Deciding to move abroad is a big decision, and deciding to bring all your personal belonging with you is even bigger.  This article will look at a few tips, tricks and insights that will help you in making and following through with the right decision, to ship or not ship when moving abroad.

The task itself can look and be epic, so it is not a decision we want to make lightly.

As someone who has moved abroad twelve times, and dragged all her worldly goods to five of those destinations.  I’ve learnt a few things along the way.  I started out, many moons ago moving and travelling abroad with just one suitcase.

But, when I ended up with a more stable job in Amsterdam 10 years later, I also bought a flat. Finally created a home, but it didn’t stop my wanderlust. I did start collecting memories of the places I visited, adding to my collection of worldly goods.

My belongings have no monetary value, but they do create an amalgamation of the many moments of my life and the places I’ve been. It’s this that travels around the world with me. Although I admit, that everything spends as much time in storage as does travelling and making a new place home.

Assuredly, there is nothing like unpacking everything again in a new country. Rediscovering it all, setting it up and like a snail in its shell, that instant feeling of home. Contentment in a box (or many boxes as the case may be).

If only we could wave a magic wand to get us and everything to our new destination.  But we can’t, so here are some helpful tips and insights I’ve learnt along the way.

First, let’s be honest – not every move is going to be easy – and there are many lessons I wish I hadn’t learnt the hard way.  But here we go, if you are considering shipping your personal effects, buckle up – you’re in for a ride.

Misconceptions about overseas shipping:

There is a common misconception that it is excessively expensive.  While it can be true – buying a whole house full of new things is equally expensive and time-consuming. After a certain age, there will always be a selection of things that you are likely to want to keep, be it artwork, gifted items, books, memorabilia, unique furniture or photo albums.

When you ship a few boxes via FedEx or the post office they are calculated by weight, which is expensive and more likely to arrive damaged and may incur import taxes.

Costs will depend on which country you are moving to, what and how much you are moving. There are standard shipping costs per square metre, at MoveDB you can find an overview of standard routes.  These costs are per container and don’t include door-to-door transport. It does give you a good estimate – and can help to set expectations.

Other sites such MoveHub site can also be helpful when it comes to country guides or when you’d like to request quotes from shipping companies.

Deciding when to ship or not ship abroad:

There are always questions you will need to ask yourself before bringing your goods with you. Before you decide, ask yourself:

1. How long are you going for?
   If you’re going for a short term or a year, it’s unlikely to be worth it. Especially if you take into account the time, effort and money it’ll cost you.
2. Is it temporary with the view of becoming permanent?
   If you are not 100% sure yet or have never lived in the country, do a test run for 6 months before sending for your belongings. If you have a work contract and the company is footing the bill for a few years, great – go for it. But, if you ship everything out, you aren’t going to be happy to have to go through all the effort and costs to return it, if the new location doesn’t turn out as planned.
3. Where are you going?
   Moving from one European country to another is relatively easy, but the minute you cross into challenging jurisdictions it can vary greatly. I moved all my things to Argentina – which I wouldn’t attempt today as they are stricter now on imports.  At the time, my company’s legal team took care of the paperwork, issues and fees while customs held my goods ransom. These would have been a nightmare to deal with myself.
4. What would you like to bring?
   If it’s household and personal items, it’s ‘normally’ not much of a problem. Bigger items such as cars, antiques, and motorcycles can be challenging. Pets will depend on the country, the USA is pretty easy, and Europe is fine if they have an up-to-date Pet passport. For Australia, plan ahead – they are very strict and require long quarantines, which are an inconvenience for your pets and a costly venture.

   Quick ways to get the costs down
   

Here are a few ways to make it more affordable. There will is always the possibility that unforeseen costs come up that you can’t avoid, so it’s always worth making sure that you have enough savings tucked away, just in case.

Here are my top tips:

• Get quotes from at least three different shipping companies. It’s always good to get a selection of prices before choosing which company suits you and your budget.
• Minimise what you will take before getting the quote, that way you can better estimate the costs.
• If you have less than a 20ft/40ft container, ask if there is an option to share a container.
• Understand what the quote covers. Most shipping companies will quote you for a full door-to-door move, including packing and unpacking. If you have more time than budget offer to pack and unpack it yourself. It saves manpower and can bring the price down.

