The Ultimate Moving Abroad Checklist

Moving Abroad? Use our ultimate moving abroad checklist for expats to plan your move overseas.

Moving abroad is a huge step, but also very exciting. Whether you are heading to a new country for work or adventure. Planning your move abroad is essential. Having all the information to hand means you are unlikely to forget something, and keeping the process as stress-free as possible must be the aim here.

Our ultimate moving abroad checklist will help you sort everything out, and we even added helpful timescales to keep you on track. PSS International Removals are here to help you if you are moving from the UK, and we can bring expert packing, shipping, and removal services to help you make the transition easier.

Preparing for an international move involves coordinating countless details, from paperwork and packing to organising transport and ensuring your belongings arrive safely. Having a structured checklist truly does make a difference, helping you stay focused on what matters most while reducing the chance of last-minute stress.

As you work through visas, housing arrangements, and personal essentials, it becomes clear how valuable reliable support can be during such a major transition. In the midst of this planning, Plains Removalists can play an important role by providing the steady, professional assistance needed to move your possessions securely and efficiently. Their ability to manage the logistical side of relocation allows you to concentrate on settling into your new life abroad with confidence and peace of mind.

Free Online Cost Calculator

Selecting the right international removal company for moving abroad

A quick Google search will return hundreds of international removal companies specialising in moving belongings overseas so it can be challenging to know whom to pick. There are a few questions that you should ask, including:

Are they accredited with BAR or FIDI?

BAR (the British Association of Removers) has been accrediting removal companies for over 100 years. They accredit over 450 UK removal companies and 250 international removal companies.

FIDI (the International Federation for International Movers) is a similar organisation that accredits companies that move overseas.

Accreditation with either of these companies means that the removals firm is bound to comply with the highest standards set by these governing bodies, offering you peace of mind.

Do they provide a door-to-door removal service?

Some international removal services are only designed to go as far as the port, leaving you to arrange a second local service. A door-to-door removal service is the only way to ensure that your belongings are consistently handled and taken safely from your old property to your new property.

Are they rated excellent on Trustpilot?

Reviews on Trustpilot are genuine and honest, and it’s essential to find out what previous customers thought of a removal company when it comes to something as big as moving your whole life from one country to another.

12 months before moving abroad

1. Review expenses

The process of moving can get expensive, and there will be costs along the way. The more significant bills may come at the time of moving, but you will have to factor in applications for visas, other incidentals, fees for your shipping company, house sale and purchase, and more.

2. Employment

12 months may seem like a long time, but if you’re planning a move abroad to work, now is the time to start looking for employment, or at the very least, researching the best options based on your skill set and qualifications.

3. Tax

Research tax obligations for the destination you are moving to. They are unlikely to be the same as your current geographical location, and it’s essential that you understand what you are required to do to comply with taxes in the country.

4. Accommodation

You will need an accommodation plan. Firstly, what about the house you are currently living in? Do you own it, or do you need to notify a landlord? If you own it, are you going to rent it out or sell it?

5. Cost of Living

Research the cost of living abroad in your new destination. Numbeo.com is a good website that compares everyday living expenses, like rent, taxis, meals out, utility bills and more. All you do is pick the currency for your current and new country, and you will have all the information at your fingertips.

6. Language

Start learning the language. No one expects you to be fluent when you move to a new country, but basic language skills will make the transition much easier. Being able to ask for basics, sort out medical care, and other day-to-day occurrences will help. There are apps available, or you could look for a local tutor.

7. Immigration Professionals

Contact an immigration professional. There are many rules for anyone moving to another country, and each country has its own specific criteria. Filling in all the paperwork can get complicated, and it’s very easy to miss something vital. Immigration consultants help you every step of the way, giving you peace of mind.

8. Documentation Requirements

Moving abroad is something of a paper chase. The earlier you get your documents in order, the more likely you will get a smooth move. There is a lot of paperwork to consider, so we have broken it all down for you said nothing gets missed. Be sure to check anything with an expiry date, like your passport or driving license, because the last thing you want to do is head out to the airport and find your passport is out of date.

9. Personal Identification and Legal Paperwork

For every single person involved in the move, you must have a complete set of paperwork, and this might include the following, so be sure to consider each option carefully. Babies and children must have a valid passport.

