Terms of Use

Last Updated: 01.12.2024

Welcome to the Expaterra website (hereinafter referred to as the "Platform"), operated by AKULA CAPITAL S.R.L. (hereinafter referred to as the "Company", "we", "us", "our"). These Terms of Use (hereinafter referred to as the "Terms") govern the access and use of the Platform by users (Expats) and experts (service providers).

Please read these Terms carefully before using the Platform.

Contact Information:

Address: Romania, Ilfov, Pantelimon, Tineretului Street 61B, 077145
Email: info@akula.ro
Phone: +40 761 550 397

1. Acceptance of Terms

1.1. Agreement to Terms: By using the Platform, you confirm that you have read these Terms and agree to comply with them. If you do not agree with the Terms, please cease using the Platform.

1.2. Age Restrictions: The Platform is intended for individuals aged 16 and above. By using the Platform, you confirm that you are at least 16 years old.

1.3. Additional Terms: Some services on the Platform may have additional terms that are part of these Terms. In case of a conflict, the additional terms take precedence.

2. Description of Services

2.1. General Information:

Expaterra is an online service that connects Expats (users) with experts (service providers) in various categories and languages across European Union countries.

2.2. Services for Users (Expats):

Search for experts based on country, city, service category, and language of service provision.
View profiles of experts and their advertisements.
Open contact details of experts for communication and service requests (depending on the chosen subscription plan).
Access to blogs and informational content about countries and useful information for Expats.

2.3. Services for Experts (Service Providers):

Register and create a professional profile on the Platform.
Publish advertisements about offered services in relevant categories.
Choose a subscription plan and purchase additional services to increase advertisement visibility.
Access analytical reports about the profile (depending on the subscription plan).

2.4. Service Categories:

Medicine: Midwife, Allergist, Gynecologist, etc.
Finance, Law, Real Estate: Auditor, Accountant, Real Estate Agent, etc.
Education, Languages, Tourism: Tutor, Translator, Tourism Agent, etc.
Work and Business: Consulting, Personal Assistant, etc.
Household Services: Cleaning, Home Repairs, etc.
Automobiles: Auto Mechanic, Driving Instructor, etc.
IT, Photography, Video: Web Designer, Photographer, etc.
Beauty and Health: Beautician, Hairdresser, etc.
Animal Care: Veterinarian, Groomer, etc.
Events: Event Organizer, Wedding Planner, etc.

3. Registration and User Accounts

3.1. User Registration:

Access Without Registration: Users can browse the Platform and search for experts without registering.
Registration for Full Access: To open experts' contact details and access additional features, registration and selection of a suitable subscription plan are required.
Information Requirements: Users must provide a valid email address and create a secure password.

3.2. Expert Registration:

Mandatory Registration: Experts must register to publish advertisements and utilize Platform features.
Information Requirements: Experts must provide accurate and up-to-date information about themselves and their services, including name, contact details, professional information, photos, etc.
Updating Information: Experts are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of their profile information.

3.3. Account Security:

Data Privacy: Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account login details and must not share them with third parties.
Notification to Platform: In case of suspected unauthorized access, the user must immediately notify the Platform.

3.4. Right to Refuse Registration:

The Platform reserves the right to refuse registration or delete a user or expert account in case of violation of the Terms or for other legal reasons.

4. Subscription Plans and Payments

4.1. Subscription Plans for Experts

Basic Plan: €9.99/month
- Publish one advertisement.
- Option to purchase advertisement priority and additional advertisements at the standard price.
- Contact details visible only to users with the Client+ subscription.
Standard Plan: €15.99/month
- Publish one advertisement plus one free advertisement.
- Detailed analytical reports of the profile.
- 25% discount on purchasing advertisement priority and additional advertisements.
- Contact details visible only to users with the Client+ subscription.
Premium Plan: €41.99/month
- Publish one advertisement plus one free advertisement.
- Priority display in search results (included in the plan).
- Contact details accessible to all users, including those with free subscriptions.
- Detailed analytical reports of the profile.
- 40% discount on purchasing additional advertisements.
- "Premium Partner" badge on the profile.
- Ability to publish articles or content on the Platform to enhance expertise and attract more clients.

4.2. Additional Services for Experts

Advertisement Priority in Search:
- Basic Plan:
  - For one week: €4.90
  - For one month: €14.90
- Standard Plan:
  - For one week: €3.70
  - For one month: €11.20
- Premium Plan:
  - Service included in the plan.
Additional Advertisements:
- Basic Plan:
  - Per advertisement: €9.90
- Standard Plan:
  - Per advertisement: €7.50
- Premium Plan:
  - Per advertisement: €6.00

Packages for Additional Advertisements:

Advertisement Package	Basic Plan	Standard Plan (25% Discount)	Premium Plan (40% Discount)
3 Advertisements	€26.90	€19.90	€15.90
5 Advertisements	€43.90	€32.90	€25.90
10 Advertisements	€84.90	€63.90	€50.90

4.3. Subscription Plans for Users

Free Plan:
- Ability to open one contact per month.
- Unlimited access to contact details of experts with the Premium Plan.
Client+ Plan (Paid):
- Unlimited access to contact details of all experts.
- Price and terms are listed on the Platform.

