International move checklist: what to do before you relocate

International move checklist: what to do before you relocate

Last updated: April 2026

An international move is not a single decision. It's a series of interlocking decisions, visa category, banking, tax residency, housing, healthcare, each of which affects the others. Get the sequence wrong and you're fixing problems in your new country instead of settling in.

This international move checklist is organized by topic, not by month. That approach works better because your timeline will depend on where you're going and which visa category applies. A D7 passive income visa to Portugal takes different preparation than a UAE company visa or a Caribbean citizenship by investment program.

Work through these sections in order. Some steps take months; start them first. Others take an afternoon but matter a lot if you skip them.

Visa and legal: the decisions that shape everything else

This is where to start. Your visa category determines your tax obligations, your right to work, your path to permanent residency, and whether you can bring dependents. Getting clarity here before you sort anything else is essential.

Identify your visa category. Most international movers fall into one of five paths: passive income residency (like Portugal's D7 visa), digital nomad visa, self-employed or freelancer visa, investment-based residency, or citizenship by investment (CBI). Each has different income requirements, documentation standards, and long-term rights.

Check the minimum stay requirements. Some residency permits require you to spend a minimum number of days per year in the country to maintain status. Portugal's D7 requires at least six months per year. Other programs are more flexible. If you're maintaining residency in multiple places, understand what each jurisdiction requires to keep your status active.

Apostille your key documents. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal background checks, and university degrees often need apostille certification before a foreign government will accept them. This process takes weeks and sometimes months depending on your home country. Start it early.

Get a criminal background check. Most residency applications require a recent criminal background check, often from each country where you've lived for more than 12 months. In the US this means an FBI background check, allow 8–12 weeks.

Hire a local immigration lawyer or vetted agency. A guide like this one can prepare you for the process. It cannot replace professional advice for your specific situation. Visa requirements change, country-specific exceptions exist, and small documentation errors can delay or derail applications. If you're ready to connect with a vetted immigration specialist, Atlasway can refer you to the right advisor.

Note: Tax implications of establishing residency abroad vary significantly depending on your home country's rules. US citizens, for example, remain subject to US tax filing obligations regardless of where they live. This is one area where a qualified tax advisor is worth the cost before you move, not after.

Finances: restructure before you go

Banking and financial logistics are easier to sort from your home country than after you've moved. Many banks will close accounts or restrict access for non-residents. Others require local address proof you won't have yet.

Open a multi-currency or international bank account. Wise, Revolut Business, and Charles Schwab International are commonly used by globally mobile professionals. Each has different strengths, Schwab is particularly useful for USD access and ATM rebates; Wise is strong for currency conversion. Open these before you leave.

Notify your existing bank of your move. Some banks will keep your account open for non-residents if you notify them proactively. Others will not. Find out before your address changes.

Set up a local bank account in your destination country. In Portugal, this often requires an NIF (tax identification number) first, which requires either a local appointment or a fiscal representative. In Spain you'll need an NIE. In the UAE, account opening typically requires your residency visa. Plan the sequence: tax ID first, then local banking.

Understand your ongoing tax filing obligations. Where you pay taxes is not simply where you live. If you're a US citizen, you file in the US regardless. If you're leaving a country with exit tax rules, you may owe tax on unrealized gains when you depart. These are not hypothetical edge cases, they affect a significant portion of internationally mobile professionals. Verify your situation with a cross-border tax advisor before your move date.

Review insurance policies. Life insurance, disability coverage, and investment accounts may have country restrictions. Some policies are void if you establish foreign residency. Check the fine print before you move, not after.

Housing: approach it with realistic timelines

Securing housing in a foreign country without an in-person visit is difficult. Securing it with only remote documentation is harder. This section is where many movers underestimate the friction.

Do not sign a long-term lease before arrival. A 12-month commitment on an apartment you've only seen in photographs is a common and expensive mistake. Where possible, book furnished short-term accommodation for one to three months while you find a permanent place in person.

Understand the rental market in your specific city. Lisbon, Barcelona, and Dubai all have tight rental markets with high demand and significant price variation by neighborhood. Research price ranges on local sites, Idealista and Imovirtual for Iberia, Bayut and Property Finder for Dubai, not just Airbnb.

Budget for deposits and agency fees. In Portugal and Spain, landlords typically require one to two months' deposit plus the first month's rent. Estate agent fees are often one month's rent. In total, expect to have three to four months' rent available as upfront cash before signing.

If you're buying property, factor in transaction costs. Portugal's property purchase involves IMT (transfer tax), stamp duty, and notary fees totaling roughly 6–10% of the purchase price. Spain's transaction costs are similar. These are not negotiable.

Utility setup is part of the residency process. In most European countries, utility bills in your name serve as proof of address for residency renewals, driving license transfers, and other administrative steps. Get electricity, gas, and internet into your name promptly after moving in.

Healthcare: sort this before your visa appointment

Healthcare is one of the most overlooked parts of international relocation planning. Most residency applications require proof of health insurance coverage. The coverage needs to meet specific minimums, and many budget travel insurance policies do not qualify.

