Whether it’s for work
or study, for a fixed period of time or permanently, moving to another country
is a big decision and a complicated step to take. It’s hard to know where to
start, which is why we created this list of tips to help you prepare yourself
with everything you need to know before moving abroad.
or study, for a fixed period of time or permanently, moving to another country
is a big decision and a complicated step to take. It’s hard to know where to
start, which is why we created this list of tips to help you prepare yourself
with everything you need to know before moving abroad.
1. Prepare yourself
mentally (every start is hard)
mentally (every start is hard)
Of course moving to
another country can be complicated and stressful, but that doesn’t mean it’s
not worth it. Moving abroad can cause big changes in your lifestyle and it’s
important to make this decision with climate, language, cultural differences
and even work ethic in mind.
another country can be complicated and stressful, but that doesn’t mean it’s
not worth it. Moving abroad can cause big changes in your lifestyle and it’s
important to make this decision with climate, language, cultural differences
and even work ethic in mind.
That’s why it’s
recommended that you take a temporary trip prior to your move, to get to know
the place better and recognise possible changes that could affect your family
or your personal interests.
recommended that you take a temporary trip prior to your move, to get to know
the place better and recognise possible changes that could affect your family
or your personal interests.
As this is a
significant step, it is best to start organising and planning in advance, doing
small tasks or to-dos in your free time so that when the moving day approaches,
you are not under so much pressure.
significant step, it is best to start organising and planning in advance, doing
small tasks or to-dos in your free time so that when the moving day approaches,
you are not under so much pressure.
2. New language and
customs
customs
At the beginning it
can be very useful to learn certain phrases to communicate the basics, for that
you can carry a translation book or install an app; however, it will be
essential to learn the language fluently, either for work purposes from reading
documents to writing important paperwork, as well as for social issues.
can be very useful to learn certain phrases to communicate the basics, for that
you can carry a translation book or install an app; however, it will be
essential to learn the language fluently, either for work purposes from reading
documents to writing important paperwork, as well as for social issues.
You can also research
about the habits and traditions of the country in question, such as
festivities, food or how the population deals with business and commercial
relations, in order to prepare yourself and get closer to the community around
you.
about the habits and traditions of the country in question, such as
festivities, food or how the population deals with business and commercial
relations, in order to prepare yourself and get closer to the community around
you.
3. Formalities and
documentation
documentation
If the country speaks
a different language to yours, it is important to find online guides in your
language that can explain the legal formalities you will need to complete upon
arrival. Many countries require specific documents and paperwork, depending on
the purpose of your move, whether it is for work, study or other reasons.
a different language to yours, it is important to find online guides in your
language that can explain the legal formalities you will need to complete upon
arrival. Many countries require specific documents and paperwork, depending on
the purpose of your move, whether it is for work, study or other reasons.
Here are some of the
things to consider:
things to consider:
? Passport and Visa:
make sure the validity is valid for the time you plan to stay plus an extra 6
months. If the country you plan to move to requires a visa, make it a priority,
as this can be a lengthy process.
make sure the validity is valid for the time you plan to stay plus an extra 6
months. If the country you plan to move to requires a visa, make it a priority,
as this can be a lengthy process.
If you are moving for
work and your company hires a good moving company, they will be able to provide
you with all the information you need. You usually need a special permit or
visa to work legally.
work and your company hires a good moving company, they will be able to provide
you with all the information you need. You usually need a special permit or
visa to work legally.
? Cards: there will be a
number of identification cards that will not be needed in the new country, you
can collect them and keep them for when you need to return.
number of identification cards that will not be needed in the new country, you
can collect them and keep them for when you need to return.
? Qualifications: if it
is for work purposes, consider that you may be asked to have your professional
qualifications translated into a language.
is for work purposes, consider that you may be asked to have your professional
qualifications translated into a language.
? Important documents:
you may have important but not essential documents such as a contract or social
security information, and if you need them, it would be a good idea to have
them handy.
you may have important but not essential documents such as a contract or social
security information, and if you need them, it would be a good idea to have
them handy.
Formalities to be
cancelled:
cancelled:
? Direct debits: if you have charges or credits to an
existing account, we recommend cancelling them in advance.
existing account, we recommend cancelling them in advance.
? Telephone, water and
electricity: find out how long you have to cancel these services without
penalties, especially the telephone companies.
electricity: find out how long you have to cancel these services without
penalties, especially the telephone companies.
? Rental accommodation:
if you rent the space where you currently live, check your contract to
determine how much notice you need to give your landlord.
if you rent the space where you currently live, check your contract to
determine how much notice you need to give your landlord.
