Planning a Move Abroad: Well Prepared for Your New Chapter
Are you planning an international move, following your sense of wanderlust, or starting a new life somewhere in the world? Moving abroad is an exciting milestone that goes far beyond simply transporting your furniture. In addition to logistics, an international relocation requires forward-looking personal and organizational preparation. New administrative processes, changed everyday structures, and country-specific regulations all need to be coordinated early.
Our structured guide helps you independently plan the personal and organizational preparation for your move abroad and identify important tasks early. This helps you keep track of key responsibilities before, during, and after your relocation.
➔ Direct orientation: Jump straight to the country guides
How much budget should you plan for?
Because every project is individual, there are no flat-rate prices. Use our moving cost calculator to receive a free and non-binding initial price in three steps as guidance for your moving budget.
Preparing for an International Move: What You Should Clarify Well Before Moving Day
Anyone moving abroad will quickly realize that the personal challenges begin early. It is not enough to simply have the boxes ready on moving day. To make sure your fresh start is well prepared, you should review the following key areas in good time:
- Entry and residence status:
Check early which visas, work permits, or residence permits are required for each family member and apply for them in good time.
- Health insurance coverage abroad:
Insurance coverage abroad differs greatly from the German system. Clarify early which policies need to be adjusted or newly arranged.
- Housing and temporary accommodation:
Finding permanent housing in the destination country takes time. Arrange coordinated temporary accommodation on site for the first few weeks.
- Finances and bank account:
Check early under which conditions you can open a bank account in the destination country. Depending on the country and bank, this may already require proof of residence, a local tax or identification number, or valid residence status.
- Medical records:
Request copies of important medical records, vaccination certificates, and necessary prescriptions from your doctors in good time.
- Cancellations in Germany:
Create an overview of all ongoing contracts, such as rent, electricity, subscriptions, and insurance policies, and observe the respective cancellation deadlines.
Preparing Documents: Apostilles, Certifications, and Translations
Official and personal documents are not always accepted in the destination country without additional verification. Depending on the destination country, the type of document, and the responsible authority, different requirements may apply. Based on our day-to-day experience in international moving, we recommend clarifying the following areas in particular at an early stage:
- Apostille and legalization:
Depending on the destination country, these procedures may be required to confirm the authenticity of the signature and the authority of the issuing body of a German document. Check with the responsible authority which procedure applies to your documents.
- Certified translations:
For birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, or other official documents, translations by appropriately authorized or sworn translators may be required.
- Visa and residence documents:
Plan sufficient lead time if documents are needed for visas, residence permits, starting work, or school registration.
- Customs-related documents:
DACHSER & KOLB supports you in preparing the customs and freight documents required for transport within the scope of the agreed services.
Expert tip: Keep original documents as well as important visa, residence, and translation documents in your personal carry-on luggage. These documents should not be loaded with your moving goods in the container, truck, or air freight shipment, as they may already be needed upon entry or immediately after arrival.
Financial and Legal Questions When Leaving Germany
A permanent move to another country can change your tax obligations, social security coverage, and existing contracts. The specific consequences depend on your personal situation, your destination country, and the rules that apply there. You should therefore review the following areas early:
- Taxes:
Discuss possible implications with the tax office or a tax advisor, especially if you own property, hold capital investments, or have income in Germany.
- Retirement provision and insurance:
Check which contracts remain valid in the destination country and whether adjustments are necessary.
- Banks and payment methods:
Find out about account management, international fees, and currency conversion.
- Transport budget:
Use the moving cost calculator to factor in the expected transport costs early.
Expert tip: Only change or cancel existing insurance policies once it has been clarified until when your current coverage applies and from what point the new coverage begins. Have important information confirmed in writing wherever possible.
Checklist & Timeline for Your Move Abroad
An international relocation works best with a clearly structured timeline. Since many official documents require long lead times, it is advisable to start preparations around three to six months before your preferred moving date.
3 to 6 Months Before the Move
- Check document validity:
Check the expiration dates of all family members’ passports.
- Clarify entry and residence status:
Apply in good time for the required visas, residence permits, or work permits.
- Estimate moving volume:
Use our free cost calculator to receive an initial financial orientation for your moving budget.
- Contact a specialist moving company:
Start early with the cost calculation and then coordinate the planned moving date with your contact person.
- Clarify your housing situation:
Observe the notice periods in your rental agreement or plan the continued use of your property.
1 to 2 Months Before the Move
- Reduce household goods:
Less moving volume can reduce transport volume and therefore moving costs.
- Set up mail forwarding:
Make sure important mail is forwarded in a coordinated way to relatives or to your new address.
- Inform authorities:
Check whether and when you need to deregister your German residence, and inform banks and health insurance providers.
