ExpatFlow: Multilingual Business Directory

## What is ExpatFlow? ExpatFlow solves the discovery problem facing Russian-speaking expatriates in Portugal. Finding trustworthy professionals — lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, doctors, tutors — requires word-of-mouth recommendations that don't always reach those who need them. ExpatFlow digitizes and scales these recommendations into a searchable directory. ## Multilingual Architecture The platform supports Russian and English interfaces, switching based on URL query parameters (?lang=ru, ?lang=en) rather than cookies or browser headers. This approach ensures shareable links work correctly regardless of the recipient's previous browsing history. Query-based language routing means users can link specific content in their preferred language. A Russian speaker can share a specific business listing with a friend, and the friend sees Russian content without changing settings. ## Business Listings Each business entry includes comprehensive information: name, category, region, city, contact details, service description, pricing information, and reviews. Listings support rich media — photos, videos, documents — showcasing work quality and providing additional context. Category structure covers the full range of expat needs: Legal Services, Real Estate, Healthcare, Finance, Education, Home Services, Food & Dining, Shopping, Transportation, and Entertainment. Filtering options enable refined searches by category, region, city, and rating. Advanced search supports full-text queries across business names, descriptions, and reviews. ## Account Deletion Flow GDPR compliance requires the ability to delete account data on request. The platform implements a deletion request workflow where users submit deletion requests, receive confirmation, and have data purged within the legally required timeframe. The flow preserves anonymized aggregate data for statistical purposes while removing personally identifiable information. ## Booking Integration Where businesses support appointments, the booking flow enables scheduling directly through the directory. Time slot availability syncs with business calendars, reducing no-shows and scheduling conflicts. ## Tech Implementation ExpatFlow runs on SvelteKit 2 with Svelte 5 for the frontend, Elysia with Bun API on port 50100, and PostgreSQL for data storage. The query-based language system reads URL parameters on each request, enabling stateless language switching. Currently in non-DB preview stage with fixture data, the platform awaits migration to full database-backed content. The fixture data demonstrates the intended UX and content structure, providing a foundation for comprehensive data population. ## Trust and Transparency All businesses undergo verification before publication. User reviews undergo moderation to prevent spam and ensure authenticity. The platform communicates its commitment to quality — this isn't a scrape-everything directory, but a curated collection of services used and recommended by the expat community.