Moving Abroad: Things to Do before you Leave

Posted on 06/12/2013

Moving abroad can be a big step, and takes a lot of planning. Planning the actual move itself is going to be taking up a lot of your time, but there are some other essentials that you’ll need to make sure are taken care of as they can make the difference between a smooth relocation or a troublesome one.

Pass on your new address

Make sure to let all the relevant parties know your new address details. You should send a forwarding address to any companies you have regular dealings with, especially your bank, building society, insurers and so on. Although they will probably not need to get in touch with you, if anything does happen that requires them to contact you, they will be able to do so with the minimum of fuss. Of course, don’t forget to let your friends and family know where you will be moving too as well!

Tax, benefits and pensions

Depending on which part of the world you are relocating to, you may have to make changes to the way you receive any pensions or benefits. If you are moving from one part of Europe to another, then generally you should still be able to receive your pension, and be eligible for social security, as you are an EU citizen. Some countries have slightly different rules, so make sure to double check what the requirements are in the country you are moving to. You will also need to notify the tax office in the country you are leaving, as any income you make while living abroad is still taxable.

Currency and exchange rates

Moving abroad is likely to be an expensive process, so make sure you are fully aware of any exchange rates that might apply. You don’t want to be caught short once you’ve relocated! Depending on where you are moving to, you might get better or wore value for your current finances, so make sure to factor this in carefully before making too many concrete plans.

Visas

Before you move to another country, you need to check what Visa requirements they have, and how this will affect you. Again, moving to another country in the EU will not normally require any lengthy paperwork or visas, although you will often need to take some simple steps to register as a citizen. Moving to the US or Australia is a different matter altogether though, and more often than not will require you to apply for a temporary visa before you are granted citizenship.

Children and pets

If you are moving with children and pets, there are a few things to check before you make any permanent plans. First of all, research your destination country’s education system. Many countries have vastly differing education requirements and regulations, so make sure you are happy with what is in place, and that your children will have their educational needs met. For pets, you need to check if there are any restrictions in place on bringing animals into the country. Australia is particularly strict on what types of animals are allowed through their borders. This will be especially relevant if you own a more exotic animal. Generally, dogs and cats should be ok, but may need certain immunisations and a check up before departing.