The internet is making the lives of Brit expats easier than ever…

They may be living overseas, but staying in touch with friends and family back home is a priority for expatriates, with almost two thirds (63%) using the internet daily to email loved ones, according to a recent study from Alliance & Leicester International (ALIL)*.

Keeping up with current affairs (69%) is another key priority, while a fifth log on to keep abreast of the latest sport results or to check the latest weather reports (22%).   And when it comes to shopping, 83% of expats regularly opt to swap the trolley dash for the keyboard bash, avoiding the queues altogether.

Indeed the worldwide web has revolutionised expats’ everyday lives with 70% now logging on daily and over one in four switching on every hour. The vast majority of expats now have broadband access with almost half of those surveyed owning webcams and one in three opting for cheaper international calls via VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) technology. 

And if expats are not spending they’re wages online, then they’re saving them with 16% logging on daily to do their banking and almost half (47%) checking their bank balance online at least once a week.

Life at the click of a button

Simon Hull, Managing Director of Alliance & Leicester International comments: “Our research shows that the internet has revolutionised the lives of expats, enabling them to go about their daily lives at the click of a button, any time of the day - helping them to stay in touch, do their shopping and manage their finances.  Whether it’s making purchases, or transferring money from accounts it’s even more important that expats take the same precautions with their safety online as they do offline.

“Having 24 hour access to their money is a necessity for most expats. That’s why we’ve specifically developed our eSaver Offshore savings account with unique online functionality. It provides expat customers with a secure online environment that helps them both manage and set up their account more quickly and easily than any other offshore online account. 

“In addition, unlike other offshore savings providers, whose postal application processes can take weeks to complete, the eSaver Offshore account enables customers to transfer their opening balance within days of opening an account – something which is truly unique to offshore savings accounts.”