Taxes may be high, but for many Americans they're MUCH cheaper than the cost of merely staying alive in the USA. Case and point: my husband has a chronic illness that he takes medicine for every two weeks. Without that medicine, he's pretty much disabled (but doesn't qualify for disability because the US has a policy of "if medication works, you aren't *really* disabled). That medication, which he needs to function, is $6000/mo here. The MINIMUM cost of healthcare that covers his bare minimum needs is just shy of $20,000/year. But wait, there's more! In the US, there's not *supposed* to be any discrimination against preexisting conditions... but you better believe that isn't functionally true. One medication option for my husband would medically require a nurse to administer it. Insurance companies will cover the cost of that medicine (because they have to), but they often won't cover the cost of the nurse... that is medically required to administer it. And yes, that's legal. Oh, and another fun thing: insurance companies can just change what they will pay at any time. That means doctors can also just drop their acceptance of your insurance at any time too. Begging for healthcare when your family is sick really isn't a fun experience. I know many, MANY people who would be much happier to pay higher taxes if it meant sweet release from the predatory system we live under in the USA. I
@Just Me Yeah. I'm able to get at least some of the horror across when I tell them, "My husband almost died earlier this year because his treatment was delayed a month by both the healthcare and insurance system. I had to shut down my business to become his full time caretaker since the delay meant he could no longer walk and COVID took out the tiny little safety net of homecare nurses that might have let me keep working. And then the DOL, which is supposed to support cases like mine, decided to say 'fuck you specifically' and I am still fighting them for unemployment I am owed eight months later."
Rafael, you forgot about the xenophobia .... I worked in the USA, been asked what are you, I was like Romanian. They were like omg that is so cool, I know so many Romanians, they are so cool and such hard workers, lets hang out. 95% of the time this was the case, I had so much fun and respect in the USA not even comparable to any country in Europe. In Europe, the moment I mention Romanian, there is awkward silence, awkward questions, disinterest, judgement, mistreatment, avoidance and I can keep going. + Every country has a grudge against their neighbor but give each other fake smile and dead eyes. Every European consider itself the best and better than the other.
The key thing to remember about universal healthcare vs. the system in the US is that it's not reliant upon your having a job. If you're out of work, between jobs, laid off, or just taking a break and something unfortunate happens to you, you can still go to the hospital. If your girlfriend/partner/wife is pregnant, she can have her baby and get all the support she needs at next to no cost. The hospital isn't going to demand to see how many taxes you've paid and then bill you for back payment. When you have a job you obviously have to pay taxes, but receiving medical care has nothing to do with those taxes aside from funding the system, of course. You don't owe the government for services rendered after the fact. It is most definitely not free (that's an understatement) in the sense that it is paid for through taxes, but neither is the possibility of losing health care and being strapped with a ridiculous medical bill being constantly held over your head. I think this is the distinction that must be made, and I think this peace of mind is what Americans crave. I will not move back to the US without a six-figure salary for this reason, as I will not put my family's medical care in the hands of an insurance company. Working in Italy can be summed up thusly: it is no place for entrepreneurs. It is not a place to look for wealth or even meritocracy. Successful entrepreneurship in Italy that hasn't been handed to you through nepotism or inheritance is simply "culo"; it is the rare unicorn that is most often sheer dumb luck. As an entrepreneur, you are quite nearly punished through exorbitant taxes, mind-boggling red tape, and overreaching regulation that strangles startups with a vice-like grip. The irony of all this is that Italy recognizes its dire need for startups and entrepreneurship, but because it punishes entrepreneurship so much, people end up applying for loans and grants through EU programs because Italy is just so bad at it. A perfect example of this is the recent homeowners' grants being given due to the government's economic and budgeting incompetence with money they literally stole from the EU. Now the Italian government is tasked with bringing homes up to more modern, "green" code by offering complete renovations for homeowners nearly free of charge within the next couple of years, because if they don't, they're going to be slapped with a massive fine from Brussels to the tune of BILLIONS of euros. In short, the Italian government ran a Ponzi scheme with EU money for years and got caught. Lastly, while the bureaucracy in Italy is a massive pain in the ass and is good for simply wasting time and money, it is very rarely deadly. You deal with the ass pain, complain about it at the pub, and go home. Unlike a predatory healthcare system that is practically the telltale sign of a modern caste system, it is not going to kill you. Higher education is wrapped up into these social systems as well, so you're not hit with the double whammy of medical and college costs for the rest of your life in Italy and the EU. I hate bureaucracy just as much as the next person, but it's not like Italians like it either; they're simply used to it. Expats get used to it as well. People tend to talk about bureaucracy like it's a monster that eats your children when it's just an inconvenience: lots of useless paperwork, lots of useless running around, lots of useless signatures. That's about it. I think people lose sight of what's important because ease of access and instant everything have become the norm, and when you're in a place where it's not the norm, the effects are most often grossly exaggerated. Yes, bureaucracy sucks, but at the end of the day you're not popping Xanax because you can't afford health insurance or college. Or Xanax.
So I scrolled the comments section to check if anyone is brave enough to debunk this rafaello guy biases and thankfully I am not disappointed. Big thumbs up for sharing your thoughts. Love it.😗
@@sunshine2113 Haha, thanks I guess. I'm not trying to debunk anything from Raffa, as I don't think he would disagree. What he is saying is all true, but it's true from only one perspective, which is something he has never shied away from or denied. His channel is his own personal experience as an expat living in Italy, and I always understood it as just that. He doesn't say his word is the be-all, end-all of expats in Italy, just his own. I only want to give another in-depth perspective from another expat, which is no more or less "correct" than his. I wanted to show another side, as his videos would have to be at least half an hour long in order to show a more comprehensive view. Were he to do that, it would probably kill his channel because his channel is more about bite-sized, surface-level pieces. The "expat in Italy" channels are a dime a dozen, and his stands out because he found a formula that works for both him and his audience. I just want to make clear I'm not calling him out by any means, as I don't disagree with what he's saying...just that there is much, much more under the surface to peel away. I enjoy his videos; I'm a subscriber and I like to put my two cents' (by now more like ten bucks haha) worth into the discussion. This is his brand, though, and the last thing I want to do is be a rompipalle. That said, whenever I do see something that needs to be challenged, I will most definitely challenge it. I'd like to start my own channel, but there are so many of these types of channels on YT that it would just get lost in the rest of them, and I have no interest in playing the "click like and subscribe" YT game. Plus, the production values on all of these vids are top-notch, and I don't have the patience. I only hope my input can add more clarification and perspective to the subject. In a way, we're all here together and we're all expats, so I think a little push and pull is healthy for our community.
@@doomblackdeath8888 I believe as a Canadian it sounds normal to have these charges for the good of all people..and the hair salon person story is very exaggerated and we as a whole are better off giving parents time off to bond and heal without stresses about being able to survive..the American way is not the best way and seems actually cruel and unfeeling at times
@@trishastewart563 That's what I was saying. The US model is all dependent upon your economic situation, whereas the universal model is not. The fact of the matter is it's not up to politicians, but citizens. If it were like Italy and the overwhelming majority of American citizens actually wanted a universal model, they'd have it. In Italy, no one...and I mean NO ONE wants the US model. It's not policy, it's the entire citizenry. Until Americans can agree on healthcare in the same way that Europeans and much of the rest of the world does, it's not going to change. People can elect whomever they want, but until all citizens agree on the basic tenet that healthcare should be a right and not a privilege, the system will never change. It's a cultural issue, not political.
