The Essential Moving Abroad Checklist

Moving to a new country is an exciting adventure that opens up a world of new opportunities and experiences. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges that require thorough preparation and planning. From understanding visa requirements and budgeting for your new life, to ensuring your belongings are safely shipped (or stored!) and setting up your new home, there’s a lot to consider.

To help you navigate the process, we’ve created a comprehensive preparing to move abroad checklist. This guide will walk you through everything you need to do, starting from six months before your move right up to the weeks and days leading up to your departure.

Alongside our checklist, be sure to check out our guide on How to Move Abroad from the UK for more tips, which alongside this checklist will help ensure you’re fully prepared for the big move.

 Essential Documents

Before we get into the moving abroad checklist, let’s take a look at some of the key documents you’re going to need before, during and after your move. Ensuring you’ve sorted all the paperwork necessary for your move and keeping it well-organised and accessible is crucial to keeping your move nice and smooth.

• Passport and Visa: Ensure your passport is up to date and apply for any necessary visas well in advance of your move. Keep photocopies in case of loss or theft.
• Birth Certificates: Remember to pack original birth certificates and adoption papers for all family members. These may be required for various legal and administrative purposes.
• Marriage Certificate: If you’re married, bring your marriage certificate. This might be needed for legal documentation and residency applications.
• Medical and Dental Records: Obtain complete medical and dental records for each family member. This includes vaccination records and prescriptions for any ongoing treatments.
• EHIC or UK GHIC Card: Bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to ensure access to healthcare services across Europe and other eligible destinations, including Australia.

Pro Tip: You can apply for a GHIC through the NHS website, for free.

• School Records for Children: Collect school transcripts, report cards and any other relevant educational documents. These will be essential for enrolling your children in their new schools.
• Financial Records: Gather recent bank statements, tax documents and any other financial records. These documents may be necessary for opening new bank accounts, applying for loans or verifying your income.
• Rental or Property Ownership Documents: Bring copies of your rental agreement or property deeds. These are important for setting up housing in your new country.
• Insurance Documents: Collect all relevant insurance documents, including travel, medical, life and pet insurance policies. These are crucial for ensuring you and your family are covered in case of emergencies.

Pro Tip: It’s worth checking your active policies to check whether or not you’ll be covered in your new home country and whether there are any limitations to that coverage.

We’d suggest having dedicated folders (both physical and digital) for every member of your family and keeping them all together, at all times. This will help minimise the risk of anything going missing or being left behind, which among the general chaos that comes with any move, can be all too easy to do.

 Six Months Before Moving

• Check Visa Requirements: Ensure you understand the visa process and start gathering all necessary documents. Some countries have lengthy visa application processes, so it’s best to start early.
• Research Your Destination: Learn about the local culture, language, cost of living, healthcare system and other important information about moving and living there. Understanding these aspects of day-to-day life will help you adjust more easily, prepare for cultural differences and understand what’s required of you in this new country.
• Notify Your Employer: If you’re taking on a new role with your current employer, you may need to keep them updated with the progress of your move. However, if you’re moving for the sake of moving, it’s best to give your boss plenty of notice — especially if you’re hoping for a transfer or relocation assistance.

Pro Tip: Even if you plan on quitting your job, advanced notice will help ensure you leave on good terms.

• Learn the Language: Start learning the basics of the local language to help you navigate daily life more easily. Consider taking classes or using language learning apps, like Duolingo and Babbel, to build your skills.
• Budget Planning: Estimate the costs involved in moving and living abroad, including moving expenses, housing and living costs. Create a detailed budget to avoid any financial surprises.
• Start Saving: Start setting aside extra money to cover the costs that come with moving abroad. This can include everything from shipping costs to setting up your new home.

Pro Tip: Even with a perfectly planned and well-executed budget, there’s always a chance there’ll be some costs you simply didn’t think of, so be sure to save a little more if you can.

• Health Check-Ups: Schedule medical and dental check-ups to ensure you’re in good health before the move. Make sure you get any necessary vaccinations and obtain copies of your medical records.
• Pet Care: If your pet is moving with you, ensure it receives proper vaccinations and find a good pet carrier if you haven’t already. Look into whether or not your new host country requires a quarantine for incoming animals. If you’ve decided not to bring your pet, allow plenty of time to find them a new loving home.

Pro Tip: If you plan on moving with your pets, you might find our guide to Moving Home with Pets useful.

• Understand Financial and Tax Implications: Understand the tax rules of your destination country and consider seeking advice from a specialist tax advisor to help you navigate your current and future tax obligations​.
• Find a Local Bank: Research local banks in your destination country and consider opening an account. This will make it easier to manage your finances once you arrive.

