purchase
Real-estate acquisition
Is it easy to acquire property? What are the transfer duties payable? Are there any restrictions to buy or sell?