You’ve decided to ship, now what?

1. Sort out all your belongings:
   Sort your things into 3 categories: to give away/ donate, throw away, or ship. Do this ahead, you’ll find you have more goods than you first believe.
   It’s a good idea to use your weekends ahead of the move to tackle one room at a time.  It makes it manageable and you are less likely to be overwhelmed at the last minute.
2. Research the country you are moving to and from
   Every country is different, so it’s good to know what their stance is on imports, restrictions and timelines. A shipping company will take care of some of the paperwork and will give you advice. Yet, it’s good to be clear on what they will manage and what you’ll need to do yourself.  Often there are local import certificates that you will need to apply for as a local resident.
   Checking local expat forums can also be helpful, if any items such as cars are being held up at customs, you’ll find people complaining about it.  It’s good to be knowledgeable and prepared.
3. Do a rough calculation of the amount you will be shipping.
   Many shipping companies have an online calculator where you can add the boxes, and furniture that you have, and it will give you a rough estimate.
4. Contact shipping companies for a quote.
   If a company has a local branch they often will come around and do an assessment of your goods and walk through the process with you before quoting. This is a good opportunity to ask questions about what the quote includes, what your options are, and gauge their customer service levels.
   • When choosing the right shipping company, cheaper isn’t always better as it might result in more paperwork or damaged goods. Choose a company that is professional with a price that suits you.
5. When to ship
   Once you’ve chosen your shipping company, you can decide whether you’ll ship it immediately, or after a set amount of time. Many shipping companies can store your goods at reasonable costs while you travel, or find a place to rent or buy.
6. Arrange the dates + paperwork
   This will vary per person and per country. If you want your goods to arrive at the same time or soon after you arrive, and you already know your address, you can send them ahead of time. However, you might take time to find a place before settling. The shipment can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months.
   • For example, if moving to the UK you’ll need a TOR (transfer of residence) number. To apply you’ll need to prove your residency via a proof of address, national security number and work details. Once approved you’ll receive a reference number from customs. With this, you can bring your personal belongings into the country, and it’s valid for 12 months from the day you moved to the UK.

Last points to keep in mind

Some moves, like the time I moved back to the Netherlands, were so easy despite the fact it was over 12’000 kilometres.  Others, from Buenos Aires to Uruguay, which was around 100 km away were so epic I wasn’t sure I or anyone in my vicinity would survive it.

Lower your expectations and pack an extra dose of adaptability.  Keep these additional tips in mind, they might not solve all the big issues, but it at least helps to prepare you before you go.

• Be organised
  • Don’t put the important paperwork in storage. Bring it with you or ask someone to look after it and send it later. This includes mortgage papers, insurance forms, and bigger proof of purchase i.e. Car, motorbike.  Passports/ birth certificates and police clearances can always be done online but it will take time before they get to you.
  • Make sure you label your boxes carefully. So, when you are faced with the daunting task of unpacking, you can prioritise them.
  • Create a number 1 items box, put in everything you think you will need before you unpack the rest, it might contain your tool kit, screws and sofa legs, remotes, teapot, etc.
• Timing is everything
  • Know how long the shipping will take. Is there a time limit on importing personal goods when you immigrate? Make a simple timeline of the key milestones that need to be taken care of before you go, and when you arrive. This is especially important when travelling with pets, as vaccinations need to be done within a period of time.  Knowing what paperwork needs to be done prior to and after the move.  If it’s not done right, customs will hold your belongings, hostage, at the port – and storage at the harbour comes at a price.
• Pack some common-sense
  • Sometimes it’s the only thing you need to travel and move with. We can resolve most everything by using common sense over getting mad and stressed.
• Break it all down into bite-sized chunks
  • You’ll find when you see the mountain of boxes that you will want to unpack them all immediately. Which will result in a mini or mega-meltdown. If you have a spare room, put the boxes in there, that way you won’t have to face them when you wake up or go to bed. Break it down to a few boxes a day – while it will take longer, you’ll keep your sanity intact.
• Breathe
  • There will be moments you will forget to breathe or just hold your breath hoping you’ll wake up and it will be all over. So, stop, have a cup of tea or vodka, and relax. The moment that you realise that all the boxes don’t have to be packed or unpacked within 24 hours, you’ll be fine.

