Publication: International Living
Topics: Retirement Overseas, Expat Life, Travel, Relocation, Real Estate, Healthcare, Cost of Living, Investing
Rate (USD): $400 per article (minimum advertised rate)
Deadline: Rolling submissions
Editor: International Living Editorial Team
Submit Via: submissions@internationalliving.com (Magazine), postcards@internationalliving.com (Daily Postcards), digitaleditor@internationalliving.com (Website)
If you’ve built a life abroad or have first-hand experience living, retiring, investing, or travelling overseas, International Living is looking for your story. The publication pays $400 per article and welcomes original pitches that help readers understand what it’s really like to live outside their home country.
Unlike traditional travel magazines, International Living focuses on living overseas, not sightseeing. Readers want practical advice, insider recommendations, and authentic experiences that help them retire, relocate, save money, or enjoy a better quality of life abroad.
What International Living Is Looking For
The publication covers a wide range of topics related to international living, including:
- Living and retiring overseas
- Expat life and relocation
- Cost of living comparisons
- International healthcare
- Overseas real estate
- Visas and immigration
- Investing abroad
- Local culture and communities
- Practical relocation guides
- Travel with a long-term living perspective
Editors strongly prefer first-hand experience over internet research. If you’ve lived somewhere, navigated the healthcare system, purchased property, obtained residency, or discovered hidden local gems, you’re exactly the kind of contributor they’re seeking.
Story Ideas That Stand Out
International Living encourages writers to pitch practical, actionable stories such as:
- How to retire comfortably in a specific destination
- Affordable healthcare experiences overseas
- Hidden neighbourhoods perfect for expats
- Visa and residency guides
- Renting versus buying property abroad
- Cost-saving tips for new expats
- Profiles of individuals or couples who successfully relocated overseas
- Step-by-step relocation advice
- Insider recommendations unavailable in standard travel guides
The publication also values stories that include strong opinions, clear recommendations, and useful advice readers can immediately apply.
Daily Postcards Opportunities
International Living’s Daily Postcards feature reaches more than 185,000 readers and highlights real stories from expats around the world.
These first-person stories typically begin at 600 words and focus on:
- Why you moved abroad
- How your life has changed
- Lower living costs
- Healthcare experiences
- Local culture
- Building a new community
- Retirement abroad
- Personal discoveries and lifestyle improvements
Professional writing experience is not required. Editors care far more about authentic experiences than literary perfection.
Pitching Tips From the Editors
Before submitting, study the publication carefully and avoid generic travel writing.
Their editorial advice includes:
- Focus on living overseas rather than tourism.
- Share original insights readers cannot easily Google.
- Make practical recommendations throughout the article.
- Use direct quotes when profiling people.
- Write concise, engaging copy without unnecessary background.
- Proofread carefully before submitting.
- Explain why you’re uniquely qualified to tell the story.
- Pitch one specific, original idea rather than a broad destination.
Original reporting and genuine personal experience will always outperform recycled travel content.
How to Submit
Choose the correct email based on your target publication:
International Living Magazine
Daily Postcards
International Living Website
When pitching, explain your story clearly, demonstrate your first-hand experience, and include links to previous published work whenever possible.
Writers looking to land premium international publications should study opportunities like this carefully. At Sure Media, we help freelance writers discover high-paying markets, strengthen their pitches, and build publishing portfolios that open doors to even bigger editorial opportunities.
Sure Media Agency 