4.4. Payment

Payment Methods: Payments are accepted through the Stripe payment system using bank cards.
Payment Processing: All transactions are processed by the third-party payment provider Stripe. The Company does not store bank card information.
Payment Security: The Platform provides a secure redirection to the Stripe payment system to complete the transaction.

4.5. Subscriptions and Automatic Renewal

Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions are automatically renewed at the end of the paid term unless the user cancels.
Cancellation of Subscription: Users can cancel their subscription at any time through their account settings. The subscription will remain active until the end of the paid term.

4.6. Refund Policy

No Refunds: Payments for subscriptions and additional services are non-refundable.
Exceptions: Refunds are only possible in cases provided by law.

5. Use of the Platform

5.1. Rights and Obligations of Users:

Personal Use: Users agree to use the Platform solely for personal, non-commercial purposes.
Compliance with Laws: Users agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations when using the Platform.
Prohibition of Misuse: Users must not use the Platform's information for illegal or fraudulent purposes.

5.2. Rights and Obligations of Experts:

Accuracy of Information: Experts agree to provide accurate, up-to-date, and complete information about themselves and their services.
Compliance with Professional Standards: Experts agree to provide services in accordance with professional standards and applicable laws.
Content Responsibility: Experts are fully responsible for the content published on the Platform, including respecting intellectual property rights and ensuring no prohibited content is present.

5.3. Prohibited Activities:

Publishing Illegal Content: It is prohibited to publish illegal, offensive, defamatory, pornographic, or otherwise unacceptable content.
Intellectual Property Infringement: It is prohibited to publish content that infringes on third-party copyrights, trademarks, or other rights.
Fraud and Deception: It is prohibited to engage in fraudulent activities or deceive other users.
Spam and Malicious Software: It is prohibited to distribute spam, viruses, or other malicious software.
Unauthorized Access: It is prohibited to attempt unauthorized access to the Platform or other users' accounts.

6. Content and Intellectual Property Rights

6.1. Content Rights:

Ownership of Experts: Experts retain all rights to the content they publish on the Platform.
License to the Platform: By publishing their content on the Platform, experts grant the Company a non-exclusive, free, worldwide license to use, display, and distribute that content as part of the Platform's services.

6.2. Rights of the Company:

Ownership of the Platform: All rights to the design, functionality, and content of the Platform, except for user-published content, belong to the Company.
Protection of Rights: The Company reserves the right to take measures to protect its intellectual property rights, including legal actions.

6.3. Infringement of Rights:

Notification of Infringement: If you believe your intellectual property rights have been infringed on the Platform, please contact us using the provided contact information with the necessary details.

7. Privacy and Data Processing

7.1. Collected Data:

Personal Data: The Company collects personal data from users and experts, including name, email, phone, profile description, photos, and other provided information.
Technical Data: Data related to interactions with the Platform is collected, including IP address, device type, cookies, and other data.

7.2. Use of Data:

Providing Services: Data is used to ensure the operation of the Platform and the provision of services.
Marketing and Analysis: Data may be used to improve the Platform, analyze user behavior, and send marketing materials (with user consent).
Legal Compliance: Data may be used to comply with laws, regulations, or legal proceedings.

7.3. Data Protection:

Compliance with GDPR: The Company commits to complying with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws.
Security Measures: Technical and organizational measures are implemented to protect data from unauthorized access, modification, or destruction.

7.4. Privacy Policy:

Availability: The Privacy Policy and Personal Data Processing Policy are available on the Platform and provide detailed information about the collection, use, and protection of data.

8. Disclaimer

8.1. Mediating Role of the Platform:

No Participation in Transactions: The Platform acts solely as a mediator, providing an informational space for connecting users and experts.
No Responsibility for Services: The Company is not responsible for the quality, timeliness, or legality of the services provided by experts.

8.2. No Warranties:

"As Is" Provision: The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without any warranties.
Accuracy of Information: The Company does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or truthfulness of the information published by experts.

8.3. Limitation of Liability:

Direct and Indirect Damages: The Company is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from the use of the Platform.
Liability Cap: In no event shall the Company's total liability to the user exceed the amount the user has paid for using the Platform in the past 12 months (if applicable).

