Health Ministry says four killed, 116 others wounded after explosion in Maarat Misrin in the northern Idlib countryside.
At least four people have been killed and more than 100 others were wounded in an explosion in Idlib province, northwestern Syria, state news agency SANA reported.
In a statement on Thursday, carried by SANA, Syria’s Ministry of Health said that the explosion occurred in the town of Maarat Misrin in the northern Idlib countryside.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion.
The ministry said that “four people were killed and 116 others were wounded,” according to a preliminary death toll.
The Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, said at least six people were killed in the blast.
“This is the death toll only of those recovered by Syria Civil Defence teams, who continue to search for those trapped under the rubble,” the White Helmets said in a statement.
Raed Al-Saleh, Syria’s minister of emergency and disaster management, said in a post on X that the country’s Civil Defence teams rushed to the scene of the blast and were working in dangerous and complex conditions.
He said the teams were carrying out evacuation and rescue operations amid ongoing secondary blasts.
Saleh urged residents to avoid the site for their own safety.
The blast was the third in the region this month. Earlier in July, two explosions rocked the Kafriya and al-Fu’ah regions.
The seven switchbacks up to the top of Bürgenstock mountain are emotional for Dr. Pablo Richard. “My grandfather fell in love with this place,” he said, steering his new black Range Rover Sport along the curves. “I was little when he told me, ‘This is one of the most amazing spots in Switzerland, or in the world.’”
That assertion is hard to argue with. Opened in 1873, Bürgenstock Resort sits cantilevered 1,600 feet over Lake Lucerne. The Richards would celebrate with a weekend here every August. “It was a tradition,” Richard said. “I knew every waiter.”
So it was a full-circle moment when Bürgenstock approached Richard to curate a guest experience around Cyrus, the high-end watch brand he started with his father, Dr. Hans Peter Richard, and master watchmaker Jean-François Mojon, in 2010. Bürgenstock guests get a two-night stay, a roundtrip helicopter to Cyrus’s workshop to customize their own timepiece, and a return stay in six months to collect their finished watch.
The package starts at about $27,700—and given that Cyrus’s entry-level watch is $10,000, that’s not a bad deal for an ardent horophile. Industry insiders say there are more of these timepiece tourists than ever, willing to spend big for behind-the-scenes access to a storied craft and to rare and custom pieces.
Despite the malaise and (literal) pearl clutching in the luxury-goods market, timepieces have proved a bit stickier; Chase Travel reports year-over-year increases in its American customers spending on high-end watches in France (+13%) and in Switzerland (+18%) between 2023 and 2024.
Courtesy of Initium
“You can buy high-end commercial watches almost everywhere, but for anyone who’s a true connoisseur, they go to Switzerland,” said Livia Angelini of the luxury travel agency Scott Dunn.
Scott Dunn’s Watchmaker’s Switzerland itinerary is a nine-night romp (from $1,200 per person, per night) that includes a Phillips auction in Geneva, where a record-breaking F.P. Journe Platinum Tourbillon Souverain fetched $8.4 million last year; a master class at Patek Philippe in Zurich; and a behind-the-scenes visit to the Audemars Piguet workshop in the ancestral center of watchmaking, Vallée de Joux.
Audemars Piguet opened the Hôtel des Horlogers there in 2022. The hotel, which cuts a hill-hugging zigzag silhouette from the road down to the forest floor, occupies the site of the valley’s former post office, where 19th-century craftsmen would catch up while shipping their mechanisms to Geneva.
Prior to the hotel’s opening, general manager André Cheminade told me when I stayed there in 2023, collectors would come to the valley to pick up their pieces, then retreat to the palace hotels of Geneva and Lausanne. “Now they stay here,” he said.
Other brands in the valley include De Bethune and Jaeger-LeCoultre. GMT (Great Magazine of Timepieces) will bring 18 travelers there this fall during its second annual weeklong Watch Safari (from $5,045).
Several brands, including Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, have opened museums showcasing their history and craft. And the Switzerlandbased Initium recently expanded into Paris with watchmaking experiences at its new atelier near Place Vendôme. “Paris is the main place of luxury in the world,” said the shop’s manager, Pablo Quaglia, whom I found sipping tea and sporting a salmon-face Baltic MR Classic.
Eight stations flank the petite workshop. A weathered pine apothecary cabinet conceals semiprecious gems in its tiny drawers. Bands and bracelets—coral crocodile, stitched leather, rose-gold mesh—rest one atop another, while crystals, dials, cases, and movements catch the sunlight in the front window. There are over a million possibilities you can put together during a half-day (from $2,890) or full-day (from $3,490) with one of Initium’s master watchmakers. The tourbillon class—named for the intricate mechanism that keeps a watch’s guts constantly in motion—starts at $19,190.
Courtesy of Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne
Back at Cyrus in Switzerland, in the watchmaking town of Le Locle, Richard held up the Klepcys Vertical Tourbillon encased in black titanium. An arched bridge ran down the center of the face, with a vertical wheel displaying the seconds perpetually turning in increments of five. “We just do crazy stuff,” Richard said, popping out the crown and winding the watch forward. When the hour hand and minute hand cross midnight, they simultaneously snap backward to their starting positions, a feature known as double retrograde. Cyrus produces only 38 vertical-tourbillon watches annually, which range from $120,000 to $250,000.
Michelle, a Cyrus technician, showed me how to polish tiny brass pieces under a microscope. She sat me down on a stool and handed me her micromotor, a tool that looks like a more complex version of what a manicurist uses to buff fingernails. After a few minutes of tentative strokes, I got the hang of it, grinding away the gritty surface until the brass was smooth and shiny as honey.
Cyrus blends the exquisite craftsmanship of a legacy house with the joie de vivre of an upstart, which is reflected in the exuberant shades of the strap and dial details. If you’ve got your gold watch, your platinum, your leather, Richard said, it’s time for your lime, your cherry, your tangerine.
