Are you considering moving to another country?
You’re not alone! Many people every year decide to move abroad. Whether it’s for a job, a better quality of life, or to retire abroad, moving abroad can be a great experience!
But, it requires some planning and there are definitely some things to consider when moving to another country, and that is what I want to discuss here.
I’ve moved abroad several times, to very different countries. From developing countries such as the Maldives and India to Western countries such as Spain and Scotland.
And although of course every country is unique, and every experience moving abroad is unique, there are some things to consider and things to do before moving abroad, no matter which country you are moving to.
Things to Consider Before Moving to Another Country
1. Getting the Right Visa
You might want to move to a specific country, but can you get the right visa to be able to live there? And are you willing to pay the fees associated with it?
For most countries, you’ll have to apply for a visa in your country of residence before you move.
Different countries have different visa requirements, and it also depends on the passport(s) you hold and your reasons for moving abroad (work, study, retirement, etc.).
Therefore, you’ll want to take your time to understand the type of visa you need and how to get it.
A simple Google search for ‘visa requirements in [country of your choice]´ should get you started.
For example, if you want to move to the USA, the state department has a lot of information on their website about which visa you need and how to qualify for it. And in pretty much every other country the government’s website will have information about which visa you need.
When searching for visa information you will most likely see quite a few agencies offering their services as well. And although they may be useful to help you with all the paperwork, be careful. Do your own research first! You want to understand if it is possible for you to get a visa in the first place and ideally you want to read some reviews about the agency to make sure they are reliable.
If you are moving abroad for a job, ask your company for information. Most likely they will be able to help you get the visa you need.
And if not, another good place to find information is in Facebook groups. Go to Facebook, type in ‘expats in [country of your choice]’ and you will most likely find several groups for people who have moved or are thinking about moving to that country.
These groups are great for getting a wide range of information about moving to and living in the country of your choice. Ask them about obtaining a visa and I’m sure you’ll get a lot of useful replies.
Be Sure You’ll Get a Visa
Out of all the things to consider before moving to another country getting a visa is the most important one.
It can take a long time to obtain a visa, it can be costly and if you don’t plan correctly, you might have already packed up most of your life back home to then find out your visa was denied.
So, before doing anything else, make sure you can get a visa!
And, understand the options you have. For example, I know people who moved to Spain but couldn’t get a work visa. So they signed up for a Spanish course which gives them a student visa and work remotely from their home country to make a living.
Or, if you have the money, some countries offer visas for people who invest a certain amount in real estate or a local business.
2. Working Abroad
Most people who consider moving to another country do so because of work.
If that’s the case for you as well, try to find as much information as you can about the work culture. Some countries are known for having great working conditions, others not so much.
Make sure you know what’s expected of you and what a future with the company you will be working for would look like. Are promotions likely? Does the company culture sound good to you?
Make sure you understand what exactly your salary will be, after taxes. Can you expect any bonuses? For example, in the Netherlands everyone who is employed is entitled to a sum of vacation money every year.
How many days off do you get and how does that compare to the country’s average? Does your company cover health insurance? Do they offer any other benefits such as paying your moving expenses?
Some companies also offer an annual flight home to visit family.
Also Read: How to Find a Job Abroad and Make It Work
3. Cost of Living & Quality of Life
Of course one of the most important things to consider before moving to another country is the quality of life it will give you.
You might be offered a salary that sounds amazing to you, but that’s probably based on your current life and knowledge of what things cost.
What do things cost in the country you are considering moving to? Try to get an estimate of what housing, food, transport, entertainment, and healthcare cost.
You might find out that you’ll actually have less spending money than back home. But, if that would be the case, is that a bad thing? Maybe the quality of life is a lot better.
For example, while living in Spain I earned substantially less than in most Northern European countries and A LOT less than in North America. But I love the quality of life in Spain and personally would be more than happy to take a pay cut to live in a great climate with a vibrant culture and a great social life.
I’m just trying to say that it’s not all about the money in your new country but also about the lifestyle the country can offer and how that aligns with the things you find important in life.
Numbeo.com is a very useful website to find information about the cost of living almost anywhere in the world.
4. Setting Up a Bank Account
This might sound easy, but setting up a bank account can at times be quite complicated if you are new to the country!
I’ve heard stories of people who were asked for proof of address to open a bank account. But in order to rent a house (which would be the proof of address), they needed a local bank account… Catch 22!
The Facebook groups for expats I mentioned earlier are very helpful here. Ask them which banks are best for people new to the country.
Check what fees the banks charge for different services. I’ve seen banks in Spain charge crazy fees for services most of their clients never even knew they had signed up for.
If you don’t speak the local language well, I’d recommend asking a colleague or friend to go with you to open your bank account. If you don’t know anyone yet, again those Facebook groups are great. In exchange for a coffee or a beer I’m sure someone will be happy to guide you through the process of opening a bank account.
Also, think about which money transfer methods are available in the country you are moving to. Whether it’s to transfer money to your bank account back home or to send money to family, make sure you know how to do that from where you are moving to.
