Moving to Europe is an incredibly exciting adventure. Whether you’re moving to study, for a new job or simply to enjoy the culture and live in this amazing continent, there are a few things you should do beforehand to make sure that you’re completely prepared. Packing up your life into a suitcase (or three) and moving to a brand new continent is daunting as well as exciting, and it’s important that you are totally ready for the big move.
In addition to completing the obvious chores that come with moving out of your home, such as notifying utility suppliers, putting your house on the market, cancelling subscriptions and redirecting your post, there are a few other things that you should do too.
Apply for a visa
If you are staying longer than three months in any European country, you are required to hold either a work or student visa. As soon as you know the exact country you are planning on moving to in Europe, you should get in touch with the embassy of the country to enquire about a visa and what you need to send in your application. This can vary depending on the visa.
Before you apply for a visa, you must have a valid passport. It is important to make sure that your passport is in date and, if it’s not, you must renew it before you apply for a visa or travel. Don’t worry, if your passport expires while you are living abroad, you can renew it at your local embassy.
Get to know your destination
You’re going to be living there for the foreseeable future, or at least for a while, so it’s important that you get clued up on where you’re going to live and research the area before you move. While the movies may suggest that you pack a bag and simply turn up, the reality is, it really pays off to know about the area you’re moving to beforehand. If you know exactly where you’ll be staying, start off with some simple research – there will likely be lots of blogs, articles and information online that will help prepare and excite you for your move.
Look out for things to do in the area, local supermarkets, shops, restaurants, gyms, local classes and activities that you can partake in, as well as researching the local language. If you are not too sure where you’re staying yet, do some research on good places to live or popular areas to move to.
Look into travel insurance
Before moving to Europe, it’s important that you also do some research into the national healthcare system. Every government handles their national healthcare system differently, and it’s important that you choose the best travel insurance plan for where you’re heading and your individual situation. It’s also important to remember that you have to deregister with the NHS scheme when you leave the UK. In addition to healthcare, travel insurance can also cover stolen items and passports, accidents, lost luggage and more. It’s always worth paying a little bit extra for a good travel insurance plan to ensure that you’re covered should a disaster happen while you’re living in Europe.
No matter how careful or organised you are, unfortunately, accidents do happen and it’s always best to be prepared for the worst.
Organise motor vehicle transportation
When moving to a new location in Europe, many people choose to take their vehicle with them. This can make travelling around easier and offer some comfort that you can get to and from work easily. Additionally, some people choose to take their caravan or motorhome with them when they move, particularly if they want to travel around the continent or explore the entire country while living there. Getting your vehicle to your new destination can be made easy with the help of an international auto transport company, such as SG Haulage Ltd.
When considering your mode of transport in your new destination, it is important that you consider the pros and cons of shipping your car, as well as the options of buying a new one or renting one while you’re there. If you do choose to use a vehicle haulage company to deliver your car to your new location, you can rest assured that your car will be handled professionally and safely throughout the journey. It can save you both time and money, too. Remember to make sure that your driving license and insurance covers you in your new country, and ensure that your MOT is up-to-date before you move.
Organise your finances and research local living costs
Before you set off to start your new adventure abroad, your finances need to be in order. Remember, moving house is an expensive affair, whether it’s down the road or across the world. In addition to all of the usual relocation costs, you’ll also have to take the cost of flights, international shipments, visa applications, passport renewals and more into consideration. All of these things really do add up, and you don’t want to be caught out by any unexpected costs or fees. It’s always a good idea to have at least six months worth of savings behind you when you move abroad.
If you want to keep your bank account, you’ll have to go to your bank and fill in some forms stating why you are relocating, for how long, what company you are going to be working for and more. It is important to note, however, that some Britons are not allowed to keep their UK bank account when they move abroad permanently.
In addition, it’s a good idea to search local living costs before you move, as well as the exchange rate. The cost of living will vary from place to place, but having a general idea of how much things cost is wise. From this, you can put together a monthly budget plan to ensure that you have enough money for food, utility bills, transport and living. Try to set aside some money for any unexpected or unanticipated costs that you encounter in your first few months of living abroad.
SG Haulage Ltd: road haulage and international freight specialists
If you are moving abroad, the experts at SG Haulage Ltd understand that driving your vehicle to your new location can be a burden – particularly when you have so many other things to sort out and organise on top. With 25 years’ experience in the industry and an extensive fleet of varied vehicles suitable for all sorts of haulage, you rely on us to transport your vehicle safely. Our team are experts in heavy haulage and can move your vehicle from the Lincoln, Nottingham and Grantham areas to destinations within Europe – particularly France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands or Spain.
All of our vehicles are maintained regularly and meet very high safety standards. We are proud to have various accreditations, both nationally and internationally, along with highly-trained drivers and members of staff. As the go-to road haulage company in Lincoln, Nottingham and Grantham, you can rely on us to go above and beyond to ensure that your vehicle, whether it be a caravan, car or motorhome, is transported safely and efficiently.
For more information about our services, simply visit our website or, alternatively, get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.
