Blog

This year’s sessions underscored the industry’s rapid evolution and the increasing complexity that mobility professionals must navigate to keep pace. From new assignment models to rising cultural expectations and the elevated role of Destination Service Providers (DSPs), the message was clear: adaptability and innovation are no longer optional—they’re essential.

The Landscape is Shifting—Fast

The traditional model of 3–5-year expatriate assignments? It’s becoming the exception, not the rule. As Rene Stegmann (Owner & Director of Relocation Africa) pointed out during the panel, the types of assignments are changing rapidly, influenced by tighter immigration policies, evolving employee expectations, cost pressures, and the enduring impact of COVID-19.

Today’s global mobility programs must accommodate hybrid, remote, and even nomadic workers. The challenge is that policies must be agile enough to flex with demand while still meeting compliance, tax, and employee support standards. For mobility professionals, that means building more dynamic frameworks and staying laser-focused on what’s next.

Cultural Competence Is a Business Imperative

CEO and Founder of Noble Asia and Partner at Reloc8 Asia Pacific Group, Fahra Rizwari’s reflections on Jakarta life—from pre-dawn calls to prayer to gridlocked commutes—offered a vivid reminder of just how important cultural context is in assignment planning. These details might seem small, but for relocating employees, they shape day-to-day experience and long-term success.

Mobility professionals across Europe are increasingly expected to anticipate and educate, helping employees (and their families) understand what life will really look like in their new location. This kind of insight is critical to delivering a high-impact assignment experience in a diverse cultural landscape.

Local Challenges, Global Lessons

Managing Partner at HelpXpat, Simie Sujuth’s experiences in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—where property shortages and school waitlists create bottlenecks—mirror broader challenges faced in many locations across Europe. These local hurdles remind us that mobility success hinges on agility: the ability to navigate shifting regulations, manage expectations, and deliver tailored support solutions.

Whether you’re relocating talent to Munich, Madrid, or Muscat, having a strong local partner network and real-time data is key to avoiding surprises and keeping relocations on track.

DSPs Are Moving from Support to Strategy

Gone are the days when DSPs were seen as order-takers. As the panel highlighted, today’s providers (including RMCs) are expected to be consultative partners, guiding clients on everything from program structure to local compliance issues.

Rene emphasized the shift toward a more sales-oriented mindset, while Ivona (Owner, Pro Relocation), Simie, and Fahra detailed how DSPs are helping clients navigate industries with heavy relocation volume, like renewable energy, healthcare, and manufacturing. As move types expand and contract based on business priorities, DSPs are expected to be more proactive and strategic than ever before.

The Rise of Sustainability and DEI in Mobility

Sustainability isn’t just about reducing carbon footprints anymore…though that remains a major focus. Today, forward-thinking organizations are embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into their mobility strategies, leveraging relocation to support underrepresented talent and broaden access to international experience.

While DEI initiatives may be losing momentum in parts of the U.S., Europe is telling a different story. Across the continent, diversity, equity, and inclusion are increasingly viewed not as “nice to have,” but as non-negotiable business drivers. Accordingly, leading organizations aren’t just paying lip service—they’re embedding DEI into their mobility programs through intentional policy design, thoughtful partner selection, and tight internal alignment. The result? Programs that are not only more equitable but also better equipped to attract, support, and retain global talent.

The Bottom Line: Stay Curious, Stay Flexible

The 2025 EuRA International Congress emphasized that mobility is no longer a set-it-and-forget-it function. It’s a dynamic, fast-changing field that demands creativity, collaboration, and constant evolution.

For professionals across Europe and around the world, staying ahead means listening closely to voices on the ground, embracing new models of work, and partnering with providers who can deliver flexible, localized, and forward-looking solutions.

The global mobility landscape will continue to evolve, but with insights like these, we’re better equipped than ever to meet the moment. I know I’m not alone in counting down until the 2026 EuRA Congress in Malta!