How to Plan Your Move Overseas: The Essential Guide to Moving Abroad in 2027

In the middle of planning an exciting relocation and considering how to plan your move overseas?

Planning a move overseas is one of the biggest projects you’ll ever take on. Whether you’re chasing the sunshine in Spain, starting a new job in Amsterdam, or beginning a fresh chapter in Australia, getting from “we’re really doing this” to unpacking in your new home takes careful planning.

You’ll have a lot to juggle, from visas and residency permits to flights, schools, banking, and, of course, getting your household belongings safely across the border.

The rules have also changed a lot since this guide was first written.

Brexit changed how UK citizens live and work in Europe, and 2027 brings new changes, including the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation and updated residency requirements in several of the most popular destinations.

The good news is that the more research and organisation you do before you leave, the smoother your move will be.

Here’s how to plan a move overseas step by step, with rules and timelines updated for 2027.

A Short Overview of This Blog

Planning a move overseas in 2027 is all about doing things in the right order. Here’s what this guide covers at a glance.

• Your 2027 moving timeline: what to do and when, from a year out right through to moving week.
• Visa and residency rules for 2027: the latest changes for the EU, Ireland, the USA, and Australia.
• Finding an international removals company: why booking early and choosing an accredited mover matters.
• Deciding what to take: customs rules, voltage differences and how to declutter.
• Planning your finances: budgeting, moving money abroad and what to do about your pension.
• Moving pets and vehicles: the paperwork you need to bring them with you.

Start early, check your destination’s rules, and book an experienced international mover. Get this right, and the rest becomes far easier to manage.

Your 2027 Moving Timeline

One of the most common mistakes people make when planning an overseas move is underestimating how long everything takes.

Visa processing, school places, and shipping times can all add weeks, sometimes months, to your plans. Here’s a realistic timeline to work to.

6 to 12 months before you move

• Research your destination and check which visa or residency route applies to you.
• Start gathering documents such as birth and marriage certificates, police certificates, and proof of income, as many need official certification or translation.
• Decide whether to sell, let or keep your UK home. Our page on selling up and moving overseas is a good place to start.

3 to 6 months before you move

• Arrange removals surveys and compare quotes. For busy people, a video survey is a quick way to get an accurate quote without a home visit.
• Book your international removals company and agree on a shipping method and collection date.
• Speak to your vet about pet travel, as some destinations need months of preparation.

4 to 8 weeks before you move

• Tell HMRC, your bank, GP, pension providers, and local council that you’re leaving. The government’s moving or retiring abroad checklist sets out who you need to contact.
• Arrange secure storage for anything you’re not taking straight away.
• Work through our moving checklist so you don’t miss anything.

Moving week

• Your belongings are packed, inventoried, and loaded. Keep passports, visas, residency paperwork, and any medication with you, never in the shipment.

Remember that your consignment might not arrive at the same time as you. Many destinations still require you to be in the country before your belongings arrive.

Road freight to France or Spain typically takes one to three weeks, while sea freight to the USA or Australia can take six to twelve weeks door to door, so plan to live out of a suitcase for a while.

Check the Visa and Residency Rules for 2027

Understanding post-Brexit immigration. Get the latest facts on the new ETIAS travel authorization, Schengen limits, and updated global income thresholds.

Since Brexit, UK citizens no longer have an automatic right to live and work in the EU.

As a visitor, you can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area, but to live there you’ll need the right visa or residence permit before you go.

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at all Schengen external borders since April 2026. It replaces passport stamps with a digital record of your fingerprints and photo, which makes the 90 day limit much easier to enforce.

Once you hold a residence permit, always carry it with your passport when you travel.

Next up is ETIAS, the EU’s new online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors. After several delays, it’s now expected to launch in 2027. It will cost €20, last for three years, and you’ll need it for any short trips to the Schengen area, including house hunting visits before your move.

Only apply through the official ETIAS website, as plenty of unofficial sites charge extra.

