Moving abroad is a great experience. I have done it several times and I have learned a lot from each move.
But, moving abroad can also be stressful and there are a lot of things to consider before moving abroad.
If you are reading this article, you have probably decided that you are moving abroad, know where you will be moving to, and are now preparing for the actual move.
Great! With this article I want to help you create a checklist for moving abroad, to make the whole process as smooth as possible.
Creating a Moving Abroad Checklist
After deciding to move abroad, one of the first tasks is to create a moving checklist.
Even if you aren’t normally the type of person who creates lists, when moving abroad this is really useful.
Write items down and check them off as you go along. This will enable you to easily track what’s been done and what you have yet to accomplish. With a checklist, you’re a lot less likely to forget anything and you’ll arrive at your new home a lot more prepared.
1. Apply for a Visa
One of the things I am sure you have considered when you decided to move to the country of your choice is visa requirements.
If you need a visa, make sure you apply for it as early as you possibly can.
The application process for a visa is typically time-consuming and tedious. You need to fill out some paperwork, and you’ll probably be asked to fill out more forms down the line. The entire process might even feel repetitive.
Because the application and approval process may take what seems like an eternity, don’t delay. Do it as early as you can so that you have ample time to fix your documents if any surprise requirements come up.
2. Check Your Passport
Is your passport still valid, and for how long?
If your passport is going to expire within the next 12 months I highly recommend renewing it.
Yes, you can renew your passport once you have moved abroad as well, but you are probably more familiar with how to do that back home, so doing it before you move just makes things easier.
And, do this early, just in case there are any administrative delays.
3. Look Into Local & International Bank Accounts
Find out before moving abroad whether you need a local bank account and what documents you need to open one.
For example, if you are moving to Spain and plan to buy property there, you need a local bank account. Some banks in Spain charge much higher fees than others and some have customer service available in English while others don’t.
But if you are moving abroad while working remotely, you might not need a local bank account at all. You may be able to just keep using your current bank account or use a free online bank account such as Wise (my personal favorite) or Revolut.
Looking into this before moving abroad will keep you from getting into a stressful situation after arriving.
And if you can’t find any information online about whether or not you need a local bank account I highly recommend joining Facebook groups for expats in the city or country you are moving to.
Say you are moving to Amsterdam, then just search Facebook for ‘expats in Amsterdam’ and you’ll find a group to join. Post a question about bank accounts there and you’ll definitely get some helpful information.
4. Make Sure Your Driver’s License is Valid
If you plan to drive after moving abroad, make sure your driver’s license is valid in the country you are moving to.
In many countries you’ll have to apply for a local license a number of months after moving there. Make sure you know what the rules are and how to apply for a local license if you’ll need one.
And of course, make sure your current driver’s license isn’t about to expire.
Also Read: Tips for Driving Abroad for the First Time
5. Cancel Any Contracts You Won’t Need Abroad
Most of us have so many monthly memberships and other contracts these days that it’s easy to lose track of what we do and don’t need.
It’s worth adding this to your moving abroad checklist.
Take some time to go through everything you pay for monthly or annually and decide whether you still need those services once you’ve moved abroad.
6. Know Which Contracts You’ll Need Abroad
Although part of this you won’t be able to actually do until you are abroad, it’s worth at least knowing which contracts and monthly bills you’ll have once you’ve moved.
Wifi, electricity, water, a new mobile phone contract, etc.
Knowing what you’ll need and how to get those contracts set up will make your move a lot more organized.
7. Arrange a Place to Live
Where will you live when you move abroad?
This of course really depends on where you are moving to and how. If you are moving abroad for a job, your company can most likely help arrange a place to live.
If you are moving independently you might want to arrange a short-term rental first, such as an Airbnb or even a few weeks in a hotel.
I’ve learned that once you are abroad it is much easier to find a good place to live. Even if you have previously visited the destination you are moving to, after living there for a few weeks you might feel differently about what the best areas are to live in or what type of property you’d feel comfortable in.
But, there are other locations where it can take months to find an (affordable) place to live so if that’s the case for your destination you might want to find a more long-term solution before you move abroad.
Asking for tips in Facebook groups is a great way to help you understand the local property market before arriving.
