Working for a moving company abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working for a moving company abroad like?

• Working for a moving company abroad is anything but idle.
• One moment you're lugging boxes around a busy city, the next you're loading a complete household for an international move.
• The work is often physical, practical, and surprisingly social: no two days are the same, no two houses are alike.
• Responsibilities may include:
  • Packing, lifting, and moving furniture and boxes
  • Loading and unloading moving vans or containers
  • Disassembling and assembling furniture
  • Managing international moving shipments (e.g., by sea or truck)
  • Contacting customers, colleagues, and sometimes customs or logistics partners
• Working conditions:
  • Work is often temporary, seasonal, or project-based.
  • Many positions are full-time, but part-time or on-call work is also possible.
  • Salary varies greatly by country and type of move (local vs. international).
  • Overtime, early mornings, and long days are the rule rather than the exception.
  • Sometimes housing or transportation is arranged, especially for seasonal work. What's special about this work abroad is that it combines physical exertion with working in a different culture, often with international teams and clients who are in the midst of stressful life transitions.

What are the reasons for working for a moving company abroad?

• To develop perseverance: long hours, hard work, and few luxuries require perseverance and a proactive approach.
• To strengthen teamwork: a move only succeeds if everyone is on top of each other.
• To train stress resistance: working under time pressure and with stressed clients teaches you to cope with tension.
• To increase independence: taking responsibility for tasks, materials, and planning comes naturally.
• To practice flexibility: no move goes exactly according to plan; adaptability is invaluable.

What skills and motivations do you need to work for a moving company abroad?

• Sense of responsibility: handling other people's valuable and personal belongings.
• Collaboration: working in teams where communication is crucial. Stress resistance: remaining calm under time pressure, setbacks, or difficult situations.
• Organizational awareness: understanding how planning, routes, and logistics are interrelated.
• Flexibility: managing varying working hours, locations, and circumstances.

What are the best countries and locations to work for a moving company abroad?

• Countries with a high volume of seasonal work and temporary movers: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
• Countries with a high international expat and relocation flow: the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands.
• Countries with a high influx of backpackers and temporary workers: Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.
• Countries with major logistics hubs and ports: the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Singapore, and China.

What are the risks of working for a moving company abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working for a moving company abroad?
  • Physical strain often occurs: back, shoulder, and knee problems are common due to improper lifting.
  • Accidents involving heavy objects are common: falling furniture or trapped fingers can cause serious injuries.
  • Medical care is often expensive or difficult to access, especially in countries with high healthcare costs.
  • Work often takes place in extreme heat or cold, which can lead to dehydration, overheating, or hypothermia.
  • Damage claims or liability claims are common, for example, in the event of damage to customer property.
  • Evacuation or repatriation are often necessary after an accident, which is practically unaffordable without proper insurance.
• Are you insured while working for a moving company abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you're doing work with which you have little experience.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
  • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.