New Year, New Country: Planning a January Move Abroad

Somewhere between the last mince pie and the first grey Monday of the year, a surprising number of us start asking a big question. What if this is the year we finally move abroad?

If you have found yourself scrolling through sunny property listings, comparing salaries in Sydney, or wondering how far your pension would stretch in Portugal, you are not alone.

Moving abroad in January is one of the most popular New Year resolutions in the UK, and searches for overseas relocation climb every year as soon as the festive decorations come down.

The good news is that January is a brilliant time to start.

You do not need a destination, a visa or even a firm date yet. What you need is a sensible plan, and that is exactly what this guide from White & Company, international movers since 1871, is here to give you.

A Short Overview of This Blog

Turning a New Year daydream into a genuine move overseas is far easier when you know the order things happen in. Here is a quick look at what each section covers.

• From Resolution to Reality: why January sparks so many overseas moving plans, and how to keep the momentum going.
• Why January Is a Clever Month to Start: quieter diaries, the UK tax year, and the Southern Hemisphere school calendar.
• Before You Choose a Destination: four honest questions to narrow down where you could actually go.
• Your January Move Abroad Timeline: a working backwards plan from twelve months out to moving day.
• The Paperwork Nobody Mentions: passports, visas, HMRC, pensions, pets, and driving licences.
• Ship It, Store It or Sell It: deciding what is worth taking overseas and what is better left behind.
• Moving Abroad in Winter: weather, short days and how to protect your belongings in transit.
• Keeping the Fresh Start Feeling Alive: settling in once the excitement of arrival wears off.
• How White & Company Can Help: surveys, export packing, shipping, storage, and insurance under one roof.
• Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Home: quick answers to seven common moving questions.

Read on section by section or jump straight to the part that matters most to you right now. Either way, you will finish with a clearer picture of your next step.

From Resolution to Reality: Why So Many Brits Plan a Move Abroad in January

Take concrete, practical steps early in the year to transform your holiday daydreams into a solid relocation plan.

There is something about a brand new calendar that makes big decisions feel possible.

The holidays give us time to talk with family, reflect on the year just gone and notice what is not quite working, whether that is the commute, the cost of living, the weather or simply a feeling that life could be bigger somewhere else.

The trouble is that most resolutions fade by February. Gym memberships go unused, and the dream villa stays on the screen.

The people who actually make it overseas tend to do one thing differently. They turn the feeling into a few small, concrete actions within the first few weeks of the year.

That might be as simple as booking a call with a removals company to understand costs, opening a savings account labelled “the move”, or blocking out an evening to research two or three countries properly.

Small steps like these keep the idea alive long enough for it to become a plan.

Why January Is a Clever Month to Start (and Sometimes to Move)

January gets a bad reputation, but for anyone planning an international relocation, it has some genuine advantages.

It gives you a full year of runway

Most overseas moves take somewhere between six and twelve months from first idea to moving day once you factor in visas, selling or letting a home, school places, and shipping. Starting in January means you can comfortably target a move later in the year, or even the following January, without rushing anything.

It lines up neatly with the UK tax year

The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. When you leave matters, because your residence status affects what you pay and where.

HMRC explains how this works in its guide to tax if you leave the UK to live abroad, and the rules on residence and split year treatment are worth reading early.

A January start gives you time to speak to a tax adviser before the April cut-off, rather than after it.

It suits Southern Hemisphere families

If Australia or New Zealand is on your list, January is an especially handy month.

Their school years begin in late January or early February, so children who arrive around then can start at the beginning of a fresh academic year rather than joining partway through.

Our guide to moving to Australia from the UK has plenty more on what life down under looks like.

Removals diaries are calmer

Summer and the school holidays are traditionally the busiest times for removals, both in the UK and overseas.

Moving in the quieter winter months can mean more flexibility on dates and more time with your move coordinator.

If you are aiming for a January moving day, though, book early, as the weeks before Christmas fill up quickly.

Our article on how far in advance to book a removals company explains why.

Before You Choose a Destination, Answer These Four Questions

Many people start with the country and work backwards. It is often easier to start with your own situation and let that narrow the field. These four questions will do a lot of the heavy lifting.

