While the vast majority of expats may well look to retire overseas and many will move for secured employment, there is a growing number of expats who are looking to set up their own businesses in new lands. The top five most popular businesses set up by expats take in a variety of different services, different investment opportunities and different innovations. If you're looking to move overseas to set up your own business then you may find the following list interesting.

Property

Property is by far and away the most popular investment in the expat community as many expats look to make money from the differential between property prices in various countries compared to their homeland. It is basically a way of increasing your spending power by effectively "buying more property for less" than it would have cost in your former homeland. Those who are willing to take a chance on early stage property markets in relatively obscure countries can make significant money if their timing is right and the markets move with them. However, property investment in foreign markets is not as secure as some would have you believe.

Hospitality

Hospitality and the tourist industry are by far and away the most popular expat business opportunities because many will have enjoyed holidays in their new found homeland prior to setting up their own businesses. If you're able to identify a country which is "up-and-coming" then there is every chance of piggybacking the expected economic boom in the future. However, to take full advantage of hospitality operations in overseas countries you need to do your homework with regards to the costs of running these operations and any potential liabilities. Moving from one country to another country is not always on a like-for-like basis!

Online businesses

The beauty of the Internet is that you can literally work anywhere in the world if you have an online operation and have access to the Internet. As a consequence, more and more online entrepreneurs are now looking to move overseas to maximise their income and lifestyle while still having access to their bread and butter business. However, do not automatically assume that Internet activity and Internet connectivity is the same in each and every country because this is not the case. You will also need to do some homework with regards to the cost of Internet services in foreign countries because again very few countries offer a like-for-like comparison.

Import/export

Opening an import/export industry can be very lucrative if you have managed to identify a potentially niche market and have contacts overseas who would be interested in your goods or services. One example of this was Egypt of some years ago as more and more people became aware of the style and availability of the Egyptian homeware which has certainly become very popular around the world. However, import and export markets will change very quickly because fashions change very quickly in any country and any area of the world. You need to be one step ahead of the game and "on the ball".

Holiday homes and vacations

It is highly likely that each and every one of us has heard of somebody who has moved overseas to set up a holiday home, holiday company or indeed to run hotel. When you are in a foreign land on holiday it all look so simple and so easy but once you begin to investigate below the surface it is maybe not as easy as you might think. Opening a holiday attraction or holiday accommodation can also require a significant initial investment which may be beyond the means of many people.

Have you thought of setting up a business overseas?

http://www.expatforum.com/articles/moving/the-top-5-most-popular-businesses-set-up-by-expats.html