Documents include:

Passports
Birth certificates
Social security cards
Driving licenses
Marriage certificate
Adoption papers
Divorce papers
Child custody papers

10. Academic Records

School records/university papers might be needed if you are applying for a job abroad. People often misplace documents from schools and universities over the years, so it’s worth digging them out early in planning your move so you have them to hand if you need them.

11. Financial records

You will need to prove your income for various reasons, so it’s pertinent to have copies of your bank statements to hand. Many banks no longer supply these on paper unless requested, so it’s a good idea to prepare them and ensure you keep asking for paper copies until you have moved.

Some countries require you to have a certain amount of money saved before your move, and you will have to show evidence of this with a savings account statement.

12. Legal documents

Again, this covers a wide range of possible documentation, including your will, a power-of-attorney, medical consent forms, and other legal or notarised documents.

13. Travel Specific Documentation

The biggest issue when moving to another country is a Visa. It’s impossible to pick up and move country without applying for the correct paperwork. Unless you happen to be in an EU country and moving to another EU country. Sadly, the UK is no longer part of the EU, so now you must apply for a Visa.

Work permits and other legal documentation may be required, but it depends on the country you are moving to. That makes this section a little bit harder when creating a checklist because it will be different for everyone.

14. Pet documents and immunization records

Moving country with your pet is entirely possible, but you do need to comply with any passport and quarantine requirements for your destination country. A passport for a pet can take months to prepare and involves repeated visits to your vet to bring all their immunisations up to date, so be sure to allow yourself enough time. Sometimes, they will need specific jabs (such as tetanus or rabies) around 48 hours before departure.

Some countries will insist on a quarantine period which means leaving your pet in the quarantine facility for the duration. If you take your pet by air or sea, you will need an IATA-approved crate as a minimum standard. Failure to have the correct carrying crate can result in delays.

What do 3-6 months before moving abroad

1. Start contacting international removals companies, such as PSS International Removals

Our diaries do get pretty filled up, and of course, moving on an international level takes longer, so your international removal company will need to allocate you the right amount of time. Do this at six months, by which time you should have already researched and decided which company you prefer.

2. Research schools in your chosen destination

You may find that some schools are restricted to local children only, and international schools tend to be private and expensive. So, it’s well worth researching the education provision for the country and where you think your children may be best suited to go to school. Approach the school for a preliminary chat and see if you need to fill out any paperwork.

3. Consider visiting the location to preview popular destinations and neighbourhoods

It’s all very well deciding to move to Spain because you went there 10 years ago and loved it, but things change quickly and the reality of living there could be a lot different than you remember. It’s best to visit the country and get a feel for the neighbourhoods and other areas where you may spend your time.

Do this well in advance and ensure everyone moving is available to go on the holiday.

4. Give notice to your child’s school and request school records

It’s time to let the school know that you will be leaving, and it gives you a chance to get their records to take with you. It also allows your children to start saying goodbye to their peers.

5. Research medical insurance costs

Some countries have public healthcare available for free, but it can be restricted depending on your status. In most cases, you will need medical insurance to ensure immediate access to emergency health care if you should need it. This is a good time to start researching policies and figuring out how much it’s going to cost for each member of the family.

6. Car Insurance and Ongoing Costs

Just like healthcare, owning a car comes with its own set of financial responsibilities beyond the purchase price. Car insurance isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a financial safeguard that protects you from unexpected expenses due to accidents, damage, or theft. Before you commit, take time to compare coverage options and estimate how much you’ll need to set aside each month. Using tools like Simply Quote can make this process easier by helping you find policies that balance affordability with reliable protection. Understanding these costs upfront ensures you’re financially prepared to keep your car—and your budget—running smoothly.

7. Consider whether you will need storage.

There are many things to consider here: are you moving to a smaller house, are you renting, are you temporary or are you buying it. Some people use a storage solution if they are temporarily starting in one property but know they will move on when they find somewhere suitable. Others use storage because they won’t have time to sort everything out when they first arrive, and it’s easier to pop things in storage and go back for them later.

8. Start booking your flights.

If you plan to head to your destination country by air, it’s time to start booking your flights. You must consider seating allocation, especially if you have young children and prices vary, so it’s worth trying to get a good deal.