I wear my dad’s Patek, but did wonder if I could pull off Cyrus’s fuchsia gator strap. Letting your individuality shine is part of the point, Richard said: “People traveling to see the watchmaker already have a Rolex, an Audemars, a Patek; for the fifth or sixth watch, they want something different—a watch no one else in the world has.”
This article appears in the August/September issue of Fortune with the headline “For the watch lover who has everything, a visit to the sources.”
Hands-on horology
Those seeking exquisite timepieces can now indulge in a range of luxe experiences exploring the craft of watchmaking
Bürgenstock Bespoke: Cyrus Watches The iconic Swiss Alps resort whisks guests by hekicopter to Cyrus’s workshop to design their perfect watch. (Packages start at $27,700).
Great Magazine of Timepieces Watch Safari This weeklong tour, with 18 spots, sets off in October and stops at several renowned Swiss maisons. (The all-inclusive rate is around $5,000.)
Initium Workshops At the Swiss brand’s Paris atelier, workshops with master watchmakers range from $2,890 for a half-day session to $19,190 for the tourbillon class.
Shinola Hotel Lending Program For those who just want to experience a high-end watch, Detroit’s Shinola Hotel offers guests a selection of the brand’s top timepieces to wear during their stay.
Justin, Texas played host to one of the smaller of the fields at the USA Swimming Futures Championships, with the girls’ 800 free having only three entries and some races not even having enough to fill a B-Final.
None-the-less, the session produced some positive results for those who attended. That included a 1:50.39 to win the boys’ 200 free early in the session by 16-year-old Micah Tennison from the Houston area.
That knocks 1.3 seconds off his lifetime best and is his first Summer Championships cut.
Tennison is the perfect example of the value of these Futures meets as a stepping-stone from local and LSC Championships to national events. A swimmer who won the B-Final at a Futures meet last year, is a high school state finalist (6A – big schools) in Texas, was the 2024 Gulf Swimming LSC Champion in the 200 free, but who didn’t have a cut for Summer Nationals. He does have several Junior Nationals cuts already, but no senior-level standards.
Now he’ll head into Summer Juniors with at least one best time, a top 100 all-time ranking in the age group, and more confidence.
Princeton undergrad Daniel Li finished 2nd in 1:50.53 after leading most of the race.
Luke Barr, who just finished his collegiate eligibility at Indiana, swam 1:01.70 to win the boys’ 100 breaststroke. Travis Gulledge, who is transferring to Indiana after spending his freshman season at Texas A&M, finished 2nd in 1:01.91 after the two touched simultaneously at the turn.
Other Day 1 Winners & Highlights
16-year-old Lily Wiles from The Woodlands Swim Team won the 200 fly in 2:18.38, just holding off a late charge from Isabella Chavez-Varela of the Coronado Swim Team in California. Wiles led by .48 seconds at the final turn, and ultimately won by .06 seconds. That is a best time for Wiles, who swam 2:19.30 at Sectionals two weeks ago.
Anderson Brown, who swims collegiately for Indian River in the NJCAA, went out aggressively in his 200 fly, turning at 58.56 and almost two seconds ahead of the field. He held on well in the third 50, and while he paid the price a bit finishing the race, he held on to win in 2:04.34.
15-year-old JJ Hoover from the Bulldog Aquatics Club in Louisiana finished 2nd in 2:04.76. That just-missed the best time he swam at the Louisiana Swimming LSC Championships last weekend.
Austin native, but University of Arizona undergrad, Malia Rausch won the girls’ 200 free in 2:03.98.
Antonia Leese from Nitro Swimming, an undergrad at NCAA Division II power Colorado Mesa, won the girls’ 100 breast in 1:12.53. She beat out a pair of juniors who swam best times – Tessa Broedell from North Palm Beach Swim Club in Florida (1:12.66) and Ashlyn Anderson from the hosts Lakeside Aquatic Club (1:12.95).
A three swimmer race in the girls’ 800 free was won by Nora Weber from the King Marlin Swim Club in Oklahoma. She finished in 9:08.05.
Joey Kerkman from Texas Ford Aquatics won the boys’ 1500 free in 16:04.57, a two-second improvement on his lifetime best. An uncommitted rising high school senior, Kerkman was part of Walnut Grove’s state title winning boys’ team (Class 5A) last year in Texas.
Nitro Swimming’s girls 200 free relay won in 1:47.39 with a team of Abigail Halko, Charissa Higgs, Elise Nguyen, and Sophie Jones. They were one of the youngest relays in the field. Jones, 15, split 26.42 on the anchor to run down the previous leaders from the Lakeside Aquatic Club.
River City Aquatics in Missouri won the boys’ 200 free relay in 1:34.95, with a team of Tripp Hurst, Phineas Theall, Nate Thomas, and Tylan Thomas. Thomas, 16, was the youngest member of the relay but anchored in the fastest split of the four: 22.86. His best flat start is 23.5.
Two people have died in a car in a wildfire which has torn through southern Cyprus amid soaring temperatures which are expected to climb to 44C on Thursday.
Cypriot police said two charred bodies were found in a burnt out vehicle after the blaze started in the village of Malia in the Limassol district on Wednesday afternoon.
The bodies are yet to be formally identified, but local media reports say the car belonged to a 77-year-old woman who had been reported missing. The pair are understood to be an elderly couple from the area.
More than a dozen other people have been treated for injuries related to the fire, which has already destroyed homes and ravaged 100 sq km (40 sq m) of land.
More than 250 firefighters were deployed to battle the fire, which has been fanned by strong winds on soaring temperatures.
The country’s Department of Meteorology has issued an extreme maximum temperature alert for Thursday, with a high of 44C expected in inland areas.
