| Moving home rates high on the "to do not do list" | | | | Health insurance is an alternative option but |
| for those of us not too keen on all the stress, | | | | you will to ensure you can use it as an ex-pat |
| hassle, damaged furniture, broken crockery, | | | | Deal with your tax affairs by completing |
| missing cats, etc, we expect and dread when | | | | form P85 and sending it your local tax office or |
| transferring our lives, families and worldly | | | | employer take it to your nearest tax office or |
| possessions to a new abode. | | | | your employer. You might be due a tax rebate, |
| Moving just a few streets away, to a nearby | | | | depending on the time of year you chose to |
| town or even across country, can be a daunting | | | | move Unless you are moving abroad in April. |
| enough prospect for most of us, so just imagine | | | | If you have savings in the bank, apply to be |
| moving abroad... | | | | listed as "Not ordinarily resident" to avoid being |
| No, wait! Come back! | | | | taxed on savings, but make sure the bank has a |
| No-one said it's going to be easy, but all the blood | | | | contact address for you. |
| pressure raising un-joy of moving can be avoided | | | | Three words: notify! Notify! Notify! Tell your |
| or least reduced by careful planning and | | | | doctor, dentist, optician, etc about your move and |
| organisation right from the start. | | | | take your records with you. The same applies to |
| Deal with your property and possession | | | | your childrens' school records, which you will |
| before you do anything else. This applies | | | | almost certainly need to get them accepted in a |
| regardless of whether you plan to pack | | | | new school. |
| everything up and take it with you, or sell it all to | | | | If you plan to take your car, get your |
| raise funds for a fresh start. Checking the likely | | | | insurance checked and changed if necessary to |
| shipping costs can be a quick, sharp cure for | | | | allow you to drive in your new country. UK |
| lingering sentimentality over Uncle Wills' favourite | | | | insurers tend to offer just three months of |
| old chair. Get a phone directory or use online | | | | overseas cover abroad. Look for a specialist |
| resources to track down removal firms which | | | | company that can help you with this, and don't |
| specialise in overseas moves. | | | | forget your driving licence and MOT. |
| Allow children, if you have the, time to settle | | | | Do as much research and fact finding about |
| in before starting their new schools. Moving near | | | | your destination as possible. You need to be |
| the start of a school holiday would be helpful here. | | | | familiar with all aspects of life in your chosen |
| If you are relocating to an non English | | | | country, both related to personal and work |
| speaking country take time to familiarise | | | | matters. Look things up, check books, use online |
| yourselves with the language or even learn some | | | | resources and if you friends and family already |
| of it. | | | | living in or around your chosen destination, ask |
| If moving to a country with the European | | | | them. |
| Union, apply for a European Health Insurance card | | | | And while, you should enjoy your new life, have |
| and make sure you and your family are covered | | | | fun, try not to lose touch with your family and |
| for emergency healthcare. | | | | friends back home. |