Moving house can be a very stressful time for your family, even more so if you are moving abroad. However, with some careful organisation and plenty of forward planning, we believe that it is possible to minimise the stress caused by the moving process!
In the spirit of creating a stress-free move abroad, we’ve developed a handy checklist that helps you to organise your big move, making sure you do all the important jobs that often get overlooked in the process of moving internationally.
Click here to download a PDF version of our Moving Abroad Checklist
12 Weeks Before the Big Move Abroad
Thoroughly sort through your belongings, decide what you are going to sell, store, dispose and take with you.
Make sure all of the family’s passports are up to date.
Start researching your new destination and learning the local language if required.
Confirm your visa and entry requirements.
Create a folder for all the paperwork involved with the move such as estimates, letters, receipts, phone numbers. It is also a good idea to check the documentation requirements for the country you are moving to. Many countries require that official paperwork is certified before it can be accepted.
Notify the children’s schools about the move and arrange for their records to be transferred to the new school.
Find out if your family need to have any vaccinations before moving and when you need to have them by. Book an appointment at the doctors and create an international vaccination record booklet.
If you have pets, make sure you read our guide here for further details on quarantine requirements etc.
Most countries will not accept your home country’s license. If you plan on driving in your new country of residence, take the test before you leave if possible.
Contact Removal Services Scotland and invite them to quote for your removal
Arrange a visit of an estimator to discuss all aspects of your move
Confirm dates with your RSS mover
Sign and return your contract and pay the charges
Book your flights.
6 Weeks Before the Move
Begin packing your belongings. Remember to use packing labels on the boxes. This will help when you reach your new home.
Ask your doctors, vet and dentist for copies of yours, your families and your pets’ medical records. While you are at the surgeries, organise a final check up for you, your family and your pets.
Research to see if you are covered for emergency health care in the country you are moving to, if you are not you may need to take out specialist health insurance.
Contact the post office to set up their mail re-routing service.
Contact your bank and explain that you are moving abroad.
Use our checklist to make sure you remember to notify all the important companies with your new address
Moving home can be a really difficult and traumatic upheaval for kids, especially when they are moving abroad. Check out our tips on how to prepare the kids for the big move.
3 Weeks Before the Move
We have already created a handy 3-week guide for moving house – check it out here. It covers everything you need to get ready for the big day.
Click here to download a PDF version of the guide
If you’re in the process of moving abroad, we really hope that our checklist proves to be helpful.
At Removal Services Scotland, we’re dedicated to making your family move as stress-free as possible. Feel free to get in touch or get an obligation-free quote on our website.