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5 things you should know before moving abroad

5 Things You Should Know Before Moving Abroad

5 things you should know before moving abroad

I’m moving abroad! Now what? Here are 5 things you should know.

Moving abroad is a life-changing journey and having your ducks in a row will make it smoother sailing! Getting set up can be daunting, so plan ahead to ensure you are ready for take off. Before the big move, think about securing health insurance coverage and bank accounts. Being proactive could result in quicker success once you’re in a new country!

We Got You!

Fragomen has been there, and we get it! That is why we have put together this list of 5 things to consider before moving abroad.

5 things you should know about Moving Country Packing Boxes

Understanding visa and work permit requirements

Visa Requirements for Expats in Schengen Region

As you plan your journey abroad, it’s essential to consider the type of documentation required for entry. Your nationality, length of stay and purpose in country may call for work permits or visas – so be sure to talk with both HR at your organization and an immigration provider about timelines & necessary documents!

Many governments, require applicants to apply for a work permit approval before entering the country to work and live. Some governments require newly procured diplomas or birth certificates before applying for a work permit.  Understanding timelines are key when moving abroad.

Immigration professionals, such as Fragomen, can support in visa and work permit applications, help prepare documents, and provide advice throughout the application process.

As you plan your journey abroad, it’s essential to consider the type of documentation required for entry. Your nationality, length of stay and purpose in country may call for work permits or visas – so be sure to talk with both HR at your organization and an immigration provider about timelines & necessary documents!

Many governments, require applicants to apply for a work permit approval before entering the country to work and live. Some governments require newly procured diplomas or birth certificates before applying for a work permit.  Understanding timelines are key when moving abroad.

Immigration professionals, such as Fragomen, can support in visa and work permit applications, help prepare documents, and provide advice throughout the application process.

Visa Requirements for Expats in Schengen Region

Find out if you’re eligible to work

Once you understand that you may need a work permit to work and live in the country, it does not mean you will automatically qualify.

If you are planning to work in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, your skill set, salary level and even nationality can all be important factors when it comes time to apply for a work permit.

It’s best practice to have an immigration lawyer assess your individual situation and provide tailored advice on your eligibility requirements and the right type of visa that suits you perfectly.

Expats get work permit for Schengen Region

Choose a bank and open an account

5 Things You Should Know-Open bank account

Before moving to a new country, you should have some money in savings. In some cases and depending on your visa type and the country you are moving to, you might be required to show proof of savings with your visa and work permit application. Many governments offer cost of living calculators online, which can be a great resource for new immigrants.

When you arrive, you will also need to open a bank account. This can often be done online, however, in Germany some banks even have accounts specifically designed for newcomers and offer credit cards to help build credit history.

Review the options as it can take over 3 weeks to open a bank account and get the card and PIN number needed to receive money. An ideal Bank option for English-speaking expats in Revolut.

Before moving to a new country, you should have some money in savings. In some cases and depending on your visa type and the country you are moving to, you might be required to show proof of savings with your visa and work permit application. Many governments offer cost of living calculators online, which can be a great resource for new immigrants.

When you arrive, you will also need to open a bank account. This can often be done online, however, in Germany some banks even have accounts specifically designed for newcomers and offer credit cards to help build credit history.

Review the options as it can take over 3 weeks to open a bank account and get the card and PIN number needed to receive money. An ideal Bank option for English-speaking expats in Revolut.

5 Things You Should Know-Open bank account

Apply for healthcare or insurance

You might not be automatically eligible for health coverage in your destination country, even if it offers universal healthcare to citizens. Always check with the local government in your destination country to see what your rights are regarding healthcare.

Germany and Austria may require you to have health insurance before obtaining a work permit. If you are not eligible, due to your work permit status or application process – make sure you have valid traveller’s insurance to cover the time-period you are in the country and fully insured by the countries health care system. Your immigration team can provide you with the advice needed to ensure you are insured.

