Once you have chosen a property in an
area you like, your next step to retiring to the sun is the move from
your current home.
Packing possessions, prized plants and preparing
pets all takes some thought, as well as knowledge of import laws for
your new country.
General information is available below. Read the
'Removals' section of our specific country pages for more detail on the
area you are headed for.
Importing furniture, pets and plants Limits
on what can and cannot be imported into a country are dictated by local
customs. Make sure it's legal to take what
you are planning to.
It is important to hold a good insurance
policy for the duration of the move. You may be able to arrange this
with your insurance company at home or in your new country, but it is
worth shopping around for good deals.
Photograph or video your
possessions and store the pictures in a safe place, separate from the
possessions themselves. This will give you much more proof for the
insurance company should anything go missing. Make a list of everything
of value and insure very valuable items separately.
Import permits When
moving from one country to another, you must have a full, valid
passport, usually with at least six months left before expiry. You may
also require a visa - check with the country's embassy in your home
country before you leave.
You will need appropriate customs
documentation describing what you are taking into your new country and
its value. Your possessions may also require an export permit from your
home country and an import permit for your new one, depending on where
you are going from and to.
You could also be required to pay
duty on your possessions (see 'Import duty and allowances', below).
Avoid carrying alcohol with you when you move, as this will
almost certainly mean customs need to inspect your belongings. This is
inconvenient and takes a lot longer than usual.
When taking a
car with you, you will probably have to pay import tax in the country you are
taking it to. This can be quite expensive, so decide if it is really
worth it.
Import duty and allowances You
may have to pay duty on anything you import to your new country. Other
countries do not formally charge you, but you have to pay a deposit
which is a percentage of the total value of your possessions.
This can
be reclaimed within a set time period (for example, one year) with a
valid residence permit. Check allowances and restrictions with the
embassy in your home country when planning your move.
Rules on importing pets Taking
your pet with you is a key consideration when moving abroad.
Rules vary
between countries around the world, so see the specific country page on
this site for up-to-date information on rules affecting your chosen
country.
You will need an import permit for your pet, and certificates
to prove it has been vaccinated in line with the new country's
regulations.
From the UK, you will also need a Fitness to Fly
certificate or Export Health Certificate from the Department of the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). More information is
available on the
DEFRA website, including a wide range of factsheets.
Some
countries insist your pet goes through a quarantine period before it
can be reunited with you in your new home.
However, if you travel from
a country where rabies is not a problem, this is unlikely. You will
also be subject to border controls if taking your pet back to your home
country during a holiday.
Note that quarantine is often run by private
companies, so check the costs before committing yourself.
The
Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is recognised in a large number of popular
retirement countries now, including the EU, USA, Australia and New
Zealand.
These 'pet passports' are issued six months after your pet has
been vaccinated against rabies, had a microchip inserted under its skin
and been given a blood test.
Dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits and rodents
are able to partake in PETS. Hearing and guide dogs are included. You
cannot normally take more than five pets into a country at once under
PETS.
The EU updated the scheme on the 3rd July 2004 to make
entry requirements standard across Europe. If your pet joined the
scheme before then, make sure it is still covered.
You will have to pay
for a passport, along with annual booster jabs and every time you cross
a border, where your pet will probably be inspected.
Take microchip
documentation with you, as different types of chip are available. You
might also need to have your own scanner for some countries.
Even
with PETS, your pet will have to be checked for tapeworm and ticks
between 24 and 48 hours prior to travel.
Make sure your vet checks the
pet's microchip beforehand, and that you obtain all the correct
documentation, with the right date on it afterwards. Without this
certification, your pet may have to be held in quarantine until the
checks can be proven.
Book your pet's travel arrangements well
in advance, as only a few couriers are licensed to transport them, and
are often booked up well in advance.
The earlier you can book, the
better a chance you stand of your pet travelling at the same time as
you. Flights that carry animals are restricted to a few airports.
Rules on importing plants Many
plants can be taken abroad, but there are exceptions depending on the
country you are moving to. Check with the embassy in your home country
to find out what is not allowed, especially if you have a particular
plant in mind.
Firstly, check that the plant is suited to its potential
new environment, with adequate water, light and shade available in the
spot you will be placing it.
Your plant will be required to meet import levels of
sanitation and be demonstrably free from diseases. You may also have to
fill out an export form, to be sure that the plant meets Plant Health
(phytosanitary) certification levels. This usually requires a physical
inspection by an official.
Attempting to move illegal plants between
countries could lead to a prison sentence. Note that plants that are
legal in one country may be illegal in another, so be absolutely sure
before you go.
Packing up Getting
ready to go is an exciting time, but can also be very stressful. Early
preparation and thorough planning will make life easier at both ends of
the move.
Establish what is included in the property price in your new
country. If it is already furnished (common in many resale properties
abroad), it will make your move much easier.
- Make sure you keep enough clothes out for your journey, and enough spares for a couple of weeks in case there is a problem with your items in transit.
- Label
boxes clearly, with both contents and the room they are from, and
prioritise them so that the essential items are easy to locate when you
arrive.
- Write a list of everything you are taking. Not only
might you need to show this to customs for entry into the country, but
it will also help to define what you do and do not need.
- Insure your possessions - having a list will help show
the value of your items.
- Check that you have informed all
family, friends and relevant companies that you are moving, and given
them your new contact details.
- Settle any outstanding bills, and empty and defrost fridges and freezers.
- Do not be tempted to take alcohol with you, as this will invariably cause delays at customs.
- Likewise, do not pack flammable items, such as tins of paint, as they will invalidate your insurance.
Removal firms
A
number of companies undertake international removals. Choose a
reliable, experienced firm, preferably with FIDI Accredited
International Mover (FAIM) status.
FIDI is the
International Federation of Furniture Removers based in Brussels. Removal firms with FAIM have to meet high standards of removal quality and are regularly audited.
The
Overseas Moving Network International (OMNI) is a network of removal companies which are all FAIM members. You could also try the
British Association of Removers (BAR) Overseas group.
Obtain
several quotes before choosing a company, as rates can vary. Read the
contract thoroughly to see what the company is liable for and what to
do if things go wrong.
Make sure your possessions are insured, either
by the company or arranged separately yourself. Check whether there is a time limit
for damage claims (often just a week).
Some relocation companies
will take care of the whole removal process for you, including
paperwork, removals and any storage requirements you may have. This can
save time and trouble, although you will have to pay for the service.
They may also arrange language classes and other courses for you, if
desired. Find out how long the process will take. If overseas shipping
is involved, book it in plenty of time, so it coincides with your
travel plans.
If you decide to go it alone and do the removals
yourself, there are several things to bear in mind. Firstly, work out
how much of your furniture you actually need to take with you or if it's easier to buy new furniture abroad.
Secondly, can you hire a van or other vehicle locally that you are able to take abroad? What will you do with it afterwards?
Make sure
you get one that is big enough to take everything in one go - your
possessions may require more room than you think.
Is there
somewhere to park the van, at either end? Who will help you to lift
heavy items? When will you be travelling and have you checked the
maximum weight limit that you can carry on board a train or boat?
Self
move can be a cheap way of doing things. However, you need to make sure
you have fully considered the energy needed and the time it will take
you. Your first few days in your new home will be hectic enough!