Want to move to Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is a truly international city, its skyscrapers filled with professionals from across the world. It's home to many major financial and professional services firms, each keen to attract talent. With a global community and modern feel, most expats find it easy to settle in.
If you want to take advantage of all Hong Kong has to offer, it's helpful to have a ‘work hard, play hard’ attitude. Expats looking to manage their money are often impressed by higher salaries and high quality of life as well as how they can progress their careers. And when it's time to take a break, Hong Kong is also a perfect base to explore the rest of Asia.
Working in Hong Kong
There are excellent career development opportunities in a safe and interesting region with a lot of scope to save money and to travel.
Hong Kong is a global financial centre offering numerous opportunities for expats. The region's evolution from a fishing port to a financial hub has made it a nexus of Eastern and Western interests. Its advanced infrastructure, highly educated workforce, commitment to free competition, and robust financial networks attract multinational corporations. The local business culture is conservative and values punctuality, professional dressing, and mutual respect. Business languages include Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, and translators may be needed. Standard business hours run from 09:00 to 17:00, with formal attire expected. Business card exchanges and gifts at meetings are part of the norms. Expats, particularly in finance and executive roles, can anticipate high salaries, often inclusive of housing allowances and medical insurance. Expats value the region's excellent career development opportunities, safety, and potential for savings and travel.
Explore life in Hong Kong
What's on your moving abroad checklist? We break down the essentials including salaries, education and accommodation in Hong Kong to help you prepare.
Should you get an offshore bank account?
An offshore account can be useful for expats looking to keep some money in a central location, rather than one specific country or region.
Our Expat Bank Account is an offshore account that comes with a range of benefits, including:
- A Global Money Account - Make quick and easy payments across borders.
- Relationship manager - Someone to help you and your family manage your money.
- Online and on mobile - Manage your banking, FX and investments wherever, whenever.
You can set your account up in USD, EUR or GBP and you can hold it alongside accounts in the country you're leaving or the one you're moving to.
Top tips
Here's what expats have told us about living in Hong Kong.
Make sure you have sufficient cash for the large deposit required to rent a property - around 3.5 months up front to include the deposit, a months rent in advance and the agent’s fee.
English-speaking schools are extremely difficult to get into. You need to discuss this with your employees/organise it well in advance of arriving.
Don’t underestimate the cost of living in a lower tax jurisdiction! Accommodation, healthcare, education and transport can cost significantly more than you think!