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...
They were just completely excellent
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Used Britannia before and so searched for local Britannia movers
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?
Just so good and professional. I had lots of questions. Luke was really patient with me and answered them all, it felt like nothing was too much trouble
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were just completely excellent, every single one of them worked hard, was professional and polite, the whole move was done so quickly and simply. Everything was well packaged and labelled, there hasn’t been a single breakage.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
I’m not sure. It was really excellent - the online portal where you book was a bit unintuitive on mobile and I had to do it over the phone with Luke in the end
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?
It was amazing.
The lads were fantastic
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Due to pending house move, searched for multiple providers and obtained quotes via the internet / recommendations
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
9/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Based on quote detail, and to some degree the price point that fell between a more expensive and a cheaper option
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
The lads were fantastic, efficient and a pleasure to be around on the day
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
(subject to reform in the property sector which affects logistics) consideration to last minute changes and delays particularly with residential house moves due to a sale and multiple people within a chain
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?
It was not straight forward, it cost more than it could and should due to circumstances outside of everyone's control but we got there in the end and the physical move of items was the easiest part in fairness.
Very good communication from beginning to the end
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
One of the options for moving home
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?
Good communication
How did our price compare with other quotes you may have received?
Similar
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
All lads excellent, couldn't ask for better
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Think you are very good as you are
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?
There was very good communication from beginning to the end and excellent service from everyone we dealt with
Friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and efficient
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Personal recommendation
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?
Heard only good comments
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and efficient. Extremely hardworking. Couldn't have asked for a better team of lads.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Your service was excellent
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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