Emigrating abroad may seem like a just dream for many, one which in most cases will never come true. But what if it does come true for you? Once you have informed the shocked and bemused friends and family and convinced them that it really is going to happen, there are so many factors which you will need to consider before you move. Below are just a few main points to get you started; for further questions regarding your move, it would be good to contact the British Embassy for that country.

Visas:

It is important to know what your rights are when it comes to staying for an extended period of time in a country. UK residents are entitled to live in any country belonging to the EEA (European Economic Area), however there are strict rules and procedures for countries outside the EEU. If you want to live outside of this area, you will need to investigate the types of Visas that are on offer, as well as which Visa/s you may be eligible to apply for.

Healthcare:

Healthcare is going to be on the list of priorities for those moving abroad, especially for people with any on going health issues, or those with children or who are planning a family. There are many different options available to people from the UK, sometimes healthcare for a certain amount of time will be provided free of charge, but this is something that really must be looked into in detail; thus avoiding any nasty medical bills should you require any treatment, especially in a country outside of the EEA.

Education:

Families taking children to live abroad will have to consider the education that their child will receive in the new country. Young children are best at adapting to new languages and at first; a new school in a new country might be difficult for them. However, if the country is not English speaking one, this is the ideal opportunity for your child to learn the language. Surrounded by classmates speaking another language will ensure that your child will pick it up easily, and who knows, maybe they can help you learn! Check out the schools in the area you will be living and see what standard they are at, and make sure to try and find other parent to talk to; there is no better way of getting a fair evaluation of a school than by asking current parent whose children attend. Generally speaking, the education systems I most European and International schools are on par with, or better than, those in the UK.

UK Property:

Moving abroad… what is happening to your UK property? If you are in a position to keep your UK property as well as to buy a home in your new country, perhaps the time has come to become a landlord? House prices are higher in the UK than in a lot of European countries, and the rent from your UK property could easily pay for your mortgage abroad. If you need to sell your UK property before you can move abroad, it would be a good idea to put it up for sale as soon as possible. Some houses take cake months, even years to sell, especially with the housing market the way it is currently. Prepare to wait or lower your asking price if you need to sell quickly.

TAX/Pensions/Benefits:

When moving abroad, what happens to the pension and national insurance contributions that you have been paying into for the last ‘x’ amount of years? In some countries you will be eligible to claim a pension from them, as well as your UK pension. You can contact HM Revenue and Customs before you leave the UK, and they will be able to provide you with a Pension Forecast, as well as information on any tax that you will be liable to pay, and any benefits you are eligible for, as well as the benefits of banking your money in an offshore account.

Your Money:

When it comes to moving your money abroad, have you considered the different ways of doing so? Have you also investigated the exchange rate at which your money will be moved? Many people don’t realise that there are options available that don’t involve using a bank to transfer your money from your UK account to your foreign account. The most popular ways of transferring money is to use a bank or a currency exchange company, such as ‘Smart Currency’; they are there to help you get the most out of your money and always give a much better rate than your bank can. Smart Currency’s agents do not work for commission which means that they really are working to get the best deal for you, the customer. Using a bank is a good solution if you are moving a small amount of money, but when it comes to your life savings. Smart Currency can literally save you thousands of pounds. They can advise you on the best time to buy your currency, and the rate they give you will be frozen, which means you will get the same amount for your money, even if the exchange rates change.