Happy abroad – with a good safety net

What makes people happy around the world? The VRT study ‘Foto van Vlaanderen’ on the VRT website (in Dutch) (New window) shows that three factors are crucial to the Flemish people’s sense of happiness (regardless of age, background or stage of life): family, sufficient financial resources and good health. Although this is a Flemish study, these prerequisites for happiness appear to be universal.

For expats, these factors are particularly important. While international mobility opens up new opportunities, living and working abroad often comes with unique challenges in terms of social networks, financial security and well-being.

Staying connected from a distance

Moving abroad also means leaving family, friends and a familiar network behind. Many expats struggle with loneliness. They have to build new social contacts. In countries such as Chile, Ghana or Thailand, there are creative ways: expats organise informal get-togethers, digital coffee breaks, ‘onces’ (traditional meals in Chile) or lunch together (Ghana). Still, the longing for home often remains strong: expats state that the sense of connection with their family is the foundation of their happiness. Fortunately, there are digital ways to stay in touch with home.

Financial security

The second factor is financial stability. Outside Europe, local regulations and social safety nets are often less understandable or trustworthy. This creates additional uncertainty: what happens, for example, if a project ends or someone falls ill? The Overseas Social Security (OSS) provides the necessary support on such occasions with:

• benefits in the event of illness, accident or incapacity for work;
• pension savings and coverage of medical costs, even during a long-term stay;
• free cover for family and partners (dependants).

Access to healthcare

Good health has a particularly significant impact on one’s sense of happiness. Quality of and access to healthcare vary greatly from country to country. This can put additional pressure on expats. The OSS offers reliable insurance cover to Belgian expats and their families in the event of illness, hospitalisation or pregnancy. As a result, they can move abroad knowing that their health is in safe hands.

Experience with expats insured by us shows just how important a safety net is as a basic requirement for happiness. OSS is that safety net. It contributes to a happy life abroad.