Cyprus Fire Service spokesperson Andreas Kettis said there were “no active fronts” in the fire, but “flare-ups” continued in the area.
Several communities have been left without electricity or air conditioning as a result of the blaze, which tore through properties.
“When I entered my house, I saw the mountain and the valley full of flames,” Antonis Christou, who lives in Kandou, one of the villages affected by the fire, told the AFP agency.
“I cried, really I cried, because people got burnt”.
Neighbouring countries have been asked to support the firefighting effort by the Cypriot government.
Cyprus has requested support for its firefighting effort through the European Union’s civil protection mechanism.
Spain is expected to send two aircraft on Thursday, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said.
Two firefighting aircraft are on standby in Jordan, while two more are expected from Spain, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis told public broadcaster CyBC.
Witness testimony which suggests the fire was started deliberately has been passed onto police by the fire service.
Europe has faced searing temperatures this summer during heatwaves, with wildfires also taking hold in the Greek island of Crete, Turkey and Spain.
Cyprus, which is facing a drought, is routinely hit by wildfires during the summer months.
To many travelers, living in Europe is the ultimate dream. I mean, who doesn’t want to wake up on the coast of Spain or spend the afternoon skiing down the Alps? Once you know how to move to Europe permanently, you can spend your days traveling, eating, and trekking your way around this magnificent continent.
Last year, I spent eight months backpacking through Europe. After falling in love with the place, I decided to pack up my life in America and move to the land of flowing beer and pretzels—Germany!
And I can tell you from my experience that moving to Europe could be the best decision you will ever make!
Although planning to move abroad is very exciting, you should be prepared for a long, complicated, and not always well-explained process. But I’ll explain how you can move to Europe permanently, and what to expect when it comes to long-term visas.
How Long Can I Stay in Europe?
If you’re planning on visiting or moving to Europe permanently, then you’ll first need to figure out how long you’re allowed to stay. And in most cases, the amount of time you can be in Europe will depend on your nationality, visa type, and purpose of visit.
For short term stays, most people can visit Europe for 90 days. Some nationalities might need a visa before you step on European soil. Other nationalities, like Americans, Canadians, and Australians can enter most countries in Europe without a visa for three months.
If you want to stay longer than a few months, then the answer is a little more complicated. You’ll need to get a long-term visa, which will allow you to stay in Europe anywhere from six months to several years.
What Is the Schengen Agreement?
Before we discuss how to move to Europe permanently, you should familiarize yourself with the Schengen agreement.
To put it simply, countries in the Schengen Agreement have agreed on border-free travel. That means residents and foreigners can freely move from one Schengen country to another, without needing to go through border control.
If you’re traveling through the Schengen area, your passport may not be checked at the airport or train station. However, you should still carry your passport in case of emergencies.
It’s also important to note that the Schengen area is not the same as the European Union. While many European countries are part of Schengen, some countries like the U.K. and Ireland are excluded.
At the moment, 26 countries (22 EU and 4 non-EU) participate in the Schengen agreement:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
How Long Can I Stay in Europe Without a Visa?
Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to visit Europe for a short time without a visa. But the exact length of time you’re allowed to stay will depend on a variety of factors, most importantly, your nationality and the country you plan to visit.
For example, Americans are able to stay visa-free within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Once your 90 days are up, you’ll technically need to leave the Schengen area for a minimum of 90 days before entering again.
The island of Mallorca, Spain.
Likewise, Canadian and Australian visitors can also stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days without a visa.
During your stay, you’ll be able to travel to any country within the Schengen area. That means you can arrive in Italy, take a train to Germany and end up in France without needing to show your passport.
Keep in mind that your 90-day stay is only valid for travel in the Schengen area. If you plan to visit another E.U. country that’s not in the Schengen area, such as the UK, Ireland and Croatia, then different visa rules may apply.
If you come from a country that requires a Schengen visa, then you will need to apply before entering a country in the Schengen area.
How to Get a Visa for Europe
Most people can stay for three months in a European Schengen country without a visa. But, some nationalities must obtain a Schengen visa before entering Europe, even as a tourist.
With the Schengen Visa, you’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in Europe.
However, you may be wondering how to move to Europe for longer than three months. If this is the case, then you’ll need to apply for a long-term visa.
It’s important to realize that there isn’t one generic visa for moving to Europe permanently. Each country operates independently and offers a variety of long-term options. After you decide where you want to live, you’ll need to figure out if you’re eligible for one of the available visa types.
Unfortunately, getting a long-term visa isn’t easy for everyone. The requirements for each type of visa will vary, and some can be extremely difficult to obtain. Not to mention, the process for visa approval can take months or even years.
How to Move to Europe Permanently from the U.S.
As an American citizen, you’ll have plenty of exciting opportunities waiting for you in Europe. Whether you come to work abroad, study, or simply to spend time traveling—it’s relatively easy to make Europe your new home.
Just like any other foreigner, Americans need to obtain a long-term visa for stays in Europe longer than 90 days. And if you’re planning on finding a travel job during your stay, you must apply for a visa with a work permit, such as an E.U. Blue Card.
Some countries have special agreements with the US, which means it can be easier to get a long-term visa as an American. For example, being an American entitled me to a residence permit in Germany. All I had to do was register my address, purchase health insurance, and prove I had sufficient funds in my bank account.
As an American, you can also apply for a working holiday visa in Ireland. Although Ireland is the only country in Europe with a working holiday program for the U.S., it still gives you the chance to move abroad. While there’s no age limit, you must be a current university student or a recent graduate to apply.
How to Travel in Europe for a Year (or More!)
Why limit yourself to a short two week trip in France or a long overdue vacation to Spain?
If you know how to move to Europe, you could spend months exploring multiple countries and cultures. In fact, you can actually spend an entire year in Europe without needing a visa!
