Moving is often counted as one of the most stressful events a person can endure but moving cities and countries? That brings an added set of logistical issues that can overwhelm even the most level-headed.

The trick to staying on track when moving cities or countries is to use whatever preparation time you have to your advantage, but knowing where to start and what to prioritize is its own struggle. That’s where we come in.

Lucky for you, we’ve collected 7 top tips on how to prep as an expat on the move as well as insight on overcoming the most common challenges.

From finances to visas and vaccinations, here are our tips on planning your move and making the experience more seamless:

Start your preparation early

However short, make sure to use all the preparation time you have. There’s often far more that needs doing than people realize and administrative delays can be very costly down the line. You’d rather be prepped and ready to go too early than find yourself stuck at customs, unable to set foot in your new city because things were left to the last minute.

Research as much as possible

Every city and country has its own set of legalities and cultural norms that have to be navigated. Research as much as you can online, reach out to people you know in those places, and start creating a document on your computer with all your learnings. This will allow you to get ahead of any issues and prepare you mentally for the big change you’re about to embark on.

Get your papers in order

There are four main administrative areas to address as an expat readying to move:

• Visas and permits: Make sure all the legal paperwork that will allow you to live and work in your new city is organized and that you understand how to present this information when going through customs. 

• Tax obligations: Leaving one place and starting fresh in another can create a vast web of tax issues. Get a tax accountant involved where you can and do as much research as possible to avoid overpaying or missing important deadlines during your move.

• Vaccinations: Some countries won’t allow expats in without up-to-date vaccination cards for diseases like Diphtheria, COVID-19, etc. The CDC offers a very helpful guide on this.

• Banking: Ensure you have a local bank account set up to manage your finances easily. It’s crucial for paying bills, receiving salary payments, and handling everyday expenses. Notify your current bank about your move to avoid any potential issues with international transactions

Health checks and insurance

You may already have international health insurance but if not, it’s worth looking into. Save yourself a headache and plan ahead to make sure you’re covered for those when-you-least-expect-it moments. Make sure to take time to carefully check out the healthcare systems that you’re transitioning to, if they’re public or not, and what paperwork you need to qualify for them. If you have a job lined up, asking new coworkers or locals for tips and tricks isn’t a bad idea.

Since you’re likely getting vaccinations updated before your move, it’s also worth having a few health checks at the same time. Book that dentist appointment or blood test you’ve been putting off – there are always complications when getting used to new healthcare systems, especially as an expat, so it’s worth embarking on your move in the best health possible. Don’t leave it till the last minute!

Figure out where you’ll be living

Just because you’ve settled on a destination or you have a job offer abroad doesn’t mean you know what part of town you’ll be living in. If you’re an expat who knows absolutely no one in town, in can be a good idea to start in a shared living space instead of living on your own right from the start.

There are a lot of benefits to coliving and there are several options that make moving to a new city an absolute breeze.

Decide who and what is coming with you

Dogs, kids, partners, sofas – they all come with complications. Make a list of everyone and everything (especially bigger items) that will be coming with you. Once that’s done, you can start getting moving quotes and dealing with, for example, the complicated journey of moving a pet to a new country.

Set a budget

A task to perform concurrently with the above is setting a budget. Understanding how to calculate the expenses involved in an international move will help you develop a feasible financial plan.

Create a timeline

As soon as you have an idea of when you’ll be moving and what will be involved, work backward to create a timeline with information such as:

• How long visas or permits are likely to take.

• Estimated pick-up and arrival dates for your moving items.

• Move-in dates for your new home and if there will be a gap between then and your arrival that needs to be filled with temporary accommodation.

Mapping out this information will help show what needs to be prioritized, where potential roadblocks may be, and generally provide a picture of what your move will look like. The more you can plan out like this, the calmer the experience will be.

The most common moving challenges expats encounter

If there’s anything that will cause a headache when moving cities or countries, it’s these issues:

Language barriers and cultural differences

Giving someone the thumbs up might be a positive thing in the US, but in Greece and Iran, it can be taken as an offence. Let this be an important lesson on the strange, wonderful things that make each culture unique. It’s also what can make moving overseas feel so isolating.

To ease the transition into a new language or culture, read, watch, and engage with as much of their media as you can. This should give you a sense of what you’re walking into and help you learn basic phrases. At the very least, scroll through Google to get a sense for what is appropriate and what is not in your new setting.

Beware bureaucratic delays…

Even when you’ve submitted all your paperwork correctly, things can go wrong. Make sure to have local connections or advisors on hand in case this happens as they’ll be your best tools for navigating it all.

Moving burnout: it’s real

Administrative and logistical issues aside, a common challenge for expats moving to new cities and countries is burnout. Take some time off during your move if you can. Make sure you don’t wait till the last minute to pack, plan, and organize so you can fully process the move you’re about to make and the place you’re about to leave. The more rested you are, the more calmly you can deal with moving tasks and in turn, the more seamless the transition will likely be.

Chuck that stress aside

Moving to a new city or country can be hugely stressful, but there are plenty of ways to ease the transition into this exciting chapter. Good planning, a little faith, and plenty of paperwork are usually key. Give yourself as much time as you can to get ready for your move – it’s in the preparation where most of the logistical issues can be avoided. Good luck and bon voyage!