10 Hidden Costs of Moving Abroad (and How to Avoid Them)

By International Sea and Air Shipping / October 03, 2024

You’ve organized the move, packed your bags, and bought your tickets. But don’t overlook the additional costs associated with this move. Expenses to watch when you move abroad! We’re here to tell you what to expect! These added costs pile up rapidly, so you’ll want to think about them ahead of time.

We’re here to reveal the most common unexpected expenses involved with moving out of the country so that you can keep a tight handle on your budget and stay alert for sticker shock. These can include health insurance or insurance for your items; we are here to inform you about them. Continue reading to fully equip yourself for your international journey.

1. Visa and Residency Fees – The First Expense You’ll Face

Visa and residency applications can be complicated and come with high fees. These fees are different in all of the countries. And they can cost anywhere from $100 to upward of $1,000. In some countries, you may have to sit for medical or language tests, even if you already passed them in the past, so make sure you know that new language well.

These extra costs can add up fast, and they might take you by surprise. By taking action now and preparing for future challenges, you can prevent significant financial strain.

Pro tip: Look up the specific requirements for your destination country so that you don’t experience delays or have to pay additional fees while going through the application process.

2. Legal and Translation Services

When people move overseas, they often need to have documents translated, such as birth and marriage certificates or diplomas. These documents may also need to be notarized to comply with the regulations of your new country.

Translation rates usually range from $20 to $100, depending on how simple or complex a translation is. You also may need to obtain notarization or apostille services in addition to translation, which can add $50 to $150 to your overall expenses.

Why are these important? These papers validate that your files are legitimate in the nation. You want to respond to them as quickly as possible, because without them you could end up with delays in your application process. Therefore, yes, your high school days may never seem so costly, but translation here is many times inevitable. Anticipating these expenses will save you time and aggravation, not to mention future headaches.

Be sure to look up what documents you’ll need these services for ahead of time so nothing ends up being a surprise.

3. International Moving Insurance – Protecting Your Belongings

If you ship like me to another continent visa-wise and you don’t have insurance, that can be a big risk. The two most common forms of international moving insurance are total loss and full value protection. Total loss insurance only covers the complete loss of your possessions, whereas full value protection covers the repair or replacement of damaged items.

But it’s beneficial to look for hidden fees, such as deductibles and specific exclusions that are not part of your policy.

Pro tip: Definitely read the fine print to know exactly what your policy covers—you don’t want any surprises. Better to be ready for this than face the financial hit of not doing so during a move.

4. Storage Costs – When Your New Home Isn’t Ready Yet

If your home isn’t available for you when you arrive, temporary storage could be the answer. Short-term storage typically comes in at $50 to $200 a month, varying by location and space. Long-term storage, particularly at your destination country, might also be pricier, with surcharges for climate control or security.

You may also be charged handling fees for moving items in and out of storage, for security purposes, or for access to your property—all of which can add up on top of your rental rate. These hidden charges could add up in no time, and best of all, storage is a significant cost to think about before moving abroad.

Pro tip: Allot some buffer in case it takes longer for your home to be move-in ready so you can still have some place to stay.

5. Customs Duties and Import Taxes

Customs duties and import taxes are common negatives that you’ll have to deal with when moving abroad. The rules on what you can bring and not pay extra taxes or duties differ from country to country. So too are substantial import taxes on high-value items such as electronics, automobiles, and even some household goods. Some items can be restricted or not allowed at all—you may need a special permit or to pay extra fees.

International movers can assist in the moving forward of this process and ensure that all your papers are well handled, preventing you from customs problems. Their professional experience of dealing with international relocations will save you time, trouble, and unnecessary expenses—making the process smoother and faster.

Pro tip: Look up customs regulations in your country of destination ahead of time to avoid fees at the border.

6. Health Insurance – Don’t Skip the Safety Net

When you’ve moved to a new country, health insurance is a basic safety net. If your host nation doesn’t cover expatriates or you are ineligible to access public health care, national regulations will require you to buy private health insurance. International health insurance policies cost between $500 and $1,500 a year depending on your coverage and medical history.

Furthermore, be sure to purchase travel insurance before heading over to cover any emergency situations that may arise in transit. These are all important costs to think about when relocating overseas, as the cost of medical care can accumulate faster than you may realize if you don’t have suitable cover in place.

Take control of your health and finances in retirement by planning ahead and getting the right coverage before you need it, instead of facing unexpected medical bills and a constant source of stress after moving.

7. Temporary Accommodation Before Your Home is Ready

It can add up quickly, too, if you’re living out of temporary housing while shipping household goods to another country. Some options, like hotels, Airbnb, or corporate housing, may vary in costs from country to country. You might be able to find hotels for anywhere between $50 and $300 per night, while Airbnb and corporate housing can range from as little as $100 to $200 per night.

So be sure to shop around. Fancy a longer hotel stay? Probably not—so be ready to snap up a house fast!

Pro tip: Budget for at least a few weeks in temporary housing since finding permanent accommodations in a new country often takes longer than it feels. These are significant costs to bear in mind when you are moving to a new country.

8. Vehicle Shipping and Registration Fees

There are more considerations to bringing your car overseas than shipping costs. You’ll have to calculate import taxes (which vary by country) and registration fees. International car shipping, meanwhile, can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000; import duties vary based on the value of the car and host country rules.

You also might have to register your car, which can come with additional fees. There’s a lot to consider should you choose to bring your car. If you live in a place where emissions tests and roadworthiness checks are required, you may have to pay for them.

Pro tip: It can be cheaper to sell your car and buy another locally. Always weigh the big picture costs to figure out what’s best for you.

9. Currency Exchange Fees – Small Percentages Add Up

When visiting different countries, developed or not, you might face the issue of having very high fees when exchanging money.  Costs to consider when moving abroad include bank fees for currency exchanges and credit card foreign transaction fees, which can add up over time.

You might not even be warned about using ATM exchanges, which can stack up very quickly. To minimize these costs, consider using online services with better rates or setting up a local bank account in your destination country. And follow the exchange rates! This strategy can help you avoid excessive fees and keep more money in your pocket during your international move.

10. Lifestyle Adjustments – From Groceries to Utility Bills

The cost of living in each country is not the same, so be sure you have determined how much you are likely to spend per week. For instance, groceries are about twice as expensive in Switzerland as they are in the U.S., and electricity is often pricier than in other places in Japan. Transportation fares also differ, with public transport in places such as London or Paris being much more expensive.

Pro tip: Know what the cost of living is in your destination country, and be sure to budget for those expenses so you don’t get lifestyle sticker shock. Remember, if you plan ahead, you are helping your future self!

Prepare for the Unexpected – Your Budget Will Thank You

Your international moving might come with some additional expenses. These expenses can include unavoidable visas, insurance, storage, and even the shipment of your car. But if you do your homework and a little planning, you can keep these costs under control and make the move much less stressful. You never know the unanticipated expenses you’ll incur; better safe than sorry!

Plan your move with experienced international movers to guarantee comprehensive coverage of all aspects. Experience can greatly benefit you! Contact trusted international movers today to start planning your move!

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