Great segment! I've been living in Europe off and on for so many years, I'm having trouble remembering what surprised me the most. I know many Americans in Germany are surprised that shops are closed on Sunday and Germany holidays, they have to remember to take their keys when they go out because the door automatically locks, and quite hours. I finally got the heat fixed in my Bozen apartment. But I was surprised that heating hours are set. I was happy to find that some stores are open on Sunday in Italy. Although, it wasn't much of a surprise because some are open in France as well. We had an interesting time getting my husband's CF. They would do it in Bozen because our visa is for Germany. I ended up going through a service to get it done.
In regards to healthcare, I think you make a good point that it isn’t “free” so to speak, but it’s definitely more affordable than in the US! This system is so so broken. We have premium assistance that becomes less and less as we make more money. That makes sense, but why are premiums for lackluster health insurance $2,000 a month for a family of 4 in the first place?! And that’s with a $15,000 deductible. I’d pay it through sales tax and social tax any day. Ooof sorry for the rant.
Access to a doctor is nice. Prescription and OTC Medicine cost at the Farmacia, and hospitals are both public and private, so they can charge for Tests a doctor prescribes, even if the patient has a coded exemption. They may have to wait a year, there's only a short window for a free Test. (Either you pay in money or time.) Still, you are correct, it's better here. I know a person from Eastern Europe and another from Central America here in Italy for healthcare.
Rafael..This was a very good video. You have pointed out the realities of things to consider when deciding to move to Europe. The story of the small business owner is something people should know. Healthcare is not free as many Americans think. Taxes can be high in Italy. Building your own home there is very difficult. La Dolce Vita is kind of a myth. All of these things never come to mind with people on vacation. By the way, your real life video backgrounds are very effective!. Thanks for telling it like it is.
biden wants to give away everything free free free and we are paying for it! inflation on food prices, gasoline prices, etc. ! nothing is free. in norway or sweden, gas is like $12 a gallon... health care is not free anywhere.
I live in the US but have spent years in other countries. There's no "best" country. And if you're talking about a country as large and varied as the US there's huge variety of places all different from each other. There are places in the US that I would not want to live and places I love. I've found a place in Italy that I like and I'm buying a property there. There are other places in Italy I don't want to visit more than a few days. (The US is going though a bad situation right now. I expect we'll pull out in a few years. Other countries also have their ups and downs.)
@@homeandgardendiaries6384 Thanks, I'm looking forward to completing the paperwork and starting renovations. It's a modest apartment in a small hilltop village. The village has everything I need for extended stays and is full of friendly, kind people. I love the feeling of being in a place where people have lived for hundreds of years and over the years built some beautiful buildings.
in Canada the gov't pays for maternity leave ...they go on U.I . THE EMPLOYER PAYS NOTHING . WE ALL CONTRIBUTE TO U.I . you are only comparing to the U.S. every INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD HAS PAID MATERNITY LEAVE ....Please
The government doesn’t pay for maternity or unemployment benefits..it just manages it. The employer pays 1.4 times the amount the employee pays. Just a clarification..I am so glad we have it in canada
The hairdresser bankrupted by maternity leave doesn't make any sense. Why would the employer pay for the person on maternity leave? In my country the government pays, from the social deductions. As for the only voting for the party, not the person, you can have a preferential vote for someone in a party to enter parliament. Yes, you don't vote for the Prime Minister, but you don't vote for a Majority Leader or Speaker of the House in USA either. In Europe, we actually count the votes for President, and all votes have the same weight, no Electoral College that makes votes from some places several times weightier than other votes. In all, with multiparty system due to no first-past-the-post representative elections, I think we have a much better deal. Parties that are out of touch with the people fall away, and new ones win elections. When was the last time a new party won an election in USA? 1860?
My biggest concerns as an American thinking about emigrating to Italy: 1. Finding work, and eventually work that I enjoy and pays a decent wage and offers some benefits 2. Taking care of my parents in their old age, especially as they are challenged by more health problems and independent living 3. Keeping a tight relationship with my family in the US and missing out on many memories and good times 4. Paying all the taxes 5. Dealing with all the bureaucracy, especially in Italy
Rafael...I finally got my German passport today (no joke I got it a few hours ago in the mail), I'm now officially a dual US/German citizen! May sound corny but the pep talk video (and others videos you made) and the ICA videos (for jure sanguinis understanding) made this a little easier. Thanks again!
WOW!!! THAT'S FANTASTIC!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can only imagine how exciting today must be for you!!! I'm so glad you've enjoyed that video! I'm happy it at least was something for even just one person out there 😊
@@bodhisattva2348 They do if, like in my case for example, one parent is a German citizen and one parent is an US citizen at the time of birth of the child. This exception I just mentioned has a whole tree of exceptions on top of that to even qualify. You are right, most cases Germany is very strict on this and does not allow dual citizenship. They introduced more laws in 2000 making it even harder, so I can see it being almost completely phased out in the future. I'm happy to provide any clarifications to questions you may have.
Thurii correct me, if I’m wrong but I believe that was the case in the past, but the system has opened up significantly in recent years. Also especially for people in certain circumstances
Rafael, about your comment on the fact that after a general election (in 2018) three different governments were formed, I must point out that according to the Italian Constitution, Italy is a parliamentary republic. The parliament (chamber and senate) is the fulcrum of the political system and the source of legitimacy of all governments. This is a misunderstanding that needs to be cleared up, for those who, like you, do not yet know Italian politics well: you complain that the governments that have been formed do not reflect the will of the electorate: The people, the voting citizens, DO NOT elect the government. It is not intended in any way. Citizens elect the parliament which evidently expresses a majority and a minority. The combination of parties which by adding their votes form a majority (50% +1 of seats in each of the two chambers), is found in parliament. Any combination that forms a majority of seats of 50% + 1 is legitimate and in any case reflects the will of the electorate because the parliamentarians who make up this 50% + 1 have been sent to the parliament by the people. When voting for a party, the citizens know that that party will try to form a consortium with other parties of homogeneous ideology to form a government. When this majority fails during the experience of government, in the parliament, other majorities or even the same majority as before will be formed with adjustments to achieve a new balance but this will always reflect the will of the voters, who have not been asked to vote to form a government but only to elect a parliament. After the elections, the president of the republic holds "consultations" with the parties to understand who can be part of the majority and who can not and when he has a clear picture of the situation he will call a politician to entrust him with the task of forming a new government. When the government is finally formed, he will have to present itmself to the chambers to obtain the "trust", the ok to consider itself in office. This is how it works. I repeat: the Italian people are not expected to directly elect the government.
You’ve greatly misunderstood, I take issue with the core problem that we don’t have direct elections from a systemic level. Not simply “oh no we didn’t vote these guys in” I fully am aware of how the Italian system works and clarifying to individuals who come from other parts of the world with direct elections that it is NOT how things work her. I greatly appreciate you’re taking the time to explain, however I’m fully aware how that system functions.
But we don't elect or vote for any Parliament members. This last election in Rome we got to vote for the Mayor. We are then allowed to vote for the Party or Parties supporting the Mayor that we prefer to have greater weight or power in Parliament. You can vote by X on the Mayor's name and making an X on the Party's circular symbol, as many Parties as you choose to give preference to.
