How to Plan for Moving House Abroad: A Guide to Starting Fresh Without Losing Your Mind

How to Plan for Moving House Abroad: A Guide to Starting Fresh Without Losing Your Mind

Have you ever dreamed of starting over somewhere new? Maybe a seaside village in Portugal. Or a bustling city in Japan. But how do you turn that dream into a successful reality?

Moving abroad isn’t just about packing your bags. It’s a series of decisions, deadlines, and details—each one capable of making or breaking your big move.

This guide will walk you through the key steps, questions, and actions you need to take for a smooth international relocation.

What’s Your “Why”?

Before you start booking flights or shipping your furniture, ask yourself: Why am I moving abroad?

• Work?
• Love?
• A better lifestyle?
• Lower cost of living?
• Education?

Knowing your reason helps you prioritise. For example:

• If you’re relocating for work, your employer might help with logistics or provide a relocation allowance.
• If you’re chasing sunshine and a slower pace, you’ll want to research lifestyle, culture, and healthcare options thoroughly.

Tip: Write your “why” down. You’ll refer back to it when things get stressful.

Choose Your Destination Wisely

Not all countries will suit your needs or personality.

Ask yourself:

• Can I legally live and work there?
• Will I be able to adapt to the culture and language?
• What’s the cost of living compared to my current income?
• Are there support communities for expats or English speakers?

Example:
In 2024, Portugal remained a top choice for British expats due to affordable property, a laid-back lifestyle, and the Non-Habitual Resident tax programme.

Visas and Residency: Don’t Skip This Step

Visas can be deal-breakers.

• Research visa types: work, student, retirement, digital nomad.
• Check processing times—some take months.
• Understand requirements: income, health insurance, clean criminal record.
• See if your country has a reciprocal agreement (like the UK does with some EU nations post-Brexit).

Example:
Moving to Australia? A skilled worker visa may require passing a points-based test, proving your profession is in demand, and showing savings of £5,000+.

Budget Like a Boss

Moving abroad isn’t cheap. You need a clear, realistic budget.

Common expenses:

• Visa and legal fees
• International movers
• Flights (one-way, multi-city if visiting family en route)
• First month’s rent + deposit
• Temporary accommodation
• Insurance (health, property, travel)
• School fees (if applicable)

Unexpected costs:

• Pet relocation (can be £1,000+ depending on country)
• Import taxes on shipped goods
• Bank transfer fees
• Driver’s licence conversion or local tests

Tool tip: Use cost-of-living calculators like Numbeo or Expatistan to compare cities.

Declutter Before You Pack

Why pay to ship things you don’t even use?

Do a brutal sort-out:

• Sell or donate bulky furniture.
• Digitise documents and photos.
• Keep only essentials—clothes, tech, keepsakes, documents.

Ask yourself:
Would I pay £10/kg to ship this item?
If not, leave it.

Bonus: Selling stuff online can fund your move.

Hire Reputable Movers

International shipping is complex.

Look for:

• FIDI or IAM accreditation
• Experience with your destination country
• Good reviews
• Transparent quotes
• Insurance options

Tip: Book at least 8–12 weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons (May–September).

Example:
Some companies like Surrey Removals (surrey-removals.com) offer door-to-door services, while others require you to collect items at a port. Know the difference.

Prepare Your Documents

Moving abroad is paperwork-heavy. Start early.

Create a folder with:

• Valid passport (check expiry!)
• Visa/residency documents
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Medical and dental records
• Vaccination history
• Financial statements
• Insurance policies
• Educational certificates
• Employment contracts or references

Pro tip:
Scan everything and save it in a secure cloud folder and a USB stick.

Set Up Your Finances

Don’t get caught with frozen cards or high fees.

Before you go:

• Notify your bank of your move.
• Check if your cards work internationally.
• Open an international or multi-currency account (e.g. Wise, Revolut).
• Research how to transfer money abroad securely.
• Consider getting a credit card that earns travel points or avoids foreign fees.

Taxes:
Will you still owe taxes in your home country? Will you be taxed abroad? Speak to an accountant familiar with expat law.

Sort Your Healthcare

You can’t assume you’ll be covered overseas.

Things to do:

• Check if your new country has public healthcare.
• Find out if you’re eligible or need private cover.
• Buy international health insurance if there’s a gap.

Example:
France has excellent public healthcare, but newcomers may have to wait 3–6 months before joining the system. A private policy fills the gap.

Don’t forget to:

• Request copies of medical history
• Order extra prescriptions
• Translate key documents if needed

Prepare Emotionally

Moving abroad can be thrilling—and lonely.

Ask yourself:

• Am I ready to be far from family and friends?
• How will I handle culture shock?
• What’s my plan for making new social connections?

Ideas:

• Join expat Facebook groups before arrival.
• Enrol in a language course or local class.
• Look into meetups or sports clubs.

Stat:
A 2023 InterNations survey found that 30% of expats said the hardest part of moving was making new friends.

Tackle the Admin at Home

You can’t just disappear.

Before you leave:

• Cancel or redirect subscriptions.
• Update addresses for banks and post.
• Inform HMRC and your council (you may be due a tax refund).
• Close unnecessary accounts.
• Redirect mail via Royal Mail for up to 12 months.

Consider:

• Granting power of attorney to someone you trust.
• Keeping a UK bank account open.

Learn the Language (Even a Little Helps)

You don’t need to be fluent, but basics matter.

Learn how to:

• Greet people
• Ask for help
• Order food
• Handle emergencies

Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Pimsleur can help you get started.

Bonus: Locals often warm up when you try—even if you mess up!

Set Realistic Expectations

It won’t be perfect.

• You’ll get homesick.
• Paperwork might be frustrating.
• Some things won’t make sense.

But—with good planning, a flexible mindset, and support—it gets easier.

Ask yourself:

• What does success look like in the first 3 months?
• Who will I call when I hit a rough patch?
• Am I prepared to fail and try again?

Final Packing Checklist

Don’t leave these to chance:

✅ Passport + visa
✅ Travel insurance
✅ Emergency contacts
✅ Copies of key documents
✅ Medications + prescriptions
✅ Travel adaptors
✅ Local currency
✅ SIM card or unlocked phone
✅ Basic toiletries + change of clothes
✅ Snacks and water for the journey

Are You Really Ready?

Planning a move abroad is more than just logistics—it’s a mindset shift. It’s letting go of the familiar and stepping into the unknown.

You might ask:

• What’s the worst that could happen?
• But also… what if this becomes the best decision of your life?

If you’ve read this far, chances are you’re already halfway there.

Let me know if you’d like a printable version, checklist format, or infographic to go along with it!