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AYASOFAYA t1_j58kbnq wrote

As someone who has studied and worked overseas, I feel like true passport power is how many countries you can live in visa free.

The Europeans I know really tend to take for granted that they can just move from one country to another (ANY other country) and just get a job without having to get visa sponsorship.

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TurnstileT t1_j59lrkz wrote

That's a good point. When I moved to Sweden, I just found an apartment on the internet, went to see it and signed the contract, and then a couple weeks later I moved in.

Admittedly, I did need to do a lot of paperwork and apply for all kinds of various things, but it was more like a formality.

Then I started working in Sweden. No questions asked about if I can work, or work permits, or when my visa will expire or whatever.

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RustyShackleford1122 t1_j5b3i1f wrote

How does that work with taxes and stuff? I'm assuming each country in the EU has a different tax system so you're a citizen of another country how does that work tax wise

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TurnstileT t1_j5c10s3 wrote

Exactly! I'm still learning about Swedish taxes, social security, medical insurance and so on. And certain countries have special agreements where you can live in one and work in the other under some circumstances. It is very messy because there are so many little extra agreements. But it's more like, extra little rules you can use to your advantage. It just takes time to wrap your head around all of it.

In general, you pay taxes in the country where you work. And you are covered by social security there as well. And if you're unemployed, it's the country you live in.

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iworkallday t1_j59ih3g wrote

I used to be European :(

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putsch80 t1_j59ydhd wrote

In some regards, the US is like this. Yes, the entire US is under one federal government. But you can freely move from state to state and be in an entirely different legal, cultural and social environment, not to mention the change in climate and geography. You can pick up today and move from Massachusetts to Texas and I promise you it will be like moving to a different country.

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Captains_Parrot t1_j5adut2 wrote

If the difference is between Wales and England, you're right that is what going to another state feels like.

If the difference is between Sweden and Greece, I don't know what to tell you.

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samwoo2go t1_j5b2e9g wrote

I feel like moving from Minnesota to Hawaii is about as different as Sweden to Greece minus the common language part. Completely different climate, culture, social norms, industries, cuisine, architecture styling. Even from Nevada to Wyoming would be way different than your UK example and they are both in the west and have the similar sparsely populated vibe, but so different!

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Captains_Parrot t1_j5b932p wrote

Have you been to Sweden, Greece, England and Wales?

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samwoo2go t1_j5b9vyg wrote

I have not, not a huge fan of Europe travel, I stick to South America, Asia and recently Middle East. But I have seen pics and met people from there. I honestly don’t care enough to continue this debate and maybe you are right, it’s way more different, I just don’t think non U.S. people fully grasp how different the states can be. That’s all I’m saying.

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daoudalqasir t1_j5coqci wrote

> I just don’t think non U.S. people fully grasp how different the states can be.

As an American... Americans way over rate it too.

Sweden and Greece are Wayyyy more different than Minnesota and Hawaii will ever be. The US and the EU are just not comparable in that sense.

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Captains_Parrot t1_j5bbeib wrote

So you have zero experience in those countries yet still are confident enough to make statements about them.

Yea I've got no interest continuing a debate with someone who doesn't know what they're talking about either.

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samwoo2go t1_j5bbpqs wrote

Calm down, no one is attacking you or belittling your superior European cultures. It’s just an opinion.

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RustyShackleford1122 t1_j5b3dui wrote

Plus not all countries are equal. I don't think it should be a number game I think it should be what countries are actually worth being able to travel to or work in

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telcomet t1_j5bnz0p wrote

100%, Irish can live and work both in the UK and EU, no questions asked. On top of getting a lot of visa free or visa on arrival access. What is really a powerful passport is one where you can get visas without ridiculous admin like bank guarantees and host letters

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