Every year, millions of people around the world choose to move abroad permanently. Often, a range of reasons prompt this big life decision. In some cases, older adults will seek to move abroad after finishing their careers and entering retirement. At this stage of life, the attraction of moving to a warmer climate and enjoying a higher standard of living may prompt people to emigrate. Younger adults may choose to move abroad to allow them to take important promotions that require them to operate from a different country.
Regardless of the reason for emigration, it is important to plan thoroughly for the move. Your new country may have different rules on the circumstances for allowing entry, and these points should be considered at the outset. Visa and long-term citizenship requirements must be investigated as part of the planning stage for the move. This article will discuss three other key points to consider when moving abroad.
1. Shipping considerations
It is likely that when you move abroad, you will sell most of your non-essential possessions. Shipping goods overseas can be expensive, and many homeowners choose to sell their property with most of the home contents in situ as part of the total selling price. However, some items may be viewed as essential or have sentimental value that makes them prized possessions. Often, these goods may be too bulky to take with you in your in-flight luggage, so you must ship them overseas using a dedicated courier firm.
Start by getting a shipping quote online from a reputable firm with extensive experience delivering goods overseas. Typically, all you will need to do is enter the item weight, dimensions, and possibly its estimated value before you can retrieve a quote from the shipping website. Compare a range of courier and shipping firms in terms of price and timescales. Additionally, look at customer review sites with a shortlist of shipping firms to ensure that previous customers have been satisfied with the service they received.
2. Healthcare and health insurance
It is important to recognize that the healthcare system in your new country may be markedly different from your native country. While on the surface, it may seem that your new country provides free healthcare, this may not necessarily be so. Often, “free” healthcare is paid for by residents via a range of taxation and insurance requirements.
It is vital to check what healthcare services will be available to you in your new country and whether you will need some form of medical insurance. In many cases, taking out global medical insurance is highly recommended as it can provide peace of mind that you will be able to access key health services without charge should you become ill or injured.
3. Visit your destination before the move
Briefly, visiting your new country before you commit to moving out there permanently is important. Visiting the country for a week or two can give you a far better understanding of the lifestyle you will experience and the local culture. It can also be useful in allowing you to determine which area of the country you plan to rent or buy a property in and if there is an ex-pat community in the locality.