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Moving To Germany: Tips To Help You Start Your Life As An Expat

Relocating anywhere can be challenging, but moving to Germany might seem more rigid due to all the German paperwork you have to go through and, yes, the language. However, if you follow this checklist step-by-step, you will have everything you need to get started and quickly settle in – from health insurance to phone plan,...

Getting Connected In Australia

Getting connected – organising mobile phones (cellphones) for yourself and your family members, together with broadband for your new home – will be one of your first and most important tasks when arriving in the Australia. Electricity Mains voltage in Australia is 230V 50Hz. Most countries in Europe, Asia and Africa have appliances that...

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.