Although you can only stay in a Schengen country for up to 90 days, there are still ways to work the system. To start, you can alternate between living in a Schengen and non-Schengen country. These countries create their own immigration rules, which would exclude them from the 90-day limit.
Macedonia is in the Balkans and is not a part of the Schengen area.
That means you could spend an exciting year hopping around from country to country. Spend your first three months in a Schengen country before heading to England, Ukraine, Croatia, or another non-Schengen country.
Many of these places allow you to stay for up to 90 days as well. Which means by the time you’re done spending a few months in the Balkans or the U.K., you can go back to France or Italy and restart the 90-day clock.
Ultimately, you can move between Schengen and non-Schengen countries as many times as you’d like. And while you won’t be able to work or file taxes, you can still live in Europe for a year as a tourist. And if you’re not bored of the nomadic lifestyle, you can realistically do this for as long as you’d like!
How to Move to Europe Permanently
I won’t beat around the bush; knowing how to move to Europe permanently is challenging.
Rules and long-term visa options vary from one country to another. And in many cases, there may be strict guidelines and long wait times.
But despite what you may think, it’s still possible to move to Europe. Although some countries are easier to move to than others, there are a few common ways to obtain a long-term visa.
Find a Job with a European Company to Get a Work Visa
One of the easiest ways to stay in Europe permanently is to get a job with a European country. Once you have a job, you can apply for the E.U. Blue Card which allows you to live, stay, and work in Europe for the duration of your work contract.
E.U. Blue Cards are for highly-skilled employees who make an income of more than 53,000 Euros per year.
You must also have a university degree, and a full-time contract at the time of applying for the Blue Card.
Alternatively, you can apply for a six month Job Seeker/Employment visa. This visa would allow you to initially move to Europe and spend the next few months looking for employment. Once you find work, you can apply for the E.U. Blue Card.
Most countries also have their own local job sites for foreigners. For example, Germany has Xing, France has Jobs in Paris and Norway has Finn.no.
Get a Student Visa from a University to Stay in Europe
Most European countries provide student visas to people enrolled in college or university. With a student visa, you’ll be able to live in Europe until your program is complete. And in some countries, you might be allowed to work part-time to earn extra cash for your travels.
A few countries—like Spain and Germany—also give visa for students learning a foreign language. That means you can enroll in a language school for a few hours a week, and get a long-term visa to stay in Europe fur the duration of your lessons.
One downside of the student visa is that you’ll need to pay for the classes themselves. Depending on your curriculum, this could cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
However, many countries have embraced free higher education for residents and expats. The universities in Germany, Finland, and Norway are completely free to attend. While the schools in France, Austria, and Sweden aren’t exactly free, they are very affordable in comparison to schools in the U.S.
Get European Citizenship by Descent or Ancestry
If you have ancestors from a European country, you might be eligible for European citizenship. Many countries in Europe allow you to apply for citizenship if you have a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent that was born in Europe.
Essentially, claiming European citizenship would allow you to live, work and study throughout Europe without ever having to apply for a visa!
Best of all, your dual citizenship will allow you to live in most European countries. So, even if you have an Irish passport, you can still live in Italy or France, since both countries are in the EU.
In some countries, like Germany and Ireland, citizenship by descent is only given to people whose parents or grandparents were born in Europe.
On the other hand, Lithuania and the Czech Republic will grant you citizenship if you’re great-grandparents were native. And other countries, like Italy, Hungary and Poland, will give you citizenship as long as you can trace your lineage back to a native relative.
Marry a European to get a Long-Term Visa!
Last but not least, you can always get married for a long-term marriage or family reunion visa! This residence visa is valid for five years and can be renewed for the duration of your marriage. With a marriage visa, you’ll be able to work and get benefits like a regular E.U. national.
Although it might cost money to have a wedding, the marriage visa itself is free of charge. And while I highly recommend falling in love first, getting a visa through marriage is one of the more unique ways to move to Europe permanently.
Easiest Countries to Immigrate to in Europe
With 44 countries in Europe to choose from, finding the right home for your next move can be a real challenge.
Each country has its own set of rules and regulations for long-term expats. However, there are a few notable places where it’s easier for foreigners to obtain visas.
Immigrate to Belgium
Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium
Home to mouth-watering waffles, rich chocolates, and craft beer—Belgium is an ideal place to live in Europe. English is commonly spoken throughout large cities, and the country’s central location makes it easy to travel to other places.
Not to mention, Belgians enjoy a higher quality of life compared to other countries in Europe.
If you want to stay longer than 90 days in Belgium, you can apply for either a non-immigrant or immigrant visa.
Non-immigrant visas are for people who plan to stay in Belgium for a few months or years but who don’t plan on moving to Europe permanently. For example, non-immigrant visas are issued for students, temporary workers and au pairs.
If you want to stay in Belgium indefinitely, then you can apply for different types of immigrant visas. Long-term immigrant visas are given to full-time employees, entrepreneurs starting a business, and self-employed workers.
Immigrate to Estonia
Gorgeous views of Old Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia is an up-and-coming expat destination that’s overflowing with natural beauty and ancient architecture. This affordable, tech-savvy country openly welcomes foreigners from all walks of life.
So, if spending your free time swimming in a lake or trekking up the mountain sounds enticing, then Estonia might be the right place for you.
You can apply for a visa in Estonia for work, study, or self-employment. This type of visa is referred to as the D visa, or long term visa. With a D visa, you can stay for up to one year in Estonia.
If your school program or employment contract goes longer than one year, you can register for a residence permit after you arrive. This would allow you to continue living in Estonia for longer than what your visa states.
Get a Long Term Visa in Italy
Who wouldn’t want the Colosseum in their backyard?
Italy is often considered one of the best vacation destinations on the planet.
