Moving Abroad Checklist: Everything You Need Before You Go

Moving to another country is one of the most exciting decisions you will ever make — and one of the most logistically demanding. The difference between a smooth transition and months of preventable stress almost always comes down to preparation. People who wing it end up scrambling for apostilled documents from overseas, paying rush fees on visas, and discovering their bank cards do not work at the worst possible moment.

This moving abroad checklist breaks the entire process into five phases, from the early planning stage all the way through your first week in your new country. It covers the items most guides include — passports, visas, banking — and the ones most people forget until it is too late: power of attorney, mail forwarding, prescription transfers, and digital infrastructure.

If you have not yet decided where you are moving, start with our framework for choosing a country or take the personalized WhereNext quiz to get a data-driven shortlist. This checklist assumes you have a destination in mind and are ready to execute.

Phase 1: 6–12 Months Before Your Move

This is the strategic phase. The decisions you make now determine how smoothly everything else unfolds. Rushing these steps is the single biggest source of relocation stress.

Documents and Legal

• Check your passport expiration. Most countries require at least six months of validity beyond your arrival date. If your passport expires within a year, renew it now. Standard US passport renewal takes 6–8 weeks; expedited processing is 2–3 weeks. Do not wait.
• Research visa requirements for your destination. Every country has different visa categories, income thresholds, and processing timelines. Digital nomad visas, retirement visas, and work permits all have different documentation requirements. Start this research early because some visa applications require documents that take months to obtain. Our visa accessibility guide covers the most expat-friendly options.
• Gather vital documents and get apostilles. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, academic transcripts, and professional licenses may all need apostille certification for international use. An apostille is a standardized authentication recognized by countries that are part of the Hague Convention. Processing times vary by state or country but typically take 4–8 weeks.
• Obtain a criminal background check. Many visa applications require an FBI background check (for US citizens) or equivalent from your home country. The FBI check takes approximately 12–18 weeks by mail. Plan accordingly.
• Set up a power of attorney. Designate someone you trust to handle legal and financial matters in your home country while you are abroad. This covers situations like signing documents, managing property, or handling unexpected legal issues. A general durable power of attorney is the most flexible option.

Finances and Taxes

• Consult an international tax advisor. This is not optional. Tax obligations vary enormously depending on your citizenship, destination country, income sources, and applicable tax treaties. Americans owe US taxes regardless of where they live, but provisions like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and foreign tax credits can significantly reduce your burden. Getting this wrong is expensive.
• Open an international-friendly bank account. Many domestic banks freeze or close accounts when they detect extended overseas activity. Banks like Charles Schwab (no foreign ATM fees), Wise (multi-currency accounts), and Revolut are popular with expats. Open these accounts while you still have a domestic address.
• Notify your existing bank and credit card companies. Alert them to your upcoming international activity so they do not flag your transactions as fraud. Ask about foreign transaction fees and consider switching to cards that waive them.
• Build an emergency fund. Moving abroad always costs more than you expect. Aim for at least three to six months of living expenses accessible in a liquid account. You will need funds for deposits, setup costs, and the inevitable surprises.

Phase 2: 3–6 Months Before Your Move

With the strategic foundations in place, this phase is about converting plans into concrete actions. Visa applications, healthcare transitions, and housing decisions happen here.

Visa and Immigration

• Submit your visa application. Most long-term visa applications require an in-person appointment at a consulate. Book this as early as possible — popular consulates can have wait times of several weeks for appointments alone. Bring every required document, plus copies. Missing a single item can delay your application by months.
• Translate key documents. Many countries require certified translations of your documents into the local language. Use a sworn or certified translator recognized by your destination country. Machine translations are not accepted for legal purposes.
• Research local registration requirements. Many countries require you to register with local authorities within a specific window after arrival — often 30 to 90 days. Know what this process involves before you land.

