Moving Abroad Checklist

There are so many things to think about when moving overseas. Whether you are relocating through work or retiring abroad, it can be overwhelming trying to think of each and every thing to remember before the big day. From organising passports and visas, to shipping your belongings and getting acquainted with a completely new culture. Luckily for you, we are here to help. We’ve put together a helpful checklist of things to organise when relocating overseas.

As early as possible

If you haven’t done so already, start researching your new destination thoroughly.
Make sure all passports are up-to-date.
Start sorting through all your belongings and decide what you want to take with you, what you’re going to store and what you’re going to dispose of. Remember, the more you take with you, the more expensive your shipping costs will be and remember we can store for you both here and abroad.
Finalise your preferred removal date with your Clockwork move manager and begin thinking about insurance values for your consignment and type of cover required
If you are moving to a non-English speaking country it’s worth learning a little of the local language.

6 weeks before moving

Check and confirm all your travel arrangements such as flights, trains or ferry reservations.
If you’re not moving into your new home straight away, organise any temporary accommodation or hotels at your destination.
If you need any vaccinations visit your doctor.
Don’t forget to advise doctors and dentists of your move and obtain your medical records. Check 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.
Notify your local council and check if you are due a Council Tax rebate

4 weeks before moving

Go over your move with your dedicated Clockwork move manager
If you are taking your car abroad, make sure your driving license and insurance covers you in your new country and make sure your MOT is up-to-date. Your international move co-ordinator can organise export certificates for any vehicles.
Arrange insurance cover for the move
Make a list of what you intend to take with you
Cancel any club memberships or subscriptions
Arrange to have your mail redirected
Pay outstanding bills, close relevant accounts and transfer or close your bank account.

3 weeks before moving

Clear out your loft, attic, shed or garage and dispose of or recycle anything you aren’t taking with you.
Speak to your international move manager to arrange storage at home or at your destination.

2 weeks before moving

Contact your electoral office about postal voting forms.
Dismantle large items of furniture
Arrange for a professional to disconnect kitchen appliances
Organise for utilities like gas, water and electricity meters to be read on the day of your move, your phone disconnected and any bills forwarded
Arrange for any rented items to be collected
Cancel milk, newspapers and pay local bills
Transfer or close bank accounts. If you are keeping any savings accounts open, notify them of your new address and fill in a ‘Not ordinarily resident’ form so you don’t have to pay tax on your savings.
Ensure possibly soiled items, such as outside furniture, bikes, shoes are cleaned in advance, with a power washer or good cleaning detergent. This will reduce the risk of fumigation / quarantine charges at destination.

1 week to go

Start emptying and defrost your fridge and freezer
Collect all important documents like birth and marriage certificates together ready to carry them with you on the move. Keep separate photocopies in a safe place.
Go over the final checks of your move with your international move manager
Get your foreign currency to use on arrival
Drain lawnmowers and other power equipment of petrol and oil
Label your furniture, draw up a plan of your new home, indicating what goes where. (Don’t polish your furniture prior to your move. Polishing surfaces can cause furniture to condensate when wrapped.)
Pack luggage for your journey, keeping with you all the items you’ll need on arrival. (Leave the packing of furniture and possessions to Clockworks’ expert packing teams.)

1-2 days before your move

Pack the items that you are travelling with eg. travel documents, passports, clothes, currency, medicines in your car or hand luggage.
Arrange with your neighbours to save a parking space outside your home for the removal vans

On moving day

Before the removal vehicle leaves, double check all your rooms, cupboards, loft, shed, garage etc to make sure that that everything you want to move is packed away.
If no-one is moving into your old home, turn off the power and drain or turn off the water supply, lock up and and hand over the keys to your estate agents.
Relax and enjoy your move while we look after the rest!

printer friendly moving abroad checklist