How to meet someone from another country

There are a few good ways to meet someone from another country, and each suits a different kind of person.

• Dating apps made for it. Most dating apps show people near you. An international dating app does the opposite and introduces you to people far away, so everyone you meet is open to someone from another country.
• Travel. Meeting people on a trip is exciting, but time is short, and it can be hard to tell a holiday mood from a real connection.
• Language exchanges. Conversation groups and language partners are a relaxed way to meet people from other countries, though most people are there to learn, not to date.
• Studying or working abroad. Living somewhere new for a while gives you time to get to know people properly.

Whatever you choose, look for places where people say clearly what they want, so you aren't guessing whether the other person is open to dating someone from far away.

FarFlirt is a free dating app for people who want to meet someone from another country. It works in your phone's browser, and you can add it to your home screen like an app.

• The 9pm Drop. Every evening at 21:00 your time, FarFlirt introduces you to up to three people from other countries who fit what you're looking for. If you get them, they get you too, and you both have 24 hours to say hello.
• Chats that cross borders. Any message can be translated, and both local times are shown side by side.
• Country Nights. Live group chats between two countries for an hour, with a host bot asking questions. Like someone, and if they like you back you get your own chat.
• Free, with no catch. No subscriptions, no paid boosts and no ads inside the app.

You're matched with people from other countries by default, and you can switch on people from your own country too. See every country route for time differences and how to say hello.

A time difference changes how a relationship feels day to day, but it is easy to plan around.

• Find your overlap. Look for the hours that are evening for one of you and still a reasonable time for the other, and keep those for longer conversations.
• Use the gaps. A voice note or a message before bed is something to wake up to. Conversations don't have to happen live.
• Mind daylight saving. Countries change their clocks on different dates, and some don't change them at all, so the gap between you can shift by an hour a few weeks a year.
• Plan the weekend. Weekends give you more hours that work for both of you, which makes them good for a longer call.

You don't need a shared language to start. Translation removes the first barrier, and the rest comes from curiosity.

• Learn to say hello, thank you and good night in their language. It shows you care, even if you mix up the words.
• Humour and sarcasm don't always survive translation. When something matters, say it plainly.
• Ask about the things they grew up with: food, holidays, what a normal Sunday looks like. It's the best way in.
• Expect different habits around replying, dating and family. Ask rather than assume.

When you're ready to meet, a little planning keeps it a good memory.

1. Video call first, so you know the person matches their photos.
2. Meet somewhere public, and share your plans with a friend you trust.
3. Book your own place to stay and keep a way to get home, with your own money and passport.
4. Check the entry rules for the country you're visiting on its government's official website before you book.
5. If anything feels wrong, leave. You don't owe anyone an explanation.

Read the Safety Center for more.

Long-distance dating is where romance scammers look for people, because "I can't meet you yet" sounds normal. The signs are usually the same:

• They ask for money, gift cards or crypto, for any reason, however urgent.
• They want to move to another app straight away.
• They can never video call, and there's always a reason.
• They fall in love very fast, or talk about investments and trading.

Never send money to someone you haven't met. FarFlirt warns you in the chat when money or moving to another app comes up early, and you can report and block anyone. See how to spot a romance scam.

• Talk early about what you both want, so neither of you is waiting for something the other isn't planning.
• Agree on a rhythm of visits, and always know when you'll see each other next.
• Be honest about money and time: flights and time off are real costs, and sharing them keeps things fair.
• If it gets serious, talk about where you might live and what each of you would give up.