Sounds like in Europe taxes are used for the people who pay them. Here in America, our taxes collections are distributed to the world. I'll take the higher taxes that are used in county
On the cost of health care: i was unemployed in Germany. In Germany you are obliged by law to have health insurance, which is paid for by taxes paid by your employer. First i was on unemployment benefits, where u get like, 70% of your salary but for a fixed amount of time depending on how long you have worked. I had the right to that for about 7 months. (In this case the government becomes your 'employer' meaning that your insurance is paid from the unemployment money). During this time you are harassed and bullied by your job search agent to find a job QUICKLY. They call you nearly every day and threaten to lower your money if you do not prove to them that you have been rejected for interviews so far. They also force you to take meaningless training sessions in order to meet quotas and you're forced to go and it is checked. If you do not attend they lower you money. I was forced to go to training about how to apply for jobs, how to dress for an interview...complete waste of time, because i have a degree and i have already worked, i dont need to know those things also it takes the whole day, time which could have been used to actually find a job. After my unemployment benefits ran out, i was forced by the governmental unemployment agency to either: work a brutal, demeaning job for low pay, or to go on level 2 social benefits (which means that your apartment gets paid and you get an allowance for food, of a few hundred Euros a month. But in exchange you have to disclose ALL your assets and ALL the money you have. If you have a house or other property you can be forced to sell it and live off the money first until it runs out. If you have money in the bank, they force you to live from that until it runs out first). Obviously i didnt want the second option so i accepted the brutal demeaning job. (In this case the insurance is partly paid by the company or government agency employing you to sweep the street or whatever). This tires you out, meaning u no longer have the energy to look for a proper job. It is a very dangerous situation that can rapidly spiral into defeatism because you become stuck in it. And all of this, JUST because you have to be insured. In this case, i would have preferred the American system, where being insured is basically your choice, because it would have allowed me to ''Take the risk'' for 2 or 3 months and put all my energy into finding a job. I hope this gives people an idea what ''free'' means. Nothing is truly free.
I just had my 3rd baby in Italy and learned a lot about the extended maternity care and the issues it causes for women. People were telling me that because the maternity leave can be such a burden to the employer that most businesses will discriminate and not hire women who are in their child bearing years. They will also not hire women if they already have one child because they assume that they are going to have another and take the maternity leave that an employer doesn’t want to pay. While they extended paid maternity leave sounds, nice it has made it more difficult for women to find work
That’s interesting. I am in America and when I got pregnant, the lawyer I worked for said she needed me back in 2 weeks. I took 8, but some was unpaid and it was hard. My sister in Canada had a year’s maternity leave. I guess no country has it figured out? I thought other countries had done better.
regarding the EU , people vote for their representatives in the EU parliament at Strasbourg , but the parliament have no political power whatsoever , the commission and the european council are the ones running the show , the former appointed by the council , and the latest elected by voters at their national elections , for example Draghi represents italy at the euopan council , the problem is that in the national elections for the voters they are not elected based on what they will do at the EU council but what they will do as president or prime minister of their country
Hi Rafael, I'm a recent subscriber and I really appreciate your impressions about life in different countries. In this case, I would like to clarify some inaccuracies in the "all about the Benjamins" chapter. In Portugal, the employee deducts 11% of his salary and the employer pays another 23.75%. Thus, social security receives a total of 34.75% from each salary. But when a pregnancy or sick leave occurs, the employer does not pay the salary, social security pays everything. Thus, the employer can temporarily hire another person, without additional expenses.
Rafael… everyone also wants to come to Canada because of the “free healthcare” and money that low income families are given for children. However, NOTHING is truly free! Our tax is 13% on all purchases and those that work are paying exorbitant amounts of income tax that is deducted from our income and calculated again at the end of the year when taxes are submitted. Yes, Canada is a beautiful, safe Country with many rights for the people, but it is ridiculously expensive!
Canada is a shit hole…..since 2015 it’s been going downhill. Canadians voted for Turdeau three times!! Wtf. Quebec has 15% GST and QST and enormous income taxes…..and the healthcare system is broken. The word patient takes on a new meaning should you need surgery.
I feel like some of this is just unaware of other situations. For example healthcare: I know you were in the US so you know the tax brackets. You know people can easily be taxed 25 +% frequently the average alone is 22%. Except we don’t get healthcare protections, and if you do, then you get taxed even more just on an individual basis. As far as being able to “opt out” what are the odds that an individual never receives healthcare… Additionally. In some places certain insurances are illegal not to have. We all pay in different ways, and I don’t think the average American thinks oh its completely free. We think oh wow in Europe would you believe that 50% of people aren’t bankrupt due to medical bills. Birth alone costs upwards of 10k something most adults will experience. Cancer wipes our life savings and medical bills have even caused divorces. I know you are playing devils advocate but don’t forget to line up what it is being compared to. We have this reputation for a reason. My mother makes 90k a year on paper she barley takes home 80 due to taxes, those taxes heavily being influenced by her health care. - The issue of the pregnancy. That’s a system failure for sure, but you know what also is a system failure the fact we have to abandon our children to sitters and pay thousands in daycare. Dogs have more rights to their young than this in America. I can’t speak for other countries, I can only speak for where I lor. But there is more than just x and y problem. Its a pro and con. I think its important to highlight both
The job contract situation is even messier than you might be aware of. Many times employers won't fire a person because they don't want to pay the benefits connected to a firing. So they will fire the worker but refuse to write the mandated La Lettera di Licenziamento. Without that letter, the worker who was fired won't get firing benefits and is put in the untenable position of having to declare that s/he quit or resigned. A worker can't do this if it's not true, absolutely no benefits are attached to quitting or resigning. Only the Job Offices need the contract resolved. To evade the issue, the employer may falsely claim that the fired worker is still working for the company, making the fired worker look like a chump or a liar. The thing is the contract demands those monthly payment slips, and here is a small victory for the fired worker. Obviously if the fired worker still works for the company, the company must submit monthly payment slips to make the contract whole. The company has to make up the backlog of missing monthly payment slips, but they will manipulate the slips to make some look like the fired worker never showed up for work, and others with payment substantially under the contract. But that's only money on paper, it won't show up in your bank account connected to that job, and the Job Offices don't check this. The worker has to gather bank statements monthly to expose the trick, especially important if there's a court case in the near future demanding payment on the full contract. There is another firing trick of changing the contract mid-stream that disadvantages the worker so much that s/he can't sign the new contract, leaving him/her without a contract and basically without a job.
Smart to think about this ; there s a lot of good info out there on you tube etc about local country taxes . Normally a us citizen gets credit for Eu tax , but it’s not always perfect ..
Thank You Very Much for another Good and Informative Video as Usual. Another person had brought up about Retiring to Italy. Can You within the next 2 or 3 months be able to gather enough Information about Retiring to Italy and make 2 Videos. One Video about Why to Retire to Italy and another Video Why Not to Retire to Italy. Each with between 5 and 10 Reasons for Each Video. Hopefully others will get Information about their Situation "Retiring to Italy Pros and Cons". Hope that You have a Wonderful Weekend.
Rafael. I lived in Tokyo for 20 years, returning in 2008. Now at 76, I'm retired with about $3200 coming in monthly from my pension and SS. Will I get heavily taxed on this modest income? Love your Site.
in portugal you wont, theres no double tax, in fact you can even get money from stocks capital gains and pay 0, for example you live here, you hold investments in other eu countrys and the income is not taxed, because it is on country of origin.
@@jesselivermore2291 not necessarily true, I know that pensions in Portugal in some cases can be taxed at 10% Double taxation is not usually an issue unless you’re a high income earner from work. I’d recommend to speak a qualified accountant for further information
All excellent points, Rafael! The only place in Europe that I'd want to live in - besides Italy - is Portugal. I was researching the requirements for a D7 Visa when I learned I have a claim to Italian Citizenship...so that's the path I'm taking. A slow Documents Chase. But gives me time to improve my Italian. And Portuguese! Glad to see you have joined the GOOD MORNING PORTUGAL tribe.