Here’s what’s changed in some of the most popular destinations:

• France: most people start on a one-year long-stay visa. Since January 2026, applicants for a first multi-year residence card must prove A2-level French and pass a civic exam, rising to B1 for the ten-year card. People over 65 are exempt from the language test. Find out more about removals to France or read our Moving to France Guide.
• Spain: the Golden Visa closed to new applicants in April 2025, so most retirees now use the Non Lucrative Visa. For 2026, this required €28,800 a year for the main applicant plus €7,200 per family member. The figure is tied to Spain’s IPREM index, so check the 2027 amount before you apply. See our removals to Spain page and the Living in Spain guide.
• The Netherlands: you’ll need a residence permit, usually through work. From 1 January 2027, the popular 30% tax ruling for skilled migrants drops to 27% for most new arrivals, with a higher salary threshold. Read our guide to moving to the Netherlands from the UK [INSERT LINK TO NEW NETHERLANDS ARTICLE] or find out about removals to the Netherlands.
• Ireland: thanks to the Common Travel Area, UK citizens can live and work in Ireland with no visa at all, making it one of the simplest moves abroad. Our guide to moving to Ireland from the UK [INSERT LINK TO NEW IRELAND ARTICLE] explains what you still need to sort out.
• USA: you’ll need a work, family or investor visa, and a new $250 visa integrity fee is now being applied to most temporary visas, so build it into your budget. Find out more about removals to the States via our Moving to the USA from the UK article.
• Australia: the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage visa and allows sponsored workers to stay for up to four years. Check the details on the Department of Home Affairs website and our removals to Australia

Immigration rules change regularly, so always check with the embassy or official immigration website of your destination before you commit to dates.

Planning the Removals Process

Partnering with the shipping experts. Ensure complete peace of mind by explicitly choosing a FIDI and BAR-accredited overseas mover.

Finding an International removals company is crucial to a successful relocation.

Don’t leave booking your removals company until the last minute. Get in touch at least three months before your expected moving date, or four to six months for long-haul moves, and aim to compare three or four quotes.

As there are so many overseas movers to choose from, choose a firm with genuine experience of international removals.

Look for membership of the British Association of Removers (BAR) Overseas Group and international networks such as FIDI. BAR members also offer the Advanced Payment Guarantee, which protects the money you pay upfront.

A good international remover will take care of the practical side for you, including:

• specialist export packing methods designed to survive long journeys.
• completion of an inventory to be included in customs documentation and clearance at both ends
• the best shipping option, whether that’s a part load, a shared container, or a full container.
• Delivery, unpacking, and debris removal at your new home on the other side

Decide What to Take

Customs rules vary by country, and your removals company will advise you on what you can and can’t ship.

Most countries allow used household goods to enter duty-free under transfer-of-residence rules, as long as you’ve owned and used them for a set period, often six months.

Food, plants, alcohol, and some medicines are commonly restricted, and Australia and New Zealand are especially strict, so garden furniture, bikes and walking boots must be spotlessly clean.

Think carefully about electrical items too. The USA and Canada run on 120 volts, so UK kettles, toasters and hairdryers simply won’t work. Europe and Australia use similar voltages to the UK but different plugs, so most electricals just need an adaptor.

Then be ruthless. If you haven’t used something in the last six months and can’t see yourself using it in the next six, it probably isn’t worth paying to ship. Books, DVDs, and heavy furniture take up a lot of space, so selling or donating them can noticeably cut your costs.

Plan Your Finances

Moving abroad involves plenty of costs beyond the removal itself, so set a budget early and stick to it. Ask yourself:

• What will the removal, shipping, and insurance cost in total?
• How much will visa, residence permits, and any required private health insurance cost?
• Do you have enough for rental deposits, temporary accommodation and setting up utilities?
• Have you set aside an emergency fund for unexpected costs or trips home?

You’ll also need a way to move money into a new local bank account.

Specialist currency transfer (FX) providers usually offer better exchange rates and lower fees than high street banks, and some let you lock in a rate in advance so a currency swing doesn’t blow your budget.

