Israel
As of October 7th, the State of Israel is in a complex security situation, with many countries evacuating diplomats and foreign citizens.
Foreign nationals living in Israel can reach out to their Embassy for information about emergency evacuation flights. The US Embassy publishes daily security alerts with helpful information.
Relocation Support
Our relocation partners are currently still open for business as standard from Sunday-Thursday 08:30-17:00, supporting with relocation services on the ground subject to some restrictions.
Large supermarkets, small neighbourhood grocery stores and pharmacies remain open, whilst beaches and other leisure facilities such as cinemas and large shopping centres are closed. Parks and playgrounds remain open, and workplaces are operating but may have restricted hours. The Homefront Command is responsible for public safety and civil defence, and information on public protected spaces or shelters is being provided locally.
Temporary housing
Despite many serviced apartment operators now hosting displaced Israelis, there is availability of 1 and 2 bedrooms apartments in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Haifa and Jerusalem, which are currently less affected by the War.
Schooling
Most schools are now closed, including the American International School, with virtual learning being offered.
Transport
Public transport is available. Foreign airlines have substantially reduced the number of Israeli bound commercial flights, with some ceasing flights entirely. ElAl airlines are the national carrier of Israel: they are operating under the instructions of the Israeli security forces, and are servicing worldwide destinations, but availability of seats is low.
Shipping
Shipping Lines are still providing services; however many are skipping Ashdod and going only to Haifa where they are declaring EOV (End of Voyage), which often will mean extra expenses due to the requirement for long-distance transportation via road. In addition, insurance companies are imposing an additional insurance premium of ‘war risk’ on all vessels calling at Israeli ports.
Options for shipping via air are limited and the flights that are running are subject to cancellations.
Immigration
The Population and Immigration Authority’s Foreign Experts Unit is currently processing new work permit applications, extensions of current permits, and residence visas for foreigners who are residing in Israel. Understandably, some delays should be expected.
Europe
Housing – Germany
The housing market in Berlin and most of the other major cities across Germany including Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Dusseldorf, is finally showing signs of stabilising as rental stock begins to return to the market. Nevertheless, availability of rental property is not back to pre-Covid levels, and as such it remains a landlords’ market. Most property viewings continue to be by pre-appointment only and at the discretion of the landlord. This can make it difficult to arrange back-to-back viewings and often means that property tours are spread over multiple days.
Please note that a local bank account needs to be established prior to signing a lease. Without a local bank account, utilities cannot be set up and a first salary payment cannot be made. A local bank account is also required for the registration of the property.
Schooling – Germany
State school places in many locations remain a challenge as a permanent
property needs to be secured so that a residential address can be provided. This delays the application process; in addition, places in the required year group are often not immediately available. Meanwhile, international schools generally have places available in most years and there is a good selection in most major cities. Kindergarten places for preschool children are hard to secure due to capacity, however private options are available, but the fees are expensive. We recommend addressing schooling as early as possible to ensure sufficient time to identify the needs of the family and successfully secure school/kindergarten places.
Local Registration – Germany
As a reminder, local registration is a requirement in Germany and must be carefully managed. The first step of the process needs to be completed within the first 3 days of arrival, with the second step taking place once the move to the permanent property is confirmed.
Shipping – Russia & Ukraine
Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24 February 2022, sanctions
have been imposed by the UK, EU and US and as a result insurance companies are no longer able to issue insurance policies to cover moves into or out of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. We are advised that all UK insurers are impacted by these sanctions.
K2 are still able to manage moves from these territories however, we are now unable to insure shipments at origin. The best solution for moves departing from these territories, is for the goods to be packed and delivered into a storage facility in Europe, for example Germany, where we are then able to arrange insurance before shipping on to the destination. Consequently, the transit from Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine to the storage facility in Europe, would be uninsured.
Immigration – Europe
The EU will lower the salary threshold for Blue Cards to somewhere in the region of 1-1.6 times the average gross salary in the applicable country, with the aim of attracting highly skilled workers from outside of Europe.
The revised system makes it possible to obtain a Blue Card with a 6-month contract (previously 12 months was required.) The criteria to qualify is now more flexible and beneficiary rights have been expanded, making it easier and swifter to relocate within the EU after twelve months of working in the original host location. Families are permitted to accompany the relocating assignee.
For clarity, highly-skilled workers from outside the EU will be entitled to live and work in all EU countries with the exception of Ireland and Denmark.
United Kingdom
Housing
Stock is gradually improving, offering more options for both long term rentals and short term serviced apartments. In London, with the return of the university students, we are noticing an impact on the availability of one-bedroom apartments but expect to see things improve over the coming months.
Shipping
Currently there are no port strikes or airport strikes to report, and moves are taking place within expected timeframes.
Immigration
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will soon become a requirement for those who currently do not require a visa to come to the UK. This authorisation provides permission to travel to the UK and will be electronically linked to passports.
An ETA will soon be required if you are:
- Visiting the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business, or study
- In the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
- Transiting through the UK – including those not required to transit through UK border control
Key dates:
- 25 October 2023: ETA UK applications opened for Qataris
- 15 November 2023: Qatari citizens will need an ETA to enter the UK
- February 2024: GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) and Jordan will be eligible to apply for an ETA
- To be announced: Details relating to all other visa waiver nationalities
EUSS Auto 2 year extension
For those with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, this status remains valid for 5 years. As of September 2023, pre-settled status holders who have not yet obtained formal settled status and are approaching the expiry date of their pre-settled status, will have this status extended by 2 years. The Home Office intends to automatically convert as many eligible pre-settled holders to settled status, once they become eligible and without the requirement for an application. Automated checks of pre-settled status holders will take place during 2024, to establish the length of their continuous residency in the UK.
Home Office fee increases: General highlights include a 15 percent increase to fees on visit routes, a 15 percent increase to fees on work routes, a 20 percent increase to fees on wider entry clearance routes (for example, Route to Settlement), and a 20 percent increase to fees for settlement and applications for British citizenship. A 19-20 percent increase to fees charged for Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) together with the significant immigration health surcharge increase from £624 to £1,035 per year per person will be introduced later this autumn.
Claw back clauses are becoming more frequent in foreign assignments to recoup some of the immigration costs, but it is important to know what it is possible to request from a leaving sponsored employee. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee of £239 cannot be reclaimed, neither can the Immigration Skills Surcharge OR Immigration Health Surcharge as any unused time will be paid back to you as a Home Office refund.
