Moving abroad with your family is a big step. We tell you all the tips to organize the perfect family relocation abroad! All expats will say the same: planning and preparing a move overseas can be demanding and time-consuming, although the final result is almost always worth it. Shipping your belongings, getting visas… The number of things one needs to do can seem never-ending, and there isn’t a universal list of items to tick: each family has its own specific needs and circumstances. But don’t get discouraged by this! Relocating to another country is a unique experience. Here some tips to prepare it! 1. Research and more research! Your family is going to move to a new place. That means you will have to discover a lot about it, not only when you arrive, but also before, because you need to plan plenty of things. Important topics to know about: Emergency service: Do you know any pediatrician? How far is the closest hospital? Children facilities: Where is the closest playgrounds? Which are the closest schools? Are there nurseries or kids groups in the area? How can you enroll your children in your preferred schools? Are there any particular requirements? Which is the main teaching language? Shopping and other services: Do you know where you can find a supermarket? Which are the opening hours? Is there a pharmacy in your living area? Have you found any sports clubs so your children can continue their favorite hobbies? Don’t be shy and use online expat forums and communities, Facebook groups … where you'll get honest advice from other expat families. 2. Rent before buy a property When you aren’t familiar with a certain location, it’s better to avoid big investments right from the beginning. Renting an accommodation will give you knowledge of the neighborhood and will help you finding if it works for your family. If you rush into buying a property, you could be unhappily stuck with a decision you made without knowing all the facts. 3. Check out the legal requirements Moving abroad means dealing with visas, work permits, and residence permits. These documents, are essential to open a bank account, register your children for school, access to healthcare system etc. As these requirements vary from country to country, it’s important to get accurate information for your specific destination country. Notice that these documents might take some time to complete. Thus, Be sure to understand what you'll need to provide, and how long the processing will take. If you need help with the documents requirements ask your immigration expert. 4. Don’t forget about your pets! Start the paperwork and any vaccinations required for your pet in your new country with enough time before you move. If you need to place your pet into quarantine, make sure you know all the options, and try to share experiences with people who've brought their pets into the same country. If you're moving abroad you might want to consider a professional pet transport company to smooth the path for your pets. Lot to think about? Contact our moving experts and they will advise you on the steps to be done or directly get a free moving quote for the move overseas of your family now.