14 Things to Do Before Moving to Europe

An Experienced Long-Term Traveler's Checklist

by Caroline Bisson
Resources updated 8/1/2024 by Transitions Abroad

Moving and living in Europe requires a bit of preparation, but it's worth it.

1. Sort out your finances in advance

How much do you need? Research the living costs of your host country and check with the embassy to see how much cash you need in your account upon entering the country.

Is anyone helping out? If you are receiving funds from other parties (parents, sponsors), gather letters confirming the amounts, delivery dates, and the terms of your agreement.

Are any contracts lined up? Bring copies of any contractual work agreement you have secured at home or overseas. If you have arranged to do freelance jobs for home-based companies or web publications but don't have an official agreement, you should get a letter of intent signed by your clients. Unlike a contract, a letter of intent does not bind anyone legally but still offers a frame of reference for outside authorities.

2. Get easy access to your money

Consult with your bank representative, plan your outputs and inputs, and ready your accounts at home to meet your needs.

Set up your accounts. I set up three accounts: a "home account" in which I dump a fixed amount to cover monthly withdrawals (storage, insurance, visa card), a "foreign account" in which I gather funds for my stay abroad; and a "professional account" in which I deposit the money received through work. The latter is useful for income tax purposes as it allows you to tally your annual revenue.

Get a local bank card. Please avoid using your bank card from home to withdraw cash, as it will cost you dearly in transaction fees. Instead, open up a local account and arrange for lumps of money to be transferred from home to cover your living expenses. You will be charged a set fee for each transfer. Remember that the fewer transactions you make, the easier it becomes to monitor your cash flow.

Be in touch. Make sure you gain access to both online and phone banking systems to administer your finances at a distance. Work with only one bank. Making payments and transfers is more manageable if your accounts and credit cards are under the same roof. However, American Express cards and others provide excellent services for travelers and expats. Even better, ask your bank to assign you a personal adviser you can contact directly whenever necessary.

3. Apply for a visa

In all European countries, you must hold work or a student visa for stays longer than three months. Contact the embassy of the country where you are planning your extended stay at least six months ahead. At a minimum, you must show a passport valid up to two months after your date of return, a certificate of enrollment in a school (not a certificate of acceptance) or a work offer, the address where you will be staying, and your last three bank statements and any other proof of financial independence.

Remember that a student visa does not necessarily entitle you to work in Europe. It would be best if you asked each consulate about the respective laws in their countries. Working traveler paid and volunteer programs, often organized via private organizations, exist for summer or seasonal jobs in some European countries, as discussed in many articles and sections on jobs in Europe across this site. The EU Blue Card is granted to a few highly specialized individuals.

4. Store your personal belongings

Storage in America's suburbs costs as little as $60-150 per month. Please don't rely solely on your memory: keep a list of your belongings along with their location and take a few minutes while packing to write down the contents of each box.

5. Get health and travel insurance

You need coverage in case of healthcare needs, accidents, trip cancellations, and other unexpected events — budget anywhere between $1000 and $6,000 per year, depending upon your age and level of caution. World Nomads offers a great deal for students and other long-term travelers for your travel needs. For other forms of long-term health insurance, see our section on health insurance options abroad.

6. Check up on your health and vaccines before you go

Schedule appointments with your primary care provider, dentist, and even the eye doctor before you go. In light of COVID, be sure to take all vaccines and document. European countries had requirements for entry at peak periods of the 2020 pandemic, so check accordingly. For other health care issues, it's much easier to deal with nitty-gritty health procedures at home than to wait until you are abroad and have to deal with insurance reimbursements. Arrange a sufficient supply of your prescription medication (including contraception pills).

7. Update your driver's license

Not all European countries will recognize your driving license. In Spain and Germany, for instance, you must hold a valid international driving license before leasing a vehicle. Such licenses cost very little and are available via AAA and elsewhere in large cities. France accepts licenses from a limited number of states; Britain accepts any valid driver's license.

8. Renew and have copies of your IDs and cards

You want to avoid being stuck abroad with expired plastic. Ensure you leave with an updated passport, driver's license, health insurance cards, and credit cards.

Important: Once you complete the preparations, photocopy all the official documents and cards you bring — twice! That includes a plane ticket, insurance, birth certificate, all agreements and cards, and, most importantly, page 3 of your passport. Leave a copy with family or friends at home and bring the second set with you — separate from the originals. Ideally, you bring at least one encrypted flash drive with you containing all such images of documents in the event you need to print them out in Europe.

9. Consider power of attorney

A bank representative suggested I get a power of attorney the last time I went abroad, and it was one of my smartest moves. When the time came to send a check to my storage company, pay an outstanding visa bill, or settle things with my car insurance, my appointed personal administrator could take care of everything hassle-free. It is worth considering if you're abroad for more than six months.

10. Sort out your mail

Register a change of address with all the institutions you have been dealing with: banks, schools, clubs, and relevant governmental departments. The U.S. postal services can also redirect your mail for a minimal charge. It's probably best to keep a "home" address and have someone gather your mail.

11. Call home, email, or Skype/Zoom/Meet

Cheap international cell phone options of all types are now available, you can even rent a phone abroad very cheaply, but you can stay in contact via social media, Skype, and email via a laptop and tablet as well. Web software, such as Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet, offers excellent value for the money or is free and easy to set up. You can call direct numbers cheaply or call computer to computer for free and see who you are talking to.

12. Make sure you bring electrical plug adapters

Europe runs on 220 volts instead of America's 110, so it's best to be sure you have the proper converters for the different-shaped plugs (this usually works very well). Every country has its electrical usage requirements, and some have more than one plug, voltage, and socket type.

13. Bring a gift from home as an offering to any hosts

Pack a few souvenirs from your home (sweets, pins, cards). When you meet someone helpful, they'll appreciate the gesture.

14. Be prepared to join expat groups while abroad, but be ready to make friends with locals

To fully embrace your move to Europe and have a more authentic experience, it's important to make friends with locals and show your respect for their culture. While fellow expats and online expat communities can offer valuable support, you should also prioritize learning the local language and immersing yourself in the culture as much as possible. In most cases, they will be very curious about your life and home country. Americans are often admired in many countries, not necessarily for their government’s politics, but as individuals from a culture that fascinates locals. This admiration is influenced by the way of life portrayed in various forms of media, aspects of which some locals may choose to incorporate.

Caroline Bisson has worked and studied in France, Spain, and Great Britain.