Healthcare

• Secure international health insurance. Do not rely on travel insurance for a long-term move. Providers like Cigna Global, Allianz Care, SafetyWing, and Integra Global offer plans designed for expats, covering everything from routine care to emergency evacuation. Compare plans carefully: coverage areas, deductibles, pre-existing condition policies, and whether your destination country’s public system is accessible to you.
• Schedule vaccinations and health screenings. Check CDC and WHO recommendations for your destination. Some countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry. Even if not required, consider vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and region-specific diseases. Get a full dental checkup and eye exam before you leave.
• Stock up on prescriptions. Get a 90-day supply of any regular medications. Ask your doctor for a letter describing your prescriptions by generic name (brand names vary internationally), dosage, and medical necessity. Research whether your medications are available and legal in your destination country.
• Request complete medical and dental records. Have your providers prepare comprehensive records you can carry with you. Digital copies are ideal, but hard copies serve as backup.

Housing

• Decide on temporary versus permanent housing. Most expat advisors recommend securing temporary accommodation for the first one to three months — a furnished short-term rental or serviced apartment — while you search for long-term housing on the ground. Signing a long-term lease from abroad is risky because photos lie, neighborhoods feel different in person, and landlords sometimes take advantage of remote tenants.
• Research rental platforms for your destination. Every country has different dominant platforms. Idealista for Portugal and Spain, Immobilienscout24 for Germany, DDProperty for Thailand, Funda for the Netherlands. Learn the local platform before you arrive so you can hit the ground running.
• Understand lease terms and tenant rights. Deposit requirements, lease durations, notice periods, and tenant protections vary dramatically by country. In some places, tenants have strong legal protections. In others, landlords hold most of the power. Know where you stand.

Phase 3: 1–3 Months Before Your Move

Execution mode. The big decisions are made. Now it is about logistics, shipping, and tying up loose ends at home.

Shipping and Belongings

• Decide what to ship, sell, store, or donate. Most expats dramatically overestimate what they need to bring. Shipping a full household internationally costs $3,000–$10,000 or more and takes 4–12 weeks by sea. For many people, selling most belongings and buying new essentials abroad is cheaper and less stressful. Keep only what is irreplaceable or has genuine sentimental value.
• Get quotes from international movers. If you are shipping items, get at least three quotes from reputable international moving companies. Ask about door-to-door service versus port-to-port, insurance coverage, customs clearance assistance, and estimated delivery windows. Read reviews carefully — the cheapest quote is rarely the best value.
• Inventory valuable items. Photograph and document everything you are shipping for insurance purposes. Note serial numbers for electronics. Some countries charge import duties on household goods, while others allow duty-free importation for new residents within a specific timeframe.

Home Country Logistics

• Set up mail forwarding or a virtual mailbox. Services like US Global Mail, Anytime Mailbox, and Traveling Mailbox provide a permanent US address, scan your mail, and forward packages internationally. This keeps your domestic address active for banking, tax correspondence, and government communications.
• Notify government agencies. Update your address with the IRS (if applicable), Social Security Administration, and your state’s election board if you plan to vote from abroad. Register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) through your country’s embassy in your destination.
• Handle your living situation. Give proper notice to your landlord, list your property for rent or sale if you own, or arrange for a property manager. If breaking a lease, understand the financial penalties and negotiate where possible.
• Cancel or pause subscriptions and services. Gym memberships, streaming services tied to your home region, utilities, internet, phone plans, storage units — audit every recurring charge and decide what to cancel, pause, or transfer.

Phase 4: The Final Month

The last 30 days are about precision. Double-check everything, handle the digital transition, and say your goodbyes.

Digital Preparation

• Set up a VPN. A reliable VPN is essential for accessing home-country streaming services, banking portals, and websites that may be restricted in your destination. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are popular choices. Install and test it before you leave.
• Download essential apps for your destination. Local ride-hailing apps (Grab in Southeast Asia, Bolt in Europe, DiDi in Latin America), food delivery platforms, translation apps (Google Translate with offline language packs), and local mapping services. Download these while you still have reliable WiFi.
• Back up everything. Cloud-backup your phone, laptop, and important documents. Store copies of your passport, visa, insurance cards, and critical documents in a secure cloud service you can access from anywhere. Email yourself copies as a last resort backup.
• Research local phone and internet options. Know whether to get a local SIM card on arrival or switch to an international eSIM provider like Airalo or Holafly. Many countries require passport registration to activate a local SIM.
• Update your accounts to work internationally. Enable two-factor authentication with an authenticator app (not SMS, which may not work with a new phone number). Update recovery phone numbers and email addresses. Ensure your password manager syncs across devices.

