So you’ve spent your life dreaming about international travel. After years of holidaying overseas, you’ve decided to take the next step – turning a once-a-year experience into a permanent move. Congratulations! Living overseas can have all the benefits of a holiday: better weather, improved mental health, and cultural immersion. But it requires planning. We’re sharing some of the most common pitfalls made by movers, which, with just a little foresight, can be avoided to make the transition as seamless as possible.

1. Imagining the dream and not the reality

Enjoying a two-week holiday in the south of France is not the same as living there. You’ll still have all the day-to-day stresses of work, relationships, health and money, compounded by living in a country where you may not speak the language. Research is essential to help your migration go smoothly. Make a familiarisation visit to scope out schools and jobs. Instead of travelling like a tourist, think like a local; visit estate agents and read the local newspaper to find out what the community cares about.

2. Leaving everything to the last minute

Good organisation is essential. The most important factor in relocating overseas will be the physical act of moving your belongings. Hire a firm that’s experienced in international removals and spend time asking them the right questions. Do they have insurance? How long will it take your possessions to arrive? You should think about packing as early as possible. Measure up furniture to make sure that it fits into your new space. Downsize where appropriate – many items can be purchased on arrival, and if not, can you live without them while you’re waiting for them to arrive? If your packing decisions change, ensure that you advise the removals firm so that they bring the correct size vehicles with them.

3. Paperwork avoidance

Admin is a dull but necessary part of the moving process. Passports should have at least a year’s validity left and visas should be diligently researched. If you have pets, consider their vaccinations and any required paperwork. Have a property to sell? Put it on the market early, giving yourself the maximum amount of time to complete. Make a list of every single business to notify, from HMRC and your doctor to your Netflix subscription. Plan, plan, plan!

4. Being a financial ostrich

Aside from the expense of moving, there are all sorts of tax and financial implications when looking to relocate overseas. Putting your head in the sand is not an option. Getting expert advice is a good idea, to help you maximise your income and minimise any tax losses. Also consider whether you want to start applying for work in advance of the move, giving you a safety net of a salary on arrival.

In the meantime, if you would like a quote, or more advice on the overseas removals process, give us a call on 0208 xxx xxxx or send us an email on xxxx@xxxxxxx