If you are considering relocating for a new job, here is a checklist of items to consider. Some may appear apparent to you, but in the heat of the moment, these may be the ones you forget. Some tasks may be slightly more difficult to complete while traveling to your new country, so start as soon as possible.
Below are 10 tips that can give you a great start in any EU country:
1.Packing & Luggage tricks
When travelling overseas for an uncertain amount of time or for a long period of time, it is critical to pack responsibly; don’t worry, we have tips and methods to help you make the most of your luggage space.
First, check with your airline about the requirements. Size and weight are two critical considerations (the bigger airlines such as Norwegian, SAS, British Airlines and Turkish Airlines etc. do not weigh hand luggage, which gives you a great opportunity to pack your carry on suitcase very heavy). Ensure to fill in any gaps or holes with little things such as your delicates.
2. Banks and Credit cards
While relocating abroad, you must notify your bank. If they notice unusually large purchases from a foreign country, they may begin blocking your card, so let them know what’s going on! You can keep your national bank (most employers can move your paycheck to local banks around Europe) or open a bank account in the country where you are relocating (ask your new employer if they can help as local companies often have a deal with banks that can ease your efforts).
3. Insurance & medical check
The European Blue insurance card guarantees you medical assistance in all European nations. Check with a local insurance agent and ask your new employer what kind of insurance coverage is included in the employee package for any additional insurance that may be required.
If you have a chronic condition, notify your new employer and undergo the necessary check-up before leaving home. If you need to bring medicine, request an English medical permit from your doctor. Research whether your prescription is available in your new nation, and ask your doctor and possibly the human resources department at your new employment if they know where you can get it. If your current medication is not accessible in the country, you may need to switch brands; make sure to check this well before your travel.
4. Residence papers and work Visa
If you are a European citizen going inside Europe, you do not require a work visa; but, if you are staying in a nation for more than three months, you must register as a resident of that country. This is necessary for both medical insurance and tax purposes. Get the information from the company for which you will be working; they generally have access to a simple handbook in the given country.
5. Flights and entertainment
When traveling, make important to keep track of your flight times. During vacation, tension and surprises might be enjoyable, but when relocating, stress and all uncertainty must be avoided because you will be apprehensive enough about the adventure that lies. Print your boarding pass, especially if you have a transfer; nothing is worse than having your phone die in the middle of a flight. Make sure you check in ahead of time.
6. Maps and find your way around
Before you leave for your new location, obtain a map of the area in which you will be working and become acquainted with it; Google Streetview is perfect for this. This can help you imagine your street and, as a result, recognize it when you arrive. Let yourself to get lost when you arrive, put on some sneakers, purchase a to-go coffee, and just walk. If you have tried to get lost in the region and asked people to locate your way back or used Google maps in the area. This is a fantastically fascinating method to de-stress and become acquainted with your surroundings; you’ll feel better the next time you get lost by accident.
7. Accommodation
Leaving your house can be difficult, and it is critical to find a new home where you can center yourself and feel protected. It is recommended that if you are moving alone to a place where you do not know anyone, you find at least one housemate. A flatmate will help you meet new people quickly, get the support and assistance you need to feel at home, and ensure that your rent is reduced at first. Most employers offer excellent relocation packages and helpful advice on where to hunt for housing.
8. Networking
When you move, you are not only leaving a country and family behind, but also a network of friends, colleagues, and familiar faces. It is critical to maintain communication with them, much as it is to establish a new network. Keeping in contact involves birthday wishes and update to close ones at home, this takes a little time but will help you feel closer to the people you have left behind, you do not need to see these people every day to know what is going on in their lives.
9. First days at work
Begin unpacking as soon as possible; living out of a suitcase is the worst way to start your mornings! Unpack, purchase the hangers you require, and the coffee you will have for breakfast. Try to get some decent routines from the beginning. During the initial days getting lost, take long walks and join tourist tours, get to know the neighborhood around your business, find a good coffee establishment or the vegan eatery you need to get through your days.
10. Feel at home
Finally, it is crucial to remember that various people have different definitions of what it means to feel at home, but it has been established that the faster you get to know the area, make friends, and have people visit you, the faster you will feel at home in your new nation. With that said, it is important to note that everyone gets homesick at some point, which usually happens about one to two months in. When you reach this point, it is important to get out, see people, and don’t start calling everyone at home, keep yourself active, and the homesick feeling will go away.