1. How will you earn or fund your life there?

A job offer, remote work for a UK employer, a business, savings, or a pension all open different doors. Your income source often decides which visa routes are realistic, so it is the best place to begin.

2. Which countries will actually let you stay?

Since Brexit, UK citizens can usually spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area without a visa, as set out in the government guidance on travelling to the EU and Schengen area. Living in Europe long term needs a residence permit or visa.

Ireland is the big exception thanks to the Common Travel Area, which is why our guide to moving to Ireland from the UK has proved so popular.

For every country, the official foreign travel advice pages are the right starting point.

3. What does your budget really look like?

Think beyond the house price or rent. Visa fees, health insurance, deposits, flights, shipping, and a cushion for the first few months all add up.

If you are considering buying, our guide to buying property abroad as a UK citizen walks through the costs that catch people out.

4. What do you want your everyday life to feel like?

Language, climate, distance from family, healthcare, and the pace of life matter just as much as the numbers.

A short visit in January can be very revealing too because a place that charms you in July may feel very different on a wet winter Tuesday.

Your January Move Abroad Timeline, Working Backwards

Scheduling your international transition. Follow our structured countdown to secure visas, declutter your home, and book your removal survey perfectly on time.

Every move is different, but this rough timeline works well whether you are aiming to go later this year or setting next January as your moving date.

Twelve to nine months before

• Shortlist two or three destinations and check the visa routes for each.
• Speak to a tax or financial adviser about timing and pensions.
• Get a ballpark removal estimate so you can budget realistically.
• Check every family passport and renew any that are close to expiry.

Nine to six months before

• Apply for visas or residence permits where needed, as some take months.
• Decide whether to sell or rent out your UK home, and speak to agents. Our Thinking About Selling page has helpful advice.
• Research schools, healthcare, and neighbourhoods at your destination.
• If you have pets, start their travel preparations now.

Six to three months before

• Book that all important home survey, either in person or via a video survey, and confirm your moving company.
• Start decluttering room by room.
• Arrange temporary accommodation abroad if your new home will not be ready.

Three months to moving day

• Notify HMRC, your bank, pension providers, utility companies, and your council.
• Confirm packing dates, shipping method, and insurance cover.
• Work through the White & Company Moving Checklist to make sure nothing slips through.

If that list feels like a lot, our earlier article on planning early for moves in the New Year has more ideas for keeping things calm.

The Paperwork Nobody Mentions Over the Christmas Dinner Table

Sorting your vital administration. Notify HMRC, update your state pension, and secure your animal health certificates well before your departure date.

When people talk about moving abroad, they usually talk about the sunshine. Nobody mentions the forms. Here are the ones that most often take longer than expected.

Passports. Your new passport will have a different number from your old one, so renew it before applying for visas or booking travel. The passport renewal page links to current processing times.

Telling HMRC. If you are leaving permanently or working abroad full time for at least a whole tax year, you will need to tell HMRC, often using form P85.

Pensions. You can claim your State Pension abroad, but in some countries, it is not increased each year. The government guide to State Pension if you retire abroad explains how it works.

Pets. For EU countries, your pet needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and an animal health certificate, as explained on the taking your pet abroad page. Countries such as Australia and New Zealand have much stricter rules, and preparation can take six months or more.

Driving. If you are moving abroad rather than visiting, you will normally need to exchange your UK licence or apply for a local one. The guidance on driving if you move abroad covers the details.

The government also keeps a handy overview page on moving or retiring abroad, which is worth bookmarking.

Ship It, Store It or Sell It? Deciding What Comes With You

Reduce your removal costs by ruthlessly decluttering and utilizing our secure UK storage facilities for items staying behind.

An overseas move is the perfect excuse to take a fresh look at everything you own.

Shipping costs are based largely on volume, so every wardrobe, bookcase and box has a price attached.

A simple rule of thumb: ask three questions about each larger item. Do I love it? Will it suit my new home and climate? Would it cost more to ship than to replace?

A heavy oak dresser may be a treasured heirloom worth every penny, while a tired sofa or a UK fridge freezer is often better sold before you go.

