Moving Abroad: The Real Checklist Nobody Tells You About

I come from Slovenia – a small but stunning country in the heart of Europe. We’ve got mountains, lakes, forests, fresh air… everything you can imagine. But one day, our family said: you only live once. So we packed our bags and moved. First Costa Rica, then Nicaragua, then Dubai, and later Thailand (and some by the way).

And honestly? Each move came with its own “oh no, why didn’t anyone warn us about THIS” moment.

So here’s the no-fluff version of what you should check before moving abroad. Sure, I’ll share what we did from Slovenia – but trust me, these lessons apply no matter where you’re from.

Let me tell you this straight – your documents are everything when moving abroad. Without them, you’re stuck.

When we first moved, we thought: “passport valid for a year, we’re good.” But here’s the reality: you don’t just need a valid passport – you need one that lasts for years. Because what happens if your passport expires while you’re abroad? Suddenly, you can’t extend your visa, you can’t cross the border, and you’re left in a nightmare of paperwork in a country where you don’t even speak the language.

And it’s not just passports.

• Translations & apostilles – many countries want certified versions of your documents (birth certificates, marriage licenses, diplomas). Do this before you leave – trust me, getting them translated from abroad is a headache you don’t want.

• Residence papers – some countries won’t even let you deregister your old address unless you can prove you have a new one. That means having a rental contract or official document ready.

• Visa requirements – check if you need a visa, work permit, or residence permit, and apply early (some take months!)

But here’s the big secret: always keep digital copies of everything. Don’t just carry physical papers in your bag.

• Take photos of your passports, ID cards, birth certificates, bank cards – literally everything.

• Upload them to a secure password vault (like NordPass) and also to your cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).

• Don’t rely only on your phone – what if it gets stolen or broken?

We even went a step further: we photographed our suitcases and valuables. Why? Because if an airline loses your luggage, showing a picture at Lost & Found makes the process 10x easier. And if you ever need to make an insurance claim, having proof of what you owned is gold.

It might sound over the top, but trust me – when you’re standing in a foreign airport, realizing your bag didn’t make it, you’ll thank yourself for those five minutes of preparation.

Having an international or digital bank account made our life so much easier. Think Revolut, Wise, Payoneer and other – fintech banks that let you exchange currencies instantly, without those insane hidden fees.

Why is this so important? Because if you rely only on local banks:

• you’ll pay crazy fees every time you withdraw from a foreign ATM,

• you’ll get ripped off with bad exchange rates,

• and you’ll lose money on every single transfer.

With fintech, you can swap currencies on the spot, track your spending, and avoid most of those charges. It feels like magic compared to the old-school banks.

And here’s another thing people forget: cash limits. Every country has its own rules about how much cash you can carry across the border. Usually, it’s around $10,000 per adult. If you go over that, customs can take it away – sometimes officially, sometimes… not so officially. In places like Nicaragua or Costa Rica, let’s just say your money might “disappear,” and good luck proving it.

So, two golden rules:

• Don’t travel with huge amounts of cash.

• Use digital banks that work internationally.

It’s not just safer – it’s also way smarter.

Health is one of those things you don’t think about… until you really have to. That’s why it’s worth preparing before you even board the plane.

• Health checks and prescriptions – make sure you’ve got your medicine, vaccination records, and important medical documents with you.

• Dentist tip – please, don’t do big dental procedures right before moving. If something goes wrong, you’ll end up on a 12-hour flight with tooth pain, and that’s the last kind of adventure you want.

• Insurance – tourist insurance won’t cut it if you’re actually living abroad. Look into long-term international health insurance that covers accidents, illness, and emergencies. You have quite a few options: International Citizen Insurance, Cigna Global, Foyer Global Health, April International or SafetyWing.

• Know your options – before moving, check where the nearest doctors and hospitals are. In some countries, you literally book a doctor through WhatsApp. Find out where the clinics are, where the pharmacies are, and even where public defibrillators are located. Having that info beforehand means you won’t panic when something unexpected happens.

👉 Popular choices among expats are VisitorsCoverage, Ekta or SafetyWing – just make sure to compare what fits your lifestyle. Also check your credit cards or digital banks like Revolut, since many of them already include insurance packages you can activate for travel or living abroad.

We usually search for flights on Google Flights to compare options and find the best routes — and then book directly with the airline or through trusted platforms like Expedia or Booking.com.

For long-haul flights, I always recommend checking business class deals — sometimes they’re surprisingly affordable, and trust me, it makes a world of difference when you’re traveling with kids or pets. But if not, economy works perfectly too — comfort is more about mindset than seat type. ✨

And here’s a tip I learned the hard way: always book directly with the airline (or Expedia and Booking.com), not through third-party sites like Kiwi, eDreams or other “cheap ticket” agencies. Once, I booked through eDreams, even paid for cancellation insurance, and when I had to cancel, they still charged nearly €100 in “service fees.” The so-called “free cancellation” wasn’t free at all.

So before you trust any agency, do yourself a favor: check reviews on Trustpilot. You’ll see very quickly which companies play fair and which ones are full of hidden fees.

Whether you’re moving abroad or just planning a vacation – book directly with the airline whenever possible. It saves you money, stress, and those nasty surprises hidden in the fine print.

Moving abroad isn’t just a checklist – it’s also about mindset. You can plan every detail, but life has a way of surprising you.

• Culture shock is real – food, customs, pace of life… everything feels different, and sometimes overwhelming.