Hey 👋🏻. How's is your citizenship process going? My family came from Italy in early 20th century and my great grandpa, grandma and etc claimed it and I was born with that same privilege, just yet to use it tho. I love the US but having that freedom to explore a whole new continent is awesome. I hope you got the papers all done!
This pregnancy thing...are families just waiting to be on a payroll before trying to get pregnant? (by the 3rd one you'd think she'd figure out to hire a male stylist!) How long is the maternity leave? What is the background you're using? Is it 'beautiful downtown Rovigo'? I plan on a side trip next time I get to IT.
Correct me if I am wrong but I think public services (government services) in Europe are complicated and bureaucratic. For example, takes too long to renew a passport or order a birth certificate. It should be more user-friendly and more efficient (renew a passport in less than 30 minutes)
@@RafaelDiFuria The process doesn't have to be like other countries. Innovation and thinking outside the box is key here. There are many ways to make public services more efficient. Maybe digital passports is a better alternative to hard copy passports? In my opinion, I think in 2021/22 it is unacceptable to wait for 6 to 10 weeks just to renew a passport. We have the technology to innovate
Its a problem in portugal that some institutions avoid young women to avoid maternity leave. and before men also recieved paternity leaves, the women that went on maternity leave would face discrimination and even some hate.
The direct representation in the US tends to be A or B, which likely do not encompass the multiple realities that a population can have. In Italy, the politics are awful, messy, dirty. But they are in your face dirty, unlike in many other countries where things are made to look clean but they are filthy and even filthier. On the plus side, there are many parties to choose from. In my humble opinion, as things seem to change but never change, it would be useful to keep a technocrat just to solve at least the real reason why real politics do not exist anymore in the whole planet: capitalism and market. Better to have someone that knows how to deal with economic affairs than a populist clown or another populist both of which do not even have a degree. In any case, think about this: have you ever really chosen a politician in the US or have you got tricked into believing so?
Rafael, if you're going to Europe (Italy) to retire, and not earning an income in the country, then you aren't paying the taxes, including property taxes on your first home, yet can enjoy the free healthcare. It can be very lucrative from the US if you have dual citizenship.
1000000% not true, pensions are subject to taxation in Italy for individuals living in Italy, but of course be sure to speak with a competent accountant who understands the situation for American dual citizens… also to have access to the medical system here residency is mostly necessary
@@RafaelDiFuria Ok, my misunderstanding. Likewise, this is not what Marco stated on the ICA video you creaed with him "Busting Myths About Italian Citizenship June 24, 2020. Listen to his comment at 3:40. Now confused.
Or maybe, just possibly the best person who applied for the job in that specific instance wasn’t a guy😜 Crazy to think but, who knows.. it could have been the case 🤣
That hypothetical chick in the "All about the Benjamins" chapter... Her husband is absolutely knocking up every woman she hires. She should hire a gay guy and just be done with it.
I'm living in Albania. So many young people don't have the opportunity to make much money in Albania. They dream of coming to the U.S. to work hard and make money. We are retired and nomadic. We want to see all we can before we get old. We enjoy meeting locals, learning the culture and discovering this amazing earth.
you shouldn't just take into account what you pay in taxes , but also how much your employer is paying for your "free" healthcare , because believe it or not that is money that could've been in your pocket instated of the government or some wiseguys that don't want to work , if you are a healthy and highly productive young man is a nightmare because you will be targeted as government's cash cow
Taxes may be high, but for many Americans they're MUCH cheaper than the cost of merely staying alive in the USA.
Case and point: my husband has a chronic illness that he takes medicine for every two weeks. Without that medicine, he's pretty much disabled (but doesn't qualify for disability because the US has a policy of "if medication works, you aren't *really* disabled). That medication, which he needs to function, is $6000/mo here. The MINIMUM cost of healthcare that covers his bare minimum needs is just shy of $20,000/year.
But wait, there's more!
In the US, there's not *supposed* to be any discrimination against preexisting conditions... but you better believe that isn't functionally true. One medication option for my husband would medically require a nurse to administer it. Insurance companies will cover the cost of that medicine (because they have to), but they often won't cover the cost of the nurse... that is medically required to administer it. And yes, that's legal. Oh, and another fun thing: insurance companies can just change what they will pay at any time. That means doctors can also just drop their acceptance of your insurance at any time too. Begging for healthcare when your family is sick really isn't a fun experience.
I know many, MANY people who would be much happier to pay higher taxes if it meant sweet release from the predatory system we live under in the USA. I
@Just Me Yeah. I'm able to get at least some of the horror across when I tell them, "My husband almost died earlier this year because his treatment was delayed a month by both the healthcare and insurance system. I had to shut down my business to become his full time caretaker since the delay meant he could no longer walk and COVID took out the tiny little safety net of homecare nurses that might have let me keep working. And then the DOL, which is supposed to support cases like mine, decided to say 'fuck you specifically' and I am still fighting them for unemployment I am owed eight months later."
@America is Better Than Europe Whooosh. That went right over your tiny little head, didn't it?
• How Much Does the United States Spend on Healthcare? The United States has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world. In 2020, U.S. healthcare spending reached $4.1 trillion, which averages to over $12,500 per person.
Source: pgpf
Top Statutory Personal Income Tax Rates and Thresholds in European OECD Countries, 2020
European OECD Country
Top Statutory Personal Income Tax Rate
Threshold of the Top Statutory Personal Income Tax Rate
As a Multiple of the Average Wage
In National Currency*
In Euros*
In USD (PPP)*
Austria (AT) 55.0% 22.5 EUR 1,097,040 €1,097,040 $1,441,954
Belgium (BE) 52.9% 1.1 EUR 52,848 €52,848 $70,549
Czech Republic (CZ) 15.0% 0.0 CZK 1 €0 $0
Denmark (DK) 55.9% 1.3 DKK 577,174 €77,429 $85,763
Estonia (EE) 20.0% 0.4 EUR 6,097 €6,097 $11,540
Finland (FI) 51.2% 1.9 EUR 87,647 €87,647 $102,910
France (FR) 55.4% 15.4 EUR 587,696 €587,696 $800,033
Germany (DE) 47.5% 5.4 EUR 282,934 €282,934 $382,578
Greece (GR) 54.0% 11.1 EUR 234,111 €234,111 $429,201
Hungary (HU) 15.0% 0.0 HUF 0 €0 $0
Iceland (IS) 46.2% 1.3 ISK 11,823,418 €76,522 $84,299
Ireland (IE) 48.0% 1.5 EUR 70,044 €70,044 $86,585
Italy (IT) 47.2% 2.8 EUR 83,261 €83,261 $123,255
Latvia (LV) 31.4% 0.0 EUR 1 €1 $2
Lithuania (LT) 32.0% 6.3 EUR 104,278 €104,278 $231,442
Luxembourg (LU) 45.8% 3.7 EUR 215,226 €215,226 $248,426
Netherlands (NL) 49.5% 1.3 EUR 72,376 €72,376 $91,340
Norway (NO) 38.2% 1.6 NOK 999,550 €93,238 $100,750
Poland (PL) 32.0% 1.7 PLN 102,594 €23,091 $57,161
Portugal (PT) 53.0% 14.4 EUR 280,899 €280,899 $483,677
Slovakia (SK) 25.0% 3.3 EUR 42,914 €42,914 $84,355
Slovenia (SI) 50.0% 4.7 EUR 96,920 €96,920 $169,789
Spain (ES) 43.5% 2.4 EUR 65,102 €65,102 $104,083
Sweden (SE) 52.3% 1.1 SEK 523,159 €49,897 $59,725
Switzerland (CH) 41.7% 3.5 CHF 301,774 €281,900 $265,696
Turkey (TR) 40.8% 8.6 TRY 639,731 €79,423 $316,448
United Kingdom (GB) 45.0% 3.6 GBP 150,000 €168,596 $207,577
Source: taxfoundation
Europeans pay more for taxes than the U.S. citizens pays for healthcare.
