17 Crucial Things to do Before Moving to Another Country

Last Updated on November 21, 2024 by Kirsten Raccuia

Tearing your hair out looking for a genuine list of things to do before moving to another country? You’ve clicked on the right page. 

If you’ve been dreaming about life in a land far, far away for years but suddenly feel overwhelmed by the nitty gritty of moving overseas, you’re not alone. 

It’s tough to hop from A to B without stress, but with these tried-and-tested tips, it’ll be a smooth(er) transition. 

1. Check your ATM card for foreign fees

You’ve landed in your new city. It’s time to take out some cash and check out the local restaurants (AKA the best part of living somewhere new).

But wait — the ATM fee is how much?

Foreign fees can seriously take the pep out of your step, especially if you don’t consider them until you’ve moved. 

Before you go, check your bank’s foreign fee policy. If it charges extortionate amounts, set up an alternative. Schwab cards and WISE banking are good options for jet setters and fee-free banking. 

Also, skip ATMs that aren’t with official banks. For example, if you’re headed to Europe, avoid Euronet ATMs like the plague unless you want bad exchange rates and hefty fees. In Mexico, avoid ATMs like Jose’s ATM at the OXXO. Go for ATMs with familiar-sounding banks, like Citibank, Bankomex, and Bank of America.

2. Organize a phone plan or eSIM

Phone plans are another tedious part of moving abroad, and you’ll likely forget until you land on foreign soil.

Sometimes, you’ll have to wait until you arrive to get a cheap, local sim. But if you want to be ready from the get-go, you can pre-buy an eSIM before you fly. 

eSIMs are digital versions of SIM cards. For the best deal, you can get them with most mainstream networks or with dedicated eSIM companies, like Airalo. We used Airalo in Colombia, and it worked without fail from the minute we touched down until we turned it off on the way back to Mexico.

You’ll thank yourself for pre-buying one when you can text your family and friends to let them know you’ve arrived safe and well. It’ll save you an inbox with 10,000 messages wondering if you’ve gone MIA!

If you’re an American moving to Mexico, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all work here. So, just contact them and make sure you don’t need to change any settings before you come. 

3. Declutter your wardrobe (and your life)

Sure, packing your clothes is essential when moving, but the real hack is decluttering your wardrobe before you pack.

Unless you’re packing up in a large van, you’re likely limited to a few suitcases. This is fine if you’re already a bonafide minimalist. But for the rest of us, squeezing your clothing collection (plus everything else!) into a standard baggage allowance is tough. 

I was in the fashion industry before we moved to Malaysia in 2013. You can imagine how incredible my closet was. Have your friends come over and take what they want, and then donate the rest. It’s freeing. 

If possible, start clearing out months before you leave. This way, you can pack the essentials without a last-minute mad panic. 

Also, it helps to follow a checklist for moving abroad. This way, you’ll remember kitchen appliances and other miscellaneous items.

But above all, do your absolute best to avoid storage units! 

They are just a waste of money — for real. I know because we have a very small one full of things like pictures and my Gramma’s china. 

Every year, we go back and get mad about the money we’ve wasted, but I can’t get rid of old photos. However, I’ve figured out a new hack! Next time we go back, we will go through all our old pictures and send the best to a service that will digitize them. 

Then, I’ll buy a digital frame and stick them all on there. So they will be with me wherever we move. It’s the best idea I’ve come up with, but if you have a better way, send me a message in the comments. 

4. Backup your laptop

When was the last time you backed your laptop onto a hard drive? That long, huh?

Most things to do before moving to another country involve preparation. Don’t leave your tech out of the equation.

Back up your laptop before you leave so you have a second copy if something happens during your journey. 

We use Backblaze (thank you, Ed), which backs it up with some sort of fancy fandangled cloud technology that is far over my head (Don’t judge. I don’t need to know the minutiae 🙂). But if my computer ever crashes, gets stolen, or I throw it off the roof in a moment of madness, they will send me a copy of everything on it to make it all better. It’s like having a computer lifeline, and I’ll take it.  

5. Learn a little of your new language

Learning a new language is a classic thing to think about before moving to a foreign country.

You don’t need to be fluent by the time you arrive. But you should have a few basic phrases.  

Start the local language with a basic app like Duolingo a month or so before you leave. 

Want a more human approach to the language barrier? On iTalki, you can connect with professional teachers and speak from the comfort of your home. Easy.

6. Get a virtual mailbox

I hear you saying, “But Kirsten, most bills are paid online, so who cares about mail?”

And you are right. 

But some things must be mailed, like new credit cards, some banking things, and certain tax info, too. Who is going to handle those? 

A virtual mailbox service (also called mail forwarding services, digital mailboxes, or online mailboxes) will.

In a nutshell, they will open your mail, send you a copy of it, and then you get to decide what to do with it: shred it, recycle it, or send it to wherever you are in the world. 

We use Anytime Mailbox, and it’s been instrumental in getting our important docs to us. But we have friends who swear by Traveling Mailbox, too.

Here is a rundown of the best mail forwarding services out there.

7. Get certified copies of important docs

You’ve probably already considered getting copies of all your medical and immunization records. 

But what about your college diploma, birth and marriage certificates, and background check? 

We were super surprised when we were asked for a few of these to obtain visas or to open bank accounts.

You may never need them, but it’s much easier to get them before you leave than trying to get them mailed to a foreign country, even with a mail-forwarding service. 

Cover all your bases. 

8. Swap to e-Books

I know, I know. There’s a special joy that comes with real books.

But when you’re moving abroad, you can’t take your bookshelf. 