Electrical items are worth a second thought since plug types and voltages vary. Sentimental items, important documents, and anything irreplaceable should always come with you or be packed with special care.

If you are not ready to part with something but do not need it straight away, storage can be the perfect middle ground.

White & Company offers secure Storage Solutions and Self-Storage in the UK, and we can also arrange storage at your destination if your new home is not quite ready.

If you are taking a car, our Vehicle Shipping team can arrange this alongside your household goods.

Moving Abroad in Winter: Weather, Daylight and Moving Day Logistics

A January moving day comes with its own set of challenges, but good planning can handle them.

Short days. In much of the UK, there are only around eight hours of daylight in early January, so packing and loading days need to start early and run efficiently. Make sure paths, driveways and steps are clear and well lit.

Wet and icy weather. Rain, frost, and the occasional snow can slow things down. Professional crews use protective covers for furniture and floors, but it helps to have doormats, old towels, and a warm drink ready.

Rough seas and delays. Winter storms can affect ferry crossings and shipping schedules. Build a little flexibility into your travel plans and avoid booking flights for the day after your belongings leave.

Protection in transit. International shipments need sturdier packing than a local move. White & Company provides specialist Packing for Export and Marine MoveProtect insurance cover, so your belongings are properly protected however far they travel.

Keeping the Fresh Start Feeling Alive After You Land

The first few weeks in a new country are a whirlwind of new sights, sounds, and supermarkets.

Then real life settles in, and some people find a dip in mood once the novelty fades. That is completely normal.

A few simple habits can make a big difference. Learn a little of the local language before you go, even if English is widely spoken.

Join a local club, class, or volunteering group rather than relying only on expat circles.

Set up a regular video call with friends and family back home and give yourself permission to take things slowly.

Unpacking properly helps too. Living out of boxes for months makes anywhere feel temporary, so aim to have your kitchen, bedroom and one cosy corner sorted within the first week.

How White & Company Can Help You Plan Your Move Abroad

White & Company has been helping families move across the UK and around the world since 1871. We are founder members of the British Association of Removers, FIDI and OMNI, which means your move is backed by recognised international standards.

You can learn more about what BAR membership means for customers on the BAR page about moving to another country.

Whether you are heading to Europe with our European Removals service or further afield with our International Removals team, we can take care of surveys, export packing, shipping, customs paperwork, vehicle transport, insurance, and storage, all coordinated by one dedicated contact.

Even if you have not chosen a country yet, an early conversation can help you understand costs and timescales and make a more confident decision.

Visit our Planning Your Move page, get a quick removals quote or contact your nearest branch to start your New Year plans today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Home

How long does it take to pack a three-bedroom house?

Most families find that packing a three-bedroom house themselves takes two to four weeks of evenings and weekends. A professional packing team can usually complete the same job in one or two days, depending on how much you own and how fragile it is.

What is the cheapest day of the week to move house?

Midweek days such as Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are often more affordable and easier to book than Fridays, which are popular because most completions happen then. Moving in quieter months outside the summer holidays can also help.

Should I tip my removals team?

Tipping is never expected, but it is always appreciated. Many people offer a small cash tip per person or provide drinks and snacks throughout the day. If you are really pleased, a positive online review is a lovely way to say thank you too.

What should go in a moving day essentials box?

Pack a clearly labelled box with the kettle, mugs, tea and coffee, phone chargers, toilet roll, basic tools, medication, a change of clothes, bedding for the first night and important documents. Keep it with you rather than on the removals van.

Will removal companies take apart my furniture?

Most professional removals companies can dismantle and reassemble standard furniture such as beds, tables, and wardrobes. Let them know at the survey stage so they can allow time and bring the right tools.

Can I take my house plants when I move?

You can usually take plants on a UK move, ideally travelling with you in the car where it is warmer. For international moves, many countries have strict rules on importing plants and soil, so it is often better to give them to friends before you go.

Who do I need to tell when I move house?

Make a list that includes your bank, employer, GP, dentist, DVLA, HMRC, council, utility providers, insurers, broadband supplier, and subscriptions. Setting up a Royal Mail redirection service for a few months helps catch anything you might have missed.

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.