1-2 months before moving abroad

1. Sell things that you do not need or cannot take with you abroad:

eBay, Facebook marketplace and even a good old-fashioned yard sale are great ways to sell off anything you’re not taking with you. It’s worth looking at our previous post how much you should take when moving overseas.

2. Talk to your bank

Maintaining a UK bank account is possible even if you live abroad. However, you will also need a local account. You should ensure your main UK bank is aware that you are moving because fraud detection works hard to keep your money safe. Suddenly spending money in another country, and probably lots of it, could easily trigger a fraud alert, and your account could be temporarily frozen, which might be very inconvenient.

3. Research overseas banking

Renting or paying bills in another country is possible with a UK bank account, but having some of your money available in the local currency makes a lot more sense. This is a great time to start researching how to get an account and what banks are available.

4. Check whether your appliances will work in your new country.

At the very least, there’s a good chance, you will need plug adapters to make your UK appliances work in another country. However, some may not be compatible, so it’s worth working through the house and checking everything out.

If it won’t work, it’s probably worth selling now that you have funds for a local equivalent.

5. Buy products you cannot buy overseas or cheaper in your home country.

Check for any products unavailable in the country you are headed to if you don’t think you can live without them. Or if they are substantially cheaper here in the UK, buying them before you go makes sense.

6. Get your currency exchanged

Currency exchange plays a crucial role when moving overseas and can significantly impact various aspects of the international relocation process.  The savings you make compared to your high street bank could pay for your whole move abroad and allow you to have money left over for your rainy day fund. We recommend contacting our partners to learn more about currency exchange.

Three Weeks before your move abroad

1. Arrange mail to be redirected

Paying for a mail redirection makes a lot of sense, especially when leaving the country. It also gives you a checklist to catch any stragglers you forgot to inform.

2. Stop/transfer subscriptions, e.g., Netflix

Some internet-based services won’t work in every country, so you must check beforehand. You may have to cancel your subscription in the UK, but you can sign up again when you arrive in your new home. Some subscriptions will be OK to carry on in another country. You just need to provide your new address and update them.

3. Cancel TV licence

You certainly won’t need your UK TV licence, and all of the programs it streams online are restricted to UK viewers only.

4. Contact your gas/oil supplier

You don’t want to be charged for the services you no longer use because you forgot to cancel them. Your gas and oil supplier needs to know that you are moving so that they can prepare your final bill.

5. Contact Your Electricity Supplier

It’s wise to take a pre-emptive meter reading before you bring the electricity company, as they are bound to ask for it.

6. Contact the pension company

Assuming that you are no longer working for the company, nothing more needs to happen than providing them with a change of address so that they can keep in touch with you until you are ready to claim the pension pot.

7. Refill and pick up prescription medications

If you speak to your GP for surgery, they may be able to prescribe slightly more medication than usual so that you are not risking running out while you are still getting used to a new country and trying to set up.

2 weeks before your move

1. Make sure your friends and family have your new mailing address.

In the modern digital world, this is less of an issue than it would’ve been in previous decades, but if you do have a new address, it’s nice to give it to your friends and family. Keeping in touch is a lot easier these days, so it’s not like you won’t be able to get it to them later.

2. Spend time with friends and family before you leave.

Throw a farewell, barbecue or indoor gathering if it’s the middle of winter. Take the time to say goodbye to your friends and family because you will undoubtedly see them less now. But don’t be sad because you can always arrange for them to fly out and see you.

3. Purchase travel guides or do some online research

It’s a good idea to mentally walk through every step of your relocation day. If you come across anything, you are not confident with it, it’s a good time to look it up and find out what will happen. If you haven’t travelled with children before, now is an excellent time to explain how the process works.

1 week before your move

1. Arrange packing service

Packing can be tedious; there are no two ways about it, but more importantly, when you’re moving abroad, your items are being transported further and will either be travelling by air or sea. A packing service with an international removal company ensures that everything arrives in the same condition that it leaves soon and is well worth the extra money.

2. Arrange for someone to look after pets or children for the removal team to pack items

It’s pretty standard for the homeowner to want to supervise the packing. Still, it makes life much easier for the team if they are not constantly interrupted by overexcited dogs and noisy children. If possible, get someone to take the dogs and children out for a couple of hours, so they can work in peace.