It’s Epic, but it’s well worth it

Mental health professionals often list moving as one of the top 5 most stressful things you can do. And that’s for a local move, not an international one. But when the time comes to unpack everything and reconnect with your belongings, you’ll soon find yourself on distant shores, yet content and completely at home.

So, is it worth it?  Totally, every mile and every cent of the way.  Well, until next time, if you are anything like me, once you’re completely settled, you can start planning your next adventure. In the meantime, be sure to enjoy the one you are living.

p.s. As I write this post, I am camping out in the UK in my new flat, in my new town and waiting for my belongings to arrive from Australia –  an epic journey. My belongings have now been in storage for over 18 months. And while I’ve loved my travels and adventures, I can’t wait to be reunited with everything.

Grateful for additional photos by:

Photo by VanveenJF on Unsplash
Photo by Max Williams on Unsplash
Jorg at Pixabay

Why move to Argentina?

Why would you want to move to and live in Argentina? Was the response I got, when I told friends I was moving to Argentina, together with a raised eyebrow and quizzical expression.

Ironically, I was moving because people kept asking me “Why don’t you move to Argentina? You’d love it.”

At the time I was living in Amsterdam, restless and tired. Tired of the endless rain, excessive tourism and cramped spaces. I wanted to live in a city with flavour.  Who doesn’t want a life with flavour?

What can I say, Argentina has flavour. Every body at the time in the Netherlands was talking about it. Two friends own a house there. The future king of the Netherlands just married an Argentine, other four friends had just come back from their trip to this magical wonderland.

All these conversations inspired me to buy a book on Argentina, and I was hooked and enchanted within the first few pages.

Most Magical Place in the world

What is not to like about the idea of spending time in the ‘Paris’ of Latin America. A nation of polo playing horse fanatics and real-life gauchos (local cowboys).

A country where soccer is the religion and BBQ is the national cuisine. A country whose history is weaved so densely and dramatically you could carve it with a knife.

The country has the wild expansive plains of La Pampa, the mountains and lakes of Patagonia, the deserts up in Santa Fe and Salta. As well as the uber magical city of Buenos Aires. If it could bring tears to the eyes of Evita and millions that hear the song, it may be worth checking out.

Within weeks a trip and dry run, was booked. Could, would or should I live there.

Is Argentina worth moving to?

Doing a dry run, whenever you are planning a move abroad is recommended.

When you spend time in a country for a trial run it’s definitely not a holiday. It’s a working vacation.

You’ll spend your time researching the best areas to live.  The quality of life versus the costs of living (rent/ groceries), salaries, safety and the political climate.

It’s a great opportunity to make time to meet with locals as well as expats living there so you get real stories of the everyday challenges from both sides.

Of course, also enjoy what the country offers from polo games, top restaurants and hotel pool, deciding where to live also means checking out the perks.

Researching the Move to Argentina

Luckily, researching Buenos Aires was easy; it is an exceptionally large city, so sources of information are also available in English, such as BA times a local online newspaper.

There are also plenty of opportunities to meet locals and expats at places like Gibraltar the English pub in San Telmo, at embassies, expat or internations events.

Argentina has its own active online expat forum baexpat.com where you can delve deeper into the types of challenges you may encounter. Along with relevant solutions, or meet like-minded individuals.

 TIP: keep a healthy perspective on forums, ignore the trolls. Take it with a it a healthy sense of detachment,  and it’ll become a helpful resource.

Originally, I planned an 8-week dry run, which I extended 4 times. And ended up there for an incredible 6 months.

While there, I really wanted to get an idea of what it would be like to work in a city with 3 million inhabitants. So, I spent some of my time volunteering at BABS (British Aged Care in Buenos Aires).

It was here I had the opportunity to meet people who’d lived in Argentina for over 80 years. And trust me when I say, there is nothing like listening to first-hand stories of a countries history.

On my second day in Buenos Aires, I stumbled upon and fell in love with Puerto Madero. A small island, next to the city and is secured by the naval police. The suburb is a refuge from the hustle and bustle, it is quiet, spacious and safe.

It was also here that English built the warehouses on the harbour in the early 1900’s, while they were building the railroads.  These recently renovated warehouses add a timeless charm and are home to some of the cities best restaurants, shops and cafes.

