WhizzBang works for you … no matter where you are in Europe!
WhizzBang is a pan-European non-governmental organization that campaigns for the interests of consumers in the European Union. We pay particular attention to the concerns of expats who live in an EU country in which they did not grow up.
Because nobody cares like we do
Expats are neither tourists nor locals, and it is precisely this intermediate position that leads to particular problems in exercising their rights. Unlike tourists, who only stay in a country temporarily and usually have little in-depth interaction with the local systems and authorities, expats live in a new country permanently or for a longer period of time. They have to deal with the same everyday challenges as the locals: Housing, employment, healthcare and education.
At the same time, they often lack a comprehensive understanding of local laws and customs, which can significantly limit their ability to exercise and enforce their rights. Unlike locals, expats often lack a social network that can support and advise them. Authorities and companies often do not perceive them as full members of society, which can lead to their specific needs and rights being overlooked or disregarded.
This particular situation creates a gray area in which expats are susceptible to misunderstandings and discrimination. They therefore need targeted support and clear information in order to effectively exercise their rights and feel safe and integrated in their new environment.
Our Goals
At home abroad and abroad at home: we offer you help and represent your interests. You can find more information in our statutes.
Advice and support
Individual advice and support from a team of experts who help expats with specific problems.
Research and reports
Conducting research and publishing reports on the challenges and needs of expats as consumers in the EU.
Lobbying for you!
Successful lobbying for legislative changes and new regulations that improve the protection of expats.
Information campaigns
Conducting consumer rights awareness campaigns, often in multiple languages, to overcome language barriers for expats.
Workshops and seminars
Organization of workshops and seminars on various topics such as contract law, consumer protection and digital security
Online resources for expats
Providing an extensive collection of online resources, including guides, checklists and FAQs specifically tailored to the needs of expats.
Between a rock and a hard place
Expats often find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place because they live in an in-between world.
They have left their home country and arrived in a new one, where they have to adapt to a different culture, language and way of life. They are often neither fully integrated into the new society nor have they given up all contact with their home country.
In their new country, they face bureaucratic hurdles, language barriers and cultural misunderstandings that make their everyday lives more difficult. At the same time, they cannot always rely on the support and familiar structures of their home country, as they are physically far away. This sense of uncertainty and lack of belonging can leave expats feeling caught between two stools – neither fully at home here nor there.
Our Weekly Reports
What are expat consumers hustling with? In our weekly reports, we summarize our counseling.
Go meet the expats…
At our Expat “Shdammtish” we offer a platform for exchange and mutual support.
- Support and advice Get practical tips and information on important topics such as consumer rights, the healthcare system and integration. Our regulars’ table offers a platform for exchange and mutual support.
- Exchange of knowledge and experience Benefit from the stories and advice of other expats. Whether it’s about bureaucratic hurdles, cultural differences or everyday challenges – learn from the experiences of the community.
- Networking and community Meet other expats in your region, make new friends and share experiences.
We call our meetings “shdammtish”, mocking the German word “Stammtisch”, that usually describes a non-formal meeting in a public location that offers a decent level of “gemütlichkeit”. Think: “Expats in the pub”, but it can also be a café, a social club or a bakery and there needn’t be alcohol involved and you kann simply drop in.