It’s easy to see why you would want to move to Italy. After all, you’ll be able to enjoy gourmet foods, jaw-dropping scenery, and outstanding culture every day of the year!
With enough money in your savings, you can apply for a long-term visa in Italy. For your application, you’ll need to prove you have enough money to financially support yourself for the duration of your stay.
You stand a higher chance of being approved if you have at least €30,000 in savings (about $33,000). But keep in mind that the exact total isn’t clear.
The only stipulation is that you cannot work while living in Europe. But if lounging in Tuscany or venturing through Rome sounds up your alley, then moving to Italy may be a good option.
Apply for a Germany Artist Visa
A Germany artist visa is one of the most popular ways to stay in Europe permanently
Unlike other countries in Europe, Germany makes it relatively easy for you to move to Europe. Especially considering that they support creative freelancers and artists through the artist visa.
This visa is granted for a variety of professions. As long as you have a decent portfolio and work experience, you can probably persuade the immigration officer to approve your application. For example, painters, musicians, photographers, and dancers are frequent recipients of the visa.
However, the artist visa is only eligible if you live in Berlin. If you plan to move to another city in Germany, you can only apply for the generic freelance visa. Although this visa has more requirements to meet, it’s still another option for self-employed workers and digital nomads. It’s also safe to travel to Germany, and the country offers very fair wages–in other words, it’s an excellent place to live that expat life.
Get a Long-Term Residence Visa in Spain
Barcelona from above.
Spain is often considered one of the easiest places for foreigners to move to in Europe permanently. And fortunately, Spain is also brimming with beautiful cities and diverse landscapes, which makes it an excellent option for expats.
You can apply for a long-term visa as an employee, student, au pair, entrepreneur, and real estate investor. The length of time you’re able to spend in Spain will depend on many factors, like your school program or work contract.
And if you have enough funds to support yourself, you’ll be eligible for the non-lucrative resident visa. The visa itself is only valid for three months. However, you can apply for a residence permit once you arrive. This permit is valid for two years and you can extend it for up to seven years.
Spend a Year in Albania Visa-Free
Looking out over the Albanian coast in Sarande.
As an American citizen, you could spend a year relaxing on the Adriatic coast or trekking the Albanian Alps in Albania.
You can enter Albania without a visa, and stay without a residence permit for an entire year. Once the year is over, you will need to leave for 90 days to restart the clock on your time limit. This is a great opportunity to travel around Europe, as you can stay in the Schengen area for up to three months without a visa.
Once the 90-day restriction is up, you can return back to Albania for another year!
Get a Year-Long Visa in France
If you want to spend time in France, then you can apply for a long stay visa. This extended visitor visa will allow you to stay in France for up to a year.
To apply, you will need proof of accommodation, health insurance for the duration of your stay, and enough money to support yourself. There isn’t a specific amount of money required, but I’ve heard that having at least €2500 per month should be sufficient.
You cannot work on this visa, so you will also need a formal notarized letter stating that you won’t engage in any work-related activities.
Apply for a Temporary Residence Permit in Germany
Germany was one of the first places I looked at when I was looking up how to move to Europe permanently.
While most German long-term visas are granted for students and employees, there’s actually another type of permit that’s given to citizens privileged countries, including the US.
This is the type of visa that allows me to live in Munich and travel throughout Europe. I actually didn’t even know this type of permit existed until another American friend of mine got approved!
I applied for a temporary residence permit, or Aufenthaltserlaubnis, for privileged countries. While you cannot work on this visa, you can live and travel around Europe. You will need to have a German address, proof of health insurance and enough funds savings to support yourself.
According to the German government, these permits are only granted for a year (although they can be renewed). However, I was given a residence permit for the duration of my health insurance plan, which is 1.5 years.
Schengen Visa Expired Overstay Rules
Technically speaking, you cannot stay in the Schengen area past 90 days unless you have a long-term visa. Doing so may result in hefty fines, deportation, and in some cases, getting banned from returning to Europe in the future.
For this reason, it’s illegal to overstay by even one day. This rule is not enforced equally throughout Europe.
Some countries are more relaxed about overstaying than other countries. Many people believe that Italy, Spain, and Greece are easier to enter and leave from. On the other hand, officers in Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands may be more strict about visa regulations.
But at the end of the day, it’s completely up to the discretion of the immigration officer that checks your passport at the airport or train station.
Try This Secret Tip for Moving to Europe
You may get away with overstaying if you enter and leave from different countries. That’s because it’s unclear if your entry and exit dates are shared by all countries in the Schengen area.
For example, let’s say you arrived by plane in France. Your passport will receive a stamp with your date of entry, and your arrival logged by the French government.
You then spend the next few months traveling around Europe and finally decide to fly back from Italy. It’s believed that the Italian computer system is independent of the French one. Therefore, the Italian immigration officer won’t know when you first arrived in the Schengen area.
To see if you overstayed, he would need to manually calculate the time between your entry and exit stamps in your passport. And based on my experience, these officers don’t have the time, or desire, to look through every stamp in your book.
But again, this assumption is based on past experience and information from other travelers. I’ve heard of people staying several weeks without any problem, while others have been caught by overstaying just a few days. In fact, I’ve even overstayed in Germany for two weeks, and the airport officials didn’t bat an eye!
So while you can technically overstay in your time in Europe, it’s hard to say if it will work. It’s definitely illegal. You may also get yourself deported or banned from Europe.
Now You Know How to Move to Europe Permanently
Whether you’re coming to work, study, or simply to start a new life, Europe is a fantastic place to call home. And with so many ways to stay in Europe long term, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
You can probably visit Europe for a few months without a visa as a tourist. But if you want to stay longer, then you’ll need to apply for a long-term visa.
Or, if you’re really savvy, you can use the Schengen and non-Schengen loophole to your advantage. By spending 90 days in Schengen and 90 days in a non-Schengen country, you can realistically live in Europe forever!
