Moving overseas is one of the biggest things you are ever likely to do in your life. There is a lot to think about, a lot to plan, and usually a few important jobs that get forgotten once the move starts to feel real.
At Pinnacle Removals, we have helped thousands of people ship their belongings abroad, and over the years, we have noticed the same things trip people up time and time again. Here is your guide to the areas that most commonly slip through the cracks.
Your timeline at a glance
3 months before
- Check passport expiry
- Apply for visas
- Review prescriptions
- Research healthcare
- Open an expat bank account
- Submit P85 to HMRC
- Review insurance needs
1 month before
- Request GP letter / SCR
- Stock up on medication if needed
- Redirect post (Royal Mail)
- Notify utility providers
- Update Electoral Roll
- Notify DVLA
- Cancel subscriptions
Moving week
- Pack your essentials bag
- Confirm transit insurance
- Scan all key documents
- Take meter readings
- Close your UK bank if needed
Your key documents
One of the easiest things to overlook is paperwork. Some documents need to be applied for well in advance, while others simply need to be kept safe and easy to access while you travel.
This includes your passport, any visas you may need, and any other official paperwork linked to your move. Depending on your situation, you may also need birth certificates, marriage certificates, school records, and medical paperwork.
It is also worth keeping digital copies of everything — stored in the cloud so they are accessible even if your bag is lost or delayed.
Worth knowing: Check whether your destination country requires your passport to be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date, as many do. If you are close to expiry, renew before you apply for any visas.
Banking and access to money
Sorting out your bank can often fall to the back of your mind when you are moving overseas. Many people assume that because banks operate internationally, there is nothing they need to do.
In some cases, you may still be able to use your existing account, but you should let your bank know you are moving abroad. This is particularly important if you are going to be paid in a different currency or if you expect unusual transaction activity while getting set up.
You should also think about exchange rates, transfer fees, and how easily you will be able to access money during the first few weeks. These small details can make a big difference when you are adjusting to life in a new country.
Practical tip: Open a Wise or Revolut account before you leave. Both give you access to mid-market exchange rates and make it much easier to manage money across currencies while your main banking arrangements settle into place. Many expats find these invaluable in the first few months.
Medicines and healthcare
If you currently collect regular prescriptions in the UK, that need is not going to disappear once you move abroad. You still need to make sure you can access the same medication in your new country.
That may mean registering with a doctor soon after arrival and making sure they understand your medical history and prescription needs. It is sensible to check this before you travel, especially if the healthcare system works differently in your destination country.
Before you leave: Ask your GP for a Summary Care Record or a letter summarising your medical history and current prescriptions — many countries require this when registering with a new doctor. Also ask whether they can prescribe a 3-month supply of any regular medication to cover the transition period, so you are not under pressure to sort everything out the moment you arrive.
Your UK admin before you leave
A lot of people focus so much on the destination that they forget to deal properly with things they are leaving behind in the UK.
That can include redirecting your post, updating your address, informing utility providers, closing or changing accounts, and making sure the right organisations know that you are leaving.
This is also the area where the most commonly missed admin lives. Specifically:
HMRC — P85 form: If you are leaving the UK permanently or for an extended period, you need to tell HMRC. The P85 form notifies them that you are becoming a non-resident for tax purposes and may entitle you to a tax refund. This is one of the most commonly missed tasks, and ignoring it can cause problems with your tax affairs later.
Other organisations to notify: DVLA (if you hold a UK driving licence), the Electoral Roll (ask to be removed), DWP if you receive any benefits or a state pension, Companies House if you are a director, your GP surgery, any schools your children attend, and any ongoing subscriptions or direct debits you will no longer need.
Your essentials bag
If you are moving abroad, there is a good chance that most of your belongings will be handled by a removal company rather than travelling with you. That works well for the majority of your possessions, but not for the things you are likely to need straight away.
It is a good idea to pack a clearly labelled bag or box for items that must not be packed into the main shipment. This should include your key documents, a change of clothes, chargers and electronics, basic toiletries, and any medication you need to keep close by.
This 'essentials bag' should stay with you throughout the move. That way, even if there is a delay with the main shipment, you still have the things you need most.
Insurance and cover
Another area people sometimes forget to check properly is insurance. It is important to understand what cover you have in place while moving, while travelling, and during the early stages of settling into your new home.
This could include cover for your belongings in transit, travel insurance, and any health cover you may need before you are fully set up in your destination country. Taking a little time to check this before you leave can give you much more peace of mind — and save a significant amount of stress if something does go wrong along the way.
Final thoughts
These are some of the main things people forget to sort out before moving overseas. The more organised you are before moving day arrives, the less stressful the whole experience is likely to feel.
One of the best ways to make space for these important tasks is to let a professional removals company handle the move itself. Pinnacle Removals can manage the international shipping side of your relocation and ensure your belongings are handled with care, leaving you free to focus on everything else that needs your attention before you start your life abroad.
