Why this small island in the Persian Gulf continues to attract expatriate workers from all over the world
Despite the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on travel across borders, expatriates remain largely unaffected in their decision to work outside of their home nations.
In a world that will have overcome the virus with accelerated vaccination programs, people continue to look to other countries besides their own, for adventure, meaning, purpose, or simply, money. Whatever these motivating factors may be, there is no shortage of options for the average expatriate professional to choose from.
With remote work finally being recognised by the majority, there may be an unprecedented increase in the number of expatriate workers worldwide. Countries offering digital nomad and other freelance visas have taken concrete efforts to attract more professionals.
As such, you may be faced with a difficult choice. Where, among these numerous options, do you move to, as an expatriate. There are, of course, many enticing options out there. And since this is a topic of interest to many, surveys and studies are done every year to understand which would be the best choice.
Of course, studies may only tell you part of the story, since liking things like weather and food tend to be subjective opinions, and not particularly well represented in objective studies.
In this article, we go over a few subjective and objective reasons why the small island nation of Bahrain might be the best choice for your next expatriate journey.
1. It is beloved by expatriates who are here already
The Expat Insider surveys of 2017 and 2018 ranked Bahrain to be the best country in the world for expatriates, beating out the likes of Singapore, Portugal and the neighbouring nations like the UAE that hold more wealth.
But this result was not a surprise to anyone who had lived in the country. It has consistently ranked high in these surveys, offering high levels of satisfaction to the expatriates who chose to live there. It comes about due to a variety of reasons and appeals to the expats’ decision to continue to work and live in the country.
2. The locals are the friendliest you will see
The aforementioned studies often mentioned the friendliness of the locals to be an attractive factor as well. It was mentioned that the expats found it easy to make friends among the local families.
And anyone who has ever been to Bahrain knows how calm and friendly the local population tends to be. With their kindness and vast hearts, you will surely have a wholesome time with the local friends you make in Bahrain.
3. Taxes
Taxes or the lack thereof is an obvious enticing factor that will surely attract many expatriates to the country.
You do not pay any tax on your personal income, while still being able to claim tax residency if you live here*. While the country did introduce VAT on goods and services in the country not so long ago, the tax burden is still considerably smaller than you would have in any other country.
4. It is easy to travel from here
While the country itself is not particularly large, it is surrounded by several large nations with unique travel opportunities.
Bahrain’s decision to try and position itself as a hub for travel and business in the region has led to the presence of excellent travel infrastructure, including the newly opened terminal for the Bahrain International Airport.
Along with the state-owned Gulf Air, Bahrain’s airport offers ample travel opportunities to those who wish to explore the other countries in the region. There are daily flights to countries like the UAE and India, for example, for those wish to travel to any of those countries or their neigbours.
5. Strong infrastructure for living here
The country offers a very well developed road network for travel within the country. Moreover, there are also plans underway to construct a metro network within its major cities, further boosting public transport in the country for its residents.
Water and electricity are also easily accessible and readily available at affordable rates. It also offers affordable mobile and wired networks, with multiple ISPs offering different services.
Also, the country has not blocked any of the popular VoIP or messaging platforms like Whatsapp, unlike some others in the region such as the UAE. There is an open policy when it comes to the use of such apps and services in the country, aimed at improving the quality of life and convenience to businesses and professionals.
6. Plenty of opportunity for leisure
While the country itself may be small in terms of geographical area, that doesn’t mean there is any lack of opportunities for leisure.
The country has the first Formula 1 Circuit in the region, along with its international carting circuit for those who enjoy go-karts. There is also the historic Manama souq, with the full extent of the country’s culture and trade on display. The market continues to attract tourists and locals alike, with everything from pearls to refrigerators available in and around the souq.
There is also the Tree of Life, a solitary tree lying deep in the desert and a true sign of how life finds a way. And for the shopping enthusiasts, there are plenty of options like The Avenues and City Centre.
In short, while the country itself may be small, it is big when it comes to the list of options you have.
7. Local Culture and History
There is evidence suggesting civilisation existed in the country as far back as 6000 years ago.
With historic sites such as the Arad fort and the Bahrain National Museum, there is plenty of opportunity for those who enjoy learning about history. Elements of local culture that has been preserved over millennia are sure to fascinate your minds and open yourself to the wisdom shared among generations.
8. Low cost of living
While the country is not comparable to developing countries like Vietnam, it does offer significantly lower living costs compared to some other countries in the region.
The currency is also one of the most valuable in the world, with the Bahrain Dinar often coming second only to the Kuwait Dinar in terms of value. This means your wages here may translate to exceptionally high earning in your country of origin, depending on where you are from and the exchange rates, of course.
In addition to all these advantages, the country also offers a low-cost path of entry into the GCC and MENA for those who are looking for it. It also enjoys very strong ties to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the possibility of working on projects in KSA while residing in Bahrain.
If you wish to learn more about why you should come to Bahrain and how we can help you with your business, drop us a message. With our reliable track record of over three decades, we remain well equipped in serving all your business needs in and around the country.