With so many options for staying long-term, you don’t even have to consider overstaying your visa. Europe is simply too beautiful to risk never coming back.
READ MORE:
Moving to Europe FAQs
Can a US citizen move to Europe permanently?
Yes, it is possible and common for US citizens to move to Europe permanently.
What is the easiest European country to relocate to?
Belgium, Estonia, and Spain are some of the easiest European countries to relocate to.
How can I stay permanently in Europe?
The easiest way to stay permanently in Europe is to get a high-paying job offer and apply for a work visa.
Is it better to live in Europe or United States?
Europe is a better place to live if you prefer good food, old-world culture, and lower cost of living overall. The United States is better if a high-paying career is more important to you.
Is it cheaper to live in Europe or USA?
Overall, Europe has a lower cost of living than the USA.
Tara is a full-time traveler and part-time street food addict. When she’s not writing about her adventures you can find her sipping a glass of wine or slurping a bowl of hot noodles.
Official archaeology tells us that human history kicks off with farming. This is when our ancestors began stockpiling extra food, allowing them to settle down and build the first advanced societies. Now, as the world’s population soars and freshwater becomes scarce, we must rethink our farming techniques. One promising solution on the horizon is the concept of floating farms: oceanic structures that, thanks to desalination and solar power, might just be the answer to growing the fruits and vegetables required for today’s world.
In this article you will learn about:
What is a floating farm?
A floating farm is essentially a structure designed to house all the key elements required for growing food on the sea’s surface. These modern-day floating farms usually include the following components:
A primary platform that serves as the foundation for all other elements. It can be anchored to the seabed or affixed to a fixed support, like offshore wind energy installations.
A growing medium, which may be soil or hydroponic solutions.
A desalination system, frequently employing passive desalination methods, such as a solar evaporator for condensing seawater vapor used in irrigation.
An electricity generation system, typically utilizing photovoltaic panels.
Irrigation systems and various sensors for process automation.
Although they are not without challenges, such as susceptibility to corrosion and the impact of waves, floating farms offer numerous advantages. Among the most significant are their independence from freshwater for human consumption, suitability for installation in coastal desert regions, and reliance on renewable energy sources. Additionally, they contribute to local food production with a reduced carbon footprint.
From Australia to Japan: two visions of floating farms
Cultivating algae, whether for food or biofuel, is already a well-established practice. However, floating farms are breaking ground by aiming to grow traditional land-based vegetables on water surfaces. The idea of utilizing aquatic areas is also gaining momentum in the field of floating solar panels. This article will delve into the inventive visions of various research teams and entrepreneurial minds worldwide as they strive to cultivate crops on water.
The University of Australia’s vertical marine farms
One of the freshest ideas in this realm, featuring a fully operational prototype, comes all the way from Australia. This ingenious system comprises two sections: an upper portion resembling a greenhouse and a lower segment designed for collecting freshwater. Through a passive solar desalination technique, the system condenses freshwater, which is then transported to the upper chamber using belts, where the plants and the growing medium are positioned. So far, researchers at the University of Australia, in partnership with China’s Hubei University of Technology, have put this floating farm to the test, successfully growing lettuce, broccoli, and pak choi.
According to the creators of this platform, it’s an easy-to-maintain system, powered exclusively by solar energy, and should come with a relatively modest price tag. Currently, they’re actively working to boost the productivity of this floating farm by integrating low-cost substrate materials such as rice waste or straw.
Green Ocean: Japan’s ambitious project
If there is one nation that has grappled with the challenge of limited arable land, it’s Japan. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that one of the most advanced initiatives hails from this Asian country. Incubated by an agritech startup, the project entails using colossal floating platforms designed to cultivate vegetables using hydroponic methods and harnessing renewable energy, all constructed with materials engineered to resist corrosion from seawater.
Known as Green Ocean, this system resembles a greenhouse, featuring solar panels on its V-shaped roof designed to collect rainwater. Diverging from the desalination approach seen in previous examples, the creators of this “offshore agriculture” platform acquire irrigation water by mixing acidic rainwater with alkaline seawater in the requisite proportions.
In the final stages, various crop types are combined to absorb nutrients from the air and water. According to the developers, their initial tests, spanning eighteen months, have yielded successful results in cultivating kaiware daikonradish, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Cultivation of crops on water: a model rooted in history
While the proposals we’ve discussed are undoubtedly sophisticated, floating farms are far from a brand-new concept. Faced with the challenges of climate change, farmers in the delta regions of southeastern Bangladesh are resurrecting an age-old technique passed down through generations. In their case, they’ve turned to floating rafts for cultivating various fruits and veggies, including cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, and even papayas. What’s particularly remarkable is that these rafts are made from woven branches of invasive plants, demonstrating a sustainable approach.
This practice was adopted two centuries ago to cope with the extended rainy season, which traditionally lasts about five months. However, with rising water levels and increased flooding due to climate change, the submerged growing areas can remain underwater for up to ten months. In this region, over 6,000 farmers have opted for cultivating crops on the water, covering an area equivalent to 157 hectares.
Whether we’re talking about floating farms or exploring other alternatives, like synthetic proteins for astronauts, the decades ahead will require us to come up with imaginative and, most importantly, sustainable solutions to feed a growing population with limited resources in the face of climate change.
In the past year, Nashville-headquartered ONErpm has continued its remarkable growth trajectory, positioning itself as one of the music industry’s most significant independent players.
But don’t make the mistake of calling it an ‘independent distributor’. For one thing, it’s much more than that.
For another, ONErpm’s founder, Emmanuel Zunz, looks with disdain at the very phrase.
Founded in 2010 and entirely self-funded, ONErpm is on track to hit around USD $300 million in gross revenue this year.