- Have documents translated:
If necessary, have birth certificates or diplomas officially translated and certified.
2 Weeks Before the Move
- Pack travel luggage:
Pack important documents, such as passports, visas, and contracts, as well as personal medication and clothing for the first few weeks in your carry-on luggage. This is carried separately and not loaded with the moving goods.
- Refine moving details:
Use your personal digital dashboard, which we unlock for you after the first use of the calculator, to add your detailed furniture list at your own pace.
The First Days in the Destination Country
- Official registration:
Check whether and with which authority you need to register your new residence after arrival.
- Tax or identification number:
Find out whether you need a local tax or identification number for starting work, opening a bank account, or signing other contracts.
- Check health insurance coverage:
Make sure the agreed insurance coverage begins from the intended date.
Moving Abroad with Family and Children: A Personal Fresh Start
An international relocation affects every family member in a very individual way. In addition to logistical transport planning, emotional and social factors are central.
To make settling into the new environment successful, schools, childcare, and the local social infrastructure should be considered early. Find out in good time about the school system in the destination country, register your children for suitable childcare options, and plan deliberate quiet phases during the first few weeks to make the transition as stress-free as possible for the entire family.
Would you like personal support on site?
For topics such as visas and immigration, home search, school and kindergarten search, or dealing with authorities, our relocation service for private individuals offers individually bookable services.
→ Learn more about relocation services for private individuals
First Overview: Logistics Process and Transport Routes
Although personal preparation is the focus, the safe transport of your belongings forms the logistical foundation of your international move. Depending on whether your destination is on the European continent or overseas, different transport routes may be suitable:
| Mode of Transportation |
Typical use case
|
Logistical feature
|
|---|---|---|
| Road transport (furniture truck) | Within Europe | Direct road transport with coordinated pickup and delivery |
| Sea freight (ISO container) | Intercontinental / overseas | Economical solution for large quantities of furniture (FCL/LCL). |
| Air freight | Worldwide when urgency is high | Short transport time for smaller, urgently needed shipments |
Our Services for Your International Move
DACHSER & KOLB plans and coordinates the transport of your moving goods. Depending on the destination country, volume, and timeline, we select a suitable transport solution together with you. We also support you with transport-related customs documents and coordinate delivery through our international partner network.
Would you like to learn more about the logistical details, packing standards, or container types?
→ Learn more about transport, services, and the process of an international move
Ready for the Next Step? Secure Initial Orientation Now
Do you already have your checklist in mind and want to know how your moving goods will affect your budget? Our three-step moving cost calculator provides you with a free and non-binding initial price for your moving budget within just a few minutes. You will then receive access to your personal dashboard and can gradually add to your information.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Abroad
When should I start planning a move abroad?
Ideally, you should start the concrete preparations three to six months before the planned moving date. Many bureaucratic processes, visa approvals, and document checks require long official lead times.
Which documents should I prepare before moving?
Which documents are required depends on the destination country and your personal situation. These may include valid passports, visa or residence documents, health insurance certificates, and translated or certified civil status documents.
What should I consider when moving abroad with children?
In addition to early registration at schools or daycare centers in the destination country, you should actively involve children in the preparation. Also pack a personal emergency suitcase with favorite toys and familiar items for the first few days in the new home.
How does moving abroad with pets work?
Entry requirements for pets differ depending on the destination country and animal species. They may include vaccinations, identification, health certificates, import permits, or quarantine rules. Find out early from the responsible authorities and discuss the medical preparation with a veterinarian.
Do I need special insurance for my moving goods abroad?
Separate transport insurance can be useful for an international move. Which risks are already covered and which additional coverage options may be suitable depends on the agreed service and insurance scope. Your contact person will explain the available options as part of the quote preparation.
What happens to my furniture if the new home is not ready yet?
If the key handover in the destination country is delayed or you initially move into furnished temporary accommodation, DACHSER & KOLB offers flexible temporary storage solutions. Your belongings are stored in secure storage systems until onward transport can be coordinated. Scope, location, and duration are agreed with you individually.
When should I commission an international moving company?
It is advisable to finalize the moving logistics around two to three months before your preferred date. Use our free online moving cost calculator beforehand. An early inquiry improves the chances of accommodating your preferred timeframe in transport planning.
Find Your Destination Abroad: Our Detailed Country Guides
Legal regulations, bureaucratic requirements, and logistical transport routes differ significantly from country to country. As an internationally operating moving company, we coordinate moves to numerous destinations worldwide. For several especially popular destination countries, we have prepared detailed country-specific guides for you.
Simply select one of the focus countries below to access specific checklists, entry requirements, and practical advice for preparing your move to your new home:
