Moving abroad, with all your belongings

You have a job you can do anywhere in the world. A laptop, headphones, stable Internet and you’re set. So why not do it somewhere else? Not at home at the kitchen table, but in Spain, Portugal, Thailand or wherever the sun shines just a little more often and life feels a little looser.

More and more people are toying with the idea of working from abroad. Not as tourists, but for longer periods of time. Just keep doing your job, but with a view of the sea or mountains. Sounds ideal, and it can be (if you arrange it right).

Working abroad doesn’t start with packing your bags

The idea is simple: you work remotely, so you can sit anywhere. But once you get serious about the plan, all sorts of practical questions come to mind. Where will you live? How long will you stay? What do you need to take care of with your health insurance or taxes? Will you need a visa? And if you want to take stuff with you like a bike, some furniture, extra suitcases, how will you get it there?

Many people start out with the idea that they will “see how it goes,” but find along the way that it is helpful to arrange things in advance. Especially if you’re not just traveling with a carry-on suitcase, but really want to stay somewhere for a while.

Living is more than booking an Airbnb

At first, it seems logical to arrange something through Airbnb or Booking. But if you want to stay somewhere for a few months or longer, it’s often cheaper and more comfortable to rent something long-term. Many cities also have coliving places where you live and work with other remote workers. But if you’re really going for a longer period of time, and you want to carry more than just a laptop in your bag, you’re going to have some practical challenges. How do you take your stuff with you? What if you want to set up a permanent workspace there or bring your bike so you can get from A to B easily?

This is the time when many people find out about moving abroad for work. Not only for people who are emigrating, but especially for those who want to live and work temporarily in another country without hassle

Convenience and security with a professional moving service

When you decide to bring your own belongings with you (whether it’s a complete set of contents, just your couch or your beloved road bike) you don’t want to get stuck with transporting them. Shipping things yourself often involves tedious paperwork and customs regulations. This is where a specialist like Global Movers offers a solution.

They are experts in international moves and ensure that your belongings arrive at your new destination safely and insured. Whether you are moving large or just a few important items; by outsourcing this, you can get started immediately upon arrival without any hassle. So your new life doesn’t start with stress about boxes, but with a flying start.

Practical things that are often forgotten

Your Dutch health insurance often does not cover long-term stays abroad
Not all stuff you can just take on the plane
In some countries you are officially not allowed to work, even if you only work for a Dutch company
Temporary storage in the Netherlands for what you don’t take with you can be handy
Returning is also something to think about, although it sounds far away.

By thinking about this in advance, you avoid running into unexpected problems in the middle of your planning. Especially if you already know you’re going for a few months or six months, it pays to make a plan.

Just try, but well prepared

Remote working from abroad is a great experience for many people. It can enhance your job satisfaction, strengthen your creativity and make your life more beautiful, only it is not a vacation. It requires preparation, making choices and sometimes enlisting help.

What you take with you, what you leave behind, how you live and work; these are all parts of a plan that fits the way you want to live. As long as you think about this carefully, it will not only be a beautiful journey, but also a time when work and freedom are much alike.

#samenwerking