The company operates in 40+ territories globally and claims a 2.7% worldwide market share on Spotify (Zunz says ONErpm is SPOT’s sixth-largest partner in terms of stream volume).
ONErpm also counts itself among YouTube‘s largest music partners worldwide with 1.2 billion subscribers across its network – generating over 23 billion monthly views.
Zunz’s fully-owned company isn’t just racking up impressive numbers on a macro level – it’s also infiltrating the ‘premium’ music industry’s favorite status-concreters: ONErpm artists have garnered 150+ Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations since 2017, with 25 wins.
ONErpm’s recent global chart-botherers include Dominican artist Chimbala (whose Che Che went viral across 12 countries) and US singer-songwriter Chance Peña (whose i am not who i was has earned over 410M global streams and RIAA Gold certification).
It also works with Nigerian artist Chike, whose Egwu stormed charts across Africa for over six months, generating over 350M global streams.
Zunz bristles at traditional industry categorizations. As he puts it: “There are no more ‘distribution’ companies, and there are no more ‘record labels’. There are just companies providing solutions to creators.”
It’s a philosophy that runs through everything ONErpm does, from basic distribution agreements to full label services deals, catalog acquisition, and joint ventures.
He says this kind of well-financed flexibility has kept ONErpm stubbornly independent while competitors have sold to major labels or sought private equity investments.
When we sit down with him, Zunz is characteristically direct about the industry landscape, recent M&A activity, and why he believes old music biz distinctions are increasingly meaningless…
It’s been a year since we last caught up with you properly. How many times in the past 12 months has ONErpm been approached with discussions about investment, equity, acquisition, etc?
It’s a regular occurrence; private equity companies contact us all the time. That’s been going on for years – they’re persistent.
Sometimes I’ll have a conversation with them, but mostly I just don’t respond.
Why have you always said no?
Because I don’t need to say yes… and they always want to get a lower valuation anyway! Those are the two main reasons.
I was just talking to somebody the other day who approached us in 2018. I told him what the company’s price was back then. He said that he brought it back to his board, and they laughed. Now we’re worth five or six times that. He said they now regret their decision — and the fact that they didn’t take us seriously.
Why do you think so many other companies in your field have said yes to a sale/investment?
The market today is very difficult.
To be honest, many of our competitors have focused on short-term market share growth at the sacrifice of long-term sustainability. They might rise quickly in market share and have some quick successes, but it’s not a long-lasting strategy.
“many of our competitors have focused on short-term market share growth at the sacrifice of long-term sustainability… we’re not willing to do that.”
People are getting tired of this race to the bottom [in terms of companies overpaying advances to win clients in ‘distribution’]. It’s difficult to compete when companies – either those with private equity funding, or the majors – are willing to sacrifice long-term sustainability in exchange for short-term market share growth.
We have never been willing to do that, so we might grow a little slower than others. But our company is very sustainable, with a solid profit margin, so we can withstand these [market pressures] for however long we need to.
I think it will go through. But, to me, Downtown is an example of a company that accepted a lot of investment money while ramping up market share via deals I suspect I wouldn’t do. I’d say the same thing about Believe. I don’t care if they get pissed off at me; that’s my opinion.
Universal is paying Downtown a nice chunk of change, and Downtown should be very happy with what they’re getting.
I responded to the European Commission’s questionnaire [about the deal], and I basically said to them, over and over again: there are plenty of alternatives [to UMG/Downtown] for independent artists and labels in the market.
“I responded to the European Commission’s questionnaire [about the deal], and I basically said to them, over and over again: there are plenty of alternatives [to UMG/Downtown] for independent artists and labels in the market.”
If Universal [acquires Downtown/FUGA] and then tries to raise the price and/or lower the service, people will leave — and there are many other options for them.
Also, technologically speaking, I don’t believe it’s that hard to [rival] what FUGA or Downtown does at this point [by committing] the right level of investment in your platform.
I told the EC my feelings on the deal are neutral. It’s not going to really help or hurt me; it’s just neutral.
You spoke last year on the MBW PODCAST about hoping to grow by 50 to 60% in the next two years. Halfway through that two-year period, how is that plan looking?
I’m not having to revise that forecast right now.
What’s fuelling that growth?
More market penetration and geographic expansion, as well as buying more assets and doing higher margin deals with the artists who want to do them.
Also, again, we’re comfortably profitable – which means we can use our own cash flow for more sustainable deals.
Are there any geographical areas you would highlight as being part of that growth?
Right now we’re much more focused on Africa and Asia, there’s a lot of opportunity in those markets.
We’re maybe a little bit late to the game, but that never stopped us before.
You’ve always been big in Latin America – for example, you are a major market player in Brazil. You’re also a significant force in the United States. What do you make of the slowdown in streaming growth in ‘established’ markets like the US, especially considering your company’s income is balanced across multiple global territories?
I think there’s a lack of innovation right now in [established] markets like the US, both on the label side and on the [digital] platform side.
Music’s in a rut from an innovation standpoint. The growth that we had hoped to get from platforms like Meta and ByteDance didn’t really pan out; they’re just not paying very much.
But I think there will be more innovation soon, especially in the direct-to-consumer area. I don’t think anybody’s really figured that out yet.
Direct-to-fan platforms or apps that coincide with streaming, YouTube, and live shows could surge consumption and monetization.
It’s ONErpm’s 15th anniversary this year. Looking back, what are your most vivid memories of founding ONErpm, and what do you remember about your ambitions back then?
I always thought it could be the next big thing in the music industry – a new way of doing business, a new type of record label – and that’s still our path.
We’re trying to build the record label of the future: a label that’s transparent, that can service creators from all walks of life.
“We’re trying to build the record label of the future: a label that’s transparent, that can service creators from all walks of life.”
