Know before you go - moving overseas
Know your rights and responsibilities when you're moving to a new country. Living abroad is an exciting and interesting experience, but the decision to make the leap shouldn't be taken lightly.
We are partners in the Government's Know Before You Go campaign, helping you to know your rights and responsibilities when moving and living abroad.
Are you thinking of buying property abroad?
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has produced a very informative video with insights and some excellent advice on buying a property and living abroad. Before you make a move abroad, be sure to view it.
Familiarise yourself with your new destination before moving
- Understand the different laws, regulations, and customs abroad. What applied at home may be completely different in your new home.
- Don't forget to budget correctly to take into account currency fluctuations.
- Find out the health care coverage and system in your new home, so you're not hit with unexpected charges or worries and confusion in an emergency.
- Contact the local education authorities about the education system in your new home. Most countries also have English or international schools which you should be able to find on the internet.
- If you are considering buying property abroad, research thoroughly in advance. Keep in mind that property laws and customs in many countries are different from those in the UK and you may encounter problems with ownership rights due to these differences.
- Contact the Department for Work & Pensions for more information about collecting your pension abroad.
When you arrive in your new country
- Register with the local authorities as soon as you arrive in your new country, if required. Failure to do so may be a crime in some countries, and registering may give you access to health care and welfare services.
- If you are moving within the EU and Switzerland, register for a residence permit within the first three months of your arrival. Failure to do so may be a crime in some countries, and registering will give you access to health care and welfare benefits.
- Register with the local Embassy/High Commission/Consulate in your new country.
- Keep your passport up-to-date, and include contact information for friends or relatives on the appropriate page.
- Contact your local Embassy/High Commission/Consulate for information on preparing a will, as laws vary from country to country.
- Check to see what you need to do to continue driving in your new country. In some cases, you can exchange your driving licence for a new one, however, in some countries you may need to sit a driving test before being allowed to drive.
- To vote in UK elections your name must appear on the electoral register as an overseas elector. Contact the local electoral registration officer at the local council where you were last registered in the UK.
Removal quote appointment booking service
Britannia Bradshaw can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0161 877 5555 (Manchester) or 0121 504 0966 (Birmingham & Coventry) and speak with one of our removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
Professional, courteous and a pleasure to interact with.
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Recommended by our seller :)
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
You came highly recommended by the seller of the property we've moved into.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Both gentlemen went out of their way to respond to our request. Professional, courteous and a pleasure to interact with.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Nothing I can think of right now.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Keep up the great work!
I could not have wished for a better removal experience
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
I liked the look of your vehicles
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Everything was looking good but when it was suggested to do a partial load the previous day that sold me.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were stars of the highest calibre, so organised and helpful, nothing was too much trouble.
It was a long day since due to a national banking system problem the legal completion was late and they waited over 4 hours at my new property before the keys were released. Once we were in the four guys worked as a team and quickly, though with great care, moved me in. I could not have wished for a better removal experience. All the guys were great but their leader George was a brilliant communicator and made sure I was okay throughout the process.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Keep doing what you are doing
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Thankfully Britannia Bradshaw took much of the stress off me
Email to Sam
Thank you for your help in make my house move go as smoothly as possible. I would also like to convey my personal thanks to the team that physically moved my belongings, George, Dave, Duncan and Mike. They were all brilliant throughout the process and nothing was too much trouble. As you are aware I was victim of late key syndrome. With that in mind I knew the lads were quite entitled to call it a day and finish the move another day. However, they were patient and gave me enough time to thankfully obtain the keys. Once we were in it was amazing how efficiently they worked as a team shifting my gear. Despite the time they took great care and worked with me on what went where etc.
I have been a senior manager in a service industry and trust me these people were top notch. George kept liaising with me so fantastic coordination and communication skills.
I will make it my business to recommend Britannia Bradshaw to all of my friends and colleagues.
Thank you again
David WilsonSo friendly, helpful, quick and professional
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
My niece had you for her removal
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Because you were recommended
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
So friendly helpful quick and professional
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
You couldn’t
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Competitive price and a good company
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
My work use you for storage and I know you’re a good company with a strong reputation.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Competitive price and a good company
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
We weren’t offered a packing service, or a service for dismantling and reassembling furniture. It would have been good to know the cost of those.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
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Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only. If you're moving to or from the UK mainland please speak to one of our friendly team who will be able to provide you with a bespoke quote.
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