Moving Overseas? A Guide to Planning your Relocation

Moving to a new country is exciting but it can also be dauting and a wee bit stressful.  As experts in international removals from Scotland, we have put together our tips for a seamless international relocation. The more planning you do as early as possible, will make it easier. 

There are 3 main areas that need to be planned carefully:

1. Organise Belongings

All your belongings from clothes to furniture, sports equipment to cars, need to be sold, donated or packed.

2. Handle Paperwork

This includes everything from notifying friends of your new address to getting the appropriate work visas.

3. Arrange Logistics

Book transportation to your new home and choose an international removal company for your belongings.

We recommend creating a checklist of all the things you need to do and work through them methodically.  Our expert movers have created an International Removal Checklist which may be a useful starting point.

Declutter & Organise Belongings

If you have accumulated lots of belongings, this is the perfect time to get rid of items you no longer use or like.  Not only will it save you transport costs but it means you can start afresh without old clutter.  If you are moving to a warm country from Scotland, you will be able to donate or sell all your cold weather clothes.

If you are having to sell a house before moving, then cleaning it out and removing old ornaments and furniture may help to speed up the sale and improve the price as it will look bigger, cleaner and fresher.

Complete Essential Paperwork

This is the boring bit but it is necessary.  You have to prepare all the paperwork you need to move that may include visas, medical records, passports and work permits.

You also have to notify many people that you are moving.  This list is often very long and is likely to include banks, schools, utilities, friends, Council Tax, investments and even the milk man. 

Book Transportation

This should be more fun as you will be booking your flights or ferry to your new home.

You also need to find and book a good, reliable moving company.  Sometimes when people are moving a short distance, they hire a van and rely on some friends to carry out their move but this is not possible for an international removal.  You will need time to get quotes and decide which company is the right fit for you.  The company you choose will also want plenty of time to prepare and plan your move. We would always recommend that you choose a company that specialises in international removals as they will have experience dealing with customs and booking the necessary transport such as air or sea freight. In Scotland, Constantine Scotland is a FIDI Affiliate and holder of the respected FAIM Quality Standard, which is, to date, the world’s only recognised quality certification for professional international moving and relocation companies. To keep these credentials, the company is independently audited and reviewed.  This means you can be assured of an excellent professional service.  

If you need to move out of your current home before you move abroad, ensure you choose a removal company that has an excellent secure storage facility.

We wish you well in your new home.