Expats Guide For Relocation To Europe

Expatriates who move to Europe can make the moving process a better experience. 

An excellent moving agent will be your advisor throughout the entire relocation process, from the moment you decide to move abroad to your departure. We advise how to work with relocation and moving agents when moving to Europe to make your move as smooth as possible. 

When moving to Europe, consider the following factors that we will discuss in this article.

Initial Contact

Before the relocation agency contacts you for the initial contact, your Human Resources department will provide them with all the information they need. 

The information should include your marital status, how many children you have, how old they are, whether your spouse is working, etc. Only then will the agent contact you for an interview. 

This briefing is one of the most critical parts of the relocation process. 

Therefore, you should be well prepared and know what you need and want. Based on the information that you give the agent, he will prepare your visit and will most likely send you some initial housing proposals.

Be sensitive to cultural differences. What is evident to you is not necessarily the same as what is happening in the new place. Take, for example, a room count. In the UK, real estate agents only mention bedrooms, in the USA – every room, including the kitchen and bathrooms.

Look & See

To “look & see,” your moving agent organizes a visit. A visit can be both entertaining and challenging. On the one hand, you will see a new city, choose your new home and school for children. 

You may be forced to make quick decisions, especially when it comes to real estate, as the market can be unstable, and the best apartments or houses get taken quite quickly. However, if you are not satisfied with something, talk to your moving agent and be flexible with your expectations.

Choosing Your New House

Your company policy and your contract define your housing allowance. In some cases, you may not even know the exact amount you can spend on rent. It is the responsibility of the estate agent to make sure that your needs are met within the budget set by your employer.

You can start with a “simple” decision to choose a house or apartment.

Be prepared to make a few compromises. Your estate agent may be able to find exactly the house you have described, but you may not be so lucky.

Try to decide what is important to you and what is just a nice feature. Consider some of these questions: 

• Is the location more important, or maybe it is the type of house you are looking for? 
• Would you be happy with a balcony, or is a private garden mandatory? 
• Do you need a bedroom to have a bathroom or not? 
• Do you want to have your own garage space?
• How important is an open plan kitchen for you? 
• Are you considering renting a semi-furnished apartment?

When choosing your accommodation, consider the time to travel to your office/school/city center. Although your chosen location may be close to your office, you may need twice as much time to get there during peak hours. Talk to your agent for more details.

Choosing A School For Your Children

This decision has many implications for the future of your children. There are also many options: 

• You can enroll your child in a boarding school in your home country 
• Homeschool them and register with a school in your home country, if available
• Choose an international school

There are many educational opportunities for children. There are schools with an international program – IB (International Baccalaureate), Italian, French, and Japanese schools. 

The Move 

At this stage, you will need to decide what you would like to take with you to your new place of residence. 

Will all the furniture fit in your new home? Think about your electrical appliances. Even in Europe, for example, there are different plugs. Talk to your moving agent to make sure you can connect your favorite lamp, TV, or Hi-Fi system. Ask about the cost of replacing plugs, if necessary.

If you choose to keep the furniture in your home country, you can leave it in self-storage or leave it with friends. 

If you are a happy pet owner, ask your agent what documents you will need to transport your pet. You will most likely need a special vaccination certificate or any other documents that allow you to carry your pet.

Another critical point is the transport of artwork. If you are the proud owner of artwork that is registered in the Cultural Heritage Register, or artwork that is over 55 years old, you may need a certificate as written permission to transport it abroad.

Usually, your moving agent will contact the international moving company and take care of the whole organization, including the packing and delivery of individual packages. Ask about insurance and make sure that your valuables are also insured.

Settling In

Upon arrival, your agent should help you with registration at your community center, obtaining a tax number, and changing your driving license. 

All bureaucratic issues can take up to a couple of days. Since your company will most likely need you in your new office immediately, we advise you to talk to your employer and plan for the weekend.

Your moving agent will take care of the registration of utilities, opening a bank account, and connecting to the Internet. Be sure to let your consultant know what your expectations are regarding all contracts. 

Another essential step in your smooth move is to attend cultural training and register for language classes. While at first, this may seem like an extra thing to do, it is worth looking into.

At the end of your time with your agent, be sure to get all the tips about shops, restaurants, hobby classes, gym, and any other suitable activities. 

To sum up

Relocating to Europe from the US is not an easy task. However, considering a few things that we have discussed in this article can make a move and the transition smoother and easier process. It will help you to settle down and quickly integrate into your new community.