How many times have you dreamed of starting a new life abroad? You may be at the stage of just staring at far-flung destinations on Instagram, or you may have travelled extensively abroad and know exactly where you want to relocate to. Whatever stage you’re at, you know that moving overseas takes money. And if you’re going to make the move in the next few years, you’ll need to think about a savings plan sooner rather than later.

Revisit Your Budget

It’s not a wise idea to go anywhere without a pot of savings to cushion your arrival. You may experience delays in starting work or have to pay out for things like rental deposits on a place to stay upfront, plus you should always have enough money saved to get home should you need to. Start by making the most drastic changes you can to your current budget. Look at the biggest costs you have at the moment and see if you can can minimise them. Could you do without a car for a bit and cycle to get around instead? You could also look at resources for rent prices in the city you live in, or the one you will be moving to, to make sure that you get the best value for money. Consider the little costs which can add up as well – cancel any unused subscription services and switch to store brand items in your weekly food shop. Small changes really can add up if you make enough of them.

Sort Out Your Overseas Finances 

To get up and running in your new home country, there are also some financial steps you need to take. Getting organised early is key, as it can take some time to get everything up and running. First, looking into setting up a bank account overseas – it will make things so much easier when you arrive. Each country has different requirements, so make sure that you know what they are – some places will require you to have a residential address already. Then, you’ll need to transfer your money into your new domiciled account. Most banks make this process unnecessarily expensive and complicated, so look into using a specialist money transfer service instead. You should also search out an overseas credit card or a prepaid travellers card before you arrive – it’s a convenient way to pay for the essentials as a stop-gap until your bank account is up and running. But make sure that you’ve chosen one that doesn’t charge fees in your destination.

Look Into Taxes

Being an ex-pat doesn’t mean that you become automatically exempt from all taxes in your home country. If you’re still receiving any form of income, for example from renting out your old home, you may still be liable to pay tax on that, plus the tax that you have due in your new country. Make sure you understand the situation where you are going, as you may have to submit tax returns or pay tax separately from your income rather than having automatic deductions. With a little foresight and planning, you can move your life abroad and keep your finances intact.