San Telmo markets are still within walking distance, and the rest of the city is also just a hop, skip and a jump away.

Final conclusion, after 6 months dry run?

Honestly, when I first arrived in Buenos Aires, I was shocked at the populous state of what seemed a dirty city. However, it won me over hour by hour, day by day. By my 3rd week, I was looking into potential job opportunities and any which way that I could stay long-term.

I stayed until my savings ran dry, and I had no options but to go home.

After 6 months, I left Argentina, heartbroken, devastated and determined to return.

 

Can you, easily move to Argentina?

How you migrate to a country depends largely on the country. In Argentina, you have a few options to choose from:

1. Get company/ employer to sponsor you
2. Set up a company
3. Marry and Argentine

My plan was to go with the first option.  So, I meet with anyone I could via contacts, friends, LinkedIn, peers in my industry.

Including the Ambassador, at my countries embassy, and went to lunches that were put on by the local Dutch and English Chamber of Commerce.

Many countries will have an embassy or a local chamber of commerce who assist with cross-border trade advice and networking.

With a fully booked agenda, there was only one objective and that was to find work.  While I didn’t get a job, I did meet great people and got a wealth of advice and insight on the business landscape.

Legally moving to Argentina

Being that my best option would be to find a company to sponsor me, the reality is that this is easier said than done.  Despite my meetings, lunches and endless cups of coffee, I didn’t manage to find a sponsor in Argentina.

Language can be a real challenge when attempting to move to a country. If you are not fluent; it’ll be hard to put you to work or compete with local job seekers.

Like many other countries, for a company to sponsor a foreigner can be a costly process. One that includes fees, lawyers and paperwork.  Companies will hire you if you have specific expertise.

Or you can also try to get a job for an international company in your own country and apply to be relocated abroad.

Good Luck comes in Many Forms

Flying back to the Netherlands with a tissue in one hand and hope in the other. Expecting that it would be a near impossible task to find a company in the Netherlands to sponsor me to work in Argentina.

As luck would have it, a company that I knew just happened to be opening shop in Argentina. And within weeks, I had a job and was planning my move, as well as that of the company.

Friends I’d met, helped advise me on an appropriate salary, as the company would be giving me a local contract instead of an international one.

In a country like Argentina, excessive inflation rates need to be taken into account.  Eventually, with the contract signed, everything else was put in motion.  The real business of moving could begin.

Finally, Moving to Argentina

It was my 8th international move, so as ever practice makes perfect. My flat in Amsterdam was easily rented out via expatica.com.

The bureaucracy in Argentina like most Latin countries is phenomenal; the amount of paperwork and documentation required was second to none.

I am eternally grateful that the company’s local lawyers assisted me with my working visa and the importation of my goods. This is one move that I would not have wanted to do on my own.

As with anywhere, signing up for the utilities was not fun at all.  This was when a good friend gave me advice that served me throughout my time in Argentina and beyond:

‘When dealing with an issue: don’t start a fight or get angry. NEVER back down or accept no for an answer’.

Great strategy to put into practice everytime I was told no. Whether it was for a bank account or electricity connection. I just planted myself down, and let them know I’d be there until we resolved it.

It is incredible how many miracles happen when you have all parties working on a solution.

After the move and a chaotic dance of organizational mayhem. The paperwork was done and I had a new office, a new apartment and a new life. I could finally start living the ‘vida loca’.

Living the Dream in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires isn’t a walk in the park, although there are some great parks to walk in.  The government is both crazy and corrupt, inflation is off the scale and life can feel like a bit of a roller coaster. Depending on the day, time and place.

The city is busy, polluted and in the last few years, the economic challenges have resulted in an ever-increasing crime rate.  You need to live with both feet on the ground and be aware of how you walk and travel in town.

Despite all of this, it is one of the most incredible cities to live in.  Whatever you feel like doing, you can. Whether it’s tango at 2 am or front row seats at the Polo in November, or catching the boat to Colonia for the day.

There is a suburb for every mood, be it shopping in Palermo, dinner in China town, after work cocktails in Recoleta. Bike riding around Puerto Madero or a visit the famous Sunday markets in San Telmo.

