Europe is a beautiful continent full of rich heritage, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine, it’s no wonder many Brits hop across the Channel for a new life. From the rugged Alps to the classic cities, there are a plethora of places to live and work. However, as with all big decisions, if you’re considering moving to Europe, it’s important you do your research beforehand.
Choose where you want to live
There are so many great places to choose from in Europe so it’s simply a case of narrowing down your options. You may want to choose somewhere with a big ex-pat community, particularly if you don’t already speak the native language. Consider whether you’d like to live in a coastal, rural, or urban area. You may already have an idea of where you would like to live if you already have family or a job offer somewhere in the country. Whatever you decide, make sure you give this plenty of thought as it will be your new home for the foreseeable future.
Look for a job
Perhaps a job offer has swayed you to move to France, however, if not, you’ll need to start your job hunt soon. Once you decide to move, start job searching as soon as possible. If you already speak the local language to a high level of fluency you’ll find it a lot easier to secure good employment, but if not, you may need to be more flexible with the jobs that are available to you.
Apply for a long term Visa
Your job may secure your visa for you but, if not, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa. British citizens can travel across Europe visa-free for a maximum of 90 days. To apply for a Schengen visa from the UK, your UK residence permit must be valid for at least another three months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area. You can apply for a Schengen visa at the appropriate Schengen embassy in London.
Hire a European moving company
It can be a particularly daunting task to pack up your home and send it away with a long distance removals company. However, if you find the right one, you’ll be able to trust them to do a good job. Read through reviews and ask them any questions you may have about the move.