Check whether your destination country requires health insurance for your visa. Portugal's D7 requires proof of coverage meeting EU minimum standards. Spain's digital nomad visa has similar requirements. The coverage must typically include hospitalization, repatriation, and emergency treatment, with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions in some programs.

Understand public healthcare access timelines. In Portugal, residents gain access to the SNS (national health system), but registration takes time and access is tiered. In Spain, healthcare access is linked to social security registration. You will likely need private health insurance for at least the first few months while public access is established.

Research your prescription medication situation. Some medications available over the counter in your home country require prescriptions abroad. Others may not be available at all. Bring a 3–6 month supply and documentation from your prescribing doctor.

Plan dental and vision coverage separately. Most international health insurance policies do not include dental or vision. Budget for out-of-pocket costs or purchase add-on coverage.

Logistics: the practical details that take longer than expected

The practical logistics of an international move, shipping, vehicles, pets, children's schooling, all have lead times that catch people off guard.

Decide what to ship and what to sell. International freight shipping is slower and more expensive than most people expect. For a move to Europe, expect six to eight weeks by sea freight for a container or groupage shipment. Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive. Sell, donate, or store items that don't warrant the shipping cost.

Research customs duties on personal effects. Most countries allow you to import personal effects duty-free when establishing residency, but the process requires documentation, proof of residency, an itemized inventory, and often customs broker assistance. Failure to follow the process can result in unexpected import taxes.

If you have a vehicle, research import rules. Importing a vehicle to the EU involves type approval requirements, potential homologation, and VAT. In most cases, importing a non-EU vehicle is expensive and complex. It's often better to sell your existing vehicle and purchase locally.

If you have pets, start the import process six months early. EU pet import requires microchipping, rabies vaccination, a tapeworm treatment from an accredited vet, and an official health certificate issued within days of travel. Missing any of these steps means your pet cannot enter. Some countries require additional wait times after rabies vaccination. The process varies significantly by destination, verify with your destination country's official veterinary authority.

Enroll children in school before you arrive. International schools often have waiting lists, especially at popular expat destinations. Start the enrollment process six to nine months before your move date. Public school enrollment typically requires proof of local address, which means you'll handle it after arrival.

Arrival: the first 90 days

The first three months after arrival are administrative-heavy. Having a clear sequence for registering, opening accounts, and establishing local documentation makes this period significantly more manageable.

Register your address with local authorities. In Portugal, this is the Junta de Freguesia (parish council). In Spain, it's the padrón (municipal register). This registration is required for many subsequent steps and is often your first formal proof of residence.

Apply for your local tax identification number. This is the NIF in Portugal, NIE in Spain, and tax registration number in Georgia. You cannot open a bank account, sign a lease, or receive a salary without it in most jurisdictions. Getting this sorted in the first week should be a priority.

Open a local bank account. With your tax ID and proof of address, this becomes straightforward in most countries. In Portugal, Millennium BCP, Caixa, and Novobanco all have English-speaking services in major cities. In Spain, Sabadell and BBVA are commonly used by newcomers.

Apply for your residency permit or card. The specific process depends on your visa category and country. In Portugal, after entry on a D7 visa, you'll schedule an appointment at SEF (now AIMA) to receive your residency permit. Allow several months for the appointment, the backlog has historically been significant.

Set up your Portuguese or Spanish driving license exchange. If your home country has a bilateral agreement, you can exchange your existing license without re-sitting a test. This process requires your residency permit, so it comes after that step.

Who this checklist is for, and who should get specialist help

This checklist works well as a framework for self-directed research. It covers the major categories and flags where friction typically occurs.

It does not replace professional advice in several specific areas: tax residency structuring, visa applications for complex situations (criminal records, prior visa refusals, company structures), property purchase, and pension or investment account treatment across borders.

If your situation involves any of those factors, working through the questions yourself first, using this checklist and Atlasway's country-specific guides, puts you in a much better position before you pay for a specialist's time. You'll know the right questions to ask.

For Portugal and Spain specifically, see Atlasway's guides on Portugal D7 visa requirements.

Key decision points

Before finalizing your international move, you should be clear on:

1. Visa category, which path fits your income source and lifestyle
2. Tax obligations, both in your home country and your destination
3. Banking sequence, which accounts to open and in what order
4. Health insurance, meeting visa requirements, not just basic coverage
5. Document apostille, started early enough to not delay your application

If you're still unclear on any of these, that's the right time to talk to a specialist, not after you've booked flights.

Thinking about your next move?

Atlasway connects you with vetted residency and visa specialists. Whether you're comparing options or ready to apply, we match you with the right advisor.

Explore your options at Atlasway →

The information in this guide is for research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. Immigration rules and tax regulations change frequently, always verify current requirements with a licensed advisor before taking action.

The information in this article is for research and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. Program rules, investment thresholds, and government fees change frequently — always verify current requirements with a licensed advisor before taking action.