Thinking of Moving Abroad?

Whether you are just leaving for a few short months or indefinitely, starting over in a new country is as exciting as it is anxiety-inducing.

Fitting into a new culture, negotiating the tax system and understanding what to pack are all worries that will be swimming around your head right now.

Here, we have summarised the main areas to help you get your thoughts in order long before getting on that plane.

General advice

• Do your homework – Moving abroad is a bureaucratic process that requires considerable organisation. There are certain aspects of life that you take for granted when you are at home which you will need to pay careful attention to when you leave. Look at currency exchange rates. How much tax will you have to pay abroad? Will you still have to pay income tax to HMRC, your host country’s government, or even both? Find out if your driving licence will still be valid in your host country or if you can keep using your UK one for a certain length of time. If you are paying off your student loan, you will be required to fill in an Overseas Assessment form so the Student Loans Company can keep track of your income because you still need to make payments once you reach a certain threshold.
• Get your paperwork in order – Ensure you have all the documents you need for living in your new country and that your passport is valid for an adequate amount of time. Get copies of your certificates, medical and dental records, insurance documents, pet’s medical records and children’s school records.
• Have your mail redirected – As much as there are probably things you would gladly allow to get lost in the mail, it’s important that any credit card or other bills find their way to you so you don’t get into difficulties further down the line. Therefore, provide any relevant parties with your new address. You can also get Royal Mail to redirect your post to your next home.
• Tell people you are leaving – You are required to tell certain organisations that you plan to leave the country. These are HMRC, the Social Security Office and the Department of Work and Pensions. You should also inform your doctor. If you are still paying off student loans, be sure to get in touch with the Student Loans Company too.

Time to pack

So you have set your heart on a new adventure. Good luck! Now down to the essentials of packing up your old life.

Take with you

• Important documentation and paperwork including insurance policies, health records and degree transcripts if you are planning to study;
• Passport and driving licence;
• Essential clothes suitable for the new climate;
• Mobile phone – Worth having while you wait to buy an international one;
• Laptop – Check it will work in your new country;
• Hard-drive with file backups – In case you can’t use your laptop or if it breaks in transit;
• Useful telephone numbers in case of emergency;
• Medication – Take a supply of medication with you including any prescription medication as it may not be easy to get hold of in your new country;
• A bilingual dictionary if your host country doesn’t speak English;
• Home comforts – Culture shock is a terrible thing and may rear its ugly head, so pack a few feel-good items that make you feel instantly at home. That could be your favourite TV show on your hard-drive or music on your iPad, or a childhood teddy bear. We don’t judge!

Leave at home

Certain items are going to be difficult to transport straightaway. Consider leaving them in storage until you have a clearer idea of what you will require in your new home:

• Furniture – When you first move, you may not have anywhere to move into, so leave your bed, sofa and dining set at home until you know what’s what. You may be able to find accommodation that is already furnished.
• Clothes and shoes – Not all your clothes will be suitable for a new climate. Don’t get rid in case you come home or want to sell them on eBay at a later point. It’s also worth looking at the fashion in your new country. For example, little black dresses and stiletto heels will not be useful if people over there tend to go out on the town wearing jeans and flats.
• Books – Books are difficult to give up, but they take up a lot of space. Pick a handful of your favourites and keep the rest at home. Swap them each time you pay a visit home for others you haven’t read yet.
• Sentimental items – If you are going away backpacking, then photographs, ornaments and other keepsakes will only get in the way.

 

If you decided to move all your belongings abroad, you can give authorisation to a trusted relative to pack up your storage unit and organise the shipping for you.

In the meantime, you can leave these items safely and securely at Rent A Space for as long as you need.