8. Get a Medical Checkup
A recommended thing to do before moving abroad is to schedule a checkup with your doctor.
First of all, having yourself checked will ensure that you are healthy enough to travel. But apart from that, nobody wants to have to go to a doctor when they have just arrived in a new country, so getting a medical checkup before moving abroad is just a good idea.
In addition, you might need certain vaccines, depending on where you are moving to. So check on that as well.
And talk to your doctor about any prescriptions you have. You may not be able to get the same medication abroad. Your doctor can inform you about this and give you options.
9. Decide if You Want to Transport Your Car
Depending on where you are moving to, you might need a car.
If you are moving to a city in Europe such as London or Barcelona, you most likely won’t need a car. The same goes for big Asian cities such as Bangkok.
But, in many other places you will want a car, and it can be cheaper and more convenient to ship your own car than to have to buy a new car as soon as you’ve moved.
If you choose to take your car, you will need a professional to transport the vehicle by truck, boat, or plane, depending on the destination. Though this sounds pretty expensive, auto shipping is probably more affordable than you think.
Factors like distance, type of transport, and even the vehicle make or model can impact pricing. Research suggests that transporting a car to another country usually costs between US$1,000 and US$2,000.
Make sure you ask for several shipping quotes beforehand so that you can make an informed decision based on your budget.
Tip: if you do decide to ship your car, you can fill the car with personal items. This way you can take more belongings with you, without having to pay for additional shipping or luggage.
If you want to ship your car, arrange this early because depending on where you are shipping to it can take weeks or months before your vehicle arrives.
10. Arrange Mail Forwarding
Where will your mail go once you have left the country?
Especially when you first move abroad you’ll still receive some mail back home.
I have all my mail forwarded to my parents and know many other expats who do the same. Alternatively, a sibling, a close friend, or a PO Box are all good options.
11. Decide What to Pack & What Not
Generally, we want to bring a lot more than we actually need when moving abroad.
Each time I moved abroad I brought items I ended up never using.
In many ways, you are starting a new life and that life will be different from your current life. With that comes a need for different things.
Bring the basics and items of sentimental value.
But, do look into which items might be hard to find in your new country. Are you moving from the US to the UK? There are several American brands that aren’t available in the UK, nor in many other countries. So if you are particularly attached to certain items you can’t replace abroad, consider bringing them.
Moving to Spain as an American, my friend was surprised how many over-the-counter drugs weren’t available there. Therefore it might be worth bringing enough to last you several months so that you have time to find out which local options can substitute them.
And, if you decide to use a shipping company for your move, collect several quotes and read reviews about the different companies. It’s not just about getting the best price. You want to make sure the shipping company you choose is reliable and careful with your belongings!
Then, decide what you will do with everything you aren’t taking with you. Do you need to find a storage space for it? Do you want to sell certain items? Or give things away?
12. Bringing Electronic Devices Abroad
If you are moving abroad and plan to bring any electronics, make sure they will work abroad.
Let’s say you are moving from Canada to the Netherlands. In Canada the standard voltage is 120V but in the Netherlands it’s 220V. Your laptop and phone charger will be fine, as they can adapt to both. But your hairdryer or electric kettle may not be.
Don’t waste any shipping costs on bringing items abroad you won’t be able to use!
Note: you can buy converters from 220V to 110V, which would be useful if you’re for example moving from Europe to the USA.
13. Make Sure Your Mobile Phone is Unlocked
Once you’ve moved abroad you’ll most likely want a local sim card.
Check if your phone is unlocked, meaning a different sim card will work in it.
If you’ve bought your phone as part of a plan then it might be locked and can therefore only be used with your current provider. If that’s the case, check with your provider how to unlock your phone or buy a new unlocked phone.
Tip: I always have a dual-SIM phone. This way I can use both the sim card from my home country and a sim card from the country I’ve moved to.
14. Buy a Plug Adapter
Depending on where your international move is taking you, the power outlets may be different from those you are used to at home.
That means you’ll need a plug adapter to charge your phone, laptop, and other devices.
Amazon offers a whole range of plug adapters. You could get a universal one or one specifically for the type of plugs used in the country you are moving to.
