A relocation timeline, working backwards from arrival. The order matters more than the individual items.
Twelve months out β establish the basis
- Determine your legal route β citizenship, residence permit, work permit, student status or spousal route
- Check your own country's rules on dual nationality and on residence abroad affecting pensions or benefits
- Take tax advice in both jurisdictions β before, not after
- Visit if you have not, ideally outside the peak season
Item three is the one that produces regret when skipped. Some decisions about assets and residence are much cheaper to make before you move than afterwards.
Six months out β documents
- Police certificates from every country of long residence β these take time
- Birth, marriage and qualification certificates, legalised as required
- Medical records, particularly for anyone with an ongoing condition
- School records for children, legalised
- Driving licence, valid and with an international permit if useful
Everything requiring an apostille or consular legalisation should start now. It is consistently slower than expected.
Three months out β logistics
- Decide on shipping β price a container against buying locally, allowing for import duty
- Arrange health insurance including overseas treatment and medical evacuation
- Book temporary accommodation for the first weeks, not a long lease
- Contact schools if you have children β places can be limited
- Check medication availability for anything you depend on
One month out β closing down
- Notify tax authorities as required
- Arrange mail forwarding and update addresses
- Keep home banking open initially β opening a local account takes time
- Copy every important document digitally, stored securely
The banking point is practical: do not close your existing accounts before the new ones work. The overlap period is longer than most people plan for.
First month on the island
- Register as your status requires
- Local phone number
- Bank account β bring the full document set
- Driving permit
- See areas properly before signing any lease
- Set up utilities
The rule that governs all of it
Sequence beats speed. Several steps depend on earlier ones β a lease needs an address decision, a bank account needs documents, utilities need a lease. Attempting them out of order produces repeated visits and lost weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Which step produces most regret when skipped?
Tax advice in both jurisdictions before moving β some asset decisions are far cheaper made beforehand.
What should be started six months out?
Police certificates and any document legalisation β consistently slower than expected.
Should you close home bank accounts?
Not before the new ones work β the overlap period is longer than most people plan for.
What is the governing rule?
Sequence beats speed β several steps depend on earlier ones, and doing them out of order costs weeks.
Need a tailored roadmap?
Viking Global Group walks with you from paperwork to settlement. Call +849.219.219.88 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.
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