Moving abroad involves months of preparation compressed into a timeline that is almost always shorter than expected. Most problems don’t come from a lack of motivation — they come from doing things in the wrong order: booking the mover before securing the visa, closing the bank account before opening the next one, forgetting to notify the tax authorities of your departure.

This checklist organizes every key step into chronological phases. It doesn’t replace the advice of a relocation specialist or tax advisor, but it gives you the full picture so you can move forward without missing anything.

See also our general guide on living abroad for the bigger questions.

6 months before departure

Choose your destination and validate feasibility

This is not a trivial decision. Every country has its own rules on visas, work rights, taxation and cost of living. Before committing, answer these questions:

  • What is your status: company employee on secondment, self-employed, retiree, accompanying partner?
  • Does the country require a long-stay visa, a residency permit, or does it accept tourist-visa stays for nomads (as with Portugal’s digital nomad visa, or certain non-EU countries)?
  • What is the actual tax burden on your income once you are no longer a French tax resident?

Before deciding, read our article on the hidden costs of expatriation.

Start visa and residency permit procedures

Some procedures take a long time. The Portuguese D-visa for digital nomads can take several months if consulates are backlogged. Canadian residency permits (permanent residence, work permits) can take 6 to 18 months depending on the route. Start early.

  • Identify the type of visa or permit required for your situation (see country guides: Portugal, Spain, Canada)
  • Gather required documents (passport valid at least 6 months beyond your planned return date, proof of income, criminal record certificate, photos)
  • Submit the application to the relevant consulate or embassy

Build a realistic budget

The installation budget is regularly underestimated. It includes:

  • International moving costs (see the dedicated section below)
  • First month’s rent plus security deposit (often 2 to 3 months locally)
  • Insurance (health, home, personal liability)
  • Administrative fees (certified translations, apostilles, visa fees)
  • A cash reserve covering 3 to 6 months, to bridge the transition before stable income

See a doctor and update your vaccinations

Some destinations require specific vaccinations (yellow fever for certain African or South American countries, hepatitis, etc.) and others strongly recommend them. Book the consultation at least 2 months before departure to allow time for any injection schedules.

Read our article on expat health insurance to choose the right coverage from this stage.

Plan children’s schooling

If you are moving as a family, the school calendar is a real constraint. Enrollment at French schools abroad (managed by the AEFE network) often requires 6 to 12 months’ advance notice. Private international schools can have waiting lists. Start the process now.

Get quotes from international moving companies

The international moving market varies enormously depending on the destination, volume and timing. Allow time to compare 3 to 5 quotes.

3 months before departure

Choose your international moving method

This is one of the most budget-impactful decisions you’ll make. The main options:

Full container load (FCL) Best for volumes above 15-20 m³. A 20-foot container holds around 33 m³ of usable space. Typical ranges:

  • Europe to North America: EUR 3,000 to 6,000 for a 20’
  • Europe to Southeast Asia: EUR 2,500 to 5,000 for a 20’
  • Transit time: 4 to 8 weeks depending on destination
  • These ranges cover sea freight, loading and basic customs clearance; delivery to door and insurance are typically extra

Shared container (LCL — less than container load) For volumes of 3 to 15 m³, groupage means sharing a container with other shippers. Cost per m³ is higher than FCL but better suited to smaller volumes. Expect EUR 300 to 600 per m³ depending on destination.

Air freight Reserved for high-value or time-sensitive items. Very expensive (EUR 8 to 20 per kg). Justified for professional equipment or items needed immediately on arrival.

Minimalist move An increasingly popular approach: leave with a few suitcases and checked baggage, buy everything at destination. Works well for countries with reasonable consumer prices (Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Mexico). Less practical for high-cost destinations or those with limited supply.

For recognized international movers, companies accredited by FIDI (the international federation of furniture removers) offer quality guarantees.

Also look into the French customs “transfer of residence” scheme, which allows you to import personal effects free of customs duties in most EU countries and many non-EU countries. Conditions are detailed on the French customs website.

Gather and authenticate your official documents

This is often the most tedious part. Start early because some steps take several weeks.

