Have you decided to move abroad but don’t know where to start? It’s understandable, as this major event involves preparing for the relocation, arranging paperwork, and adjusting to a new country. Fortunately, we’ve compiled all the essential information to help make your move smooth and stress-free.
Which country is best for moving abroad?
There might be many option in your head about where to move your new house. After years of being in the Irish market, here are the most demanded destinations for international removals from Ireland to abroad.
Be well informed about factors like language, job opportunities, cost of living, safety, and tax systems in the country of your choice. Do your research thoroughly to understand the cultural differences and potential challenges you may encounter.
Arrange documentation and visas
Make sure your passport is valid in order to complete your relocation successfully. If you are an Irish citizen or hold an EU passport, you should be aware of your rights regarding residence and healthcare as well.
Apply for the necessary permits or visas to live, work, or study in the new country. Check our travel insurance providers and vaccinations, if necessary.
Search for a job and apply for working permit
Every country has different requirements and procedures for obtaining a work permit, and these vary depending on where you reside. Prepare for a lengthy application process and wait for a decision before making any other plans.
Check our local and international job websites, networking platforms such as LinkedIn, recruitment services, and personal connections several months ahead of time. Do not be afraid to approach potential employers and networking contacts and explain your situation and decision to move abroad.
Find a new home
Conduct research on various neighbourhoods, housing markets, and rental prices until you find the ideal balance between your budget and the social life you want. Use online platforms, particularly local resources, to look for accommodation. Prepare to gather all required documents and funds for rental deposits and expenses.
Finally, start looking for moving companies in your area, and learn about their availability at least three months in advance. On this page, you will find our moving house checklist, which has helped to alleviate the stress of many international movers like you.
Find International Moving Companies Around Your Area
Receive up to 6 quotes for your unique destination and compare prices
Arrange your move with a moving company
The main cost of moving overseas will be the transportation of your valuables to your new home. Since the price comprises multiple factors, some of which are the quantity of items, the distance, the transport route, and the method, pinpointing an exact cost is difficult.
Your best course of action is to receive a personalized quote from an international moving company for a more complete breakdown of costs. However, it is helpful to have a general idea before making any calls. This table shows the range of prices for different shipping options and popular relocation destinations.
International removals cost
| Country | 20ft Shipping Container | 40ft Shipping Container | Airfreight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | €1,265 – €1,618 | €2,207 – €2,415 | €7,666 – €8,011 |
| Canada | €1,186 – €2,525 | €2,131 – €3,902 | €7,232 – €8,791 |
| USA | €1,099 – €2,671 | €1,641 – €3,466 | €3,783 – €6,343 |
| France | €472 – €736 | €704 – €1,398 | €1,730 – €1,913 |
| Spain | €483 – €820 | €722 – €2,398 | €2,970 – €3,280 |
| Singapore | €1,285 – €1,421 | €1,977 – €2,185 | €5,140 – €5,681 |
Because of the numerous factors for calculating prices, as well as the various services that apply to your international move, you cannot calculate exact moving abroad costs without consulting multiple removal companies. However, rather than calling many movers, which is time-consuming, why not gather all their price offers at once?
Get a Moving Quote for Your Dream Destination
Receive up to 6 price offers, compare price and services
Additional international removal costs
| Type Of Cost | Cost Details | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Packing & Unpacking | – Expert packing and unpacking of your belongings | €85 – €445 |
| Insurance | – Varies on amount and type of goods being transported | Starting from €85 |
| Storage | – Added cost while waiting on transit for goods – Secure place for temporary storage | €85 per month |
| Customs Duties & Taxes | – Charged based on the value of goods – Depends on destination country and item | Average rate is 5% – 9% |
Steps of an international move
For moving abroad, the difficulty is greater due to the large scale of such an event, especially if you have to go through all of this on your own. Luckily, removal companies are here to handle everything to ensure you have a smooth and easy move. The tasks of movers include, but are not limited to:
Collection
This involves everything before your possessions’ transportation to your new country. Ranging from disassembly and cleaning, to packing and loading, movers make your big day simple.
Transport
Once your belongings are ready at the designated location for loading, transporting begins. There are various modes of transport, and each one will cater to your specific needs differently. These are:
Airfreight
Transport by plane. While it is the most expensive method, it is also very quick. Transport by air is generally great value for a small amount of items.
Overland
Transport by land vehicle. Because of proximity and road networks, overland transport is best suited for European removals. Usage of lorries for removals come in 2 forms:
- Full Load: You hire an entire container for exclusive use for your move. The size is perfect for your 3-4 bedroom house. Your house contents are driven directly to your new residence.
- Part Load: This involves sharing the container with other customers’ loads. It is incredibly efficient but takes longer since the lorry will deliver other packages in the destination country
Seafreight
Shipping containers are the least expensive form of transport and are incredibly effective ways of moving a large amount of items. Depending on the route and your final destination, shipping times will vary, anything as short as 3 days to 6 weeks.
- Full Container Load (FCL): You reserve an entire 20 or 40 foot container for the contents of your house. With direct transport to a port in your destination country, FCL is a perfect match for larger moving projects.
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Your belongings, enclosed in a wooden crate, shares a container with other shipments. A 3rd party, usually a consolidator, arranges the LCL and is cheaper than FCL.
- Groupage: Your items are also placed in the same container with multiple other shipments. However, these other loads belong to other customers of the removal company. The absence of 3rd party fees make this type inexpensive, but groupage is much slower than FCL or LCL.
Delivery
After your shipment reaches its port destination, your valuables will then be moved to your new home usually by a removal van or rail. At this point, movers will unload your belongings, as well as other services such as unpacking, cleaning, or various handyman work.
Things to check for in an international mover
For any move, especially for relocating overseas, you need a company who you trust completely. That is why it is of utmost importance to properly vet movers and their credentials, capabilities, and reliability. Here are some things to ask or keep in mind when looking for an international removal company.
Personal recommendations
If you know someone who moved abroad, ask them about their situation and how they managed to make the move possible. They will give you valuable information on good (or terrible!) experiences with moving companies.
Get a head start
Of course it is always a good idea to begin planning early for moving house. However, for moving abroad, it is even more important—just think of all the things you need to pack and the actual shipping time. Rather than the usual 1 month notification given for a domestic move, contact companies at least 3 months before your preferred day. Of course, the earlier you start, the better!
Check for credentials
Look for a company who is a member of the Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (FIDI). Membership means that the company complies to strict quality requirements and continually passes a recurring assessment by an independent auditor.
Shop around
Get at least 3 estimates for your move abroad. You will be able to compare price, services, and availability to narrow down your options. While the cost is very important, do not just choose the company with the lowest quote since you need to take into account their experience and credibility to prevent any unexpected costs later on. Go to our dedicated moving house quotes page for more details.
Ask, ask, ask
If you are unsure or have any questions, go ahead and ask! Removal companies are more than happy to help to make you feel at ease. It is also in your best interests to communicate clearly and regularly with the removal company to ensure that all details and services match what you need.
The right company for moving abroad
We know that a move to another country is not just about moving furnitures —there are so many other things to think about. With a trustworthy removal company, you will have more time for these other tasks. Movers simplify your relocation by coordinating with shipping companies, providing storage facilities, and assisting with disassembly, reassembly, packing, and unpacking.
