Moving overseas. It’s stressful, time-consuming, and there are a million and one things to think about. Thankfully, the expat health insurance experts at Medibroker speak to soon-to-be expats and those already happily settled into expat life every day; we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist to help you prepare for your move.
- Find accommodation
- Buy flight tickets & organise transport to your accommodation
- Check everyone's passports are valid
- Leaving your property: find tenants
- Organise visas
- Find out if your driving license is valid in your host country
- Research which medical vaccinations you may need and speak to your doctor
- Create and safely store both virtual and paper copies of important documents
- Get International Expat Health Insurance compliant with your expat country
- Create a tax and finance folder with any information which can be claimed back on tax. If you are getting your expenses paid for you, put all receipts in this folder
- Change your address with credit card companies etc
- Tell your bank you are moving abroad
- Set up internet banking to make standing orders/direct debits easier
- Leave a small amount of money with someone at home in case you have forgotten to pay any bills
- Ask utility companies to disconnect your power if necessary
- Ask your doctors, vet and dentist for copies of your, your family and your pets’ medical records.
- Sell your car or furniture if this is something you have decided to do
- Research TV, phone and utility companies in your host country
- Research standards of local healthcare facilities
- Make sure you understand the local currency and have enough to get by in the first few days
- Learn basic phrases and the alphabet of the local language so you know how to pronounce words
- Culture: research etiquette and differences. If you're moving for work, our guide to international business etiquette may help
- Research local amenities
- Google map the area and plan your route to the local shop, doctors, school etc
- The big announcement
- Say your goodbyes
- Collect contact details & make sure the post office knows the new address
- Decide whether the entire family will move at the same time or whether one parent will go first
- Make a repatriation plan
- Have a full medical check
- Find out if any prescription medicine is available in your host country and stock up
- Put all your essential items in your suitcase as your shipment may take a while to arrive
- Household items: choose an international moving company or find suitable storage
- Buy packing materials and bubble wrap etc
- Create a list of everything you will pack/ have packed. Take photos and list the estimated value
- Find out about travel restrictions for your host country
- Buy a phone or sim card that works in your new country
- Eat or give away food in the house and defrost the fridge/freezer
- Clean the house
- On the last day at home, take readings of gas meters & lock doors/windows
- Inform your children’s school that you will be moving abroad and ask for transfer certificates
- Choose a local or international school for your children. Our guide may help
- Decide which of their toys will accompany you to make the transition easier
- Teach children about their new country with books, games and pictures
- Check that your breed of animal is legal in your host country
- Check quarantine rules in your new country
- Do they need vaccinations?
- Make transport arrangements
- Evaluate your relocation package. Our guide may be useful.
- Find out if expat spouses are legally able to work in the host country
- Meeting other expats: find local forums and websites
- Read our guide to cultural business etiquette around the world
- Decide on whether this will be a permanent move and if not, when you will return home
- Plan for family emergencies
- Plan for what will happen if your circumstances change. Will you stay?
- What’s your minimum test period?