• Best Healthcare in the World 2022
CSV
JSON
Country
LPI 2020 Ranking
LPI 2019 Ranking
CEO World Ranking
2022 Population
Denmark 1 2 3 5,834,950
Norway 2 1 15 5,511,370
Switzerland 3 3 18 8,773,637
Sweden 4 4 28 10,218,971
Finland 5 5 12 5,554,960
Netherlands 6 6 11 17,211,447
New Zealand 7 7 16 4,898,203
Germany 8 8 17 83,883,596
Luxembourg 9 9 642,371
Austria 10 12 4 9,066,710
Iceland 11 14 41 345,393
Ireland 12 11 80 5,020,199
United Kingdom 13 10 10 68,497,907
Canada 14 13 23 38,388,419
Singapore 15 16 24 5,943,546
Australia 16 17 6 26,068,792
Hong Kong 17 15 36 7,604,299
United States 18 18 30 334,805,269
Source: worldpopulationreview
The U.S. has a better healthcare than Europe
• For Europe to be all of the countries have to be ranked higher than the U.S. and their not so the United States is better.
Rafael, you forgot about the xenophobia .... I worked in the USA, been asked what are you, I was like Romanian. They were like omg that is so cool, I know so many Romanians, they are so cool and such hard workers, lets hang out. 95% of the time this was the case, I had so much fun and respect in the USA not even comparable to any country in Europe. In Europe, the moment I mention Romanian, there is awkward silence, awkward questions, disinterest, judgement, mistreatment, avoidance and I can keep going. + Every country has a grudge against their neighbor but give each other fake smile and dead eyes. Every European consider itself the best and better than the other.
It's because of the gypsies.
Many Americans realize how lucky and spoiled they are in many ways After living in some nation for a few years
I see America superior at least in terms of job/social opportunities
The key thing to remember about universal healthcare vs. the system in the US is that it's not reliant upon your having a job. If you're out of work, between jobs, laid off, or just taking a break and something unfortunate happens to you, you can still go to the hospital. If your girlfriend/partner/wife is pregnant, she can have her baby and get all the support she needs at next to no cost. The hospital isn't going to demand to see how many taxes you've paid and then bill you for back payment. When you have a job you obviously have to pay taxes, but receiving medical care has nothing to do with those taxes aside from funding the system, of course. You don't owe the government for services rendered after the fact. It is most definitely not free (that's an understatement) in the sense that it is paid for through taxes, but neither is the possibility of losing health care and being strapped with a ridiculous medical bill being constantly held over your head. I think this is the distinction that must be made, and I think this peace of mind is what Americans crave. I will not move back to the US without a six-figure salary for this reason, as I will not put my family's medical care in the hands of an insurance company.
Working in Italy can be summed up thusly: it is no place for entrepreneurs. It is not a place to look for wealth or even meritocracy. Successful entrepreneurship in Italy that hasn't been handed to you through nepotism or inheritance is simply "culo"; it is the rare unicorn that is most often sheer dumb luck. As an entrepreneur, you are quite nearly punished through exorbitant taxes, mind-boggling red tape, and overreaching regulation that strangles startups with a vice-like grip. The irony of all this is that Italy recognizes its dire need for startups and entrepreneurship, but because it punishes entrepreneurship so much, people end up applying for loans and grants through EU programs because Italy is just so bad at it.
A perfect example of this is the recent homeowners' grants being given due to the government's economic and budgeting incompetence with money they literally stole from the EU. Now the Italian government is tasked with bringing homes up to more modern, "green" code by offering complete renovations for homeowners nearly free of charge within the next couple of years, because if they don't, they're going to be slapped with a massive fine from Brussels to the tune of BILLIONS of euros. In short, the Italian government ran a Ponzi scheme with EU money for years and got caught.
Lastly, while the bureaucracy in Italy is a massive pain in the ass and is good for simply wasting time and money, it is very rarely deadly. You deal with the ass pain, complain about it at the pub, and go home. Unlike a predatory healthcare system that is practically the telltale sign of a modern caste system, it is not going to kill you. Higher education is wrapped up into these social systems as well, so you're not hit with the double whammy of medical and college costs for the rest of your life in Italy and the EU. I hate bureaucracy just as much as the next person, but it's not like Italians like it either; they're simply used to it. Expats get used to it as well. People tend to talk about bureaucracy like it's a monster that eats your children when it's just an inconvenience: lots of useless paperwork, lots of useless running around, lots of useless signatures. That's about it. I think people lose sight of what's important because ease of access and instant everything have become the norm, and when you're in a place where it's not the norm, the effects are most often grossly exaggerated. Yes, bureaucracy sucks, but at the end of the day you're not popping Xanax because you can't afford health insurance or college.
Or Xanax.
As someone who used to live in Europe for many years: YOU ARE TELLING THE TRUTH!
So I scrolled the comments section to check if anyone is brave enough to debunk this rafaello guy biases and thankfully I am not disappointed. Big thumbs up for sharing your thoughts. Love it.😗
@@sunshine2113 Haha, thanks I guess. I'm not trying to debunk anything from Raffa, as I don't think he would disagree. What he is saying is all true, but it's true from only one perspective, which is something he has never shied away from or denied. His channel is his own personal experience as an expat living in Italy, and I always understood it as just that.
He doesn't say his word is the be-all, end-all of expats in Italy, just his own. I only want to give another in-depth perspective from another expat, which is no more or less "correct" than his. I wanted to show another side, as his videos would have to be at least half an hour long in order to show a more comprehensive view. Were he to do that, it would probably kill his channel because his channel is more about bite-sized, surface-level pieces. The "expat in Italy" channels are a dime a dozen, and his stands out because he found a formula that works for both him and his audience. I just want to make clear I'm not calling him out by any means, as I don't disagree with what he's saying...just that there is much, much more under the surface to peel away.
I enjoy his videos; I'm a subscriber and I like to put my two cents' (by now more like ten bucks haha) worth into the discussion. This is his brand, though, and the last thing I want to do is be a rompipalle. That said, whenever I do see something that needs to be challenged, I will most definitely challenge it. I'd like to start my own channel, but there are so many of these types of channels on YT that it would just get lost in the rest of them, and I have no interest in playing the "click like and subscribe" YT game. Plus, the production values on all of these vids are top-notch, and I don't have the patience. I only hope my input can add more clarification and perspective to the subject. In a way, we're all here together and we're all expats, so I think a little push and pull is healthy for our community.
@@doomblackdeath8888 I believe as a Canadian it sounds normal to have these charges for the good of all people..and the hair salon person story is very exaggerated and we as a whole are better off giving parents time off to bond and heal without stresses about being able to survive..the American way is not the best way and seems actually cruel and unfeeling at times
@@trishastewart563 That's what I was saying. The US model is all dependent upon your economic situation, whereas the universal model is not. The fact of the matter is it's not up to politicians, but citizens. If it were like Italy and the overwhelming majority of American citizens actually wanted a universal model, they'd have it. In Italy, no one...and I mean NO ONE wants the US model. It's not policy, it's the entire citizenry. Until Americans can agree on healthcare in the same way that Europeans and much of the rest of the world does, it's not going to change. People can elect whomever they want, but until all citizens agree on the basic tenet that healthcare should be a right and not a privilege, the system will never change. It's a cultural issue, not political.