Of course there is Paypal, but I avoid them as much as I can because of their high fees. I prefer Wise (previously called Transferwise) because their fees are much lower.
5. Accommodation
Where will you be living?
Finding a place to live can be difficult and time-consuming, depending on where you are moving to.
You can of course rent a property online before you move to the country, but I would advise against it.
No matter how much online research you do, you won’t really know how you feel about an area and a property until you have physically been there.
Rent an Airbnb or book a hotel room for the first couple of weeks to give yourself time to look at several properties before you sign a lease.
But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start your research long before you move abroad.
Ask in those Facebook groups or on Reddit what the best websites are for renting property and find out what’s available. Ask what the best neighborhoods are for your living preferences (i.e.: central location, close to public transport, family-friendly, close to the beach, etc.).
Find out if it’s common to rent furnished housing or whether you’ll have to arrange furniture. Will internet be available or will you have to find out how to set that up? How much of a deposit will you have to pay and what paperwork will you need to provide?
The more you know before you move, the quicker the process once you arrive.
6. Healthcare
The local healthcare system is an important thing you should consider before you move to another country.
What is the quality of healthcare like in the country? How does health insurance work and what will it cost you?
Your employer might pay for your health insurance but if not you’ll probably have to choose and sign up for a health insurance plan yourself.
Also, even if you move to a country that has universal healthcare, you might not (immediately) qualify for it or you might decide to pay for private health insurance on top of what the state provides.
When living in Spain I always paid for private health insurance because that gave me access to private clinics where the doctors spoke better English.
Do your research because every country works differently. And again, those Facebook groups are a great place to ask for other people’s experiences and tips.
Do you take any medication? Then make sure you bring enough to last you a few months (assuming it’s legal to bring it into the country you are moving to) because it might take you some time to find the right medication in your new country.
Take a written prescription with you for any important medication you take so that you can show that to your new doctor.
7. Language
Communication is an essential factor to consider when you are thinking of moving to another country.
Do you speak the language of the country you are moving to? And if not, do most people there understand English or any other language you speak?
Although it is of course always a good thing to learn the local language, it’s more important in some countries than in others.
For example, in The Netherlands pretty much everyone speaks English. Many companies use English as their operating language and many universities teach in English.
In contrast in Spain or France you’ll often run into people who don’t speak English.
Fortunately, you can use tools like Google Translate and a wide range of apps to translate documents and speech to help you communicate in a foreign language.
And if you want to learn the local language apps such as Duolingo or online teachers on platforms like Italki are popular.
8. Social Life
One of my most important considerations before moving to another country has always been what my life would look like there, and social life is a big part of that.
How will I meet people? What activities are there to enjoy in my free time?
I’ve found 3 platforms very useful to build my social life in new countries:
- Meetup.com: a platform where people organize all sorts of local events and get-togethers. From beach volleyball to hiking trips, casual dinners, art classes, networking opportunities, and many other types of events.
It does depend on where you are moving to because Meetup.com is definitely more popular in some places than others, but it’s worth checking out. - Facebook groups: almost anywhere you’ll move you’ll find Facebook groups set up for locals and/or expats. Many of these groups share information about upcoming events you can join. And you can always post a message yourself asking if people are interested in meeting up for a coffee, to go hiking, or whatever else you’d like to do.
- Internations.org: now I have to admit, I haven’t used this network for years, but they are worth checking out. It’s a worldwide expat community that organizes events in most major cities. Plus, when you sign up you can also connect with others online and that way meet some people in your new country.
9. Safety
How safe is the country you are thinking about moving to?
It’s worth doing some serious research into that. Look into the country’s crime rate, the chance of serious natural disasters happening and if you are a woman, it’s worth looking into how safe it is for a woman to move around alone.
A Google search should give you good information but of course, this is also a thing you can ask in Facebook groups or on forums such as Reddit. And your embassy in the country you want to move to can also be very helpful.
I have lived in countries where I registered at my local embassy (I’m Dutch, so in my case I contacted the Dutch Embassy in the country I was moving to). Registering with them meant that they know I’m in the country and in case of natural disasters or major incidents they know to look out for me.
I have also once contacted the embassy to check a company I was going to work for. I was moving to a country that’s not known as the safest, especially for women, so I just wanted to make sure the company was legitimate. The embassy took my request very seriously and thoroughly checked the business.
Also Read: How to Stay Safe While Traveling
10. Transportation
How will you be getting around in your new country? What modes of transport are common?
If public transport isn’t an option then you’ll have to decide whether you’ll buy or rent a car once you arrive.
And, if you plan on driving in your new country at all, make sure to check if your driver’s license is valid there. Most often, even if it would be valid when visiting the country as a tourist, a certain amount of time after you have moved there you’ll have to apply for a local license.
11. Moving Your Belongings
In some cases your job will pay for you to ship your belongings to your new country.
If so, great! If not, start packing early and downsize!
Decide what you really want to bring, what you can put in storage, and what you can sell or give away. Making these decisions can be emotional so take your time. Start long before you are actually moving.
My advice would be to not bring too much. Life in every country is different and you’ll most likely want to buy new things over time to fit in with your new life.
