Moving

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Essentials

Relocation costs

As Expatica article Managing your move abroad points out, the basic things to consider during expat relocation are visas and permits, vaccines for family members, restrictions or taxes on shipped household items, taxes due when you ship your car, vaccines and quarantines for pets and insurance.

Expat relocation services

Find out what you can expect from and how to work with a relocation firm. If your company is relocating you, look...

Relocation costs

Expat relocation services

Find out what you can expect from and how to work with a relocation firm. If your company is relocating you, look at it from the HR manager’s perspective on Expatica HR’s Relocation channel. Also, consider relocation consultants who can help you plan your move with maximum efficiency.

Taxation

Tax rules vary across the world for foreign-earned income so make sure that you are aware of your obligations and take the necessary paperwork with you. Visit Expatica’s Tax section for information and tips regarding taxation abroad.

Country facts

Take some time to learn about your new country of residence before your expat relocation so that when you arrive you can adapt quickly to your new home.

Just landed

Expatica’s Getting Started section takes you through the check-list of essential tasks to complete upon arrival: Visas and permits, opening a bank account, finding a home, choosing a school, setting up home (telephone, TV and internet), finding a job, learning the language, healthcare and insurance and sorting out your driving license.

Relocating with the family

Visit our Partners and Kids sections to find information on moving with your partner and children including tips for relocating with teens, and check out our Languages section which gives tips, not only on learning a new language but on bringing up children in more than one language.

Adjusting to a new location

The stress involved in moving to a new country throws many expats off balance. Once the 'honeymoon' period wears off, many expats face difficulties in adjusting to a new culture and lifestyle. Counselling can be useful in some cases—check out Expatica’s A-Z listings and Groups & Clubs listings to find a counsellor near you. For some expats, simply getting out and about and networking is enough to get back on track.

Networking and going out

The Expatica article: Notes for country movers offers sound advice to singles: Don't become a hermit or a bar-fly. Get out and about and try to network. Socialise with people from the office, carry on with your favourite sport, hobby or interest and this way you likely will meet some like-minded people, even if they don’t speak the same language. Couples, especially if one partner isn’t working, also need to focus on making new contacts and building up a network in their new land. Expatica forums (Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK) are a great way to network and to meet other expats. Set up a user profile and make an effort to participate in the online community.

Repatriation

Repatriation isn’t easy, but, like relocation, if you prepare well and know what you can expect, the move will be smoother.

To help your children adapt easily to new surroundings, here a few tips to ease their transition before and after moving abroad. [Contributed by AGS]

15/11/2012 Bringing a pet to Belgium

You must comply with certain restrictions when bringing a pet to Belgium. Dogs, cats and ferrets require micro-chipping and by law all canines must be registered with the authorities.