Thanks for another informative video ... this is certainly becoming an interesting series.
I'm moving there anyways.
Great segment! I've been living in Europe off and on for so many years, I'm having trouble remembering what surprised me the most. I know many Americans in Germany are surprised that shops are closed on Sunday and Germany holidays, they have to remember to take their keys when they go out because the door automatically locks, and quite hours. I finally got the heat fixed in my Bozen apartment. But I was surprised that heating hours are set. I was happy to find that some stores are open on Sunday in Italy. Although, it wasn't much of a surprise because some are open in France as well. We had an interesting time getting my husband's CF. They would do it in Bozen because our visa is for Germany. I ended up going through a service to get it done.
Just wanted to let you know that hearing your voice on a Friday night just makes me happy 😊
The U.S. is ranked 20th for quality of life in the world ...stop right there
You should find your quality of life index. There isn't an absolute index valid for everyone.
In regards to healthcare, I think you make a good point that it isn’t “free” so to speak, but it’s definitely more affordable than in the US! This system is so so broken. We have premium assistance that becomes less and less as we make more money. That makes sense, but why are premiums for lackluster health insurance $2,000 a month for a family of 4 in the first place?! And that’s with a $15,000 deductible. I’d pay it through sales tax and social tax any day. Ooof sorry for the rant.
Access to a doctor is nice. Prescription and OTC Medicine cost at the Farmacia, and hospitals are both public and private, so they can charge for Tests a doctor prescribes, even if the patient has a coded exemption. They may have to wait a year, there's only a short window for a free Test. (Either you pay in money or time.) Still, you are correct, it's better here. I know a person from Eastern Europe and another from Central America here in Italy for healthcare.
Rafael..This was a very good video. You have pointed out the realities of things to consider when deciding to move to Europe. The story of the small business owner is something people should know. Healthcare is not free as many Americans think. Taxes can be high in Italy. Building your own home there is very difficult. La Dolce Vita is kind of a myth. All of these things never come to mind
with people on vacation. By the way, your real life video backgrounds are very effective!. Thanks for telling it like it is.
biden wants to give away everything free free free and we are paying for it! inflation on food prices, gasoline prices, etc. ! nothing is free. in norway or sweden, gas is like $12 a gallon... health care is not free anywhere.
Italy Is a mess, no doubt about It. I dont think you Will get Any Better career-wise at least
No offence but...I would never want to move to the US
Hey, I live in the US and I wouldn't want to move here. No offense taken.
I live in the US but have spent years in other countries.
There's no "best" country. And if you're talking about a country as large and varied as the US there's huge variety of places all different from each other. There are places in the US that I would not want to live and places I love. I've found a place in Italy that I like and I'm buying a property there. There are other places in Italy I don't want to visit more than a few days.
(The US is going though a bad situation right now. I expect we'll pull out in a few years. Other countries also have their ups and downs.)
@@bobwallace9753
Wishing you happiness in your new Italian property.
@@homeandgardendiaries6384
Thanks, I'm looking forward to completing the paperwork and starting renovations. It's a modest apartment in a small hilltop village. The village has everything I need for extended stays and is full of friendly, kind people. I love the feeling of being in a place where people have lived for hundreds of years and over the years built some beautiful buildings.
in Canada the gov't pays for maternity leave ...they go on U.I . THE EMPLOYER PAYS NOTHING . WE ALL CONTRIBUTE TO U.I . you are only comparing to the U.S. every INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD HAS PAID MATERNITY LEAVE ....Please
The government doesn’t pay for maternity or unemployment benefits..it just manages it. The employer pays 1.4 times the amount the employee pays. Just a clarification..I am so glad we have it in canada
The hairdresser bankrupted by maternity leave doesn't make any sense. Why would the employer pay for the person on maternity leave? In my country the government pays, from the social deductions.
As for the only voting for the party, not the person, you can have a preferential vote for someone in a party to enter parliament. Yes, you don't vote for the Prime Minister, but you don't vote for a Majority Leader or Speaker of the House in USA either. In Europe, we actually count the votes for President, and all votes have the same weight, no Electoral College that makes votes from some places several times weightier than other votes. In all, with multiparty system due to no first-past-the-post representative elections, I think we have a much better deal. Parties that are out of touch with the people fall away, and new ones win elections. When was the last time a new party won an election in USA? 1860?
The maternity leave story doesn't sound real. In my experience maternity leave stand in staff are explicitly hired on a short term contract.
My biggest concerns as an American thinking about emigrating to Italy:
1. Finding work, and eventually work that I enjoy and pays a decent wage and offers some benefits
2. Taking care of my parents in their old age, especially as they are challenged by more health problems and independent living
3. Keeping a tight relationship with my family in the US and missing out on many memories and good times
4. Paying all the taxes
5. Dealing with all the bureaucracy, especially in Italy
Rafael...I finally got my German passport today (no joke I got it a few hours ago in the mail), I'm now officially a dual US/German citizen! May sound corny but the pep talk video (and others videos you made) and the ICA videos (for jure sanguinis understanding) made this a little easier. Thanks again!
WOW!!! THAT'S FANTASTIC!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I can only imagine how exciting today must be for you!!!
I'm so glad you've enjoyed that video! I'm happy it at least was something for even just one person out there 😊
@@RafaelDiFuria sure was. It was a 2 year process and there were times where I felt like I was getting nowhere. Now its all done thank goodness.
I thought germany didn't allow for dual citizenship 🤨🤔
@@bodhisattva2348 They do if, like in my case for example, one parent is a German citizen and one parent is an US citizen at the time of birth of the child. This exception I just mentioned has a whole tree of exceptions on top of that to even qualify. You are right, most cases Germany is very strict on this and does not allow dual citizenship. They introduced more laws in 2000 making it even harder, so I can see it being almost completely phased out in the future.
I'm happy to provide any clarifications to questions you may have.
Thurii correct me, if I’m wrong but I believe that was the case in the past, but the system has opened up significantly in recent years. Also especially for people in certain circumstances
Rafael, about your comment on the fact that after a general election (in 2018) three different governments were formed, I must point out that according to the Italian Constitution, Italy is a parliamentary republic. The parliament (chamber and senate) is the fulcrum of the political system and the source of legitimacy of all governments. This is a misunderstanding that needs to be cleared up, for those who, like you, do not yet know Italian politics well: you complain that the governments that have been formed do not reflect the will of the electorate: The people, the voting citizens, DO NOT elect the government. It is not intended in any way. Citizens elect the parliament which evidently expresses a majority and a minority. The combination of parties which by adding their votes form a majority (50% +1 of seats in each of the two chambers), is found in parliament. Any combination that forms a majority of seats of 50% + 1 is legitimate and in any case reflects the will of the electorate because the parliamentarians who make up this 50% + 1 have been sent to the parliament by the people. When voting for a party, the citizens know that that party will try to form a consortium with other parties of homogeneous ideology to form a government. When this majority fails during the experience of government, in the parliament, other majorities or even the same majority as before will be formed with adjustments to achieve a new balance but this will always reflect the will of the voters, who have not been asked to vote to form a government but only to elect a parliament. After the elections, the president of the republic holds "consultations" with the parties to understand who can be part of the majority and who can not and when he has a clear picture of the situation he will call a politician to entrust him with the task of forming a new government. When the government is finally formed, he will have to present itmself to the chambers to obtain the "trust", the ok to consider itself in office. This is how it works. I repeat: the Italian people are not expected to directly elect the government.