Social and Emotional

• Make time for goodbyes. This sounds obvious, but people consistently underestimate how emotionally taxing the final weeks are. Schedule time with the people who matter. Do it intentionally rather than trying to squeeze everyone into a frantic last weekend.
• Join expat communities in your destination. Facebook groups, Reddit communities, InterNations, and local expat forums are invaluable for practical advice and early social connections. Join before you arrive so you can ask questions and line up meetups for your first weeks.
• Start learning the local language. Even basic phrases make a significant difference. Duolingo, Pimsleur, and italki tutoring sessions can get you to a functional survival level in a month. Locals notice and appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation is rough.

Final Logistics

• Confirm all bookings. Flights, temporary accommodation, airport transfer, and any appointments scheduled for your first week. Print hard copies of confirmation numbers — do not rely solely on phone access.
• Prepare a carry-on essentials bag. Pack critical documents (passport, visa approval, insurance cards, accommodation confirmation), medications, a change of clothes, phone charger and adapter, and enough local currency for the first 24 hours. If your checked luggage is delayed, this bag keeps you functional.
• Leave a file of important information. Give your emergency contact a document with your flight details, accommodation address, local phone number (once you have one), copies of your passport and visa, and your power of attorney details.

Phase 5: Your First Week Abroad

You made it. The planning phase is over and the living phase begins. Your first week should focus on establishing the essentials that make daily life function.

• Get a local phone number. Buy a local SIM or activate an eSIM. You need a working local number for banking, deliveries, apartment viewings, and dozens of other services that require phone verification.
• Open a local bank account. Requirements vary by country, but most require your passport, proof of local address (even temporary), and sometimes a tax identification number. Some countries like Portugal require a NIF (fiscal number) before you can open an account. Research the sequence of steps specific to your destination.
• Register with local authorities. In many countries, you are legally required to register your address with the local municipality or police within a set timeframe. Missing this deadline can complicate visa renewals and residency applications later.
• Locate essential services. Find your nearest pharmacy, grocery store, hospital or urgent care center, and public transit options. Knowing where these are eliminates panic if you need them unexpectedly.
• Register with your home country’s embassy. This ensures they can reach you in an emergency, natural disaster, or political crisis. Most countries offer online registration that takes five minutes.
• Attend an expat meetup. Loneliness is the number one challenge expats report in their first month. Do not wait until you feel settled to start building a social network. Go to a meetup, a coworking space, or a language exchange event in your first week. The connections you make early become your support system.

The Items Most People Forget

After years of helping people plan international moves, these are the consistently overlooked items that cause the most problems:

• International driving permit. If you plan to drive abroad, many countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your regular license. You can get one through AAA in the US for about $20. It takes minutes, but you must do it before you leave.
• Pet relocation logistics. Moving pets internationally involves health certificates, specific vaccination timelines (rabies titers may need to be done months in advance), airline-approved carriers, and quarantine regulations that vary by country. Start this process at least six months before your move.
• Absentee voting registration. If you want to vote from abroad, register through FVAP (Federal Voting Assistance Program) or your state’s system well before any election deadlines.
• Updating beneficiaries and estate documents. Review your will, life insurance beneficiaries, retirement account designations, and any trust documents. International residency can create complications for estate planning. Consult a lawyer familiar with cross-border issues.
• Electrical adapters and voltage differences. It sounds trivial, but different countries use different plug types and voltages. Most modern electronics (laptops, phones) handle dual voltage, but hair dryers, curling irons, and some kitchen appliances do not. Buy adapters before you go or plan to replace incompatible items locally.

Your Move Starts with a Plan

The moving abroad checklist is long because international relocation involves a lot of moving parts. But none of these steps are individually difficult. The key is starting early, working through the phases in order, and not trying to do everything in the final two weeks.

If you are still in the research phase — weighing destinations, comparing costs, evaluating visa options — we built WhereNext exactly for this stage. Our personalized quiz takes two minutes and generates a custom country ranking based on your priorities across cost, safety, healthcare, visa access, lifestyle, and more. From there, use the comparison tool to put your top picks side by side, or explore individual country profiles for detailed data.

Moving abroad changes everything — your daily routine, your perspective, your relationship with money and time and community. The people who thrive are not the ones who are fearless. They are the ones who prepare well and then take the leap anyway.