What’s the Difference Between an Expat and an Immigrant?

At first glance, the terms “expat” and “immigrant” might seem interchangeable—both describe people living in a country that isn’t their own. Yet, these words carry very different connotations, often shaped by stereotypes and bias. Why do we tend to view one more positively and the other negatively? In this blog, we’ll explore the subtle differences between the two terms, uncovering how language influences perception and why it’s important to challenge the assumptions behind these labels.

The terms expat and immigrant are often used differently, sometimes unfairly. An expat is someone who moves abroad, usually temporarily, with the possibility of returning home. An immigrant moves to a new country intending to settle permanently.

Despite these definitions, societal perceptions vary. A British retiree in Spain is commonly called an expat, while someone moving to Britain from Africa or the Middle East might be labeled an immigrant—regardless of similar intentions. These biases shape how we view people and create stereotypes.

An expat is often associated with success, wealth, or retirement, while an immigrant may be unfairly tied to low-paid jobs, illegal entry, or coming from specific regions. This divide fuels negative stereotypes and political agendas, misjudging individuals with similar motives and goals.

For some, an expat is seen as a professional earning good money or a retiree living out their days in sunnier climes. An immigrant is seen as someone who may have entered the country illegally or works in low-paid jobs, often coming from nations in Africa, Eastern Europe or The Middle East.

This ill-informed judgment means that people become labelled unfairly and, in some circumstances, targeted by those with controversial political agendas. The aim of the retiree in Spain may be the same as the person moving to the UK yet we judge one over the other and formulate a stereotype of the entire ethnicity based on that.

However, there are a few small justifications for how people use the terms.

Using our dictionary definition from earlier, we see that an expat is somebody moving from their native country to another one, typically temporarily but occasionally permanently.

In most cases, expats have a set plan and reason for moving to another country with the culmination of that plan resulting in a return to their home nation. The reason could stem from a new job opportunity or a decision to just enjoy life somewhere else for a while.

And this is where there are slight differences.

Further up the page, we mentioned how the definition of immigrant relates to a person moving from one country to another with the aim of making it a permanent base. However, their reasons for moving from one country to another are often more forced upon them than flexible. It could be that they are escaping conflict, it could be that they see better economic opportunities are available abroad, it might be that their family already live abroad, and they wish to join them.

Due to the intention of the move being permanent and therefore having no definitive timescale of stay, the legal requirements and restrictions enforced upon them can vary somewhat from those of an expat.

No matter the label attached, we must remember that each individual is a person capable of feeling and emotion and as a result, both can find themselves struggling with their move, even if it has been fully planned out.

For both immigrants and expats, the adaptation to language, culture, values and more could be a stark contrast to what they are used to. This could see them not only feeling marginalized but also struggling to integrate with their new surroundings.

Language, as we all know, can be a common barrier, and for both expats and immigrants, trying to become accepted in a new country can be made considerably harder if a common tongue is not shared.

Then, there is also the element of homesickness. Not everyone gets it, and some may be happier than others to be abroad, yet missing out on events often shared with loved ones, national traditions or even the weather could all lead to both expats and immigrants longing for a return to the country they departed.

We’ve already covered the differences in terms of definition but there are also a few more to take note of. As mentioned already, the intention of an expat is typically to return to their native country at some stage, an immigrant, on the other hand, intends to stay permanently in the country they have relocated to.

We also notice how the term is associated with different people. We touched upon it earlier but for the most part, the term expat is often associated with success, retirement, a well-paid job, a top-class education or even a certain skin colour. The term immigrant is instead being applied to those on the opposite end of this blurred spectrum.

Unfortunately, a large difference is in how the words are used, and this difference is perhaps more often thought and not spoken. (And for the sake of clarity, it is a difference that certainly should not exist.) This difference is race. Immigrant seems rarely applied to a white person, but it is immediately applied to a person of an ethnic minority. This is not only factually incorrect but also concerning that people can be so narrow-minded.

Sort of, and it shouldn’t. In some countries, a very hostile conservative element may not wish for anyone at all to breach their borders, whether they are seen as an immigrant or an expat. In other nations, those living in communities with other people of the same ethnicity are seen as failing to integrate, yet a culture of anti-immigration makes the people who chose to move here no longer want to adapt even if they had been willing to do so. And unfortunately, from this, stereotypes are both born and enhanced. If you are looking to relocate, either permanently or temporarily, you should speak to our team. We help organise international healthcare insurance so you can remain comprehensively covered should something happen while you live abroad. For those on short-term stays, our insurance for working abroad and short term medical insurance provide added reassurance whilst you are based elsewhere. All policies are hassle-free and simple to organise, contact our insurance experts today