A lot of preparation goes into moving house, whether it is down the street or halfway around the world. But even though it may seem obvious to say, moving abroad will require a lot more time and consideration to make sure everything goes smoothly.
It can be almost impossible to know where to start, wondering how all the different parts of your move are going to come together to keep it as efficient and stress-free as possible. That is why the team at Essex Removals have worked hard to create this moving abroad checklist, covering some of the key aspects you want to be thinking about when you decide to move abroad.
So read on for the ultimate moving abroad checklist.
Find A Property
It might seem obvious but your first step when moving abroad is to solidify your property arrangements. You may have a specific country in mind and can use property websites relevant to this country to search for properties. If you want to move abroad but aren’t sure where there are plenty of online quizzes and guides that you can look at online to help you make an informed decision.
You’ll want to think carefully about the type of property that you will want. If you’re a family, you might be looking for a bigger home with spacious bedrooms and plenty of room for children to grow up. If you’re single or a young couple, an apartment might be a better choice, a slightly smaller place that will be cheaper to buy or rent.
This will also inform the area you will be looking at living in. Families will want to live in neighbourhoods close to schools and other children, while single or other young people may instead choose to live in the centre of a city where they’re in the heart of the action.
Think About Finances
If you’re moving abroad for a job this may not be much of an issue, but if you’re retiring or moving abroad without a job you’ll want to think about your finances. Moving abroad will take a lot of money, so you need to ensure you have enough money to cover everything this entails. You don’t want to find yourself moving abroad and being stuck with no money once you get there.
You’ll also want to think about banking options when you move. In some places you won’t have access to your current banks, so will need to open up a bank account in that country. This should normally be quite straightforward, only needing a few personal details to do so.
Some banks also offer international banking options, so you may be fine to continue using them, but it is sometimes more convenient to have a local bank account open to use. You’ll also want to think about the tax requirements, making sure you have paid any money you owe and informing the tax office about your move.
Visa Requirements
If you are moving to another country, you will probably need to look into what visa you will need. If you are moving for work, you should be able to apply for a work visa. The company you work for may even deal with this for you, taking care of the paperwork and the cost of the visa.
If you’re looking to reside somewhere permanently but not for work, you’ll have to apply for a different kind of visa. This is a vital requirement for living abroad, so you need to ensure you apply properly and meet the requirements. Without a visa, you run the risk of being deported or detained.
Jobs & Schools
While most of us would love to live abroad without any obligations, it is more likely you’ll need a job in your new home. It is recommended you try and sort this out before you move, as this may be a requirement for a visa. If not you can get a visa with the intention of finding a job, so you can search for one out there.
If you’re going with children, you’ll also want to arrange schooling for them before you go. If you are going to live in a country that speaks the same language as your current one, you’ll probably find plenty of schools your child can attend. If the language differs, you may have to look harder. If you speak English, there will normally be some kind of English-speaking school you can find for your child, whether this is public or private.
Documentation
When moving somewhere, you want to be sure to make copies of all important documents. It’s always best to keep these copies somewhere close by, with the originals kept somewhere safe. It’s important to make copies if you’re planning on leaving some of these documents behind in your country of origin. You never know when you might need something vital and need to go through a tricky process of obtaining the original.
You should also check your passport is in date, or apply for one if you don’t yet have one. Many countries refuse entry if your passport is set to expire within the next six months, so it is always best to make sure before you plan your move. A new passport application could take up to ten weeks, which could be a big delay to your plans.
Vaccinations
If you are moving abroad, you should check local health information to see if you need any specific vaccinations for that country, such as malaria. You should also make sure you’re up to date on all your vaccinations and boosters before you go, so you don’t have to worry about that while you’re out there.
Utilities
You’ll want to ensure you cancel any utility bills before you go, including internet, mobile phones and landlines. This will prevent you from paying money for services you are no longer using. It may also be easier to set these up in your new home before you move, so you have access to the internet and a phone to use as soon as you arrive.
If you have existing bills you still need to pay, make sure you inform the company of your new address so your mail can be redirected there.
Existing Property
You may be wondering what to do with your existing property when you move abroad. If you’re renting there’s no issue as you can just inform your landlord you’re leaving. You may have to pay to get out your contract if it’s for a fixed term or wait until the end of your tenancy to make it easier.
If you own your property, there are a few options to go for. If you want to keep your property you can rent it out to others. As you’re not in the country, you’ll probably want to entrust it to a letting agent to handle, giving them a portion of the rent you make. If you’d like to get rid of the property, you can sell it. A lot of people who move abroad do this, due to the solid chunk of money you can make to put towards your new property or the moving costs.
Moving Companies
Unless you are planning on having a completely fresh start in your new home, you’ll probably have possessions that you will need to transport abroad. For this, you will need to sort out transport. If you’re flying you can pay for an extra baggage allowance to transport a few suitcases, but this may still leave you with plenty of homeware to transport.
For this, you may need to seek out a removals company that offers European or worldwide shipping, able to deliver your items to wherever you need them. Make sure you inquire about prices and any hidden costs beforehand, as you don’t want to be stuck with a large bill on your hands when you first arrive at your new home.
Worldwide Shipping From Essex Removals
If you’re planning to move abroad and want to ensure your belongings get there safely, work with Essex Removals. We can work with belongings of all sizes, from small household items to furniture and even cars. We calculate our charges by volume and strive to group parcels with the same destination to cut down on costs.
If you’re moving anywhere in Europe, we use road-based shopping services, while overseas we utilise sea-based transport options. We can even arrange maritime insurance and live tracking to give you peace of mind. Before the move, we’ll provide you with a fully detailed estimate and supply you with free packing supplies, which you can use to pack yourself or rely on our staff to do for you.
So if you’re looking for removals, shipping, packing or storage for your possessions, call now on 01708 722 277 to talk through your requirements with one of our team. If you want to find out more about what we do, visit our website now to explore and request a free quote.
