Checklist for when you're moving abroad

What to check regarding your property/residence in your home country?

  • Sell, sublet, lend or leave your property empty.
  • At end of lease: check in what state you should deliver your property/residence. For example think about recovering your outstanding deposit. Return your rented housing back to its original state if you don't keep it.
  • Arrange a convenient time for terminating the utilities in your rented or owned residence: keep your day of departure in mind. Allow plenty of time.
  • Consider using an agent when you are planning to rent out your residence. Make final arrangements with tenants if you keep your house (Think of meter readings).
  • Hand in house keys if you have a rental house (corporation, new renters, counsellor); check if any third parties have your house keys too.
  • Check meter readings for final payment.
  • Check termination of utilities (gas, water, electricity).
  • Repair your car and have it equipped technically to suit the country that you emigrate to, mind the requirements in that country (if you bring a car).
How to make a decision about your property/residence abroad?
  • Renting, buy it directly or rent first temporarily?
  • Get trustworthy information if you would like to purchase a condiminium
  • Determine minimum requirements and maximum budget for a new house and stick to it while finding a new house.
  • Make pictures of your rental house and make a list of the state of present goods.
  • Investigate the state of your apartment for rent before buying it.
  • Organise the connecting of utilities preferably 24-48 hours before arrival.
  • Arrange insurances and security measures; expat houses are more vulnerable.

What issues to give attention on health, vaccinations & medicine?

  • Give yourself plenty of time to sort out the required vaccinations and medical clearances (this may take up to weeks or months to arrange).
  • Get international declarations about the medicines you bring at the beginning of your stay and find out which comparable medicines are locally available.
  • Check the options for continuation of existing conditions.
  • Get familiar with the common diseases there and how to treat them, keep updated on health advisories.
  • Read up on local health care: hospitals, doctors, dentists, maternity care, check the experiences of fellow countrymen or other foreigners who have emigrated. 
  • Get a final medical check from the doctor you trust in your home country, get a medical file that you can use internationally from your doctor, dentist or doctors for medical inspections (for your work or visa).
  • Before you leave, talk about what to do in case of  serious illness to yourself, your family members or the family and good friends you leave behind.
  • Consider taking first aid training before you leave to increase your independency.
How to check your furniture, sort and pack it?
  • Clean up, throw away, give away household contents and involve your children in respect of their own things.
  • Consider temporary storage of contents that you’re not taking.
  • Check if there are any import taxes to items that you want to bring.
  • Consider donating items to a charity shop.
  • Check if you have any lent or borrowed items.
  • Make an inventory list of all the stuff you are going to take with you; make pictures of (the state) of your valuable items.
  • Check the usability of electrical equipment in your new country.
  • Are going to pack yourself, write on the boxes what the content is. 
Why and how to request removal quotations?
  • Create one basic list which you can present to several movers.
  • Check the frequency of transport to move to your new country of residence.
  • Ask about experiences of previous emigrants.
  • Think about transport insurance. 
How to relocate (domestic) animals?
  • Allow plenty of time figuring out requirements, permits and necessary documents in your new country of residence if you want to take a pet along: including vaccinations, quarantine and import permits.
  • Check additional regulations of your transporter (e.g. airline).
  • Check what needs to be done before departure about transport, food, drink if your pet is transported by airplane.

What issues to give attention on determine date: packing and load?

  • Take into account time to sort out and packing + cleaning and drying of certain goods.
  • Reconfirm the date a week in advance to avoid surprises.
  • Arrange child care for your kids.
  • Find a secure place for essential items and documents (such as important documents, keys and medicines).
  • Arrange enough drink and meals for moving day.
  • Arrange enough space for moving truck(s) on moving day.
  • Discuss extra concerns with the coordinator at the beginning of the moving day.
  • Check and double check all the rooms before the mover leaves. 

How to unsubscribe?

  • Register that you are leaving with the authorities (municipality) 1 to 5 days prior to departure from your home country
  • If necessary carry out the necessary formalities with regards to your car registration and tax.

How to say goodbye?

  • Make clear agreements with those staying behind in case you get sick or worse.
  • Invite other people to read your (emigration) blog/ write something for your blog.
  • Check tips in organizing a special goodbyes.
  • Make a back-up plan if you suddenly have to go back to your country of origin, check if there are friends/ relatives you can stay with if you do not have your own house anymore.
Related content or attachment:
Checklists for emigrants, nomads and expats - WorldSupporter Theme

Checklists for emigrants, nomads and expats - WorldSupporter Theme

checklist

You usually only emigrate once and even if you do it more often, the preparation takes quite a lot of work. JoHo has put together a handy checklist, so that you can get an idea of the arrangements that await you. The exact interpretation of each subject varies greatly from person to person. Please share your experience with your

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