Also, ask in the Facebook groups what things are difficult to get in the country you are moving to. You might decide to bring those items.
12. Technology & Electronics
Not all countries use the same apps and social media, and certain countries even block them completely.
Popular communication tools such as WhatsApp and Facebook are not allowed in China. Instead, most people in China use WeChat and Weibo for communication.
Similarly, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, video calls using platforms such as WhatsApp are prohibited.
Netflix doesn’t have the same offering in every country so you might not be able to watch your favorite movie or series anymore. News publications like the New York Times and Washington Post are not available in countries like China, and even your banking apps may not work depending on where you are moving to.
Therefore, do some research to find out which apps and services won’t be available and look into alternatives.
You can also get around some of the restrictions, which I explain in my article about how to access blocked websites abroad.
And, as soon as you arrive you’ll probably want to get a local sim card. Ask the Facebook group what the best local sim card is and where to buy it, so that you can get one right away.
And lastly, don’t forget to check what type of plugs the country uses. There is a good chance they will be different from the ones you use now, so buy some plug adapters.
If the voltage is different as well then appliances such as hair dryers might not work in your new country. Things like computers and phone chargers have built-in converters, so those will usually work fine just about anywhere.
13. Politics and Culture
Now, I try to stay away from discussions about politics and religion as much as I can. But, when you are thinking about moving to another country, it can be an important thing to consider.
Read up on the country’s politics and find out if there are any religious laws or cultural norms you might have issues with.
I moved to two countries just after they had had a coup d’etat (Honduras and the Maldives), and that definitely made my time there more complicated as there were serious safety concerns. The Maldives is also a strict Muslim country. Moving there meant that certain things I used to consider normal (drinking alcohol, wearing a bathing suit) suddenly became illegal.
Then there are some countries where living with a partner when you aren’t married can cause issues and there are unfortunately still a lot of countries where homosexuality is frowned upon or even illegal.
You have to think about whether you can live with these rules and circumstances.
And I know, most likely you are not moving to a country with extreme issues. But it’s still worth reading up on the country’s politics and religion, just to get a better understanding of your new home and how things work there.
Research the history of the country and how its government currently operates. Look for some information about social norms and etiquette. This will all help limit the culture shock and make you feel at home quicker.
14. Taxes
It’s a boring subject, but if you are moving to another country, you will want to know how taxes work there.
Will you be paying a lot more taxes than you were back home? Then that means you’ll have less of your income left, so that’s important to know!
Are filing your taxes a complicated process in the country you are moving to or is it something that anyone new to the country can easily do themselves?
For example, I am used to filing my taxes myself in the Netherlands because it’s pretty simple and well-organized online. But, when moving to Spain I couldn’t make sense of any of it. And it turns out most people can’t, so most people use an agency to file their taxes. It thankfully isn’t expensive, but it’s an extra cost to take into account.
Again, ask in Facebook groups how taxes work in the country you are moving to. If you need an agency to file your taxes they will be able to give you recommendations and share personal experiences.
And, don’t forget to check what the tax requirements for your home country are while you live abroad. You might still have to file taxes back home even while living abroad!
Also Read: How to Deal With Taxes as a Digital Nomad From the US
Final Thoughts About Things to Consider Before Moving Abroad
Moving to a different country is exciting and an amazing opportunity that will change your life. But, it can also be challenging.
Researching the things listed in this article will help make your move abroad smoother.
But, expect to have some ups and downs. There will be days when you are loving all the new experiences and the new country you now get to call home. But there will also be days when you are frustrated because things aren’t working out the way you planned, or at least not as smoothly as you hoped. You’ll have moments where you’ll feel lonely and miss friends and family back home.
It’s normal, it has happened to everyone I’ve spoken to who moved abroad.
In the end though, moving abroad is a life-changing experience!
Also Read: Things Nobody Tells You About The Emotional Challenges of Moving Abroad
Additional Things to Do Before Moving to Another Country
If you are moving abroad with kids, do plenty of research to find out about the quality of education!
Are you thinking about taking pets with you? Find out long before you move what it takes to get them to come with you.
If you’re planning to start a business or invest in a country, take enough time to research how this works. And my advice would be to talk to as many people as you can about their experiences starting a business or investing as a foreigner in that country.
If possible make sure your passport won’t expire any time soon because getting a new passport abroad (through your embassy) is generally more time-consuming than renewing it in your own country before you leave.
Don’t forget to cancel any subscriptions and insurances in your home country if you won’t use them anymore. And look for alternatives in your new country if desired.
Make a checklist of the things you need to do before moving abroad so that you stay organized and won’t forget things.
Also Read:
- How to Find a Job Abroad and Make It Work
- 5 Great Reasons to Move Abroad
- Living & Working Abroad: What You Thought vs What It’s Really Like
- The 5 Types of Expats You’ll Meet Abroad
- How It Feels to Move Abroad Again
- Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
- How to Retire Abroad Early
- When Moving Abroad Things Often Don’t Turn Out as Expected
Like this article about things to consider before moving to another country? Pin it!
This blog post about things to do before moving to another country contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.