Inside tips for expats about moving abroad

You have made your decision: you are going to work abroad. You are becoming an expat. For a year, two years, maybe even five years. On the one hand, you are (probably) looking forward to this new and exciting opportunity. On the other hand, there is so much to take care of before you can actually move. Are you well prepared? And how do you know if you have taken everything into account before moving?

Our experts at Celsium Powered by Brunel, an employee relocation service providing end-to-end global mobility solutions, share seven of their best, inside tips with you!

First things first! What could be worse than moving to a new country only to find out that it really wasn’t what you expected? Whilst a good session or two on cultural differences will certainly help you understand what to expect, you should try and visit the location for a few days before you make the move. Have a tour around to investigate the local facilities and amenities and look at a few housing areas. You could even make a couple of appointments to view some rental properties, so you can get a feel for the size and quality. Forewarned is forearmed.

Do your research here before you commit to a move. Whilst the rent in Geneva, Switzerland, may be slightly lower than that of London, grocery shopping is much more expensive. Your employer might offer a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to cover such theoretical cost differences between home and host locations, but many don’t. Make sure you do your homework first, so you don’t get caught out.

Thankfully, you no longer need to visit a local branch of a bank to open an account. To help avoid the reams of paperwork traditionally needed to open an account, most banks provide international accounts designed for people living and working abroad. It’s often possible to open an international account before you have even left home. These accounts allow you to access your funds immediately and pay any local bills, such as rental deposits and property holding fees. Some real estate agents don’t accept credit cards, so the ability to pay directly from a bank account may be a significant benefit in some locations.

Whilst English is widely spoken in a business context, not everybody can or wishes to do so. In France, for example, the locals may not be so keen to speak English. Learning at least some of the local language will enrich your experience, but will also make your life a lot easier. You will be more readily accepted by the locals if you at least attempt a few words of their language, even if you don’t quite get it right!