Moving abroad, read our handy checklist.
Moving abroad is an exciting time. It would be wonderful if there was some kind of Trekky´Beam me up Scotty´ transporter, but until that day arrives, here's a checklist to help ensure your planning is on track.
Plan well ahead. Moving is considered by many one of life´s most stressful events. Trying to do it whilst at the same time saying goodbye to friends and family and getting yourself ready to live in a new country is the same kind of stress magnified.
Find out what you need to emigrate legally. Keep records of where you are with each part of the process.
Make sure you are using a reliable source for information like UK government websites and official sites in the country you are moving to/trustworthy local solicitors. Things have moved fast since Britain left the EU and continue to change.
Questions to ask include:
· passport and visa requirements;
· how much money you need;
· how much income you need;
· what insurances and paperwork you need;
· whether someone must vouch for you;
· whether rules work on a national or regional basis in the area you are moving to.
Anything that can reasonably be done upon arrival in your new home is probably best left until then. The process may be a little more tedious or trying, especially if you don´t speak the language, but going through the process in country will offer you an insight into how things work, who people are and who to go to when you need help.
For anywhere in Europe, the rules on residency have changed since Britain left the EU and will continue to evolve, so don´t rely on old information.
Don´t assume work will be easy to find. If you need to work, find a job BEFORE you move. Things have changed greatly since Britain left the EU so make no assumptions about roles and work availability.
And once you have work:
· Where will you pay tax?
· Where will you pay social security?
· What will happen to pension arrangements?
Bear in mind that taxation levels vary hugely, and there may be taxes that you are unfamiliar with.
Check with all of your providers how a move will affect your current or future pension arrangements, as well as how your State pension will be affected if you are abroad.
Unless you already know and have lived a length of a time in the area you are moving to, it is usually better to rent for a while before thinking about buying.
Being somewhere as a visitor is very different to living there, and once you´ve bought you may be stuck with undesirable neighbours, less able to get around than you expected, in an isolated or too noisy environment, and/or the expense of another move.
You can always consider putting your belongings into storage until you are ready to make a fully permanent move.
Taking children to live abroad is a fantastic opportunity for them, but it can also be a real wrench for them.
Considerations include:
· Options for schooling;
· How adaptable each child is;
· How well they are doing academically at present;
· How you handle their anxieties and excitement;
· Special needs;
· Language differences and schooling system differences;
· Local schools or private ones.
Make a list of what will have to be done practically to leave the UK. For example:
· Where will final bills for utilities go? Who needs final readings?
· Do you want mail redirected https://www.royalmail.com/d8/help/redirection to somewhere? (It CAN be redirected abroad.)
· Speak to your mobile service provider so that they know you´ll be abroad. They may be able to offer you a roaming deal, and some may even be able to get you a foreign SIM or recommend a provider.
· Other organisations who may need to go include the local council, banks and financial institutions, anyone you rent space from, schools, colleges etc.
· Who will do the removal? Seek recommendations from people who have already done it in the place you are moving to, and take into consideration that road systems may be very different, particularly in rural areas.
· If you are taking electrical items, are adapters available to the local grid(s) and is it safe to use them?
Importantly, create a budget as closely as you can. There will be differences, both good and bad, and being prepared will help you cope.
There are three major considerations when it comes to insurance:
1. What insurances you have in the UK, whether they are still needed and whether they will cover you abroad;
2. Insurance for the move;
3. What insurances are required in your new home, from health insurance to house insurance.
In each case, consider the implications of using a UK or an overseas insurer, and make sure you understand the small print of making claims.
Check on local requirements for banking. Some countries require you to have a local bank account, not just one in a local currency.
The system will probably work differently, some things for the better, some not as well. Ask around for what other people do in addition to what you must do legally.
In some countries, authorisation and identity requirements may be very different to what you expect, so be patient and ask other people who have made the move what they do and why.
If you are keeping a UK account (usually recommended) make sure the bank knows you are likely to be using cards etc abroad. It´s usually a short term issue, but if you try to use a cash card abroad, it may flag fraud alerts.
Check on rules regarding your drivers license, and make sure you obtain your information from a reliable source.
There are many scammers waiting to take your money for license swaps that are meaningless.
Check carefully what immunizations are required and recommended for the country you are moving to.
You will not automatically be covered by travel insurance arrangements if you move abroad - check carefully what you are and are not entitled to abroad, and what private insurances you may be required to take out.
Think also about any medications you are taking, and whether these will remain available to you abroad. And consider how you will manage any long term health conditions.
You will need a summary of your health to date, including conditions and operations, for any new doctor to be able to treat you effectively.
If you are planning on using the local health service, arrange translations into the local language(s) . This may be cheaper and more effective to do on arrival, but could save your life in an emergency if, for example, you have a condition to consider or have allergies to medications.
Never assume that your pet will be allowed into another country.
Check carefully what conditions apply (passports, vaccinations, breed restrictions, quarantine requirements), and plan well in advance how you plan to transport them.
It's not a nice topic, but it's something that many people fail to think about when moving abroad.
Your will, for example, may not be legal in another country.
What are local customs regarding death? Importantly how long are bodies kept and how soon do they need to be disposed of? In many hotter climes, for example, there may not be time for family to come to funerals unless bodies are frozen by special advance arrangement.
Who will pay for a funeral, or for repatriation of your body if you wish your body to be returned home?
No-one will thank you for leaving these things to chance.
Moving abroad is an exciting adventure. May yours be happy and successful.
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