Know before you go - moving overseas
Know your rights and responsibilities when you're moving to a new country. Living abroad is an exciting and interesting experience, but the decision to make the leap shouldn't be taken lightly.
We are partners in the Government's Know Before You Go campaign, helping you to know your rights and responsibilities when moving and living abroad.
Are you thinking of buying property abroad?
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has produced a very informative video with insights and some excellent advice on buying a property and living abroad. Before you make a move abroad, be sure to view it.
Familiarise yourself with your new destination before moving
- Understand the different laws, regulations, and customs abroad. What applied at home may be completely different in your new home.
- Don't forget to budget correctly to take into account currency fluctuations.
- Find out the health care coverage and system in your new home, so you're not hit with unexpected charges or worries and confusion in an emergency.
- Contact the local education authorities about the education system in your new home. Most countries also have English or international schools which you should be able to find on the internet.
- If you are considering buying property abroad, research thoroughly in advance. Keep in mind that property laws and customs in many countries are different from those in the UK and you may encounter problems with ownership rights due to these differences.
- Contact the Department for Work & Pensions for more information about collecting your pension abroad.
When you arrive in your new country
- Register with the local authorities as soon as you arrive in your new country, if required. Failure to do so may be a crime in some countries, and registering may give you access to health care and welfare services.
- If you are moving within the EU and Switzerland, register for a residence permit within the first three months of your arrival. Failure to do so may be a crime in some countries, and registering will give you access to health care and welfare benefits.
- Register with the local Embassy/High Commission/Consulate in your new country.
- Keep your passport up-to-date, and include contact information for friends or relatives on the appropriate page.
- Contact your local Embassy/High Commission/Consulate for information on preparing a will, as laws vary from country to country.
- Check to see what you need to do to continue driving in your new country. In some cases, you can exchange your driving licence for a new one, however, in some countries you may need to sit a driving test before being allowed to drive.
- To vote in UK elections your name must appear on the electoral register as an overseas elector. Contact the local electoral registration officer at the local council where you were last registered in the UK.
Removal quote appointment booking service
Britannia Bradshaw can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0161 877 5555 (Manchester) or 0121 504 0966 (Birmingham & Coventry) and speak with one of our removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
Not expensive but not the cheapest but what a choice! Well worth the few pounds extra.
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Referred
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Excellent references. Not expensive but not the cheapest but what a choice! Well worth the few pounds extra.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Mark, Aaron & Chris were exemplary, just superb, could not wish for a better team… Just brilliant, please ensure they get the feedback. Great team, can't praise them enough.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
You can't
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
From start to finish was superb
It couldn't have gone any better
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Used Bradshaws previously
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
I had excellent service previously
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
The move team were great - all of them. Courteous, considerate and very efficient
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Just keep doing the same
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
It couldn't have gone any better or smoother. Many thanks to the whole team at Britannia Bradshaw
Everything was packed and moved with great care.
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
We are a previous happy customer
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
We have been very happy with our previous moves with Bradshaws
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Martin Wilkes, Ben Groves, Bartosz Kozuchowski and Aaron Purchase were absolutely outstanding. So professional, friendly and went above and beyond for us!
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Keep doing what you do!
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Everything was packed and moved with great care. The guys were very careful with our belongings and went out of their way to ensure we were happy with everything.
Highly professional, friendly and extremely helpful
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
I used you previously
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Because you are reliable and professional
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were highly professional, friendly and extremely helpful. I can't praise them enough.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Not sure you can
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
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