The Ultimate Moving Abroad Checklist

The international removals process can take some time so it's best to research and arrange your shipping options early.

Notify the International Pension Centre you are moving overseas to discuss pension options.

Read more about pensions after moving abroad.

If you are the beneficiary of any type of state benefit such as maternity leave, illness or injury benefits, or disability benefits then you must notify the relevant benefits departments.

Read more about state benefits when moving.

Check that your passports are valid and up to date. Even if your passports are valid, it is recommended to renew if expiring any time soon.

Renew online at gov.uk

Contact foreign consulates or research any visa requirements for your international journey, work or residence requirements. Ensure your required visas or work permits are in place or in the pipeline.

Find an international British embassy or consulate online here.

Ensure you are still following proper tax regulations and notify HMRC that you will be leaving the UK

Read more about this here.

Depending on your destination country you may be eligible for a UK Global Health Insurance Card or UK European Health Insurance Card

NHS guidance for global healthcare

Set up international transfers, close/change accounts, cancel or change necessary standing orders.

Review policies and ensure you can have cover in place at your new location for health, home, and vehicles.

You must deregister with your GP when moving abroad. Get medical records and prescriptions ready to be transferred as necessary.

The NHS provides more information about healthcare planning when moving overseas.

Change address on driver's license, apply for any refunds if necessary.

Read more about driving and licencing when moving overseas.

Start thinking about whether you want to ship your car or want to get a new vehicle locally.

Start cancelling subscriptions for UK specific magazines, memberships, and online services. Anything not needed abroad.

Clear your home of any unwanted clutter. Consider disposing of any surplus furniture or belongings you don't intend to take with you overseas or put into storage.

Consider joining online expat communities to seek destination specific advice and make connections. There are dozens of these communities available with expat.com and internations.org being some of the largest.

Book your flights and advise friends, family and your international movers of your flight times.

If you haven't completed a new home sale you should arrange short term let, serviced accommodation, hotels or other temporary accommodation.

Set up mail forwarding with Royal Mail to continue receiving stray mail sent to your old address.

You can request mail forwarding on the RoyalMail website.

Consider moving or closing savings accounts and investments in the UK.

Start cancelling or notifying UK utilities like TV license, phones, electricity, gas, water, TV, and broadband contracts.

Check which cards work internationally, notify your credit institutions of your address change, or apply for new ones.

Organise pet transport, shipping, and health certificates if you are taking your pet.

Read more about taking your pet abroad

Lock in dates for collection, packing and shipping with your international removals company.

If shipping with 1st Move contact your dedicated Move Coordinator about this if you haven't done so yet.

Complete your valued insurance form. It's important we have this before your collection date.

Valued insurance application form.

Depending on where you are moving, you need to provide either a packed inventory, or a valued inventory. We recommend you create a valued inventory of everything you are shipping to be used for personal tracking, as well as part of shipping and customs requirements.

If you are moving with us then your insurance submission doubles as a regular inventory.

To import into some countries, you need to complete Customs Documents.

At 1st Move we provide you with these documents and completion instructions. Give us a call if you need a hand or upload here.

Ensure you comply with your destination's requirements for immunisations and health paperwork.

Pay off any regular bills, settle loans and credit lines, take care of other UK obligations.

Newspapers, order subscriptions, food subscriptions, milk deliveries and others.

Make arrangements for child care on your moving day if necessary.

Review airline tickets and accommodation bookings. Make sure your movers, transportation, and pet transport plans are confirmed and on schedule.

If you are shipping any tools or outdoor equipment ensure they are thoroughly cleaned as these are often scrutanised by foreign customs for bio-security reasons.

Notify your local council and electoral roll.

Ensure you have sufficient cash available for travel expenses.

Charge all your necessary electronics like phone, laptop, tablet, etc. so you're ready for the move.

Gather essentials like toiletries, medications, and important documents to have them readily available.

Pack a bag with essentials like clothes, toiletries, and other basics that you'll need immediately upon arrival at your new home.

Ensure your refrigerator and freezer are defrosted and dry to prevent any leakage and damage during the move.

Do a final check of all rooms, cabinets, and closets to ensure nothing is left behind.

Make sure important devices like mobile phones are topped up and fully charged for the journey.

Unplug and clean ovens, washing machines and other appliances not being shipped.

Note final gas, electric, water meter readings as required by utility companies.