Moving Abroad Checklist: The Practical Steps and the Feelings
Moving abroad is a hundred small tasks and one big feeling. The tasks fill the spreadsheet. The feeling arrives around week three, usually when you're standing in a supermarket and can't find anything.
This checklist covers both. Use it as a starting point, and check official sources for rules that apply to your destination, since requirements for visas, tax, healthcare and registration differ by country and change over time.
Before you leave
Paperwork. Check the visa or residence permit rules for your destination on the official government or embassy website. Check that your passport is valid for long enough. Make digital and paper copies of important documents.
Money. Tell your bank you're moving. Find out how you'll get paid and how you'll open a local bank account. Keep a little cash in the new currency for the first days.
Health. Look up how healthcare and insurance work in the new country. Bring copies of important medical records and any prescriptions you need.
Home. Decide what to sell, store or ship. Cancel or pause subscriptions and contracts. Set up mail forwarding if you can.
People. Tell your friends and family the date, and plan a proper goodbye while you still can.
The first week
Get connected. A local SIM or eSIM, and a way to call home.
Get oriented. Learn the transport system and find the nearest supermarket, pharmacy and doctor.
Register. Many countries require registration of your address within a set period. Check the official rules for yours.
Unpack one thing that feels like home. A photo, a mug, a piece of art. It matters more than it sounds.
The first few months
Bank and insurance. Finish opening your local bank account and sort out health cover.
Language. Start a class or an app, even if you don't need it yet.
People. Join something regular: a language class, a sports club, an expat group. Our guides to expat communities in the Netherlands, Germany and Canada can help you find yours.
Taxes and admin. Check how taxes work for people who move countries. For anything complicated, talk to a professional who knows both countries.
The checklist nobody writes down
Schedule your calls home. A regular time makes it easier to keep up, even when you're busy.
Expect a dip. Most people feel low at some point, even when the move was their choice. It usually passes.
Make the place yours. Put something on the wall that shows where you come from and where you are now.
Making your new place feel like home
The Two-City Skyline Canvas (from €99) blends the city you left and the city you moved to into one piece. It's a small way of saying both places count. You see a free digital preview before it's printed. Create Your Artwork
For a smaller option, the Two City Poster Set (from €69) gives you one print per city. See Personalised Poster Sets
If you're helping someone else move, see our guide to meaningful gifts for someone moving abroad. For a longer reading list, there's best blogs and resources for anyone moving abroad. And if the move is for work, see relocation gift ideas.
FAQ
What should be on a moving abroad checklist?
Paperwork, money, healthcare, housing, connectivity and people. Check official sources for visa, registration and tax rules, since they differ by country.
How early should I start preparing to move abroad?
As early as you can. Visa and paperwork processes can take a while, and rules vary by country, so check the official timeline for your destination.
What do people forget when moving abroad?
Often the small things: copies of documents, a way to call home, a plan for making friends, and an object that makes the new place feel like home.
How do I deal with homesickness after moving?
Keep a regular call with people at home, join something local, and make your space feel like yours. If it lasts or gets heavy, talk to someone you trust or a professional.
Can I include more than two places in the artwork?
Yes, on the Two-City Skyline Canvas a third or fourth city costs nothing extra.