Documents to prepare:

  • Passport: check validity (minimum 6 months beyond your planned stay)
  • Birth, marriage and divorce certificates (if applicable): for some destinations these must be apostilled
  • Diplomas: often required for work visa applications or qualification recognition procedures
  • Criminal record certificate: commonly required for long-stay visas
  • Bank statements and proof of income for the past 3 to 6 months

Apostille: some countries that have signed the Hague Convention require official foreign documents to be apostilled for recognition. An apostille is obtained from the relevant judicial authority depending on the document type.

Certified translations: for countries whose official language is not French, your official documents must be translated by a sworn translator. Find accredited translators via the French public service directory.

Handle pet relocation

Moving a pet abroad is a preparation project in itself. Requirements vary by country.

For EU countries (and some third countries):

  • ISO 11784/11785 microchip mandatory (must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccine)
  • Up-to-date rabies vaccine recorded in the EU pet passport
  • Some countries (UK, Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway) require antiparasitic treatment (tapeworm treatment) 24 to 120 hours before entry

For non-EU countries:

  • Official health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian, often endorsed by the local DDPP (Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations)
  • Some countries (Australia, New Zealand, Japan) impose quarantine ranging from 10 days to several weeks
  • Check requirements with the destination country’s embassy: some vaccinations (particularly rabies titre tests) must be administered 30 to 180 days before departure

Start these veterinary procedures at least 3 to 6 months in advance for countries with strict protocols.

Find housing at destination

Renting from abroad without being on the ground is difficult but not impossible. Strategies that work:

  • Use long-term rental platforms for the first few months (Spotahome, Idealista, Numbeo for price comparisons)
  • Join Facebook groups or Discord communities of expats in your target city for local recommendations
  • Book temporary housing (Airbnb or coliving) for the first few weeks while you visit and sign a local lease
  • Expat relocation agencies: some firms specialize in helping expats find housing and navigate local paperwork

1 month before departure

Cancel or suspend French contracts

This is the cancellation phase. List all your ongoing commitments and act within the required notice periods.

  • Rental lease: 1-month notice in high-demand zones (zones tendues), 3 months elsewhere — with exceptions. Moving abroad is a legitimate reason for reduced notice in many cases.
  • Phone and internet subscriptions: check cancellation conditions in your contracts.
  • Electricity, gas, water: cancel on your departure date; provide meter readings.
  • Digital subscriptions: streaming, insurance add-ons, press, gym memberships.
  • Supplemental health insurance (mutuelle): cancel on the date you lose French resident status.

Set up mail forwarding

La Poste offers a paid mail forwarding service (national or international) for a few euros per month. This gives you time to update your address with all relevant institutions.

Update your address with:

  • The tax administration (impots.gouv.fr)
  • Social security and your supplemental insurer
  • Your bank
  • Any other public bodies (pension, unemployment, family allowances)
  • Your employer and professional network

Manage your French bank account

Do not close your French bank account before you have a working solution abroad.

Expat neobanks: solutions like Wise (multi-currency account) or Revolut can be opened 100% online before departure and work in most countries. They let you receive transfers and pay abroad without excessive exchange fees.

International banks: some major French banks (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole) have subsidiaries in many countries. Ask your current advisor whether a banking mobility partnership exists for your destination.

Keeping a French account: in most cases, it is useful to keep a French account for residual direct debits in France — taxes, reimbursements — at least through the first year.

Read our article on common expat mistakes to avoid typical banking pitfalls.

Update your insurance coverage

  • Home insurance: cancel on the date you hand back the keys in France; take out a policy for your new home abroad
  • Car insurance: if you are taking your vehicle, check international coverage; otherwise cancel on the sale or handover date
  • International health insurance: take this out before leaving. Expat policies typically cover routine care, hospitalization and repatriation. See our guide to expat health insurance for more detail

Register with the consular register

Registering with the French consular register is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. It allows you to vote in French elections from abroad, obtain civil status documents more easily, be contacted in the event of a crisis in your host country, and access consular assistance.

Registration can be done online via the French expats portal or directly at the French consulate in your host country.

Notify the French tax authorities of your departure

This step is critical and often overlooked. When leaving France, you must:

  • File a tax return covering the period from January to your actual departure date
  • Notify the non-residents tax centre of your change of tax residence
  • Check whether a double-taxation treaty exists between France and your destination country

Note: losing French tax resident status depends on specific criteria (primary home, main place of stay, professional activity). A physical move alone is sometimes not sufficient. Consult a tax advisor if your situation is complex.