? Renting or selling
your property: you will need to make a decision about your current property
depending on whether your accommodation abroad is temporary or permanent.
your property: you will need to make a decision about your current property
depending on whether your accommodation abroad is temporary or permanent.
4. Health
Please note that for
some countries you will need to be vaccinated in advance. You can research
which vaccinations are recommended for each country, or if you can’t find
reliable information online, check directly with your health centre.
some countries you will need to be vaccinated in advance. You can research
which vaccinations are recommended for each country, or if you can’t find
reliable information online, check directly with your health centre.
Consider taking out
health insurance to cover your entire stay and any needs you may have, and find
out about the country’s health system. Often if you are moving as an
expatriate, the same job will provide you with quality travel insurance.
health insurance to cover your entire stay and any needs you may have, and find
out about the country’s health system. Often if you are moving as an
expatriate, the same job will provide you with quality travel insurance.
5. Money
Before you move
abroad, exchange whatever cash you think is sufficient for the currency of the
country you’re moving to. Some currencies may take a while, so be sure to apply
early. For the first few days, you may want to check whether your credit or debit
cards can be used to withdraw money abroad and what the daily limit would be.
Also, check which cards you’ll need to take with you or, if they have an
ongoing cost, decide to cancel them before you leave.
abroad, exchange whatever cash you think is sufficient for the currency of the
country you’re moving to. Some currencies may take a while, so be sure to apply
early. For the first few days, you may want to check whether your credit or debit
cards can be used to withdraw money abroad and what the daily limit would be.
Also, check which cards you’ll need to take with you or, if they have an
ongoing cost, decide to cancel them before you leave.
You could then open a
bank account and be able to transfer money from another country.
bank account and be able to transfer money from another country.
6. Anticipate and prepare (basics)
? Plugs: If the socket
is different, you can buy a universal adaptor to use for the first few days to
charge your mobile phone or computer without any problems.
is different, you can buy a universal adaptor to use for the first few days to
charge your mobile phone or computer without any problems.
? Mobile phone:
Nowadays, we need a mobile phone and internet for everything we do, whether
it’s to communicate or to navigate in an unfamiliar place. Do some research on
the phone companies and the plan you could get when you arrive at your
destination.
Nowadays, we need a mobile phone and internet for everything we do, whether
it’s to communicate or to navigate in an unfamiliar place. Do some research on
the phone companies and the plan you could get when you arrive at your
destination.
? Accommodation: If
accommodation abroad is up to you, this will be one of the first things you’ll
need to do when you arrive in your new country.
accommodation abroad is up to you, this will be one of the first things you’ll
need to do when you arrive in your new country.
7. When it’s time to pack
Recycle and donate: In
the weeks leading up to the move, you’ll need to start packing and you’ll
notice everything you don’t use. You will have to decide whether to leave these
items behind in a box or perhaps donate them to give them a second life.
the weeks leading up to the move, you’ll need to start packing and you’ll
notice everything you don’t use. You will have to decide whether to leave these
items behind in a box or perhaps donate them to give them a second life.
? Luggage and suitcases:
As a tip, try to
divide the contents of your luggage among the suitcases; that is, put some of
the basics, clothes, electronic devices or valuable belongings, in all of them
and even your hand luggage, just in case any luggage gets lost.
divide the contents of your luggage among the suitcases; that is, put some of
the basics, clothes, electronic devices or valuable belongings, in all of them
and even your hand luggage, just in case any luggage gets lost.
Send boxes:
This option for
transporting your belongings can be very economical or expensive, depending on
the country. What you can do is check the prices of some companies that ship
boxes and leave them with someone to send them once you are settled in your new
home.
transporting your belongings can be very economical or expensive, depending on
the country. What you can do is check the prices of some companies that ship
boxes and leave them with someone to send them once you are settled in your new
home.
8. The social aspect and meeting new
people
people
Deciding to move to a
new country brings you into contact with a new social circle. Creating social
relationships and new friendships can make your experience not only more
enjoyable, but also easier, as they can give you advice and tell you about
their experience in navigating this unfamiliar place.
new country brings you into contact with a new social circle. Creating social
relationships and new friendships can make your experience not only more
enjoyable, but also easier, as they can give you advice and tell you about
their experience in navigating this unfamiliar place.
It is also a good idea
to create a network of contacts within your future position. You can find out
if there are regular events organised by the company, if there are people you
know already settled in the country, or if there is an expat community in the
area.
to create a network of contacts within your future position. You can find out
if there are regular events organised by the company, if there are people you
know already settled in the country, or if there is an expat community in the
area.
