#moving #newlife #NewBeginnings. Well-deserved hashtags.
It simply doesn't matter if is your first or tenth time moving abroad. It always feels exciting! Before celebrating, let's go back in time and dive into my step-by-step guide about preparing for a smooth international relocation process.
Note: This guide mainly applies to cabin and flight crew relocating in Europe, either changing base or airline.
2 Months Before Relocation:
Employment contract: changing to a foreign contract/a foreign company often implies new rules regarding social security, taxation, health insurance etc. Check for double taxation agreements and pension schemes. If you are a contractor (not directly hired by the company), check carefully your rights and obligations. If the reason you are relocating is a new job, check your notice period with your current employer and respect it to avoid any unwanted surprises such as salary deductions or negative references! 📝😉
Accommodation: analyse your new country's market prices and decide if you wish to rent or buy a property. Decide if you would like to pass through a real estate agency or negotiate directly with the owner. Research the local law about tenants'/owners' rights, deposits, agency fees, taxation, notice period etc. Decide if you want to rent/buy a furnished/unfurnished property and the corresponding rules. If you are curious about an extremely bureaucratic renting process, take a look at my personal experience about renting in France. (It will definitely put a smile on your face 😂)Book a city trip to your new country before the D-Day to visit the properties and the surroundings. Agree with the agency/owner on the exact date of your relocation and the terms of the contract.
Budget: make a rough estimation of the start-up cost of your relocation. Ideally, insert and sum up the values using a spreadsheet. Common expenses are: rent, transportation (you/your family/car/pets/furniture etc.), new furniture*, VISA*, education fees, and cost of living for the first month. Try to split this big amount into smaller portions that you can save over the next few months to make the process manageable and lower the financial stress.
1 Month Before Relocation:
Employment terms: sign and send the required documents to your current/future employer. Even if you only change country and not employer, you will have to sign additional contracts/documents to comply with local law. Make sure you provide all the required documents on time - at least at the beginning, give yourself plenty of time to settle down by avoiding having to travel back and forth between 2 countries.
Language: one of the most important aspects is the local language knowledge. If you already know the language, challenge yourself with a linguistic exam to upscale your skills. If you only know some basics, don't worry! Subscribe to a language course. But make sure you dedicate an appropriate amount of time to learn the language. My advice is to study around 5-6 hours weekly. I assure you : it will make a huge difference to your expat experience! If you don't have time for face-to-face lectures, check for online options or practice on apps such as Duolingo. (the free version is good enough!)
Uniform fitting: for those of you changing airlines, make an appointment with the uniform provider well before the start date. Make sure you give enough time to the tailor if you wish to have an uniform that fits you nicely before the start date.
Transportation: check the prices of different transportation companies near you in case not everything fits in your car/decide to travel by plane. Compare and choose the best one in function of price, delivery dates, pick-up options, insurance, flexibility etc. I prefer carrying the valuable objects by car and sending the rest by truck/van. In case you need to transport high volumes, there are also convenient options to rent a half/full van.
Tip: try to reduce the transportation costs by sorting out your belongings. I personally only transport the essentials. Use the relocation as an opportunity to put some order in your stuff and life. Reduce/reuse/ recycle your personal objects. Moving abroad marks the beginning of your new life so make the best of it! ✨🎇
3 Weeks Before Relocation:
Pets: visit the vet and ask which are the rules of transporting your pet(s). If you travel by plane, check if the airline accepts pets and in which conditions. Make sure you have all your pet's travel documents signed/stamped and an approved travel cage.
Tip: Be extra vigilant regarding the rabies vaccination and with how many days in advance it should be done.
Furniture: If you are renting/buying an unfurnished apartment/house and plan to buy the furniture on the spot, check which local stores are available in your new country. If they have an online site, make a wish list and define a budget. Consider also the pickup/delivery/installation fees. If your basket got extremely big, see if you can pay in multiple instalments. (this is an useful option, as the relocation process can be expensive)
Accommodation contract: sign the contract well in advance to secure a living place, even if you have to pay some extra. Is much better to have a living place the moment you step into your new country than wasting valuable days/weeks in the hotels desperately seeking for a home.
2 Weeks Before Relocation:
Refine your travel plans: if you travel by plane, check in online and take a look at the baggage policy. If you travel by car, decide how many days you will travel and how many hours you plan to drive every day. Try to remain flexible with your plans -> if you can book the hotels with a free cancellation option, do it. (if you carry your pet, remember to tick the pet-friendly option)
Car: organize the car documents, including insurance. Prioritize solving any pending technical problems before leaving the country. Go to a garage and confirm your car is ready for the long trip.
1 Week Before Relocation:
Manage your subscriptions: ideally, remember to unsubscribe from all the paid services you will be unable to use after the relocation. (private medical subscription, gym membership, swimming pool/wellness centre, home TV/internet)
Timelines: now is the moment to optimize! Think about the date/hour you leave the country and the date/hour you expect to arrive in the new country. Provided that you already have a place to live, make sure you have the utilities functioning from the moment you arrive. It will certainly improve your experience! Schedule the furniture delivery at a convenient time. Think about your comfort and plan carefully to also maximize your budget.
Medical: visit your doctor for any pending routine checks you have to make. If your medical certificate is about to expire, revalidate it before departure if time allows.
Bank: decide what to do with your current accounts/deposits/economy accounts. If your cards are soon to expire, better renew them now.
Local goodies: buy everything you believe is not going to be available in your new country. This applies mostly to local delicacies that you might miss while abroad.
The D-DAY:
Providing that you carefully planned your trip, there is not much left to do. Wake up early for your trip but don't rush. Enjoy the time spent travelling, take sufficient breaks and enjoy your new life! 😉✈
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