Don’t give up reading. Swap to a Kindle so you can still enjoy the thrill of literature without building extra arm muscles in the transport process. 

Keep your luggage as lightweight as possible to simplify your life and journey. 

9. Buy a digital photo frame

Ask all your friends and family to add their favorite pictures to your digital frame. We love the Aura Frame. Don’t look at the images until you set it up abroad. 

Then, you’ll have lovely reminders from everyone as it rotates through their photos. Do yourself a favor and pack extra Kleenex for this tip. 

10. Pack a few home comforts

Have a favorite snack that’s only available at home? Bring it. 

Your fave sweater that reminds you of Gramma? Pack it.

Snacks and comforts might seem minor. Yet when you need a little bit of home hit (and you will), you’ll praise your past self for thinking ahead. 

Hint: Not all countries offer the same over-the-counter meds. A few supersized packs of Advil will be your best friend, especially if your new country of residence has stricter laws than the United States.

11. Get an international driver’s license

Will you be a public transportation regular? Or are you planning to drive?

If you’re a driver, remember to bring your current driver’s license, and before you leave, get an international driving permit. They are super easy to get and are valid in 150 countries. We usually just walk into an AAA, and in 20 minutes and $20, we leave with it. 

But now you can also do it online.

12. Set up WiFi

If you’ve ever moved or changed internet providers, you’ll know how frustrating it is to finally be in your dream home but unable to use the internet, especially if you work from home, as we do. 

WiFi is easy to forget about until you need it, and it’s notoriously hard to book an immediate set-up in pretty much any country.

In Malaysia and Mexico, our new landlords helped us set it up the day we moved in, so we didn’t have to wait. 

But if you know your new address before you leave, sign up as soon as possible so there will be no downtime. 

With some luck, you’ll be able to move in and have your connection installed without a complicated process a few days later.  

Unable to do so? Use an eSIM instead. See step two for more info!

13. Create a monthly budget

Getting your finances in order is a typical step before a big move. 

But don’t wait until you arrive to create a budget. Set a detailed outline before you hop on the plane. Remember, different countries have different costs of living!

Yes, this will seem like extra work. However, having a premade budget will make settling into daily life abroad easier. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind and won’t accidentally overspend.

My advice? Either go traditional with a spreadsheet or spend a few dollars a month on a budgeting app. Pocketguard is a popular alternative to making your own sheet.

Don’t forget the main categories:

• Rent/mortgage
• Insurance
• Utility bills
• Groceries
• Savings
• Tax obligations
• Transport

Once you’ve spent a few months in your new home country, you can adjust your budget as needed. You’ll be a personal finance guru in no time.

14. Read other expat’s experiences

Moving to a different country is exciting, and if you’re here, you’re already probably knee-deep in blogs about moving. 

However, ensure you devour it all — the good, the bad, and the ugly. In fact, you should look for the ugly. It’s hard to be truly prepared when all you read is unicorns and rainbows. No place is perfect, and you know it.

Cultural differences are a big part of moving to foreign lands. And if you want your new life to kick off without avoidable jolts, it’s a good idea to read about other expat experiences with culture shock. This way, you can mentally prepare for these differences and plan around them. 

Some of my favorite blogs about living abroad are:
Eternal Expat
Inspired by Croatia
Oui in France
Cheapest Destinations Blog

Here are a few more.

Reddit is a stellar place to find real-life experiences — particularly in r/expats. But you should also check out online forums or social media pages for your new home. 

15. Purchase travel insurance while you look for health insurance

If you don’t have health insurance for your new country, make sure you purchase at least a month of travel health insurance to cover your move. 

Depending on your plan, this may or may not apply to you. Some countries require valid health insurance before you’re granted a work permit or digital nomad visa. In this case, keep scrolling!

I get it. You may not want to go all-in with an expensive health insurance plan before you arrive. Maybe you’re even hoping to land a job that has an insurance package. Or perhaps you’re initially visiting on a tourist visa.

Either way, a month of cheap travel insurance is critical. You never know when you’ll need medical care. Don’t gamble!

World Nomads is an excellent short-term pick that covers plenty of countries. Feather Insurance is another reliable option for European moves.

16. Throw a going away party!

Moving countries is a huge step, and you’ll be flat-out busy before you leave. 

Between packing and organizing work visas, making a permanent move doubles your workload. Spending time with your family members often feels impossible, even though you know you won’t see them for a while. 

Throwing a party probably feels like the last thing you want to add to your to-do list. However, seeing everyone in one place will save you time in the long run. 

Stay with me here!

If you dedicate one day to saying goodbye, you won’t miss anyone out, and you can switch off and be in the moment with those you love. We had one in Chicago and again in Penang, and it’s really beautiful to have all the people you care about in one place.

Whether you throw a shindig at home or visit a local restaurant, it’s the best way to wave goodbye to your old life. Have some Kleenex on hand for those bittersweet moments. 

17. Cut yourself some slack

Feel your blood pressure rising? I get it. 

The list of things to do before moving to another country grows each time you cross something off.

The run-up to moving is chaotic, and this won’t stop once you land. The first month or two will likely also be hectic. 

Be selfish and take a moment for yourself now and then. It’ll help you cut through the noise. You moved abroad for a reason, spend a little time discovering your new home. 

The bottom line

Moving to another country is no walk in the park! It’s more of a hike up Mount Everest. Rocky, but once you get to your destination, it’s one hell of an adventure. 

Hopefully, this list has provided extra insight into the lesser-discussed things to do before you move. Pair this with an expat checklist, and you’ll be ready to go.

You’ve got this. Good luck.
Keep learning about expat life here.

Photo cred: 1, 3 & 4 DepositPhotos.com