Key takeaways:
- Start early: Give yourself at least 3–6 months to plan, gather documents, and request moving quotes.
- Legal, financial, and healthcare prep are critical pillars of a successful international relocation.
- Accurate volume calculation ensures correct moving quotes and reduces cost surprises.
- Always keep physical copies of important documents and valuables with you during your move.
Legal Documents: A Must‑Have Part of Your Moving Abroad Checklist
First things first, you’ll need to have your legal documents at hand. Without them, the entire moving process will not work out.
Essential documents to organize:
- Passport (valid at least 6+ months)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Work or study visa & other permits
- Academic, financial & employment records
- Insurance policies
- Driving license & international driving permit
If you’re traveling with pets:
Sirelo Tip: Check the specific animal import requirements for your destination before making plans. Make sure to use a
USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Research Before You Move Abroad
Before choosing where to relocate internationally, you need to understand your destination, its lifestyle, bureaucracy, and local services.
Things to research:
- Cost of living (rent, utilities, groceries, gas prices, etc.)
- Housing market
- Job opportunities (if applicable)
- Public transportation options
- Appealing schools for your kids or educational facilities
- Healthcare systems
- Language barriers & requirements
Thorough research is the backbone of your international move and will help you make informed decisions.
Prepare Your Home & Belongings
This part of our moving abroad checklist is about ensuring your home and belongings are ready for your move:
Home preparation:
- Fix any repairs (especially if you’re renting out your house)
- Deep clean the house before departure
Decide what to do with your belongings:
- Keep the items you want to take with you
- Sell or donate items or clothing you don’t need
- Ship or sell your vehicles and bikes
- Prepare your property if you’re renting or selling
Sirelo Tip: Use online second-hand platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Vestiaire Collective, or a garage sale to declutter unwanted items.
Determine the Volume of Your Move
To get accurate moving overseas quotes, you need to calculate how much stuff you’re shipping.
Why this matters:
- All international moving quotes are based on volume
- Knowing the volume of your move saves you money and surprises later on
Sirelo Tip: Unsure how exactly to calculate the volume of your move? Use our
moving space calculator to calculate it.
Choose an International Mover
Moving overseas without professional help is next to impossible, especially if you have many belongings and furniture.
Checklist:
- Request multiple moving quotes from an international moving company (2-3 months before your moving date)
- Compare services, prices, and customer reviews of movers
- Confirm insurance options that are offered and the shipment timelines.
Healthcare and Insurance
Healthcare is often overlooked, but arguably one of the most important requirements when moving abroad.
Things to sort:
- Learn how the local healthcare system works and how to sign up
- Decide between international and local health insurance
- Check the rules for any prescription medicine you have
Money Matters: Finance Checklist
Sorting out your finances before your moving date will help reduce stress and prevent any unwanted surprises.
Consider:
- The tax implications of moving overseas
- How banking works in your destination (is a local bank required?)
- Open a local bank account (if applicable)
- Whether to close or keep your current account
Notice: As a U.S. citizen, you may still owe taxes, even when living abroad. Always check for a tax treaty.
Travel & Arrival Planning
Booking travel is one of the exciting parts of moving abroad. Often, the earlier your flights are booked, the cheaper they are.
Checklist:
- Ensure your passport is valid
- Book flights early (lower prices)
- Arrange temporary accommodation
- Coordinate mover arrival & travel dates
Sirelo Tip:If you’re looking for affordable flights, sites like
Skyscanner and
Kayak can be of great help.
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What to Notify Before You Leave
Make sure the necessary institutions and services know you’re moving. Add these to your call notice list:
- Your bank
- Loan providers
- Insurance companies
- The U.S Postal Service
- Tax agencies
- Your employer (if applicable)
Final Moving Preparations
As the big day approaches, tick off these last items:
Packing checklist:
- Collect sturdy boxes & packing supplies
- Start packing early (least used rooms first)
- Label every box clearly
- Keep valuable documents with you
Home checklist:
Sirelo Tip: Donate all non-perishable food items to
local charities or NGOs like Move for Hunger! before you leave.
Last‑Minute Checklist (1–2 Days Before Departure)
Now we’re reaching the end. If you’ve made it this far, right before the move, remember to:
- Call your mover to confirm details
- Confirm flights & accommodation
- Finish packing essentials
- Create final inventory lists
- Withdraw destination currency
- Final walkthrough of your home
- Pack a carry-on with valuables
You’re Ready to Go!
This moving abroad checklist is designed to cover everything from legal prep to last‑minute arrivals. Keep it handy, check things off as you go, and return to it throughout your moving journey.
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