What to Do Before Moving to Another Country

Documents

• Passport validity well beyond your planned arrival
• Civil documents: birth, marriage, divorce, custody where relevant
• Education and professional qualification certificates
• Certified translations and any legalisation your destination requires
• Digital copies stored securely, plus one paper set in hand luggage

Money

• Tell your bank you are moving so accounts are not frozen
• Understand transfer costs and avoid moving large sums at a bad rate
• Budget for a deposit plus two to three months of living costs
• Check your tax position in the country you are leaving
• Keep one working card from your home country as a backup

Health

• Request your medical records and vaccination history
• Carry prescriptions with generic drug names, not only brand names
• Arrange cover for the gap between departure and local entitlement
• Complete dental and specialist appointments you have already started

Housing and logistics

• Book temporary accommodation rather than signing a long lease from abroad
• Get moving quotes, or decide what to sell, store and take
• Plan arrival day: transfer, luggage, keys and a working phone
• Check pet, vehicle and customs requirements early — they have long lead times

Loose ends people forget

• Cancel or transfer subscriptions and insurance policies
• Set a forwarding address and update it with institutions that still post letters
• Give someone you trust access to essential documents in an emergency
• Record meter readings and settle final bills

Arrange services before departure

Airport transfer, connectivity, apartment search and translation can all be booked in advance through the marketplace, and having them in place makes the first week far calmer. If your move depends on residency, compare professionals early rather than after arrival.