Pensions need careful thought. Transferring a UK pension to an overseas scheme can trigger a 25% overseas transfer charge in many cases, and since October 2024 this has included transfers to schemes in the EU.

MoneyHelper’s guide to your pension if you retire abroad is a great starting point, but always take regulated financial advice before moving anything.

Don’t forget to tell HMRC you are leaving the UK too.

Transporting Pets

Taking your pets with you? Start planning as early as possible, as the rules depend entirely on where you’re going.

For EU countries, your dog, cat, or ferret needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel and an Animal Health Certificate issued by an official vet within 10 days of arriving in the EU.

You’ll need a new certificate for every trip, and since April 2026, EU pet passports issued to Great Britain residents are no longer accepted.

The UK and EU are negotiating a new agreement that could bring pet passports back, so check the latest position before you travel.

Countries outside the EU, such as the USA and Australia, require an export health certificate; Australia also requires an import permit and a quarantine period, which can take several months to arrange.

The government’s guide to taking your pet abroad covers the rules for each route, and we’d always recommend using a specialist pet relocation company.

Transporting Vehicles

Shipping a car, motorbike or boat overseas is very different from driving it to a new home in the UK.

It involves export packing or container loading, shipping documentation, customs clearance, and local registration rules at the other end.

It’s always worth checking whether shipping your vehicle makes financial sense.

Many EU countries charge import tax or registration fees; Ireland charges Vehicle Registration Tax, and the USA has strict emissions and safety standards that most UK cars won’t meet unless they’re over 25 years old.

Read the government’s advice on taking vehicles out of the UK, then talk to a remover with experience in vehicle shipping well before your move.

Moving Abroad with White & Company

Trusted international removals since 1871. Rely completely on our export-grade packing, dedicated shipping containers, and comprehensive marine insurance options.

White & Company has moved families since 1871 and is one of the UK’s largest international removals companies, shipping household belongings worldwide, from France and Spain to the USA and Australia.

We’re founder members of the British Association of Removers and the international relocation networks of FIDI and OMNI, so you can move with complete confidence, knowing there’s always someone to turn to.

Whether you’re relocating an entire household to the other side of the world or sending a few boxes across the Channel, here’s a snapshot of what we offer:

• Full container and part load shipping worldwide, plus regular European removals
• Expert advice and arrangement of customs clearance
• Specialist export packing by our trained teams
• Financial protection for advance payments through the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee
• MoveProtect cover, including marine insurance options.
• Secure containerised storage in the UK or at your destination
• Car shipping and crating

Ready to plan your move overseas? Find your local branch to arrange a free moving survey, request removals quote online or contact our team and we’ll be in touch shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Home

How far in advance should I book a removals company?

For a UK move, aim to book four to eight weeks ahead, and allow longer for summer, Fridays, and the end of the month, which are the busiest times. For an international move, three to six months gives you the best choice of dates and shipping options.

What affects the cost of moving house?

The main factors are the volume of belongings you’re moving, the distance, access at both properties and any extras such as packing, storage or dismantling furniture. A survey, either in person or by video, is the best way to get an accurate price.

Is it worth decluttering before my removals survey?

Yes. The less you move, the less you pay, so sorting out what you no longer need before your survey means your quote reflects only the things you’re actually taking. It also makes packing and unpacking far quicker.

Do I need insurance when I move home?

Your home contents policy may not cover your belongings while they’re in transit, so check with your insurer. Most professional removals companies offer their own cover or liability protection, and it’s worth understanding exactly what’s included before moving day.

Can I take all my belongings when moving abroad?

Not necessarily. Each country has its own restrictions on items such as food, plants, medicines, and alcohol. Check your destination’s official customs guidance before packing and ask your removals company about goods that cannot be shipped or need special paperwork.

How long will my belongings take to arrive overseas?

Delivery times depend on the destination, transport method, and customs clearance. Air freight is generally quicker but more expensive, while sea freight can take several weeks or longer. Ask for an estimated delivery window and keep essential documents, medication, and everyday items with you.

Max Peterson

Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.