Tips on moving abroad

Moving abroad can be extremely exciting. Whether you’re moving for work, family or some other reason, living in another country can be a wonderful experience that can enrich your life in so many ways. However, there’s a lot to consider when relocating overseas, from healthcare and your finances to making new friends. Read on for our top tips on moving abroad. 

6 top tips for moving overseas

Although moving abroad can be thrilling, it can also be incredibly daunting. Moving your whole life to another country can be difficult, to say the least. However, preparing yourself for the challenges ahead can make your move go much more smoothly, removing much of the stress that comes with relocating overseas. Keep reading for our top tips on moving abroad.

Arrange your visa

Without a visa, you can’t reside in your chosen country. This makes it one of the most important aspects of moving abroad. Before Brexit, British passport holders didn’t require a visa to live or work in Europe. Now, this is no longer the case. There are a few countries where you can live for up to six months without a visa. However, you’ll need to be able to support yourself financially whilst you’re there. These include Canada, Mexico and New Zealand. 

Hire an international removals company 

Since moving abroad can be such a mammoth task, it makes sense to hire an international removals service. There are many logistical challenges that come with moving overseas, but an international removals company can help you overcome them. They can assist you in moving all your belongings abroad safely and efficiently. Make sure a removals company visits you before you book their services as this will allow them to establish the volume of your possessions.

Consider secure storage services

Unlike when you relocate within the UK, you may not have the opportunity to visit your new home before the time comes to move in. This means you might not know exactly how much you can take with you. For this reason, it can be a good idea to invest in storage services so that you can store some of your larger possessions safely until you’ve worked out what you can and can’t take to your new home overseas. Storage services can be especially useful for temporary relocations since they can ensure that your belongings are right there waiting for you upon your return. 

Declutter your belongings

The more you take with you when moving abroad, the more it will cost. Therefore, it’s important not to take items with you that you won’t need or use. Make a list of your belongings so that you know exactly what you own. You can then make an informed decision on what you can take with you and which items you’ll leave behind. Many items can probably go to the charity shop, be sold on or given to friends or family. However, you may want to put some of them in self-storage. This is ideal for larger items or those with sentimental value that you want to keep but don’t want to take with you to your new home. 

Arrange healthcare

Don’t forget to find out what healthcare services are available to you before you make the move overseas. If you’re moving abroad permanently, you’ll no longer be entitled to medical treatment under the normal NHS rules. This is because the NHS is a residence-based system. You may be able to pay a patient contribution towards any treatment you get overseas. However, you’ll usually need to take out private health cover from a company that specialises in international healthcare insurance. Make sure you let your GP know you’ll be moving overseas. 

Get your finances in order 

One of the top tips on moving abroad is to ensure that your finances are in good order. Relocating overseas is an expensive task and you’ll need a safety net to support you with unexpected costs that are sure to arise along the way. How much you’ll need depends on where you’re going, with moving costs ranging from £1,500 to as much as £10,000. As well as ensuring that you have a reliable source of income, you’ll also need to check with the Inland Revenue if and how you’ll pay tax now you’re leaving the UK. You’ll need to find out the tax policies for your new country too. It’s also advisable to talk to your bank to find out if you can use your funds overseas. You may find that you need to open a new account. 

International removals in Wakefield and Leeds 

Don’t attempt to move abroad without the assistance of an international removals company. Relocating overseas can be extremely challenging and there are various problems that can arise throughout the move. At Darvills, we’ve been providing international removals in Leeds and Wakefield for many years, assisting hundreds of local people in moving abroad. 

We can help you to move within Europe or further afield to countries like China, Australia or the USA. With so much experience in providing international removals services, you can rest assured that we have the knowledge needed to assist you at every stage of the process. Our prices are highly competitive too, with our team of removal experts dedicated to providing a value for money service every step of the way. 

Contact us 

For international removals in Leeds or Wakefield, look no further than Darvills. You can reach us by calling 0113 436 0318, emailing info@darvillsofleeds.co.uk or filling in the form on the website to receive a quick quote. We’re on hand to carry out a full pre-move survey prior to your move, helping us to create a plan of action for your relocation and provide an accurate quotation for our services.