15. Get a VPN
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend getting a VPN when you move abroad. Use it on your laptop or computer but also on your phone and tablet.
Not only will it make using the internet more secure, it also helps you access websites that are otherwise not accessible abroad.
I go into more detail about how to access blocked websites abroad in this article.
16. Look Into Taxes & Retirement Plans
If you are an American you, in most cases, will have to file taxes in the US even if you decide to live and work abroad.
Taxes are complicated in many countries. It, therefore, pays off to look into how things work before you move.
Will you be able to file taxes yourself once you’ve moved abroad or are you better off using a local accountant? What time of year do you need to file taxes?
Does your job abroad offer a retirement plan or do you need to find one yourself?
Again, local Facebook groups are a great way to get information about this.
17. Decide What Healthcare Plan You Want to Get
How does healthcare work in the country you are moving to?
And are you moving abroad for long enough to sign up for local healthcare or would travel health insurance be easier?
This is again one of those tedious tasks you don’t want to stress out about just after you’ve moved abroad.
I’d therefore highly recommend adding this to your moving abroad checklist and looking into your options calmly long before you move.
18. Notify the Authorities
Both in your home country and the country you are moving to you’ll have to report your move.
In the country you are moving to you might also have to apply for a social security number, if that wasn’t part of your visa application.
Either hire a relocation expert to help you with all the paperwork or ask others what they did when they moved abroad. If you choose the latter, Facebook groups are again a great resource.
19. Book Your Flights and/or Other Transportation
Have you decided on an exact moving date?
Then it’s time to book that flight! Or train, bus, or other modes of transport.
Don’t wait until the last moment because you really don’t want your preferred travel date to be fully booked.
Make sure you have all your travel documents handy and I recommend always carrying a copy of your passport, both digitally and printed, just in case.
Know how to get from the airport, train station, or bus station to your accommodation. Sometimes pre-booking a taxi is more convenient and cheaper, so it might be worth looking into that, depending on where you are moving to.
Also Read: How to Find the Cheapest Flight
20. Moving Abroad With Kids
Are you moving abroad with kids? Then I am sure you’ve already looked into how child-friendly your chosen destination is.
But now on your checklist, you want to add actionable details.
Make sure everything for their school is arranged, know what sports and other activities they can join, language classes if needed, where to find a pediatrician, etc.
Will you need a nanny or a babysitter? Are there certain items for the kids that you’ll need but won’t be able to buy abroad?
Talk to other parents who’ve moved to the same location to get practical tips.
21. Moving Abroad With Pets
If you plan to take one or more pets abroad, this has to be added to your checklist.
What does it take to bring your pet with you? Special paperwork? Vaccinations? Quarantine?
Look into this early as it can be a time-consuming process, depending on where you are moving to.
22. The Fun Part: Read About Your New Country
I know, making checklists and preparing for a big move can feel overwhelming.
That’s why I always recommend making it a priority to read up on all the fun things about your new country as well.
What are the best things to see and do in the place you are moving to? Any hidden gems you can go and discover on weekends? Any fun festivals to join?
By reading travel blogs and watching Youtube videos you’ll learn a lot about the place you are moving to and about all the highlights you’ll be enjoying soon!
Your Moving Abroad Checklist – Conclusions
If you check off the things listed above before you move abroad, your move will certainly be easier.
Any kind of move or relocation will have its challenges, but moving to another country doesn’t have to be too overwhelming.
Create a moving abroad checklist and take your time to tick off all the items. This way you’ll stay on top of all the necessary tasks for relocating.
Over the years I’ve not only moved abroad several times myself but also interviewed many others who left their country to start a life somewhere else. You can find these interviews here. There is a good chance I’ve interviewed someone who has moved to the same country you are moving to!
And for further information and tips about moving abroad, check out these articles:
- Living & Working Abroad: What You Thought vs What It’s Really Like
- 5 Good Reasons to Move Abroad
- How to Retire Early and Move Abroad
- 5 Types of Expats You’ll Meet Abroad
- How to Find a Job Abroad & Make it Work
- Things to Know Before Moving to Germany
- Things to Know Before Moving to New York City
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