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Relocating Abroad

Relocating Abroad?

When you plan to move, it is always wise to make sure you have a checklist of things that need to be done. However, when moving abroad it is even more vital as there are a number of extra things to consider that you may never have had to think about when moving previously. Whether you are moving to France or the furthest point of Europe, the process will be very similar, although it is worth reading up on any specifics for the country you are moving to a long time in advance as moving to France may have slightly subtle differences involved compared to moving to Germany or Spain.

The trick is to start planning as early as possible as certain things may need to be put in place much earlier than they would for a move in the same country. For instance, you need to start deciding certain things many weeks before such as whether or not you will be keeping your car or buying a new one abroad. Also, make sure you get rid of the belonging you no longer want a long time before you even start packing.

The main differences in moving to Germany or the rest of Europe will come in form of documentation. You will need to work out what you are doing with your bank account and money, ensure you have all your passports present and correct and find out whether you need translations of items such as birth certificates.

You will also need to inform a much wider array of people that you are going abroad, so do your home work, and the rest of the process should be very straight forward.

Germany isn’t Boring! – A Few Facts About the Nation

All nations have their little quirks, and Germany is no exception. In fact, Germany is packed full of interesting little idiosyncrasies that make it not only one of the most interesting places to live or visit, but also one of the weirdest, which could make relocating to Germany one of the best decisions you ever make!

First we’ll start by exploding some of the myths associated with all things German, and the idea that somehow Germany is a little boring. In reality this couldn’t be further from the truth, and anyone moving to Germany will pretty much immediately discover that it is one of the most vibrant and culturally intriguing places on the planet.

Did you know, for example, that there are more than 150 castles in Germany, some of them still inhabited by German aristocrats? Of course, anyone moving to Germany is unlikely to be relocated to a castle; however, many are open to the public and make great days out.

There are also plenty of quirks about the German nation that you might find it a little difficult to get your head around to begin with. For instance, the German working week actually includes a Saturday; therefore when checking train or bus times, for example, you should be aware of this.

You mightn’t immediately think of Germany as a natural as well as a cultural “vunderland” but in fact a massive 31% of the nation is covered with forests and woodland. This means that anyone moving to Germany will never be more than a few hours drive or train ride from some truly world class countryside.

Doing Things the German Way!

There is a lot that the UK and Germany have in common. However, there are enough differences between the two great nations to make moving to Germany potentially one of the most exciting decisions that you’ll ever make, whether you’re moving for a short stay or looking to become a fully-fledged emigre.

First we’ll examine the similarities between Britain and Germany that will make moving to the country seem a little less daunting. For instance, just like the UK, Germany enjoys a great transport infrastructure (which undoubtedly benefits from a bit of German efficiency), this makes getting around the major cities like Berlin or Munich pretty easy.

Of course, you aren’t likely to be moving to Germany just for the transport, as Germany happens to have the largest economy in Europe; therefore you can expect all the little luxuries that you’ll find at home, plus plenty of job oppourtunities in the ‘manufacturing capital’ of Europe.

Germany isn’t all about hard work and efficiency; however, and despite having a reputation to the contrary, it is nowadays home to some truly world class cuisine, with cities such as Munich beginning to rival gastronomic capitals like London and Paris in terms of the quality of its food.

There is an old adage that you tease the one that you love, and it is a testament of our closeness with the culture and national behaviour that we are so apt at pointing out our differences. In reality, anyone relocating to Germany from the UK will be surprised at the wealth of cultural intrigue on offer, but also the likeness it bears to their homeland.

Belgium: Culture and More!

Europe has a lot to offer, and it is arguably the most diverse continent on the planet, with each European nations having its particular way of doing things. Surely one of the most interesting and perhaps underrated European nation is Belgium, which although one of the smallest countries in Europe certainly punches above its weight in terms of cultural intrigue, history etc.

Food and Drink

Whilst France might enjoy the title of gastronomic capital of Europe, if not the world, Belgium is is just as exciting when it comes to food and drink, and drawing upon its uniquely diverse culture, you’ll be struck by just how varied and delicious Belgian cuisine can be. In fact, there are some things that Belgium does best in the world, for example Belgium produces over 800 kinds of beer as well as lots of lovely, world class chocolate.

Culture

Belgium is unique in that it is an especially diverse culture, and there are several languages native to the country, including English, French and Flemish, and the capital of the nation Brussels is officially trilingual. Rather than seeing the abundance of language in Belgium as a challenge, anyone moving to Belgium should see it as a testament to the uniqueness and the cultural intrigue that Belgium, one of the most special European nations, has to offer.

So, relocating to Belgium could be one of the most exciting decisions that you ever make, and at European Removal Experts its our business to take the hassle out of that European move!

Living Abroad Can be ‘Addictive’

Moving to Germany, moving to Switzerland or heading to any other country can be a rewarding experience, it has been noted.

According to a Shelter Offshore article, there is something enchanting about living abroad.

It stated: “The one thing that is … universally true is that when you’re established abroad you discover that most of your fellow expats feel the same as you, and almost no one is in any rush to return to the UK.

“I would even go as far as to say that ‘once an expat, always an expat’ because there really is something addictive about living abroad.”

The news piece went on to claim that once an individual has gone through the challenge of establishing a new life abroad, they know they could do it again if necessary.

“This puts fire in the expat belly and inspires them to move forward and never look back,” it stated.

The article went on to suggest that those who are thinking of moving to Germany, moving to Switzerland or to anywhere else should be warned there may be no going back because once they are in a foreign country, they will discover the “grass really can be greener”.

However, it went on to note that it takes a particular kind of person to make the transition successfully. They have to want to do it, the news provider noted.

When individuals make the decision to live in another country, there are many issues they must deal with before setting off. For example, they will need to sort out accommodation, research the area they will be staying in and make sure all their tax and other financial affairs are in order.