MW Expat Solution Services can help you compare insurances and help you find the best service provider.

Apply for health insurance Germany

Don’t forget about the little things

5 Things You Should Know-Moving Abroad Expats remember home

When moving abroad, we tend to focus on the big things – like housing, work, and healthcare. But there are lots of little things to think about, too! Remember to:

  • Make appointments for your utility accounts, such as internet and electricity, before leaving home.
  • Unlock your mobile phone so you’ll be able to use a local SIM card and get a power plug adapter for your charger if you need one.
  • Check the COVID-19 requirements, as travel regulations change quickly. Keep up to date on what you need to do before and after arriving in the destination country.

And most importantly, this goes without saying. Bring a few things that remind you of home and that you will not be able to buy abroad. Bringing your favourite face wash or snack food can also make a big difference when you’re just starting out.

When moving abroad, we tend to focus on the big things – like housing, work, and healthcare. But there are lots of little things to think about, too! Remember to:

  • Make appointments for your utility accounts, such as internet and electricity, before leaving home.
  • Unlock your mobile phone so you’ll be able to use a local SIM card and get a power plug adapter for your charger if you need one.
  • Check the COVID-19 requirements, as travel regulations change quickly. Keep up to date on what you need to do before and after arriving in the destination country.

And most importantly, this goes without saying. Bring a few things that remind you of home and that you will not be able to buy abroad. Bringing your favourite face wash or snack food can also make a big difference when you’re just starting out.

5 Things You Should Know-Moving Abroad Expats remember home

Overall, getting a head-start on your travel preparations and understanding the timelines will help you. Speaking with an immigration legal professional will help reduce stress and ensure a smooth transition when moving to a new country. Fragomen is here to be your trusted immigration advisor!

Fragomen offers English-speaking Immigration Law services. They are the largest exclusive immigration and visa service provider in the world. With a team of German and English-speaking experts, as well as an additional 19 language capabilities, they are ready to serve clients from all backgrounds and nationalities. Whether you are driven by lifestyle reasons or looking for new opportunities, Fragomen is here to provide comprehensive solutions and a smooth immigration experience for you and your family throughout the world’s 170 countries.

Vienna City Guide

City Guide for Expats in Vibrant Vienna | Wien, Wien, nur du allein

Whether you’ve lived here for years or have just started thinking about moving here, expats in Vienna love the city for many aspects. Read our City Guide for Expats in Vibrant Vienna and learn everything there is to know.

 

Facts about Vienna

 

Vienna is both the capital and an independent province of Austria. About 1.9 min. people live here, which means a good fifth of the total population of Austria.

Since Vienna already played an important role in international diplomacy at the Congress of Vienna, it is still an important meeting place of more than 30 international organizations, such as OPEC, the IAEA and the OSCE. The so-called Viennese Schmäh, i.e. Viennese charm, also characterizes the city and makes it something special, attracting about 7.5 million tourists every year. Classicism, art and clichés are attributes to reckon with when you move here.

Expat Vienna City Guide

Vienna’s cityscape is characterized by coffeehouses, historic buildings and many green spaces. Its artistic and intellectual heritage was shaped by residents such as Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. Moreover, you cannot get past the most famous Viennese: Sissi, the well-known empress of Austria who lived in the 19th century, shapes the city and you continuously walk past buildings and places that are connected with her.

What are some highlights of Vienna?

