The best free way to meet other expats is to join a community where "living abroad" is on your profile and a filter, so you find people who get the ups and downs of starting over. On Souldaters you join the Expats tribe, browse people in your new city, and chat only after a mutual match — for friendships or dating, at no cost.
Moving countries is exciting and lonely in equal measure. The work colleagues are friendly but go home to their families; the language classes help but friendships take time; and dating across cultures raises questions nobody warned you about, from how direct to be to who pays. Other expats understand the paperwork, the homesickness, and the joy of finding a shop that sells your favorite snacks.
How Souldaters helps expats settle in
- Friends mode first: many expats start by building a social circle. Set your intent to friends only or both; friend matches need a mutual wave before chat.
- Languages on your profile: list the languages you speak and are learning, which helps with language exchanges too.
- Tribe filter and discussion board: join the Expats tribe, filter Discover by shared tribes and use the board to ask for tips on neighborhoods, paperwork or where to watch the match.
- Mutual match before messaging: no inbox flood, which matters when you are the new face in town.
Locals welcome, too
The best expat lives mix expats and locals. The tribe is open to locals who love meeting people from elsewhere, and you can pair it with Travelers or Digital Nomads. Popular expat hubs include Lisbon, Berlin, Dubai and Singapore.
Staying, leaving, or not sure yet
One question shapes expat dating more than any other: how long are you here? A two-year contract, an open-ended move and a "we will see" all lead to different kinds of relationships. Being clear in your bio and relationship goal saves heartache, and there is nothing wrong with wanting something lovely but time-limited, as long as both people know.
Our guides on making friends in a new city and long-distance relationships cover the two situations expats face most.
Why Souldaters for Expats
Free dealbreaker filters
Switch on "Only people who share a tribe with me" in Discover — no upgrade needed.
Match first, then chat
Nobody can message you until you both like each other. No unsolicited messages, no inbox floods.
Compatibility that explains itself
Sharing the Expats tribe lifts your soul-match score, and you see plain-language reasons like "3 shared tribes".
A tribe board to talk on
Post questions, meetup ideas and recommendations on the Expats discussion board.
Dating, friends or both
Looking for a partner, a friend or an activity buddy? Choose your intent; friend matches work the same mutual way.
100% free
No premium tier, no paywall, no paid boosts. Seeing who liked you is free too.
Some members of the Expats tribe
Only members who chose to appear publicly are shown. Full profiles are visible to logged-in members only.
Expats discussion
No posts yet. Be the first to say hello, share a tip or suggest a meetup.
Start the conversationTips for the Expats tribe
- Say how long you plan to stay — a one-year contract and "here for good" lead to different expectations.
- List the languages you speak and are learning; language exchange is a natural first meetup.
- Start with Friends mode to build a social base before focusing on dating.
- Be curious about local dating norms and ask your match about them rather than assuming.
- Meet in public, well-known places while you are still learning the city.
Date ideas for the Expats tribe
- Language exchange over coffee — half in each language
- Explore a neighborhood neither of you knows well
- Try a local dish you have both been avoiding
- Weekend day trip by train to a nearby town
- International food market or cultural festival
- Watch your home countries play each other in a sports bar
Profile prompt examples
Souldaters profiles have three prompts. A few examples to spark your own:
I moved here for work and stayed for the bakeries.
Still learning the language — currently fluent in ordering coffee and apologizing.
Looking for someone to show me their favorite hidden spot in this city.
Expats tribe FAQ
What is the best free app for expats to meet people?
Souldaters is a free option that covers both dating and friendship. Expats can join the Expats tribe, filter by shared tribes and list the languages they speak. There is no paid tier, and chat only opens after a mutual like or wave, which keeps things low-pressure when you are new in town and still finding your feet.
How do I make friends as an expat?
Combine a few approaches: join classes or clubs around a hobby, attend language exchanges, say yes to invitations, and use apps with a friends mode. On Souldaters, set your intent to friends only or both and join tribes that fit your interests. Consistency matters more than a single big event.
Is dating as an expat different?
Often, yes. Norms around who asks, who pays, how fast things move and how much family is involved differ by culture. Be honest about your plans to stay or leave, ask questions rather than assume, and give each other grace when signals get crossed. Curiosity goes a long way.
Can locals join the Expats tribe?
Yes. Locals who enjoy meeting people from around the world are welcome, and mixed groups of expats and locals often make the best friendships. Each member chooses their own filters and whether they are looking for dating, friends or both.