Also, it is advisable for them to take note of the healthcare services available in the area and, if they have children, to find out what sort of educational facilities are available.

Dutch Dreams

Holland is a wonderful country with a very rich culture, a liberal and enlightened attitude to life in general and friendly locals who are proud to welcome visitors and immigrants alike. It is no wonder that moving to Holland is a very attractive option to many British citizens. However, the thought of transporting all of your possessions to a new apartment in Amsterdam, relocating to Rotterdam or deploying in Den Haag can seem daunting.

At European Removal Experts, we can guarantee that relocating to Holland will be a pleasurable and positive experience. Our well maintained fleet of vehicles and professional drivers and removals men will carefully pack and transport all of your items at any location in the United Kingdom and make sure that every single piece of property arrives safely and securely in you new Dutch home. The decision to relocate should not be taken lightly, but once you made a well considered decision in moving to Holland, the last thing you need is any added stress over the thought of possessions and properly being damaged in transit or going missing. Our vast experience of the European transport system allows us to plan all of our routes precisely and ensures that we always choose the quickest but safest routes from A to B, whether you move to Holland or indeed, anywhere else in Europe. We feel confident that you will experience Dutch delights before you know it and any stressful thoughts will quickly evaporate in the ether once you choose to trust our prestigious firm with your removals requirements.

Belgium – Truly Cosmopolitan

Europe is a world leader for its cultural diversity, and this is in part thanks to a long history of immigration between nations; however, some parts of Europe are particularly cosmopolitan – and a nation such as Belgium is uniquely so, thanks to its rich diversity of cultures and languages.

One of the reasons why Belgium is so culturally rich is due to the diversity of official languages, and associated cultural input. Anyone moving to Belgium will immediately notice that there is no single dominant language and Dutch, French and German are spoken and taught in schools as official languages.

To confound the matter there are also loads of minority languages spoken there as well, including “Walloon“ and even Yiddish. This prevalence of diverse languages in the nation might seem daunting to anyone moving to Belgium from the UK, maybe with nothing more than a bit of GCSE French to go on, however, instead, it should comfort the British emigre that Belgium is so welcoming of immigrants to the nation.

As well as a diversity of languages, Belgium enjoys a truly unique culture; and the cuisine of Belgium, for example, greatly benefits from a variety of cultural influences; and in particular there is a strong influence from French cooking styles – which can only be a good thing!

So, whilst Belgium mightn’t be the top of your list for European destinations, moving to Belgium could be the portal onto a truly satisfying life – amongst one of the most special and diverse cultures on the planet!

Switzerland – Lessons in Education

Anyone considering moving to Switzerland from the UK will be comforted by the obvious similarities in culture or infrastructure between the  nations, however, there are always going to be differences between European nations – whether its the food or the health care etc. One of the most pertinent differences between European nations are the differences in education standards, and arguably the UK does not have the best reputation when it comes to this important aspect of daily life.

By contrast, Switzerland has a world renowned reputation for education, and therefore this alone could be a great reason for moving to Switzerland; but why exactly is it that the Swiss have an impeccable reputation for education, whereas we don’t?

Well it is perhaps unfair to suggest that the Swiss experience in regards to education is far superior than that of the UK, however there are certainly differences; and therefore if you are moving to Switzerland then you should be prepared for a significantly different way of doing things.

The most immediate thing that you’ll notice is different when moving to Switzerland, is quite obviously, the languages; however, far from being a drawback in Swiss education it is perhaps one of its best features, and arguably the key to Swiss education is the fact that kids are obliged to learn four official languages, which is an organic way to help them develop there mental dexterity from an early age.

Moving to Germany – What to Do About Insurance?

Germany is one of the most vibrant countries in the world, and due to its similar culture/infrastructure when compared to the UK, for a Brit moving to Germany shouldn’t be too much of an upheaval; however, just like with any move, whether you’re moving to France or moving to Germany, careful consideration should be paid to insurance – which will work in your favour down the line.

On one level, it is important – depending of course on the value of what you’re are taking with you – that you insure any particularly valuable item that you are taking with you, of course this isn’t just a consideration when moving to Germany – and insurance is important where ever your moving, but particularly so the further your goods are going, where loss or damage etc are more likely.

Unlike the UK, if you are moving to Germany you will require heath insurance, which will be deducted from your income over there depending on your income; however, if you are moving there from the UK on a temporary basis then there is an EU agreement that you will be covered, providing you have filed the right forms before your trip.

Of course the best way to be sure about whether you are covered or not, and if, for example, your current insurance (ie. from your own country) is applicable in Germany is to check with your provider – remember, despite the collaboration between EU countries there are still significant differences that can complicate temporary or permanent moves.

Advice for an Emigre in France

France and England have had a stormy relationship in recent centuries; however, like quarrelling brothers, we know how to make up! Nowadays we enjoy a particularly strong relationship, and cultural solidarity. However, differences still exist between the two nations; therefore moving to France can be a little complicated at times!

Perhaps the most pertinent difference that anyone moving to France will notice is that it is a culture that is pretty much obsessed with legislation; therefore purchasing a property over there can be a lot more difficult than it would be in the UK. This is confounded by the language barrier; therefore it might be a good idea to seek the aid of a translator – or better yet, learn the language! On a related point you should ensure you keep a copy of all of your paperwork, or anything that looks as though it might be important!

While there is a lot of cultural similarity between England and France, there is still bound to be a bit of a culture shock for anybody moving to France. For example, drinking habits are a little different in France, with alcohol being consumed mainly during meals. Of course encountering the idiosyncrasies of a new culture is one of the best things about relocating to a brand-new country; therefore you should take pleasure in getting involved in your new community, and sampling local fare etc.