You’ve greatly misunderstood, I take issue with the core problem that we don’t have direct elections from a systemic level. Not simply “oh no we didn’t vote these guys in” I fully am aware of how the Italian system works and clarifying to individuals who come from other parts of the world with direct elections that it is NOT how things work her. I greatly appreciate you’re taking the time to explain, however I’m fully aware how that system functions.
But we don't elect or vote for any Parliament members. This last election in Rome we got to vote for the Mayor. We are then allowed to vote for the Party or Parties supporting the Mayor that we prefer to have greater weight or power in Parliament. You can vote by X on the Mayor's name and making an X on the Party's circular symbol, as many Parties as you choose to give preference to.
Sounds like in Europe taxes are used for the people who pay them. Here in America, our taxes collections are distributed to the world. I'll take the higher taxes that are used in county
On the cost of health care: i was unemployed in Germany. In Germany you are obliged by law to have health insurance, which is paid for by taxes paid by your employer. First i was on unemployment benefits, where u get like, 70% of your salary but for a fixed amount of time depending on how long you have worked. I had the right to that for about 7 months. (In this case the government becomes your 'employer' meaning that your insurance is paid from the unemployment money). During this time you are harassed and bullied by your job search agent to find a job QUICKLY. They call you nearly every day and threaten to lower your money if you do not prove to them that you have been rejected for interviews so far. They also force you to take meaningless training sessions in order to meet quotas and you're forced to go and it is checked. If you do not attend they lower you money. I was forced to go to training about how to apply for jobs, how to dress for an interview...complete waste of time, because i have a degree and i have already worked, i dont need to know those things also it takes the whole day, time which could have been used to actually find a job. After my unemployment benefits ran out, i was forced by the governmental unemployment agency to either: work a brutal, demeaning job for low pay, or to go on level 2 social benefits (which means that your apartment gets paid and you get an allowance for food, of a few hundred Euros a month. But in exchange you have to disclose ALL your assets and ALL the money you have. If you have a house or other property you can be forced to sell it and live off the money first until it runs out. If you have money in the bank, they force you to live from that until it runs out first). Obviously i didnt want the second option so i accepted the brutal demeaning job. (In this case the insurance is partly paid by the company or government agency employing you to sweep the street or whatever). This tires you out, meaning u no longer have the energy to look for a proper job. It is a very dangerous situation that can rapidly spiral into defeatism because you become stuck in it. And all of this, JUST because you have to be insured. In this case, i would have preferred the American system, where being insured is basically your choice, because it would have allowed me to ''Take the risk'' for 2 or 3 months and put all my energy into finding a job. I hope this gives people an idea what ''free'' means. Nothing is truly free.
That sounds AWFUL.
Well, women who are on maternal leave are paid by the State (social security). Then the new employee is of course paid by the business owner
Yes,that part was wrong. Only a tiny part of the maternity leave must be paid by the employer and the percentage depends on the amount of employees.
I have been watching 5 of your videos today, just to be surprised by this one! Ciao from Iran 👍🏻
I just had my 3rd baby in Italy and learned a lot about the extended maternity care and the issues it causes for women. People were telling me that because the maternity leave can be such a burden to the employer that most businesses will discriminate and not hire women who are in their child bearing years. They will also not hire women if they already have one child because they assume that they are going to have another and take the maternity leave that an employer doesn’t want to pay. While they extended paid maternity leave sounds, nice it has made it more difficult for women to find work
That’s interesting. I am in America and when I got pregnant, the lawyer I worked for said she needed me back in 2 weeks. I took 8, but some was unpaid and it was hard. My sister in Canada had a year’s maternity leave. I guess no country has it figured out? I thought other countries had done better.
regarding the EU , people vote for their representatives in the EU parliament at Strasbourg , but the parliament have no political power whatsoever , the commission and the european council are the ones running the show , the former appointed by the council , and the latest elected by voters at their national elections , for example Draghi represents italy at the euopan council , the problem is that in the national elections for the voters they are not elected based on what they will do at the EU council but what they will do as president or prime minister of their country
Hi Rafael, I'm a recent subscriber and I really appreciate your impressions about life in different countries.
In this case, I would like to clarify some inaccuracies in the "all about the Benjamins" chapter.
In Portugal, the employee deducts 11% of his salary and the employer pays another 23.75%. Thus, social security receives a total of 34.75% from each salary.
But when a pregnancy or sick leave occurs, the employer does not pay the salary, social security pays everything.
Thus, the employer can temporarily hire another person, without additional expenses.
Looking forward to hearing your insights on Portugal??!! ;)
ask and you shall receive
th-cam.com/video/rClbnAg-jt8/w-d-xo.html
Interesting as always. Very useful to know. I guess you have to start somewhere. If you don't try you will never know. Thank you
You do have a point, if you are an US Citizen with a steady job + decent salary, then you shouldnt definitely
Rafael… everyone also wants to come to Canada because of the “free healthcare” and money that low income families are given for children. However, NOTHING is truly free! Our tax is 13% on all purchases and those that work are paying exorbitant amounts of income tax that is deducted from our income and calculated again at the end of the year when taxes are submitted. Yes, Canada is a beautiful, safe Country with many rights for the people, but it is ridiculously expensive!
Canada is a shit hole…..since 2015 it’s been going downhill. Canadians voted for Turdeau three times!! Wtf. Quebec has 15% GST and QST and enormous income taxes…..and the healthcare system is broken. The word patient takes on a new meaning should you need surgery.
Europe is looking quite scary right now
Freedom being taken away rapidly
let's not exaggerate ...
Why?
Indeed it is. But so is the US.
@@Andreabont hanno paura dei pothhheri forrthi! Saranno i decerebrati no green pass/no vax ditttatuuuura!!11!
I feel like some of this is just unaware of other situations.
For example healthcare:
I know you were in the US so you know the tax brackets. You know people can easily be taxed 25 +% frequently the average alone is 22%.
Except we don’t get healthcare protections, and if you do, then you get taxed even more just on an individual basis. As far as being able to “opt out” what are the odds that an individual never receives healthcare…
Additionally. In some places certain insurances are illegal not to have.
We all pay in different ways, and I don’t think the average American thinks oh its completely free. We think oh wow in Europe would you believe that 50% of people aren’t bankrupt due to medical bills.
Birth alone costs upwards of 10k something most adults will experience. Cancer wipes our life savings and medical bills have even caused divorces.
I know you are playing devils advocate but don’t forget to line up what it is being compared to. We have this reputation for a reason. My mother makes 90k a year on paper she barley takes home 80 due to taxes, those taxes heavily being influenced by her health care.
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The issue of the pregnancy. That’s a system failure for sure, but you know what also is a system failure the fact we have to abandon our children to sitters and pay thousands in daycare. Dogs have more rights to their young than this in America.
