There are many ways to live and work abroad. One option is that your employer sends you abroad. This can happen with either a local or an expert agreement. Both have its Pros & Cons, and it is important that you cover the most important topics to have a better feeling when going abroad.

Never forget, that the company you work for and you are negotiation partners. Thus, the conditions need to work out for both sides. The following topics need to be discussed, independent from whether it’s a local or expat agreement:

1. Promotion/Title Change
2. Area of Responsibility and goals
3. Management structure – to whom will you report, who will report to you
4. Duration of the project abroad
5. Housing – if it’s not fully covered throughout your stay, you should at least ensure that you e.g. have the first weeks/months covered (e.g. hotel or AirBnB) to find a proper home for you/your family
6. Moving expenses – either you get a budget or can expense certain things (e.g. moving container, return flight, moving company …)
7. Company Car – e.g. crucial in the US where you depend on a car in most areas. Buying a car might seem cheap but without record car insurance is very high and long term rentals/leasing might be cheaper in case you don’t get a company car
8. Company Phone
9. Health Insurance
10. Retirement
11. Further Benefits such as child care
12. If you’re on a new agreement, what happens with your original contract? Ideally, it’s being paused incl. clause that you have a flexible return back.
13. Return flights throughout your stay abroad for you (and your family members)