9. Dispute Resolution

9.1. Relationships Between Users and Experts:

Direct Interaction: All transactions and agreements between users and experts occur directly without the Platform's involvement.
Dispute Resolution: Users and experts independently resolve any disputes that arise between them.

9.2. Complaints and Notifications:

Reporting Violations: Users can report violations of the Terms or laws through the Platform's contact form or using the provided contact information.
Handling Complaints: The Company will review the complaint and take appropriate measures, including removing content or blocking the violator's account.

9.3. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction:

Applicable Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of Romania.
Dispute Resolution: All disputes shall be resolved in the competent courts of Romania.

10. Termination of Use

10.1. Termination by the User:

Deleting Account: Users or experts can delete their account at any time through the Platform's profile settings.
Consequences of Deletion: Upon account deletion, access to the Platform's services will be terminated, and personal data will be processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

10.2. Termination by the Company:

Violation of Terms: The Company may suspend or terminate a user’s or expert’s access to the Platform in case of violation of the Terms or the law.
Notification: In the event of termination of access, the Company will notify the user by email, stating the reasons (unless it contradicts the law or authorities' requirements).

10.3. Legal Requirements:

Requests from Authorities: The Company may suspend or terminate access to the Platform upon request from law enforcement authorities or in accordance with applicable laws.

11. Changes to Terms

11.1. Right to Change:

Updating Terms: The Company reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time.
Notification of Changes: Users will be notified of changes by posting the updated Terms on the Platform and/or by email at least 15 days before the changes take effect.

11.2. Agreement to Changes:

Continuing Use: Continued use of the Platform after the changes take effect constitutes your agreement to the updated Terms.
Refusal to Accept Changes: If you do not agree with the changes, you must stop using the Platform and may delete your account.

12. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

12.1. Applicable Law:

These Terms and the relationship between the user and the Company are governed by the laws of Romania.

12.2. Jurisdiction:

All disputes arising from or related to these Terms will be exclusively resolved in the competent courts of Romania.

13. Contact Information

13.1. General Contacts:

Company: AKULA CAPITAL S.R.L.
Address: Romania, Ilfov, Pantelimon, Tineretului Street 61B, 077145
Email: info@akula.ro
Phone: +40 761 550 397

13.2. Notifications and Messages:

All notifications related to these Terms must be sent via email to the above address.

14. General Provisions

14.1. Severability:

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain fully valid and enforceable.

14.2. Waiver of Rights:

The Company's failure to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not be considered a waiver of that right or provision.

14.3. Entire Agreement:

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding the use of the Platform and supersede all prior agreements.

14.4. Languages:

These Terms may be translated into other languages for the convenience of users. In case of a conflict between different language versions, the English version shall prevail.

15. Agreement to Terms

15.1. Acceptance of Terms: By registering on the Platform or using its services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms.

15.2. Automatic Agreement: Continuing to use the Platform after the Terms have been updated constitutes your agreement to these changes.

16. Cookie Policy

16.1. Use of Cookies: The Platform uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience, analyze traffic, and personalize content.

16.2. Consent: By using the Platform, you agree to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy, available on the Platform.

17. Marketing and Communication

17.1. Newsletters and Notifications: The Company may send you informational and marketing messages about the Platform's products and services.

17.2. Unsubscribing from Newsletters: You can unsubscribe from receiving marketing messages at any time by following the instructions in the messages or by contacting us directly.

18. User Content and Interactions

18.1. Reviews and Ratings: Currently, the Platform does not provide users with the ability to leave reviews or ratings for experts.

18.2. Communication Between Users and Experts: All communications occur outside the Platform after the user opens the expert's contact details.

19. Security

19.1. Security Measures: The Company implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the Platform and user data from unauthorized access or information leaks.

19.2. User Responsibility: Users are responsible for maintaining the security of their account data and must not share their login information with third parties.

20. Payments to Experts

20.1. No Participation in Payments: The Company does not participate in financial transactions between users and experts for services provided by experts.

20.2. Payment Arrangements: All financial arrangements between users and experts are conducted directly without the Platform's involvement.

AKULA CAPITAL S.R.L.

Tax Identification Number (CIF): RO47502640
European Unique Identifier: ROONRC.J23/4001/2024
Commercial Registration Number: J23/4001/2024 as of 31.05.2024
VAT Number: RO47502640
Contact: info@akula.ro, +40 761 550 397

Thank you for choosing Expaterra! We strive to provide you with the best experience in searching for and offering services in your new environment.

Note: These Terms of Use constitute a legal agreement between you and AKULA CAPITAL S.R.L. It is recommended to keep a copy of this document for future reference.

By using the Expaterra Platform, you agree to and commit to adhering to these Terms.