For anyone moving abroad, there are a whole range of different things you need to consider in order to give yourself a sustainable life when you get there. These are some of the most important things to sort out before you go.
Visa
While you won’t need to worry about this if you’re moving within the EU, anyone hoping to live and work further afield will need to get the appropriate visa. This can be especially challenging for countries such as Australia and Canada which have strict rules about what sort of professions they are looking for. Most countries do provide guidelines for the types of skilled workers they are most in need of, for example information about Australia’s required professions can be found here.
Bank account
Managing your money abroad can be tricky. One way to simplify things is by opening an international bank account. This will allow you to easily keep any financial commitment in the UK, such as mortgage payments, while also allowing you instant access to your money abroad. You will normally be able to set up two bank accounts, one in sterling and one in the currency of your new country with free transfers between the two.
Pensions
For those with pensions, it’s important to be aware that your payments may be frozen at their current rate depending on where you move to. If you are going to be living in the EU or a country with an agreement with the UK, you should still get the same annual increases you would expect if you were living here. However, popular destinations for emigrants such as Canada and Australia do not have pension agreements with the UK, so it’s important to make appropriate provisions if moving to one of these countries.
Health insurance
When you move abroad you will no longer be covered by the NHS. It’s important to check exactly what the rules regarding healthcare are in your new country, but most likely you will need to get private health insurance, so it’s a good idea to find out how much this might cost in advance, allowing you to budget appropriately. You’ll also need to contact your GP before you go so they can take you off the NHS register.
Housing
Whether you have permanent housing arranged before you go or not, it’s a good idea to ask for a letter of reference from your bank. This can be a big help when renting abroad, so is worth having ready even if you don’t immediately need it.
If you’re planning on buying abroad, make sure you are familiar with all the local property and inheritance laws as these can often be very different from those in the UK. It’s vital to know exactly what you are paying for and how this will work as a long term investment.
If you’re planning a move abroad, Intransit can help. We offer a range of services and have numerous useful contacts, so can help you with export wrapping, getting all the necessary insurance, correctly clearing customs and sorting out all the relevant paperwork. To find out more, call us on 01225 759 200 or get in touch using our online contact form.
