Moving from Australia to Europe

As the European summer creeps around and it seems like almost everyone is posting holiday snaps in exotic cities, Australians may find themselves thinking about a move to Europe. For Australians, spending a year or two in Europe is almost a rite of passage. It is a chance for us to experience a culture outside our own.

Europe is a large continent and, unless you have somewhere in a particular country that you have always dreamt of living, choosing where to live in Europe can be difficult. For many Australians, London is the obvious choice, as their main language is English, but for those looking for a bit more of a challenge, moving to a non-English speaking country might be your preference.

When deciding where you want your new home to be, think about what you would like your new life to look like. This might mean thinking about the different work opportunities that are available or getting an idea of the culture that is on offer in each location. Maybe you want to wake up in the morning and get a baguette from the local boulangerie next to the Seine, or maybe you want to cycle to work in Amsterdam. Europe is rich with culture, and each country has something new and exciting to offer.

When choosing your home in Europe make sure you know what your top priorities will be; knowing what you want before you get there will make house hunting easier once you arrive. Is a short commute important? Do you need an apartment that allows pets? Perhaps you need to find a home that is accessible to local international schools. If you will be moving to Europe with your family, try and keep them involved in the whole process whilst looking for a home. Your family members will have things that they would like in their new home and they need to be included in the conversation. Here is a list of things to consider that will get the conversation started:

• Proximity to schools
• Living in city vs country town
• Leafy area or built up area
• Public transport accessibility

Keep in mind that you may not be able to find a home that meets all of your requirements. In this instance you will need to know which of the items on your list you would like to prioritise.

Before moving to Europe, you will need to get your visa documents organised. Often there will be long processing times for visa approvals, so you will need to leave ample time for these to happen. Getting organised early also means that if there are any issues with your documents, then you will have time to fix them. Each country in Europe will have its own rules and regulations regarding visa and immigration, so it is advised that you contact the relevant government organisations for your chosen country to ensure that you follow the correct processes for moving to Europe. A good place to start when looking for immigration information is the embassy of your chosen country. Most European countries will have an embassy in Australia and will have immigration experts there who will be able to help you.

Choosing the right removalist for your move to Europe is highly important. Moving internationally is no simple task and requires a lot of careful planning and coordination. Using a trusted and experienced removalist will make moving so much easier and will mean that you can relax knowing that your belongings are in safe hands.

When packing your clothes for your move to Europe, you may find yourself wondering what to bring. Keep in mind that fashions will be different where you are going and the clothes that you love now, you may not like once you are settled into your new home. In addition to this, if you are moving to a colder country such as Norway or Denmark, then you may not need your light summer dresses or linen summer shirts.

Depending on the time of year that you are moving to Europe, consider leaving some of your clothing behind. You can get rid of any unwanted clothing by donating it, selling it or putting it into storage.

Knowing where to start when packing for an international move can be tough so here is our suggested order for where to start packing first:

1. Storage rooms (garage, closet areas)
2. Rooms that don’t get much use (spare bedrooms, second living rooms, spare bathrooms)
3. Decorations
4. Books
5. Off-season clothes

Packing for a home move can be tiresome, especially when you have a million other things on your mind. Making sure that your belongings are packed well and will be protected during their transit is an important part of a long-distance move. Be sure to use high quality packing materials and do not cut corners when it comes to packing breakables like china and glass. When Allied pack your belongings for an international move, we use only the highest quality materials which have been developed through our extensive removals experience. Our highly trained packing staff will take every precaution to ensure that your belongings will be safe during their transit with special care to at risk items such as marble tabletops and glass items.

Getting settled into your new home can be challenging, but it is always easier if you have a good support network around you. Get in contact with expat groups in your local area as they will be a great source of local tips and advice for people who are just settling in. Many people who move overseas find that expat groups are their best source of social engagement too, as everyone is in the same boat having left their friends and family to move across the world.

Moving to Europe will be the adventure of a lifetime, but there will also be plenty to think about when planning your move. With the largest network of agencies and professionals around the world, Allied offers a range of services, from guidance on how to implement a move yourself to handling every detail for you with valet packing and unpacking services.

When you move with Allied, you can be sure of a seamless experience from start to finish, leaving you more time to get excited for your relocation. Call 13 25 54 to get your free quote today.