Enjoyed your article. Much of it also applies to France, notorious for its bureaucracy. The thought of applying for a carte de sejour--which all Brits must do thanks to Brexit--gave me many sleepless nights.

It's also hard to explain to visiting Americans that, no, you can't go to a restaurant at any hour you feel like eating and, no you can't shop on Sundays--well maybe before noon for groceries, but that's it.

Still, after eight years, I wouldn't live any anywhere else.