In the words of the worlds greatest writer who is Argentine:

To ship or not ship, your goods when moving abroad? Click To Tweet

It was all of this that made me love every minute of my crazy, wild, temperate and magical time there.

Yes, dreams can also end between a crazy government and the need for change, so I did eventually leave Argentina. Yet in retrospect, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Just like the song, ‘Don’t cry for me Argentina’, the truth is I never really left. The magic of the country lives on in my heart and lovingly etched in my memory.

Resources:

BA Expats
Online English paper BA times
Volunteer opportunities via GoAbroador local South American website
List of foreign Embassies in Argentina
Walrus books English Bookshop
English Pub:  Gibraltar
Meet locals and practice your Spanish via Conversation Exchange or Toastmasters

Further reading, see why November is the ideal time to visit and what to do while there check out this post.

My top reading list for before, during or instead of your visit here.

A few photos are my own, the others are shared with much gratitude to these other wonderful photographers:

Eduardo Sánchez on Unsplash

Sasha • Stories on Unsplash

Nacho Rochon on Unsplash

This famous quote is more than true. When you revisit a place, much of it will have changed. You will have changed, everything evolves or devolves as the case may be. There will be challenges, be they old or new.

Which is the situation I currently find myself in, here in the United Kingdom.  It’s a very different country that it was 20 years ago.

The Current State of Affairs

I’ve now been here for awhile and the plan was relatively simple; find work and house sit while I am looking for work.  Once I’ve found a job I like, I’ll move into the area and settle down – voila!!

Sounds pretty uncomplicated and like a plan, sounds easy to implement, so I should be rocking and rolling in no time…

The Key Challenges of Moving to the UK

However, there have been a few hiccups, roadblocks and obstacles on the way, as can be expected with any move abroad.

Here were my challenges and solutions, where they exist. It’s was hard to put the list together in order of priorities. It’s a wee bit of a chicken and egg scenario. You see before you get the one you need the other, or so you will see:

1. Proof of Address

Now if you arrive and immediately rent a property, you won’t have this issue. However, for the most part, you will need a proof of address.

Most institutions such as a bank will request to see a utility bill or a letter from the tax office or a bank statement. The bank statement will be especially hard, as you’ll read below. You can’t open one until you have an official proof of address.  Herein lays the catch-22.

Now, this is going to be tricky if you are staying with friends, renting a room or house-sitting, as I have been doing.

I did read advice on one forum that you can register to vote wherever you are staying and you can then use this as a proof of address.

I didn’t want to risk trying this, as it could also trigger a local council tax levy in my name.   As I am house-sitting this is not something I want to risk. If you are renting it could be a solution.

One bank recommended that I register with a doctor and use that as proof of address.  Which I did do, yet they also needed (you guessed it) a proof of address.

2. National Insurance number

To work in the UK you’ll need a national insurance number.  Luckily, I already had one – or so I thought…  Sadly, it couldn’t be found in the system.  So after many phone calls, I made an appointment with a local job center to request a new one.

If you are new to the UK it is easy enough to apply, you need to call up the job center and make an appointment. Depending on where you live this can take a few weeks. They will send you a confirmation letter for the appointment. And if you don’t have a utility bill you can use this letter as proof of address for the appointment.

You do need to take your International ID/ Passport.  Keeping in mind right now, depending on where you come from you need a visa for permission to work in the UK.

If you are European and have an EU Passport, at this moment in time you can still apply and have the right to live and work in the UK. After Brexit, if and when that all goes ahead, the situation may change.

I’ve written about it here.

Once you have your appointment the National insurance number will be sent to you, this can take anywhere from 5 – 21 days.

Please note that your National Insurance number can not be used as proof of address. Which leads me to the next obstacle:

3. Opening a Bank Account

This so far has been the most frustrating experience. So much so, that I’ve decided NOT to open a bank account.

I don’t have any proof of address I can use. So, I’ve simply given up. But not without finding a suitable solution.

Thankfully, there are modern digital options that you can choose from instead.

To meet my nomadic needs, I’m using two financial companies:

Revolut:*  They are ideal if you still have an account overseas in a different currency and/or you travel regularly. You can upload money from your bank account abroad and then exchange that currency as needed. They give better rates than you would get via your own bank.

