Starting a new life in a foreign country is as exciting as it sounds, but it also costs money. And while relocating your whole family abroad is already a challenge, moving overseas is a whole new level of stress, both mental and financial. If you don’t take the preparations seriously, things like flight tickets, visas, and shipping can accumulate into a considerable amount of cash, putting a financial strain on your journey.

Fortunately, if you start early and plan your moving adequately, you can relocate your family overseas cheaply. It’s only natural if you feel overwhelmed by all the tasks associated with moving. To help you relieve some of that stress, we’ve put together this concise guide to moving overseas. Below, you will find all the tasks you need to tackle beforehand – from selling the stuff you don’t need to choosing sea freight over air freight to vaccinating your pets and beyond. Check it out!

Decide What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

When you move your family overseas, you can’t just pack everything in your house and leave. First of all, it would be too expensive to ship all your belongings to another country. Second, you probably won’t need all of those things in your new life anyway. 

So, before you start packing, go through your belongings and decide what to take with you and what to leave behind. You can either sell the stuff you don’t need or donate it to charity. This way, you will declutter your home, earn some extra cash, and make someone else’s day. Win-win-win!

Choose the Right Way to Ship Your Belongings

Once you know what to take with you, it’s time to start thinking about how to ship your belongings overseas. The most common ways to do it are by air and sea. And while air shipping is faster and more convenient, it’s also more expensive. So, if you want to move your family overseas cheaply, we recommend choosing sea freight. Just remember to start planning your move early because it usually takes around 4-6 weeks for the shipment to arrive.

Hire a Moving Company

If you want to move your family overseas cheaply, you should consider hiring a moving company. In fact, today, you can find relocation companies that work in particular destinations, such as Bright Removals, which claims that “moving to Berlin is one of our specialties.” 

A professional mover will take care of all the tasks associated with moving, from packing and shipping your belongings to filling out the necessary paperwork. And while hiring a moving company will cost you some money, it will definitely save you a lot of time, effort, and stress in the long run.

Get Your Documents in Order

Moving your family overseas is a huge step, which is why you need to have all your documents in order before you leave. First and foremost, you need to apply for passports for everyone in your family. If you have young children, make sure their passports are valid for at least 6 months after the planned return date. 

Then, you need to check if you need any special visas to enter the country of your choice. And finally, don’t forget to get travel insurance – it will protect you and your family in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Notify the Relevant Authorities About Your Move

Once you have all your documents in order, it’s time to notify the relevant authorities about your move. Start by informing your current employer about your resignation (if you haven’t yet) and ask them for a letter of recommendation. Then, notify the local school district about your children’s withdrawal and request their transcripts. 

And finally, don’t forget to cancel all your subscriptions and memberships, such as gym memberships, Netflix accounts, etc.

Get Your Pets Ready for the Journey

If you’re moving with pets, you need to start preparing them for the journey as soon as possible. First of all, you need to get them vaccinated and make sure their vaccinations are up to date. Then, you need to get them microchipped and register their chip with an international pet registry. 

And don’t forget to pack all their things, such as food, favorite toys, and bedding. This will make the trip as well as the adaptation process less stressful for them.

Find a Place to Live in Advance

One of the most challenging parts of moving your family overseas is finding a place to live. If you don’t start looking for a new home early, you might end up paying too much or living in an unsuitable area. 

So, start your search as soon as possible and use all the resources at your disposal, such as online listings, real estate agents, and recommendations from locals and friends.

Conclusion

Moving your family overseas is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be a costly one. If you start planning your move early and tackle all the tasks associated with it, you can definitely save a lot of money. 

So, use the tips from this guide to make your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. By investing some time and effort now, you’re bound to ensure yourself and your loved ones a comfortable moving experience – even if it’s overseas! Good luck!