Are you planning to leave your current home and set out to explore life abroad? Then not only a lot of new adventures await you, but also things that are worth considering before saying farewell to your homeland. That can be hard work. So that you can have a starting point and make sure you have not forgotten anything, have a look at our list of things to keep in mind when moving abroad.

Get the required documents and permits

When moving abroad, first check the completeness and validity of your travel documents. You can travel to some countries only with a national identification card or passport, while for others you must obtain a visa or, for example, vaccinations in advance. If you are planning to work in a new country, also do not forget to get a work permit and other important documentation that you may need and ideally get a sufficient number of copies of the necessary documents to take with you. Important documents that you should be sure to check before you move abroad include:

  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Employment or lease contract
  • Driving license/permit to drive in a foreign country
  • Document on completion of studies (certificate, diploma)
  • Insurance card (if you do not deregister in the Czech Republic and will not pay for health insurance abroad)

Check your outstanding debts and cancel services that you will not use

If this does not involve, for example, online television that you can and want to watch in your new home, terminate your subscription and cancel services that you will no longer use before you move abroad. Check your regular payment settings to see if you missed anything (such as a regular rental payment order). Return books to the library and see if you have any forgotten outstanding debts anywhere that could catch up with you in the future. Also, do not forget to change your (permanent/correspondence) address.

Of no less importance, think about health insurance. When you embark on a long-term stay abroad, you can suspend payment of health-insurance premiums in the Czech Republic and submit a written Declaration prior to departure. However, after your return and re-registration, you will have to provide proof that you had a health-insurance policy abroad (or, for example, an employment contract).

New bank account and telephone

In the new country, you will need a bank account in the local currency. You can request establishment of an account online at some banks; otherwise, will have to visit a branch in person after relocating. Find out which banks are located in the vicinity of your new residence, what the conditions for opening an account are and, primarily, what documents you will need to open an account. It is possible that the entire process will take a while, so you should prepare to have a sufficient amount of cash on hand or, as the case may be, find out what exchange rate your current bank uses and what fees are associated with using your current payment card abroad.

The same applies for your telephone. If you are relocating within the EU, you can use your current mobile tariff without a roaming surcharge, at least at the beginning. However, if you use it abroad on a permanent basis, the operator may charge you additional fees. Therefore, it also pays to get a new telephone tariff from a local operator and cancel or reduce your current tariff.

How will you move?

First, ask yourself the following questions: What will you take with you? Which means of transport will you choose for the move? If you have a (sufficiently large) car that you want to take with you, do not forget to also check the local regulations pertaining to motor vehicles. For example, in Germany you have to get an environmental badge before entering larger cities; elsewhere, you need motorway stamps and other licenses or permits.

Tip: When transporting your things by air, you can pack everything in suitcases, so that you will have your things at hand immediately, or send them separately and wait approximately one week for them to arrive – however, the volume of things that you can ship in this manner is relatively limited and in both cases you will probably have to pay extra, especially for larger and heavier luggage. Conversely, when relocating using maritime transport, you will wait up to three months for delivery. The golden middle way is to move by means of ground transport. Not only will you usually save money, but you will not have to wait more than a week for your things if you are relocating within Europe.

Arrange the method of transport in time (ideally, arrange your move abroad at least one month in advance) and make sure that all of your things arrive with you in good condition. Especially if you are moving fragile, large or heavy items, you should preferably entrust them to professionals. You will thus have the certainty that you will find everything in your new home just as you left it in your previous home and you will dispense with a lot of worries.

Moving abroad can be a piece of cake. You just need to know who to turn to

Relocating internationally is a challenge, but fortunately there are ways to make it much easier for you. In particular, having the right partners is one way to ensure that your move abroad goes smoothly. At MOVING Prague, we will facilitate communication with the customs authority for you, arrange insurance and provide you with certified packing materials for transport so that you do not have to concern yourself with most of the aspects of relocating. And if packing and moving really are not your passion, our movers will plan everything for you, pack and transport all of your things, clear them through customs and reassemble them for you at the destination, thus saving you a lot of energy, nerves and paperwork when moving. In addition to that, the whole team speaks fluent English, so you do not even have to worry about language barriers on the road.

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