How to Plan an International Move in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide That Actually Helps
The day I planned for an international move? Wildly underwhelming, honestly. No sappy farewell montage, no popping bottles—just me, hunched on a saggy couch under my dying plant, poking at Lisbon apartment listings with a mug of stale coffee and this itch that said, “Dude, it’s time to bounce.” Wasn’t glamorous, wasn’t cinematic. Just… real.
What came next? Pure chaos. We’re talking frantic googling, flip-flopping decisions, a parade of “Wait, what?” mistakes, and the occasional identity meltdown. Like, one day I’m decoding a lease contract with Google Translate and panicking I might’ve accidentally signed up for a mortgage until 2030. Another day, I managed to buy eggs without butchering the language or melting down in aisle three. Progress.
So, if you’re toying with the idea of moving abroad? Here’s the no-BS starter pack I wish I’d gotten—because you don’t just need logistics, you need a sanity survival kit.
1. Pick Your Country (And Get Real)
Seriously, don’t pick a country just because it’ll make your Insta grid pop. (Though, look, a winter beach selfie? Not mad about it.)
Be smart. Research the big stuff:
Can you survive the language barrier without playing charades all day?
Can you legally live or work there?
What’s the actual cost of living? Are you renting a sea-view flat or surviving on instant noodles?
Is the weather tolerable, or are you trading winter for heatstroke?
How’s healthcare? Will you be okay if you catch the plague?
How fast is the wifi? (Yes, this matters if you’re joining the digital nomad crowd.)
Hot tip: There’s a bunch of countries now dangling remote work visas. Portugal, Spain, Georgia, and Estonia are all about it. Makes things way smoother.
2. Budget Like Your Life Depends On It (Spoiler: It Does)
Moving isn’t cheap. Not impossible, but it’ll eat your wallet if you’re not careful. I made a spreadsheet (yeah, I’m that person) and still got blindsided by “surprise” costs.
Stuff to budget for:
– Visas, residency, all that red tape
– Flights + extra luggage (because you KNOW you’re overpacking)
– First month’s crash pad (Airbnb, hostel, whatever)
– Deposits, utilities, random one-off fees
– Health insurance (non-negotiable, trust me)
– Emergency stash (at least 3–6 months’ living money)
– Shipping or storage (for stuff you can’t let go)
Bonus round: Notarizing docs, new passport pics, maybe an international license, and—no joke—a “meltdown” fund for the inevitable freak-out over a dead SIM card.
3. Downsize Like You Mean It
Honestly, losing your stuff is almost mandatory.
I ditched like 75% of my things. Still showed up with too much. If it’s not sentimental, crazy expensive, or irreplaceable? Let it go. Lighter luggage, lighter mind. Plus, nothing screams “fresh start” like rolling up to a new country with just the essentials.
4. Paperwork: The Monster Under The Bed
This is the part nobody Instagrams. Bureaucracy, baby. You’ll probably need:
– Passport (with time left on it)
– Visa/residency docs
– Birth certs, diplomas, sometimes “apostilled” (don’t ask)
– Health insurance stuff
– Proof of housing (lease, hotel booking, etc.)
– Proof of money coming in
– Vaccination records (some places still care)
Print it, scan it, save it in the cloud, on a USB, and carry a hard copy. You’ll thank me when someone in customs asks for “the original.”
5. Book Somewhere—ANYWHERE—to Land
Don’t wing your first night. Trust. I didn’t, and ended up stress-eating Pringles in a hostel bunk, doom-scrolling for apartments and questioning all my life choices. Secure a crash pad, even if it’s just for a week or two. Airbnb, coliving, whatever works. Buy yourself breathing room.
6. Figure Out Real Life Stuff (Not Just Tourist Traps)
Tourist guides won’t tell you where to buy cheap toothpaste or which cell provider is a scam.
So:
– Stalk expat groups on Facebook
– Dive into Reddit threads
– Watch YouTubers who actually live there
– Skim local news (in English if you’re lazy like me)
That’s how I found my dentist, my go-to grocery store, and the chill coffee spot I pretty much lived in. Plus, other expats who had zero clue what they were doing, too. Or hey, hit up Outplore and find your people.
7. Prepare For Emotional Rollercoaster Vibes
Some days you’ll feel like a globe-trotting badass. Other days, total alien.
Culture shock slaps. Homesickness sneaks up on you. Sometimes both, at once, just for fun. You might ugly-cry trying to open a bank account, or pay ten bucks for detergent ‘cause you can’t read the label. It’s fine. Doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re learning.
Give yourself a break. Feeling weird is part of the process. You’ll get there.
