Moving Abroad: The Complete Pre-Departure Checklist
Every step from deciding to retire abroad to stepping off the plane. Documents, banking, healthcare, shipping, and what to do in the first week.
Moving Abroad: The Complete Pre-Departure Checklist
You have picked a country. The visa is submitted (or you have confirmed you do not need one). Now you need to actually move. Here is the complete checklist, from six months out to the first week after arrival.
6 months before: foundation
- Get your passport in order. It must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned entry date. Some countries require a full year. Renew it now if it is close.
- Research the visa application timeline. Some retirement visas (Portugal D7, Spain non-lucrative) can take 3-4 months from application to approval. Start early.
- Order your criminal background check. Most visa applications require an FBI background check (US) or ACRO (UK), apostilled. These can take weeks.
- Get your documents apostilled or legalized. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and pension statements may all need an apostille from the issuing country. This is tedious. Start now.
- Open an international bank account or a Wise/Revolut account. You will need a way to move money without losing 3-5% on every transfer. Wise and Revolut offer near-market FX rates and local bank details in multiple currencies.
3 months before: logistics
- Decide what to ship and what to sell. International shipping for a one-bedroom apartment worth of belongings typically costs $3,000-8,000 depending on origin and destination. For many retirees, selling large furniture and buying locally is cheaper and simpler.
- Get quotes from international movers. Get at least three quotes. Seven Seas Worldwide, Crown Relocations, and Allied Pickfords are common options. Ask about insurance: their standard coverage may not replace your items.
- Check customs rules. Most countries allow used household goods duty-free for new residents, but some have restrictions on electronics, vehicles, or alcohol. Check the destination country's customs website.
- Research pet import rules. Each country has its own rabies vaccination, microchip, blood test, and quarantine requirements. Some require a six-month lead time (Australia, New Zealand). Most European countries accept the EU pet passport if you start in the EU. See our full pet import guide for details.
- Notify your bank, pension provider, and investment accounts that you are moving abroad. Some will freeze accounts if they see foreign logins without notice. Others will not provide service to non-residents.
- Set up mail forwarding or a virtual mailbox. The USPS offers six-month domestic forwarding and temporary international forwarding. A virtual mailbox service (Traveling Mailbox, Anytime Mailbox) scans your mail so you can read it online.
1 month before: finalize
- Book your flight. One-way or round-trip with a flexible return date.
- Arrange temporary accommodation for the first 2-4 weeks. A hotel, Airbnb, or short-term rental gives you time to find a long-term place in person.
- Get travel health insurance that covers you from the day you land until your local coverage kicks in. Most retirement visas require proof of one year of Schengen or local health cover.
- See your doctor and dentist. Get a full checkup, refill prescriptions for 3-6 months, and ask for a copy of your medical records and a letter listing your conditions and medications (with generic names, not brand names).
- Photocopy and scan every important document. Passport, visa approval, birth certificate, marriage certificate, pension statements, medical records, insurance policies. Keep digital copies in a cloud folder and physical copies in your carry-on.
- Cancel or downgrade services you will not need: US cell phone plan (Google Fi works internationally; most others do not), streaming subscriptions tied to your home country, gym memberships.
1 week before: last checks
- Confirm your accommodation. Have the address, check-in instructions, and a backup plan.
- Pack essentials in your carry-on: all original documents, medications, a change of clothes, chargers and adapters, some local currency.
- Download offline maps of your destination city.
- Tell a trusted person your travel itinerary and accommodation address.
The first week
- Register your presence if required. In many EU countries, you must register at the local town hall within 3-30 days of arrival with your passport and rental contract.
- Apply for your residence card if you arrived on a visa that requires in-country conversion. Do this as soon as possible: appointments fill up.
- Get a local SIM card. In most countries, you can buy a prepaid SIM at the airport or any phone shop with just your passport. Monthly plans with data run $10-30 in most retirement destinations.
- Visit the local tax office to register for a tax identification number. You will need this for banking, renting, and eventually filing.
- Open a local bank account. Requirements vary but generally include your passport, visa or entry stamp, local address proof (rental contract), and tax ID. Some banks are more expat-friendly than others -- ask in local expat groups.
- Register for healthcare. In countries with public healthcare for residents, bring your residence permit and tax ID to the local health centre. In countries where you need private cover, activate your policy.
- Join the local expat Facebook group. It is the fastest way to find a doctor, a plumber, a good restaurant, and friends.