Pro Tip: A short-term solution to getting a local bank account could be to use finance apps with multi-currency debit accounts such as Revolut, Monzo and Wise. Different providers offer different products, but many of them provide competitive exchange rates and contactless payments.

• Virtual Assistant: Hiring someone local to your new destination can go a long way in helping you navigate the admin and bureaucracy of a new country, not to mention breaking through the language barrier when dealing with service providers and government entities.

Pro Tip: Freelancer platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are good places to look for a virtual assistant.

Three Months Before Moving

• Secure Housing: If you haven’t already, now’s the time to start looking for somewhere to live. You may even consider renting temporarily to give yourself flexibility while you settle in and get to know the area.
• School Enrollments: If you have children, begin the enrollment process for schools in your new country. Research and contact schools, understand their enrollment requirements and start gathering any necessary documentation.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to inform your children’s current school in the UK that you’ll be moving.

• Visit Your New Home: If possible, visit your new town or city to become familiar with the area and take the necessary measurements for your new home. This visit can also help you finalise your housing decisions.
• Find New Utility Providers:

Depending on where you’re moving to, local utility providers could operate differently from what you’re used to and services may take longer to set up than expected. For this reason, we suggest looking for utility providers while looking for a new home, and then opening an account as soon as you’ve signed the deed or rental agreement.

Pro Tip: If you find accommodation six months ahead of moving, set your utilities up as soon as possible. The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home only to find you have no running water or electricity.

• Sort Your Belongings: Decide what to sell, ship, donate or store. Start packing non-essential items and create an inventory to keep track of everything. You should also take the time to research international moving companies, and storage solutions for items you won’t be taking with you immediately.

Pro Tip: Choosing the right self storage facility is crucial for keeping your belongings safe and accessible. For more help and information, check out our guide on how to find the best self storage.

• International Driving Permit: If you’re moving outside of the EU, and you plan on driving in your new country, check if you need an International Driving Permit (IDP). If you do need an IDP, you can easily apply via the UK Government website.

One Month Before Moving

• Finalise Travel Arrangements: Book your flights and arrange airport transfers to ensure a smooth journey to your new home. Double-check all travel details to avoid any last-minute surprises.
• Cancel Current Utilities: Contact your current utility providers to cancel your services and pay your final bill. Schedule the cancellations for the day after you move to ensure you have essential services until you leave.

Pro Tip:  Remember to set up utilities for your new home if you haven’t already.

• Forward Post: In case there’s anyone you forgot to update with your new address, you can pay to have your post redirected by Royal Mail to ensure you receive all your important correspondence at your new address.

Pro Tip: To help minimise the risk of forgetting to update your address, be sure to take a look at our Complete Address Change Checklist.

• Stock Prescriptions: Make sure you have a decent supply of any prescription medications to last until you can find a new healthcare provider. It’s also a good idea to get a copy of your prescriptions in case you need to refill them before finding a new doctor.
• Cancel Subscriptions: Cancel or transfer any subscriptions or memberships you currently have, such as gym memberships, magazine subscriptions or streaming services. Notify service providers of your change in address to avoid future charges.
• Arrange Insurance: Ensure that your belongings are covered during the move by reviewing your current insurance policies and securing additional coverage if needed. Check if you need international health insurance to cover medical expenses in your new country​.
• Notify Credit Card Company: Inform your credit card company of your upcoming move to prevent your account from being flagged for suspicious activity. This will help ensure your purchases in another country are authorised without any hiccups.
• Confirm Travel Arrangements: Double-check your flight or other travel arrangements to make sure everything is in order for your departure. Confirm your booking details and keep a copy of your itinerary accessible.

FAQs

How to start preparing to move abroad?

The first steps in moving abroad include researching your destination to understand the local culture, language and cost of living. Check visa requirements, create a detailed budget and begin organising your belongings. It’s also worth scheduling health check-ups and planning for any necessary vaccinations or medications.

What documents to bring when moving abroad?

Essential documents include your passport, visa, birth certificates, marriage certificate (if applicable), medical and dental records, school records for children, financial records and tax documents. Ensure you also have rental or property ownership documents and relevant insurance policies.

Who do I need to notify when I move abroad?

Notify your employer, bank, utility companies, doctor, dentist and any subscription services about your move. Additionally, let family and friends know your new contact details.

What to consider when moving overseas?

Consider the cultural differences, cost of living, healthcare system and legal requirements of your new country. Plan your finances carefully, and take the time to understand local tax rules and set up a local bank account. Organise your move by arranging storage and shipping for your belongings and securing necessary insurance.