Moving to a new country is often seen as an exciting adventure—new opportunities, new experiences, and a fresh start. But what’s rarely talked about is the real cost of starting over, especially for women.
Beyond the moving expenses, the biggest challenge is often career setbacks. Many women face:
– Lower salaries or taking a step back in their career
– Months of job searching with no income
– Lost promotions and slower career progression
– Additional costs like certifications, and networking to rebuild professional connections
The financial impact? It’s not uncommon for the first year of relocation to cost €30,000–€50,000 in lost income and expenses. And over a few years, the long-term career delay could mean €100,000+ in missed earnings.
Yet, despite these challenges, many of us take this leap, proving our resilience, adaptability, and ability to reinvent ourselves.
If you’ve started over in a new country, what was the biggest financial or career challenge you faced? Let’s talk about it! 👇
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