We’re quite differentiated in how we approach the business and how we service our clients – the technology that we’ve built, the types of deal structures that we have. We’ve really innovated a lot on all those fronts.
But we still have a long ways to go – my work is not done. We’re a work in progress.
What are you proudest of achieving in those 15 years?
I’m proud that we contributed to the evolution of the industry in a positive way.
I’m proud of being one of the first companies to help artists in Latin America make money. I’m talking about money for tens of thousands of artists that they’d previously not been seeing. We helped transform that market in the process, making it fairer.
I’m proud of moments like that, where we turned what was negative into a positive. That’s what I’ve tried to do with every aspect of my life, personally and professionally.
“We helped transform the Latin American market, making it fairer.”
As entrepreneurs, that’s what we should be doing: providing solutions. Always seeing the opportunity, no matter what.
I’m also very proud of the technology we’ve built and of the team we’ve built. We have many long-term employees who have been with the company for many years, some for over a decade.
I have folks who started with ONErpm as their first job, and they’re still working here today.
What’s the best decision you’ve made in the past 15 years of ONErpm?
In 2013 I was offered $4 million for the company, then a month later I was offered $8 million. And at that point I decided, ‘Okay, I’m not selling.’
That was definitely one of the best decisions, because I really didn’t know the value of the company at that time. And $4 million seemed like a ton of money back then.
“I’m glad that I’ve never taken any investment capital. It gives me complete freedom and autonomy to build this business the way I want.”
But I’m glad I didn’t take it, I’m glad I didn’t take the offer for double that a month later, and I’m glad that I’ve never taken any investment capital.
It gives me complete freedom and autonomy to build this business the way I want.
Once you have other stakeholders, you lose control, and then you know you could be forced into doing things you don’t want to do.
We’ve stumbled into a raging industry debate, about the definition of being ‘independent’. What does it mean to you?
Being independent doesn’t just mean ‘not being part of major’.
If you take a ton of money from outside capital, you’re not independent anymore. Sure, you’re not part of the major label system, but you’re still not fully in control of your destiny.
“If you take a ton of money from outside capital, you’re not independent anymore.”
The word ‘independent’ isn’t used appropriately in the market today.
There’s another music industry trade media publication that celebrates the ‘independent power players’ – something like 80% of them are [associated with] major labels! I don’t understand that.
you do many different deal types, from rights ownership to distribution and everything in between. Is that the reason you don’t like the terms ‘independent distributor’ and ‘record label’?
ONErpm isn’t something you can put in a box and categorize. We do DIY distribution, we do indie distribution, we do licensing, we sign artists, we buy catalogs, we do JVs, we invest in record labels, we do all of these things.
This is a diversified music company for the modern era. That’s why I think it’s the record label of the future.
But even companies that consider themselves ‘full service record labels’ or ‘indie distributors’ are kidding themselves. A full-service record label can provide distribution – see: Taylor Swift – and an indie distributor can, on a successful project, ramp up their staff and provide full label support.
“A full-service record label can provide distribution – see: Taylor Swift – and an indie distributor can, on a successful project, ramp up their staff and provide full label support.”
There are really no more ‘distribution companies’ or ‘record labels’; there are just companies that provide solutions to creators and negotiate and obtain certain rights in exchange for those solutions.
Your own tech platform – the ‘ONE System’ – enables you to handle and monitor clients on different deals, in multiple territories. It also enables those clients to track marketing, monitor campaigns, and see how their music is performing. How advanced is it?
It’s a global, transparent platform for artists, no matter what level of service or investment they need [ONErpm] to offer. And because it’s flexible enough to accommodate all deal types and all territories, it gives us economies of scale.
I suspect a lot of legacy record labels, specifically the majors, have old, antiquated systems, and it’s very hard for them to create a new ecosystem within which they can operate to give them those economies of scale.
“I’m confident ONErpm is further ahead of anyone in terms of single-platform tech innovation.”
Some have done better than others: Sony and The Orchard have done a good job of getting people on the same platforms.
But I’m confident ONErpm is further ahead of anyone in terms of single-platform tech innovation – and it’s my job to keep us in that leadership position.
The next step is for us to show that the model we’ve developed in Latin America and the US works in Africa, Asia, and other markets. And that’s what we’re going to do.Music Business Worldwide
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Chinese President Xi Jinping and top EU officials mark 50 years of diplomatic ties in Beijing at a rocky time in relations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said Europe and China must make the “correct strategic choices” in the face of recent global challenges during a summit with top European Union officials, which comes at a particularly rocky time in their relationship.
“Faced with the rapidly evolving global changes of a century and the international situation of intertwined turmoil, Chinese and European leaders must … make correct strategic choices that meet the expectations of the people and stand the test of history,” Xi said, according to state news outlet CCTV.
Xi’s remarks on Thursday followed a meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, who are in Beijing for the 25th EU-China summit.
The EU and China are marking 50 years of diplomatic relations amid thorny disagreements ranging from the EU-China trade deficit to Beijing’s ongoing support for Russia’s war machine.
The event is the first in-person summit for Chinese and EU leaders since 2023, and more modest than initial plans for a two-day meeting in Europe.
While expectations were low heading into the meeting, the EU and China are expected to sign an agreement on climate change and carbon emissions, Reuters news agency reported, citing European diplomats.
Chinese state media and officials have also billed the summit as a chance for Beijing and the EU to normalise relations at a time of global uncertainty, stirred by United States President Donald Trump and others.
Von der Leyen cast the EU-China meeting in a similarly positive light in a post on X on Thursday.
“This Summit is the opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship. I’m convinced there can be a mutually beneficial cooperation,” she wrote. “One that can define the next 50 years of our relations.”
📍Touchdown in Beijing, as we mark 50 years of ties between Europe and China.
This Summit is the opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship.
I’m convinced there can be a mutually beneficial cooperation.
