For many people, the appeal of moving to a new country is strong, but the reality doesn’t match the dream. When this happens, ex-pats face a difficult and expensive decision to move home again. If you’re thinking of emigrating to Europe but are still determining if it’s the right decision, it pays to do your homework. With the following advice, you can make an informed decision as to whether a long-term move to Europe is the right for you.
Research
As with any move, research is the backbone successful action plan. Even those taking off on a whim must find out about residency visas, travel tickets, and somewhere to stay at first. However, most people planning a long-term move have many more things to consider, which is why researching is essential. Which visas are other family members eligible for, can your partner work, and what happens to adult children? Are all primary considerations.
Visit
Another way to find out if a more permanent move to Europe is right for you is to visit and begin to experience the culture firsthand. If you can afford the time, take an extended vacation, and get to know the area you’re contemplating moving to. By understanding the Schengen Visa scheme, you have enough time to figure out if your intended destination is a good fit and explore the other parts of Europe easily. This flexibility is because the Schengen Visa lets North Americans and other nationals access the Schengen area countries for 90 days on one visa.
Motivation
There are many reasons why people choose to move abroad, and your motivation is central to ensuring it’s the right decision for you. There is no one right reason for choosing to move, but if you emigrate for the wrong reason, the chance of a successful move drastically decreases. Therefore, the reasons why you want to move to Europe must be legitimate.
Write down why you’re considering this move, and then consider how to make those goals happen. Maybe you can achieve your aims at home or with short-term travel, in which case perhaps immigrating isn’t for you at this time. If life circumstances align with positive reasons for living in Europe, now’s the time to go.
Language and Culture
Europe is a varied continent despite its compact size and has many languages and customs across the land. As such, beginning to learn the local language before arriving helps with integration. If you are interested in something other than learning a new language and becoming immersed in a different culture, Europe will be a difficult place to live. That said, locals won’t expect foreigners to be fluent in the local language, so don’t be put off if you intend to learn. Trying is what’s appreciated.
Budget
If locally moving house is expensive, moving house across the world is naturally more expensive, and this needs to be factored into your moving budget. Within Europe, the cost of living varies significantly between countries, even those with the Euro common currency. Thus, as well as figuring out pre-arrival costs in dollars, it’s essential to understand the local currency and cost of living for budgeting once you’re earning in Europe. For those arriving without a job lined up before moving, ensure you have enough savings to tide you over comfortably.
Choose The Right Place To Settle
Location plays a massive part in people’s happiness, and fulfilling a dream of living in Europe will be far more positive when living in a happy place. Some areas of Europe are better suited to specific careers, while the climate varies from extreme heat to extreme cold, for example. Some countries are very liberal in their political views, while others tend to be conservative. With all this variety, what looks appealing on an Instagram post may not be where your family’s bliss lies.
Healthcare
Many European countries offer universal healthcare for citizens and some residents of countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements. Applying for healthcare or taking out an ex-pat insurance policy ensures you have peace of mind that your healthcare needs are met. A new life in Europe becomes exponentially more complicated when health problems cannot be dealt with. Especially if you’re forced to return home and need health insurance there.
Choosing to move to Europe is a beautiful experience, and people have many reasons for taking the plunge. If you’re considering it for yourself and wish to avoid the potential of it not working out, there are plenty of things to do to ensure it’s the right decision. Taking advantage of the Schengen Visa lets you visit 26 European countries within 90 days so that you can get a feel for your preferred destination. Understanding the local cost of living in the local currency, learning the language, and moving to a place that aligns with your needs and beliefs will further success.
