Planning Your Relocation

You have the desire to move, see new horizons and have a life changing experience and/or your company is relocating you to a different country. But leaving your old life behind, moving on to a new culture and way of life isn’t that easy it requires a lot of questioning about your intentions, planning and cash.


Especially if your move doesn’t just involve yourself it will be a long process just to get the Visa sorted, schools, finding employment, housing etc. and if you haven’t thought it through properly it might all be in vain.


First of all, it might be obvious, but before you give your resignation and sell your car, it is very important that you actually think about the reasons of your move and what you want to get from it. Everyone involved in your relocation must have a personal project they want to accomplish when they leave their home behind and if you are not clear about it you won't reach it and you might fly home on the first flight back.


So check out our Guide to a Successful Expatriation. It will give a list of subject you should consider before any relocation and tips on how to make the most out of it.


Now if you are really up for it, and you know what you want to get from this experience, here’s a list of topics you must think of before leaving:


1. Immigration: What Visa should you apply for? How long does it take to get the Visa granted? Does it give you full working rights? When can you enter the country?


2. Employment: Can you be relocated by your current company? Should you take a sabbatical or ask for unpaid leave the time of your expatriation or until you know you actually like your new life? Will you be able to find employment in your field? Or will you have to adapt? How will it affect your career? What salary should you expect?


3. What are you going to do with your house? Sell it or rent it? This involves fees, taxes and time maybe a lose make sure you take it into consideration


4. Furniture, car and personal effects: What will you sell, give away, recycle or pack up and take with you? How are you going to arrange the removal? Can everything fit in a suitcase or do you need a full 40 foot container?


5. Funding: Have you got enough savings to cover the cost of the removal? What if finding a job takes time, how long will you be able to last?


6. Education: Is there a good school for your children where you are moving? Will their education suffer from the move? What University programs you should opt for?


7. Medical: Are you covered by your home insurance? What local insurance to choose? Do you need vaccination?


8. Furry friends: It can take up to 6months to get all vaccination and quarantine cleared so prepare in advance.


9. Flights: How are you going to get there?


10. Accommodation: Where are you going to stay at first? Should you rent from overseas without visiting? Where to go to find a flat? Which suburbs? Which budget?


11. Banking: Will you use your home bank for daily expenses in France? How much does your bank change you for overseas transactions? With which French bank should you open a bank account with? How will you organize funds transfer?


12. Registering with the French Tax Office: You will have to open a Social Security Number, get it done as soon as possible


13. Inform your home country of your move: Which organizations do you need to inform of your move before leaving?


14. Register at your new local embassy or consulate: Will be essential if you lose your passport or need help from your government for any reason


15. Telecommunication: Quite soon in your relocation you will have to get a French SIM card, in order to be contacted from future employers and create relationships or be contacted easily from home. Find out what are the best packages for expats.