Expat Package Value 2027
Expat package components: base salary, COLA (cost-of-living adj), housing allowance, hardship premium, tax equalization, repatriation bonus.
| Base salary | — |
| COLA | — |
| Housing | — |
| Hardship premium | — |
| Tax equalization | — |
| Annual package | — |
| Assignment length | — |
| Bonuses (sign+repat) | — |
| Grand total | — |
| Multiplier vs base | — |
Expat assignment packages are far more than base salary. The full value typically runs 1.5x-2.5x base salary when COLA, housing, hardship premiums, tax equalization, and bonuses are included. Negotiate ALL components.
Package Components
Base salary: usually unchanged or modest adjustment. COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment): 15-40% of base based on country/city index. Housing allowance: 20-40% of base, often grossed up. Hardship premium: 5-25% for difficult locations. Tax equalization: company handles dual filing.
Tax Equalization vs Protection
Tax Equalization: you pay 'hypothetical home tax', company pays excess. Tax Protection: you pay actual host country tax — refunded if more than home. Equalization is standard for high-tax destinations (UK, DE, FR, AU). Protection for low-tax (UAE, Singapore).
Common Negotiation Wins
(1) Hardship for medium destinations (yes, even London). (2) Education allowance for kids ($30K-$80K/year private school). (3) Home leave (1-2 trips/year for family). (4) Healthcare gap (US gold-plated plan often missed abroad). (5) Repatriation guarantee + bonus.
Last updated May 2026. Sources: Gartner Expat Compensation.