Expat package from USA to EU
Posted by InsideAct6287@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 25 comments
I’m currently based in the U.S. and was asked last year to temporarily manage a struggling overseas office in Europe. After about a year there, the team’s performance and output improved significantly — leadership said I “things have turned around.”
Now they’re suggesting I relocate permanently to that country with my family for a couple of years. It would mean my spouse leaving a well-paying job in the U.S.
The company is offering a housing allowance (~$3K/month) and a modest discretionary bonus, but my base salary from US would stay roughly the same.
I’m trying to understand what a reasonable compensation adjustment should look like for: • Relocation to a lower-cost country (but higher personal/family disruption) • Loss of spouse’s income • Proven track record of turnaround leadership • Strong company profitability (mid-sized private firm, healthy margins)
What would a fair total package or structure look like in this case? Would you ask for higher base, fixed bonus, or family allowance? Any expat or HR folks who’ve seen similar cases — how should I approach this negotiation?
No_Winner2301@reddit
100% dependant on which county and which city/town in the EU, not enough information to comment.
InsideAct6287@reddit (OP)
Prague CZ
zuesk134@reddit
3k/month housing allowance + US salary will go quite far there
reddit_tat@reddit
One thing to keep in mind is that you are keeping your US pay in a lower cost country. Sounds like you are running the joint, but imagine if you had peers being paid the local rate. Sounds keeping your pay plus getting a housing allowance is probably intended to help replace your spouse’s income. (Note there is an inherent assumption that trailing spouses are not working or are not working with similar job to the breadwinner tasked to move.) I say this to suggest being careful when asking for money to replace spousal income. You might instead point out that she (I assume she) is a high earner with her own profession and career. Could they help connect her with work locally? Can she work her current job remotely? Military (and I assume diplomatic) spouses are supposed to be allowed to work remotely when their spouse transfers, but the private sector does not do this.
Otherwise, they should pay to move your stuff and any associated fees with finding new housing (broker or agency fees for rental). Flights back at least once per year is common and doesn’t cost much. Since you don’t have kids—I don’t know if you are planning to—you don’t need private school tuition, but maybe they can give you something in lieu of that. Language program for your spouse? Overall, this is one of those “good” problems.
Able-Exam6453@reddit
Fabulous place to be, but unless your spouse is confident in the language, they might become very isolated, and miss a lot of Prague’s allure. (Yes, its true that English will be encountered a lot, but limiting yourself to that is such a straitjacket)
Still, if this can be overcome, if you can afford living on one salary pro tem ( but they may well find a great job, whatever the pay), I’d say grab this chance with both hands, and use your teeth if necessary!
Great timing since you aren't parents, in terms of disruption, and with your worth to your firm you can request a good few additional compensations, Id think:
*eg heavily subsidised, high standard housing in a part of the city with excellent tram/bus etc connections, and not in any kind of expat enclave
*spousal payment in lieu of their salary (at least 65% of that? Is that bonkers?)
* two allocations of return flights USA for both, p.a.
* a ‘disruption’ bonus, and first class removal firm to effect the expatriation of your necessities
* a car for your personal use ready for you on arrival
* and a carefully selected ‘go to’ person at the Prague office, who'll be your personal guru for all things Czech.
I think this could be a wonderful hiatus for you both, and living in such an enthralling city as Prague could become the highlight of reminiscences much later in your lives.
No_Winner2301@reddit
I have no insight, but there will be people who can tell you.
ProfileBest2034@reddit
Are they offering tax equalisation? I'm guessing the tax rate in the new country will be higher than in the US.
CherrrySnaps@reddit
I did a similar move a few years ago. Don’t underestimate how much harder it is when your partner gives up a good salary. In my case, we negotiated a spousal support allowance and an annual lump-sum “disturbance allowance.” If the company really values you, they’ll pay for the disruption, not just your rent.
InsideAct6287@reddit (OP)
Thank you, could you please tell me how you calculated spousal support allowance and the lump sum disturbance allowance?
BooKoala@reddit
As a former trailing spouse, this is really important to consider. We left about 10 years ago and I only feel like my career is back to where it was before now. I hope it’s easier now since remote work is more common. It was an amazing experience but it got really hard sometimes and that needs to be fully appreciated by you both.