They will send you a card, which is a prepaid card. So it doesn’t work in all online shops, but it works well enough in the local ATM’s, stores and for most online purchases.

The only downside is that they don’t give me a  local account,  with which to receive payments. There is a handy request payment link that people can pay into with a credit card.

But a company who is hiring you will want to pay into a real account.  Which is why I opened:

Monese*: This online, mobile account was simple to set up. It gives me a local account that I can use here to accept payments.  You can access it via your mobile, you can request a debit card. And in no time you are off and running.

It is a whole new world of banking, which is much more consumer focused, easy to use, with fewer costs and paperwork.

There are other companies that I looked into, but these two are trustworthy and meet my needs.  With that done, I am good to go.

Side note: If you would like to open a Monese Account, and get a £10 welcome gift, when you open and top up the account, just use my code: HUZEYS9F

My last challenge remains to be seen in how and when it’ll affect me:

4. The Dreaded Brexit

I wrote a post earlier about Brexit. While it doesn’t yet affect me directly.  One feels a gist of the overall unrest that exists in all levels of government, business, and society on the whole.

Ferries are complaining they have fewer bookings for next year,

pharmacies are concerned about running out of medicine. The general public doesn’t know what to expect.

The mainstream media doesn’t help the situation, as it milks every roundabout fear that they can scour up out of whatever garbage can their digging in. Only time will tell what is and isn’t justified.

For now, put your seatbelt on, and hang tight – like any of life’s roller-coasters I am sure we’ll come out the other side laughing or crying. And either way, we’ll brush ourselves off, soldier on. Heading right into the next challenge that life offers us.

So here I am, back in the UK for now, not as settled as I would like to be yet. However, already much more settled that I was.

Hope you find some of this advice useful to help you to prepare and tackle any future move you may have planned to the UK.

The photos are thankfully provided by Unsplash:
Feature photo by Bruno Martins on Unsplash
Night photo by Robert Almonte on Unsplash

 

 

 

What impact does Brexit have on your move to the UK?

After many years abroad, I’ve finally decided to move back to the United Kingdom where I lived many moons ago.

The first question on anyone and everyone’s lips is ‘But what about Brexit?’.

While I know that Brexit is a hot topic, and widely entertaining.  To give you a small taste, just last week the local paper was voicing its concern about the ‘sperm’. It seems that the Nordic countries have been the largest distributors, and now the English men are going to have to step up.  I kid you not, here is the article:

Yes, it’s funny, silly, and serious and has most Brits with their knickers in a twist… Brexit is providing mainstream media with an endless amount of juicy material. Yet, they like the masses that are read the papers, are pretty clueless as to what is going on.

Why would they be clear on it, even the politicians don’t seem to know or agree on the facts. Right now, they are preparing for a worst-case scenario, what happens if there is no trade deal, they’ve termed it the ‘No Deal’ Scenario – this could change again next week…  Stay tuned people.

To simplify the governments’ terminology: The no deal scenario doesn’t mean they are not working on a deal. So there might still be a deal. Just in case though, they’ve spent hours in creating a no deal worst case scenario.  – although they don’t think that by creating it, they are likely to perhaps maybe need it.

I think by the time they have come to a verdict (let’s be honest, 2 years on and they’re still talking rather than doing). Personally, by then I’ll be living elsewhere.

So can or can’t I, you, we move to the UK?

Right now, this answer is the same as it was before Brexit was the spark of an idea.  It depends on where you are from; many of the same rules apply as they did before Brexit.

As an EU citizen, I have the right – at this time – to live and work in the United Kingdom.  If they do go ahead with the Brexit, they won’t throw me out.

The pre-exit date is March 2019, if you arrive before this date, you have right to pre-settlement.  If you arrive after this date, as an EU citizen you’ll need to register yourself.  The date of Britain’s exit from European Union is December 2020, after which different rules may apply depending on our situation, which isn’t fully clear yet – may depend on the deal, no deal scenario.

I was right to think that now is the perfect time for me to come back and spend some time in the UK. If you move here pre-exit – then you’re as good as gold as they say in Australia.

At this point, I think there are more people jumping up and down, because people love drama, to complain and jump up and down. The reality is that other than the sperm, there isn’t much to jump up and down about.