I can’t speak for other countries, I can only speak for where I lor. But there is more than just x and y problem. Its a pro and con. I think its important to highlight both
The job contract situation is even messier than you might be aware of. Many times employers won't fire a person because they don't want to pay the benefits connected to a firing. So they will fire the worker but refuse to write the mandated La Lettera di Licenziamento. Without that letter, the worker who was fired won't get firing benefits and is put in the untenable position of having to declare that s/he quit or resigned. A worker can't do this if it's not true, absolutely no benefits are attached to quitting or resigning. Only the Job Offices need the contract resolved. To evade the issue, the employer may falsely claim that the fired worker is still working for the company, making the fired worker look like a chump or a liar. The thing is the contract demands those monthly payment slips, and here is a small victory for the fired worker. Obviously if the fired worker still works for the company, the company must submit monthly payment slips to make the contract whole. The company has to make up the backlog of missing monthly payment slips, but they will manipulate the slips to make some look like the fired worker never showed up for work, and others with payment substantially under the contract. But that's only money on paper, it won't show up in your bank account connected to that job, and the Job Offices don't check this. The worker has to gather bank statements monthly to expose the trick, especially important if there's a court case in the near future demanding payment on the full contract. There is another firing trick of changing the contract mid-stream that disadvantages the worker so much that s/he can't sign the new contract, leaving him/her without a contract and basically without a job.
Worried about paying US and EU, country specific taxes
Smart to think about this ; there s a lot of good info out there on you tube etc about local country taxes . Normally a us citizen gets credit for Eu tax , but it’s not always perfect ..
a dual US/EU citizen living in EU most likely has to file 2 tax returns, but tax treaties are designed to avoid double taxation in most cases.
Thank You Very Much for another Good and Informative Video as Usual.
Another person had brought up about Retiring to Italy.
Can You within the next 2 or 3 months be able to gather enough Information about Retiring to Italy and make 2 Videos.
One Video about Why to Retire to Italy and another Video Why Not to Retire to Italy.
Each with between 5 and 10 Reasons for Each Video.
Hopefully others will get Information about their Situation "Retiring to Italy Pros and Cons".
Hope that You have a Wonderful Weekend.
What if you are retired living on Social security?
Rafael. I lived in Tokyo for 20 years, returning in 2008. Now at 76, I'm retired with about $3200 coming in monthly from my pension and SS. Will I get heavily taxed on this modest income? Love your Site.
I’d recommend speaking with an accountant for information regarding your specific situation
in portugal you wont, theres no double tax, in fact you can even get money from stocks capital gains and pay 0, for example you live here, you hold investments in other eu countrys and the income is not taxed, because it is on country of origin.
@@jesselivermore2291 not necessarily true, I know that pensions in Portugal in some cases can be taxed at 10%
Double taxation is not usually an issue unless you’re a high income earner from work.
I’d recommend to speak a qualified accountant for further information
@@RafaelDiFuria 10% is new law due to healthcare, and i think thats it, the nhr sistem works for 10 years.
Hey Rafael. Why Ravigo?
I’ll touch on that subject in an announcement video in the coming weeks
All excellent points, Rafael! The only place in Europe that I'd want to live in - besides Italy - is Portugal. I was researching the requirements for a D7 Visa when I learned I have a claim to Italian Citizenship...so that's the path I'm taking. A slow Documents Chase. But gives me time to improve my Italian. And Portuguese!
Glad to see you have joined the GOOD MORNING PORTUGAL tribe.
Hey 👋🏻. How's is your citizenship process going? My family came from Italy in early 20th century and my great grandpa, grandma and etc claimed it and I was born with that same privilege, just yet to use it tho. I love the US but having that freedom to explore a whole new continent is awesome. I hope you got the papers all done!
It can happen but it is very unlikely, at least in Italy, because we have the world's lowest birth rate
This pregnancy thing...are families just waiting to be on a payroll before trying to get pregnant?
(by the 3rd one you'd think she'd figure out to hire a male stylist!) How long is the maternity leave?
What is the background you're using? Is it 'beautiful downtown Rovigo'? I plan on a side trip next time I get to IT.
Correct me if I am wrong but I think public services (government services) in Europe are complicated and bureaucratic. For example, takes too long to renew a passport or order a birth certificate. It should be more user-friendly and more efficient (renew a passport in less than 30 minutes)
Is there anywhere on earth where that's even possible???
Even the US can take a little while to get.
@@RafaelDiFuria The process doesn't have to be like other countries. Innovation and thinking outside the box is key here. There are many ways to make public services more efficient. Maybe digital passports is a better alternative to hard copy passports?
In my opinion, I think in 2021/22 it is unacceptable to wait for 6 to 10 weeks just to renew a passport. We have the technology to innovate
It takes the same amount of time to renew a Passport, two weeks at the US American Embassy, two weeks at the Questura. (I'm in Rome.)
Are there no gay male hair stylists in Italy?????
Its a problem in portugal that some institutions avoid young women to avoid maternity leave.
and before men also recieved paternity leaves, the women that went on maternity leave would face discrimination and even some hate.
The direct representation in the US tends to be A or B, which likely do not encompass the multiple realities that a population can have. In Italy, the politics are awful, messy, dirty. But they are in your face dirty, unlike in many other countries where things are made to look clean but they are filthy and even filthier. On the plus side, there are many parties to choose from. In my humble opinion, as things seem to change but never change, it would be useful to keep a technocrat just to solve at least the real reason why real politics do not exist anymore in the whole planet: capitalism and market. Better to have someone that knows how to deal with economic affairs than a populist clown or another populist both of which do not even have a degree. In any case, think about this: have you ever really chosen a politician in the US or have you got tricked into believing so?
Ciao Rafael!
Ciao :)
Rafael, if you're going to Europe (Italy) to retire, and not earning an income in the country, then you aren't paying the taxes, including property taxes on your first home, yet can enjoy the free healthcare. It can be very lucrative from the US if you have dual citizenship.
1000000% not true, pensions are subject to taxation in Italy for individuals living in Italy, but of course be sure to speak with a competent accountant who understands the situation for American dual citizens… also to have access to the medical system here residency is mostly necessary
@@RafaelDiFuria Ok, my misunderstanding. Likewise, this is not what Marco stated on the ICA video you creaed with him "Busting Myths About Italian Citizenship June 24, 2020. Listen to his comment at 3:40. Now confused.
@@3onthebeach I believe he mentioned that it’s important to speak with someone specialized in taxation. I would make the same recommendation.
@@RafaelDiFuria Of course, it clearly is a complicated subject. Cheers from Puyallup, WA
There are a number of American TH-camrs around Europe, it might be interesting to see a comparison of experiences.
Maybe that salon owner should have stopped being sexist and hired a male hair dresser.
Or maybe, just possibly the best person who applied for the job in that specific instance wasn’t a guy😜
Crazy to think but, who knows.. it could have been the case 🤣
That hypothetical chick in the "All about the Benjamins" chapter... Her husband is absolutely knocking up every woman she hires. She should hire a gay guy and just be done with it.
There are many reasons of why Americans want to go to Europe, do you know many reasons why Europeans want to move to the US?
I'm living in Albania. So many young people don't have the opportunity to make much money in Albania. They dream of coming to the U.S. to work hard and make money. We are retired and nomadic. We want to see all we can before we get old. We enjoy meeting locals, learning the culture and discovering this amazing earth.
Yes, Italian doctors who covet the US American doctors' wealth.
EU is not Europe not all countries in Europe are in the EU
Never said they weren’t 🤨
you shouldn't just take into account what you pay in taxes , but also how much your employer is paying for your "free" healthcare , because believe it or not that is money that could've been in your pocket instated of the government or some wiseguys that don't want to work , if you are a healthy and highly productive young man is a nightmare because you will be targeted as government's cash cow
How about someone who wants to emmigrate to europe from the third world?
The grass isn't any greener here ..lol
Everywhere I've lived there are times when the grass is green and times when it turns brown.
Then it gets green again....
@@bobwallace9753 truth
Hear him US liberals
Why?