Some of the expat benefits that helped me: (1) intensive language classes for 1st year,(2) CV and recruitment consulting, (3) membership to Expat Community- I think the one they used was called NetExpats, that helped me meet people and integrate into the city, (4) home visit leave and paid for flights (in economy).
I was lucky that my parents were moved from the UK to US when I was a kid on an expat contract so I knew what used to be normal that could be asked for…it’s less common now to get these kind of packages but I found the negotiation was easier since I had genuine asks as opposed to just more money for spouse support and mortgage back home.
TWJunkman@reddit
Also consider/look into what happens when the expat gig ends. Does the company pay for you and your family’s repatriation? Will you have a job when you return?
chrisgcarter@reddit
obviously it depends, but I would be asking for a really good health insurance policy that covers you in the US as well the over seas assignment
AlsatianCremant@reddit
Ask for spousal support. This may include a stipend and job search aid. Or see if the company can offer her a job.
Otherwise she’ll be a highly qualified trailing spouse will join the local Women’s Club, become its treasurer and go on
outings on Tuesday afternoons. That may or may not keep her engaged enough.
If she networks she may be able to get some project work or consulting but only once she’s established herself.
BadmashN@reddit
Depending on the situation you may want to ask for tax equalisation. Housing allowance, car allowance, tax filing support.
maimauw867@reddit
Why the focus on money? You have a well paying job so is kind of irrelevant. I would focus on what you and your wife want, do you want this both? Will it make you happy? Will your wife be happy? What country will you choose? What will you get out of this chance? … these questions are European questions, your main focus seams money, be prepared for the different mindset between US and Europe.
squid_game_456@reddit
If you have kids or plan to have one while in EU, request private school tuition re-imbursement as well as ability to keep you US health insurance, in case you or your spouse need to fly to the US for specialized medical care...
Hausmannlife_Schweiz@reddit
You need to account for your partner. Your pay package should be a lot higher to make up their salary.
My wife and I just moved back to the US after 6 years. We lasted that long because we accounted for me not working. We met a lot of people that assumed the partner would find a job quickly. Those people were back in the US after a year.
jupacaluba@reddit
EU is not a country.
_Smedette_@reddit
Husband’s job moved us out of the US. His contract included: rent for as long as we were on temporary work visas (it ceased as soon as we were granted Permanent Residency), spousal support to help with my lost income (low monthly stipend), and they paid for flights to/from the US every year for us to visit home. They paid all fees associated with schooling for our daughter (including private education). We get a company car + fuel card, and they pay insurance and tolls. They also offer accounting services to help us with the double tax filing.
They gave us the option of covering the cost to pack up and move all the contents of our house, or giving us ~$10k to furnish the new place upon our arrival.
Rasmoosen@reddit
If you have kids, you should consider the costs of attendance in a quality international school, which can be quite significant. That would be a bargaining chip to get more out of your company.
YakResident_3069@reddit
My coworker was Mormon . Company moved him to Asia for 3 years. He got a free flat, all 5 kids went to intl school on company dime. I'm sure there were more perks
U should talk to a friend in HR
InsideAct6287@reddit (OP)
No kids, but that’s a good point..
Mundane_Afternoon256@reddit
Doesnt sound like a bad deal. COL is cheaper, taxes lower than average for EU and it’s not a hardship location… back in the day you negotiate additional perks like annual flights home and international school fees for your kids which can be worth $$$. It could also lead to other more senior roles showing a willingness to travel which most people don’t/cant. You have to factor in the trailing spouse situation - it can be very hard to adjust as they will be most of the day on their own, and need to make new friends and a life.
GMaiMai2@reddit
First person you should have that discussion with would be your spouse. She will not only lose her job but also alot of support network. Maby even the possibility of an equal position in the new country depending on language requirements and education(more or less stranding on person so while the other one have all their needs met)
InsideAct6287@reddit (OP)
We have had discussions about it, and she was open to spend some years in EU. Will be a new experience since we both like to travel.. You are correct in the fact that she will not get a job or position that pays as well as the US, that’s why I am trying to get some compensation from my employer to minimize the difference.. But not sure how much I can push..