Vienna has so much to offer in terms of culture, cuisine and modern city life that it is really difficult to make a selection that does justice to everything. However, we want to introduce you to the most important highlights:

  • Of course, you have to see St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It is considered the landmark of Vienna, and is also called the national shrine.
  • Schönbrunn Palace, built in its present form in the 18th century as a summer residence for Archduchess Maria Theresa, has been located in Vienna’s 13th district, Hietzing, since 1892.
  • The Hofburg zu Wien was the residence of the Habsburgs in Vienna from the 13th century until 1918. Since the end of 1946 it has been the official residence of the Austrian Federal President. and houses most of the Austrian National Library as well as various museums and the Federal Monuments Office.
  • The Vienna Prater is an extensive, about 6 km², largely public area in the 2nd district of Vienna.
  • The Museums Quartier Wien (MQ) is one of the largest cultural areas in the world. A flair that matches the urban lifestyle of the visitors: Preserve the old, experience the new and enjoy it all together. On the edge of old Vienna, it combines culture, cafes and restaurants.
  • The Leopold Museum is a unique treasure trove of Viennese Modernism, the Wiener Werkstätte and Expressionism.

What other places or activities should not be missed?

  • Vienna’s Naschmarkt is not only the city’s largest market, but also the most exotic. Vendors offer a wide range of products from Indian curry to fresh pasta and live carp to sushi. Meanwhile, many of the classic market stalls have been transformed into small restaurants.
  • Another Viennese tradition, although not quite cheap, is a ride on a Fiaker. Fiaker are historical horse-drawn carriages that drive the guest through the city and give you a tour of the sights.

There are, of course, numerous other highlights that make Vienna unique. Usually it is best to get get a feel for the city yourself, because after all, everyone sets their own priorities when it comes to deciding which city to live in. However we are confident that expats in Vienna will definitely enjoy this cosmopolitan, attractive city that has a lot to offer.

What is living in Vienna like?

The average rent in Vienna ranges from 14.25 € to 21.23 € per square meter.

The 17th district is the most popular residential district for the Viennese. The burgeoning area with many new construction projects is in demand. The 15th district has become an absolute trendy neighbourhood in recent years with new pubs, good public transport connections and many new apartments.

Especially for young people, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus is exciting. In the Sonnwendviertel, you can find start-up companies right next to modern apartment buildings. Expats in Vienna also like Floridsdorf, a large and diverse district particularly popular with families: it is both urban and rural.

Vienna City Public Transport

How is the public transport system in Vienna?

Vienna’s subway network consists of five lines, while the S-Bahn has ten lines available for transportation. In addition, there are about a hundred bus lines that make daily life easier. Vienna Airport is a hub for flights, especially to Eastern Europe and the Middle East. From there, 77 airlines fly to 68 countries worldwide with 217 destinations. So in terms of connectivity, Vienna is well equipped, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to reach a destination.

What are some traditional dishes in Vienna?

What makes Vienna so special? Viennese cuisine, of course, unsurpassed in its diversity and with its influences from the former countries of the Habsburg monarchy. Traditional dishes are manyfold from Wiener Schnitzel to goulash, along with a really good – let’s call it that – “everyday gastronomy”: the Viennese Beisl. 

A Beisl is a typical Viennese eatery. Down-to-earth, cozy and homey, it holds its own in a booming restaurant scene and offers genuine Viennese cuisine. The term Beisl probably comes from Yiddish – from “bajiss” (house). The classic Viennese Beisl has a spacious bar, where wine is chilled and beer is tapped. The Beisl is definitely worth a visit if you want to try the following dishes:

  • Wiener Schnitzel
  • Sachertorte
  • Viennese apple strudel
  • Kaiserschmarrn
  • Pancakes
  • beef soups
  • Classic Tafelspitz
  • Butterschnitzel

These are all dishes of traditional Viennese cuisine that you should definitely try.

Those who prefer international cuisine will of course also find what they are looking for in Vienna. Virtually every district of the city has both a Beisl and restaurants with international cuisine. Ask the locals for tips!

Vienna is a city with world flair. Expats in Vienna will not only find good professional conditions, but also a metropolis that combines modernity with history and tradition. The only thing you have to get used to is the Viennese “Schmäh”! Have fun exploring!

Looking for an English-speaking service in Vienna? Browse through our categories or contact us through our Concierge Services! We are here to help you simplify your life as an expat in Vienna.