• Safety and crime – always check the crime rates and safety conditions. For example, in Nicaragua immigration officers once took our passports and asked for $150 per person to return them. Shocking, but it happens.

• Healthcare system – super important, especially if you’re moving with kids. Know in advance how the system works.

• Unexpected events – like when Wi-Fi doesn’t work at the airport, your driver never shows up, or immigration keeps you waiting for hours. We’ve been through all of this.

• Housing reality check – the apartment or house might look amazing online, but when you arrive, it can be a completely different story. Even if you book through a real estate agent. Always check what’s within walking distance (shops, transport, school, hospital).

• Legal and entry issues – sometimes it’s unclear what exactly you need to pay at the border, or what’s official and what’s not. Be ready for bureaucracy that doesn’t make sense.

The truth is: you won’t be prepared for everything. But if you expect obstacles and accept that things may go wrong, you’ll be mentally stronger when they do.

Get yourself an eSIM card. I recommend Airalo, Revolut or Saily. It saves you from hunting for a local SIM card right after landing, and you’re online instantly.

A few extra tips we learned the hard way:

• Roaming is crazy expensive – don’t rely on your home provider abroad, unless you enjoy surprise bills. An eSIM solves this instantly.

• Airport SIM packages – they exist, but they’re usually overpriced.

• Third phone trick – if you can, keep a spare phone just for data and hotspotting. Super handy when your main phone battery is dying.

• Airport Wi-Fi isn’t guaranteed – in Istanbul, Wi-Fi didn’t work for us at all. Imagine landing, no SIM, no Wi-Fi, and no way to even book a taxi. Total chaos. That’s why it’s best to set up your eSIM before you travel.

• Important note – most eSIMs are for data only. If you need a local phone number for calls or SMS, you’ll still have to buy a physical SIM card from a local provider.

Being connected isn’t just about scrolling Instagram – it’s about safety, navigation, and peace of mind.

• Airport transfer – if you have lots of luggage, book a van in advance. You can even arrange transfers directly through Booking.com, Welcome Pickups and KiwiTaxi which is often safer and more transparent than negotiating at the airport.

• Accommodation – don’t land without a place to stay. At least book temporary housing. You can book it on Expedia and Booking.com.

• Moving services – if you’re relocating with more than suitcases, a professional moving company is worth it.

• Transport apps – many countries have ride-hailing apps like Uber, Careem, Grab, where you can choose the type of car that fits your luggage. Perfect if you didn’t book a transfer in advance.

• Airport taxis – be careful. In many countries (even in Slovenia), official-looking airport taxis can be overpriced. Always check reviews or ask locals before jumping into the first car you see.

• Car rental – you can also book rental cars directly on Booking.com, Expedia, Getrentacar, Economybookings or often at better rates than at the airport. Before paying extra for insurance at the rental desk, double-check if your credit card or travel package already includes accident coverage. Many people pay for duplicate insurance without realizing it.

Here’s something nobody tells you: money disappears fast abroad. Much faster than at home. Why? Because you want to see everything, try all the food, explore every hidden corner, and book amazing experiences (GetYourGuide is fantastic for that, by the way). That’s exactly what moving abroad is about – but your savings can burn out in record time.

So what’s the solution? Always have a backup income stream. Even if you’re retired, already have a steady income, or think your savings are enough – unless you’re making money online, you’ll eventually feel the pressure.

The good news? Online business is no longer just for young digital nomads. Today, anyone – midlife, retired, working parents – can start earning online. It could be:

• teaching online if you were a teacher,

• coaching or consulting,

• running an online store,

• creating digital products or even physical ones,

• blogging, Instagram content, or online courses.

The key is: don’t wait until after you move. Once you’re living abroad, you’ll be too busy enjoying sunsets, exploring beaches, or adjusting to a new culture. Building a business takes time and focus – start before you leave.

And if you don’t know how, that’s where I come in. I offer coaching, guidance on relocation and online business, as well as full “business-in-a-box” setups – where I create the digital foundation, and you simply run it. The point is: get organized early. It’s pure gold once you’re abroad and everything is already flowing digitally.

Here’s the truth: things don’t always go the way you imagine. It’s not about being negative – it’s about being smart.

• Healthcare emergencies – know where the nearest hospitals and clinics are. Check if they have emergency rooms, and even where defibrillators are in public spaces.

• Insurance coverage – make sure your insurance isn’t just “travel.” You need coverage for accidents, illness, and yes, even death. Nobody likes to think about it, but trust me, it’s better to be prepared.

• Money problems – what if your wallet gets stolen or your card stops working? Always have a backup account, an emergency fund, or even a trusted friend or family member who can wire money quickly.

• Theft or robbery – it happens. Make sure your valuables are backed up (digitally), insured, and not all in one place.

• Unexpected life events – pandemics, border closures, family emergencies. Think about what you would do if you had to leave the country suddenly.

Having a Plan B doesn’t mean you’re paranoid – it means you’re ready. And when you’re ready, you can actually relax and enjoy your new life abroad instead of panicking when something goes wrong.

Before you commit to a full relocation, visit the country first. Take a holiday there and see how it feels. Spending $5,000 on a test trip is better than spending $50,000 and a year of your life only to realize the country isn’t for you.

Moving abroad is not just about changing your address – it’s about changing your lifestyle. Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes magical, but it’s always unforgettable. If you prepare well, handle the paperwork, and stay open-minded, it can be one of the best decisions of your life. 🌍✨