Relocating for work or study.
What a new job, a transfer, remote work, your own business or a study place adds to a move, from the signed offer to claiming your relocation costs.
Six months or more before you leave
- If you move for workIf you move to studyWhen you move to a new town
Get certified copies of degrees and transcripts
about 7 months before you leaveEmployers, universities and, for a move abroad, visas ask for certified, sometimes translated, degrees.
- Request certified copies from the university
- Add translation if required
- Official stepIf you move for workIf your profession is regulated
Check whether your profession or degree needs recognition
Plan for: about 6 months before you leaveRegulated jobs such as health, law, teaching and many trades cannot start until the qualification is recognised. It often takes months.
- Find the recognition authority for your profession
- Apply with certified and translated papers
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- ContractIf you move for work
Get the signed job offer, transfer letter or remote-work approval
about 5 months before you leaveLandlords, banks and, for a work visa, the consulate ask for a signed contract with salary and start date.
- Ask for the signed contract
- Check the start date fits your move dates
- If you move for workWith a new job or a transferWhen you move to a new town
Read your employer's relocation package
about 5 months before you leavePackages often pay for movers, flights, temporary housing or tax advice, but only if you claim in the right way.
- Ask HR for the written policy
- Note what is paid directly and what is reimbursed
- Note claim deadlines and receipt rules
Three to six months before
- Official stepIf you move to study
Accept your study place and enrol
Plan for: about 4 months before you leaveThe enrolment letter is needed for the student visa, housing and insurance.
- Accept the offer and pay any deposit
- Ask for the enrolment letter
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- If you move to study
Apply for student housing
about 4 months before you leaveStudent rooms are allocated early and fill fast.
- Apply as soon as you have the admission letter
- Official stepIf you move for workIf you work remotely
Check you may work remotely from the destination
Plan for: about 3 months before you leaveWorking remotely can need a permit and can make you taxable there. Many employers need to approve it.
- Get written approval from your employer
- Check permit and tax rules for remote work
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
One to three months before
- Official stepIf you move for workIf you work for yourself
Close or transfer your business at home
Plan for: about 9 weeks before you leaveOpen registrations keep tax and reporting duties running after you leave.
- Tell the tax office and business register
- File the final returns
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- Official stepIf you move to study
Get student health insurance
Plan for: about 9 weeks before you leaveUniversities and student permits need proof of accepted insurance.
- Check which insurers the university accepts
- Send the certificate to the university
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- ContractIf you move for workWith a new job
Resign or agree your leaving date
about 9 weeks before you leaveNotice periods decide your last day, and leaving papers are hard to get later.
- Give notice in writing
- Ask for references and an employment certificate
- Get your final payslip and tax papers
The first month after you arrive
- Official stepIf you move for workIf you work for yourself
Register your business at the destination
Plan for: about 4 weeks after you arriveSelf-employed work usually has to be registered before you invoice.
- Register with the business office and tax office
- Set up invoicing and records
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
Later, once you've settled
- Official stepIf you move for workWhen you move abroad
Give your employer your tax number and bank details
Plan for: 7 days after “Get your personal ID or tax number”Payroll needs a local tax number, social security number and bank account.
- Send the numbers to HR
- Check the first payslip
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- Official stepIf you move for workWhen you move abroad
Register for social security
Plan for: about 2 weeks after “Get your personal ID or tax number”Contributions decide health cover and pension rights.
- Check whether your employer registers you
- Keep the number in Documents
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- If you move for workWith a new job or a transferWhen you move to a new town
Claim relocation costs from your employer
about 9 weeks after you arriveUnclaimed costs are lost after the policy's deadline.
- Export the tagged costs from Budget
- Submit the claim with receipts
Let the dates take care of themselves.
Rootstep asks why you're moving and adds the steps your job or your studies need, each counted from your moving day. Try everything free for 9 days; your plan stays free to follow, and one payment keeps you planning.