3. Pack your luggage for the journey

Ensure you retrieve anything travelling with you as your luggage before the packing service gets to work. Unpacking boxes because you can’t find something vital is stressful, and you don’t want to go down that route. Keep everything you need, including necessary documentation, on one side and far away from the packing box.

1-2 Days Before Move Date

1. Pack the items that you are travelling with – passport, travel documents in your hand luggage

This is when you double-check and triple-check that you have absolutely every piece of documentation you will need for leaving the country and entering a new one.

2. Clean your home

Whether selling up or handing the keys back to the landlord, you must leave the house clean. If this isn’t something you fancy tackling, booking a team of cleaners is a small price for peace of mind.

3. Arrange parking space with neighbours for removal van

Remember that the removal team will take a while to load your belongings onto the truck. It’s worth having a word with neighbours to explain the situation and let them know a removal van will be in the area.

4. Empty and defrost your fridge/freezer

Your last couple of meals in the UK can be a mishmash of everything left in the fridge and freezer. Kids enjoy this sort of meal, so you won’t waste food. If you can’t use some things, give them to friends and family or take them to a food bank.

Moving day Checklist

1. Refreshments for the removal team

Everyone appreciates tea and coffee, and items like the kettle are perfect to take with you if possible because it’s something you’ll want as soon as you arrive at the new home anyway.

2. Show the removal team what you are not moving

Coloured Post-it notes can be practical here. You can stick a Post-it note on anything you do not want them to touch.

3. Walk around the house to ensure all items have been placed in the vehicle

However, it’s best if you take a walk around the house once they have packed the van to make sure everything is loaded. You know your home best, so it needs to come from you. Make sure you do this before they leave.

4. Taking a record of all meter readings

You will probably have given meter readings to the electricity and gas company when you spoke to them about close in your account. However, you must do this again to get a last-minute reading.

It also helps ensure that you are being charged correctly, as they will be able to see a reasonable increase in usage and ensure no mistakes are made.

5. Ensure doors and windows are locked

If you are handing keys to an estate agent either because you have sold the property or because they are managing for the landlord, it’s a good idea to label each key with what it is for. Some people leave window lock keys on the windowsill, so it’s evident to the new occupier what the key does.

6. Double-check your home for essential items before leaving

Walk around the property once more. Yes, this may be the second or third time you have done it, but it’s incredible how often something gets left behind because it was tucked in a corner or left in a cupboard. Do a thorough sweep and double-check that everything is with you.

7. Take pictures of empty rooms as proof of the condition of the property.

This is less important if you have sold the property, but if you are a tenant and handing back to a landlord, it’s vital that you have your own evidence as to the condition of the property when you left. It can be tough to manage a dispute, especially from another country, so having good proof that you can email them puts you on the front foot and avoids any problems further down the line.

8. Carry essentials for your plane ride e.g., toys, games, books.

The essentials that you can carry will depend on the method of transport. If you are driving and crossing the channel by sea, you can have many more things on hand to keep children entertained on the ride. If you are flying, you are more limited and must think carefully about what you need to keep them happy.

Food and drink are expensive on the go, especially from airports, so having snacks they can eat before you get on the plane is always a good idea.

Once you arrive in your new country in new country

1. Get a sim card when you reach your new country

Keeping your UK mobile phone number is possible, and you can still use your phone but bear in mind that phone providers tend to have very expensive rates for calls made abroad. It’s worth looking into, but a cheap second phone with a local Sim card is probably the best bet.

2. Start unpacking your items

3. Meet locals and expats in the area

4. Enjoy your new life

Looking for a company to help move your belongings overseas?

Moving abroad is a significant and exciting step for work or adventure. Proper planning and organisation are essential to ensure a smooth and stress-free transition.

The checklist offers valuable advice on preparing well in advance, including reviewing expenses, seeking employment opportunities, researching tax obligations, and finding suitable accommodation.

PSS International Removals is your trusted partner when moving abroad from the UK. With our years of experience and expertise in international removals and shipping, we are dedicated to providing you with a seamless and stress-free relocation process.

We offer a comprehensive removal service tailored to your specific needs. From the initial planning stages to the final unpacking at your new home abroad, our experts will guide you through each step of the journey. We pride ourselves on attention to detail, meticulous packing, and secure transportation, ensuring that nothing is overlooked and your move is a resounding success.