The ideas of stockpiling food, have years worth of medicine on hand and having to create your own sperm are a wee bit exaggerated.

Of course,  I would like to take the opportunity to point out for the first time in recent history the Brits have finally focused on something other than the weather. And the weather has been brilliant, the best summer on recorded history. So maybe less worrying, more enjoying

For more information (can’t guarantee clarity):

For anyone looking for up-to-date information, please check the government website on the subject.

Or this pretty clear blog by the home office, or if you’d prefer the EU’s take on what you can and can’t do, then you can find that over on their website here.

For those that are already living and working in the UK, you can apply for pre-settlement status, which you can find more information on here.

For those of you looking for the facts the media won’t share with you, and the stats they don’t print. Perhaps you’re looking for a bit of giggle, here is a great article on Global Citizen. As they rightly point out, even the Queen is actually German. Maybe she can be the first to go?

If you are not an EU citizen, different rules will apply, the same rules as before the Brexit scenario. Visa and Immigration information can be found here.

If you are moving abroad and not sure where to start, download my free checklist here, making your move that little bit easier.

Big thanks for Photo. By Robert Tudor on Unsplash

Ready for the Big Move abroad? if so here is your moving abroad checklist

So finally you’ve decided to move abroad, it’s the next step in this adventure called life.  It’s when the saying “you have the world at your feet” is all too true and it sits perched on the horizon and is ready to become a reality.

Yet let’s be honest, the actual moving part sux – it’s tedious, overwhelming and there are many days (for me anyway) where you can be completely immobilized by the number of things that need to get done.

This is why I’ve created you a Free, easy moving abroad checklist.  A summary of the most important things that you’ll need to remember.

Keep in mind, not all moves are equal:

Do keep in mind the fact that every country has different requirements and every situation is unique. So Remember to Check:

1. Passport requirements:
2. Work requirements
3. Health requirements
4. Tax requirements
5. Import / Export requirements: Or outsource this to removalists.
6. Pets: be sure to check import/travel requirements, the vet can advise. Be warned that some countries like Australia need a quarantine period and strict pre-vaccination schedule – so start planning at least 6 months before!

To give an example of an easy move, for me to go back to Holland as I have a Dutch passport is reasonably easy. I turn up, show my passport and we’re done, right?

Wrong…..

The downside is that I need to go register myself as living in the country again, which I get to do with all the other immigrants’ somewhere in the middle of nowhere, and I do need to show them official proof of where I am living – which is not always easy if you are staying with friends.

Yet this is still an easy move….

On the other hand, when I moved back to Australia, I needed to have:

• Health certificate (vaccinations, lung scan for TB, blood test for HIV)
• Translated Criminal checks of my last countries of residence (last 5 years)
• Financial Statement
• Birth Certificate
• Declaration of ties to Australia
• Proof that I once lived in Australia

There was more, however, let’s keep it simple for now.

Tax Returns, an Easy way to make travel money

There are also steps you need to take to leave some countries.  I need to sign out of Holland for example.  Another of these steps includes taking care of your taxes, which in some instances can be a bonus.

For instance, if the financial year goes from June – June, and your leaving in December means you’ll only have been paid half a years salary. Which when stretched over the whole year puts you in a lower salary bracket that you were originally taxed on. Meaning you’ll be refunded the difference.

Hence be sure to check with the tax office before leaving.

It simply pays to be organised: use a moving abroad checklist

Yes, I’ve been stuck at the airport without a visa, having to ask for a police certificate in a country I no longer lived in (very tricky and near impossible – it pays to have lawyers as friends).

So unlike me, make sure you are organised. Have a countdown timeline of what needs to be done, and keep a list of the dates and deadlines if you have them.  There is always so much to do, pack, pay and organise before you go.

Be sure to also give yourself the time and space to catch up with friends and family.  Drop in and have your last brunch at your favourite spot, reminisce and savor those last moments before you go.

To help you be more organised, I’ve created a short free easy to-do list that I’ve used in my last 3 moves, and in my experience of the 5 international moves before that.

Download it here:  Moving Abroad Checklist.

More than anything have fun with your new adventure.  You’ll be on your way soon enough, so be sure to enjoy the ride!!

As a wise someone named Emerson once said, “its the journey not the destination.‘