Departure day and first weeks at destination

Documents to keep on you at all times

In your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage:

  • Original passports for the whole family
  • Original visa or residency permit
  • Flight tickets and hotel/temporary accommodation bookings
  • International health insurance (including the emergency hotline number)
  • Digital copies of all key documents (stored in the cloud or on an encrypted USB drive)
  • Health record and prescriptions for any ongoing treatments
  • Vaccination booklet (and pet passport if applicable)

First steps at destination

Open a local bank account: depending on the country, this can be quick (Portugal, Spain, Georgia) or complex (Canada, UAE). Research the required documents in advance. A local account is often essential for signing a lease or receiving a salary.

Get a local phone number: a local SIM card is useful immediately for administrative steps, two-factor authentication and local contacts. Most operators offer prepaid plans with no commitment.

Consular registration: if you didn’t complete this before departure, register with the French consular register at the local consulate within the first few weeks.

Registration with local authorities: some countries require mandatory registration with local authorities within a set period after arrival (empadronamiento in Spain, Einwohnermeldeamt in Germany, etc.). Non-compliance can result in penalties.

Local tax number or equivalent: NIF in Spain, NIF/NISS in Portugal, SIN in Canada. This number is often required to open a bank account, sign a lease or start work.

Local social security: check what you are entitled to based on your status (employee, self-employed, retiree). Within the EU, coordinated social security rules protect your basic rights. Outside the EU, international health insurance becomes essential.

Summary timeline

When Step Where to do it
6 months before Choose destination, validate visa/permit Consulate or embassy of target country
6 months before Health check, vaccinations GP, vaccination centre
6 months before Children's schooling AEFE, local international schools
6 months before First quotes from international movers FIDI-accredited companies, moving brokers
3 months before Choose and book the mover Selected moving company
3 months before Apostilles and certified translations Court, accredited translators (service-public directory)
3 months before Veterinary procedures (pets) Accredited vet, DDPP
3 months before Find housing at destination Local platforms, relocation agencies
1 month before Cancel contracts (lease, subscriptions, utilities) Landlords, operators, providers
1 month before Set up mail forwarding La Poste
1 month before Open an international neobank account Wise, Revolut (online)
1 month before Take out international health insurance Expat specialist insurer
1 month before Register with the French consular register service-public.fr or local consulate
1 month before Notify French tax authorities of departure impots.gouv.fr, non-residents tax centre
Day of departure Original documents in carry-on Passport, visa, insurance, prescriptions
Weeks 1-4 Local bank account, local phone number Local bank, mobile operator
Weeks 1-4 Register with local authorities Town hall, registro, Einwohnermeldeamt...
Weeks 1-4 Local tax number Local tax administration

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to close my French bank account before I leave?

No — and it is actually inadvisable in the early years. Keep your French account active for residual direct debits in France: taxes, healthcare reimbursements during the transition period, potential rental income if you own property. Complement it with an international neobank opened before departure for spending in your host country.

How much does an international move cost on average?

It depends on volume and destination. For an average Parisian apartment (20-30 m³) moving to southern Europe (Portugal, Spain), expect EUR 2,000 to 5,000 in a shared container. To Canada or the UAE, prices rise to EUR 4,000-9,000 for a 20’ container. Air freight is reserved for urgent moves or small, high-value volumes. Get at least 3 quotes and check what insurance is included.

Is registration with the French consular register mandatory?

No, registration is optional. But it is strongly recommended: it simplifies consular procedures, lets you vote from abroad, and gives you access to consular assistance in the event of a serious problem or crisis in your host country.

When should I notify the French tax authorities of my departure?

Ideally before you leave, or within the weeks following your move. You must file a tax return covering January through your actual departure date. Notify the non-residents tax centre of your new address abroad. If you retain real estate in France or receive French-source income, you will remain taxable in France on that income even after you leave.

This checklist covers the major steps common to the vast majority of expatriation projects. Each destination has its own specifics: see our country guides for Portugal, Spain and Canada, and our guide to common expatriation mistakes for recurring pitfalls.

The regulatory information and price ranges in this article are accurate as of 1 June 2026 and may change. Always verify current conditions with the relevant authorities and service providers before making decisions.