Moving with the whole family is always a big adventure—especially when you’re moving abroad. Whether for career reasons, a better quality of life, or simply a fresh start, an international move requires careful planning to ensure a smooth transition into your new home. But how do you organize a move with children? What do you need to keep in mind? And how can you help your family adjust to life in a new country?
In this article, you’ll find a detailed checklist, valuable tips, and learn how to make your family’s move abroad a stress-free experience.
The sooner you start planning, the less stressful moving day will be. An international move often comes with unexpected challenges—from dealing with government paperwork to choosing a school for the kids. That’s why thorough preparation is essential.
It’s best to make a to-do list and work through each item step by step. This way, you’ll stay on top of things and make sure nothing gets left out.
But all this planning, paperwork, and organizational work can be very time-consuming and complex—especially when you’re trying to balance family and work at the same time. That ’s exactly where Intermove comes in! Our experienced team not only supports you with the move itself but also offers additional services to make the entire process as easy as possible for you. From organizing visas and residence permits to arranging schools and daycare centers, all the way to relocation services—we go beyond the traditional scope of a moving company.
👉 You can find more information about our comprehensive moving services here: Intermove Services
Moving is a big change for children. Younger children, in particular, may have a hard time adjusting to a new environment. To make the transition easier for them, you should try to schedule the move during a quiet time—for example, during summer break—so that the change of schools doesn’t happen in the middle of the school year.
Older children and teenagers, in particular, may view the move with skepticism. So let them play an active role in the decision-making process, whether it’s decorating their room or choosing a new school.
An international move is a logistical challenge—and this is exactly where a professional moving company can help. Instead of organizing everything yourself, you can rely on the expertise of professionals who are familiar with country-specific requirements.
Intermove offers customized solutions for international family moves. From detailed move planning to a safe arrival at your new home—we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Moving abroad also means dealing with a lot of paperwork. Depending on your destination country, there are different formalities to take care of.
It’s best to make digital copies of all your important documents so you can access them at any time—especially if you still need to file some applications in your new country.
Once you've moved in, the exciting process of settling in begins. Here are a few simple steps to help everyone feel at home quickly:
The first few weeks can be particularly emotionally challenging—but with an open mind and a sense of curiosity, starting over in a new country will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
In addition to the obvious considerations like visas, transportation, and finding a place to live , there are some lesser-known but extremely helpful tips that can make your new start abroad easier:
Many people underestimate how long it can take to open a bank account in a new country. In-person appointments are often required, and sometimes there are minimum requirements, such as a local address or a Social Security number.
Tip: Before you move, find out which banks are best for expats, or use international financial service providers like Wise or Revolut to help with the transition.
Every country has apps that make everyday life easier—from navigation and translation apps to local food delivery and car-sharing services. Before you move, you should install apps for public transportation, online banking, and communication so you can hit the ground running.
In addition to making new friends, it’s important to have a reliable network for emergencies. Tip: Look for German communities or expats in your city—Facebook groups, Meetup, or InterNations are good places to start. It also doesn’t hurt to research doctors, pharmacies, and important resources in advance.
Not every country automatically recognizes German educational credentials or vaccination records. Tip: Have certified translations made of your transcripts, vaccination records, and medical documents to avoid delays when enrolling in schools and daycare centers.
Moving can be exciting for children, but it can also be overwhelming. Tip: Get them actively involved in the preparations! Show them pictures of the new home, take virtual school tours, or go on playful “exploration tours” using online maps like Google Street View to get to know the new neighborhood in advance.
Moving abroad with your family requires a lot of planning, but with the right preparation and support, it can be a successful new chapter in your life. Use professional moving services, plan ahead, and help your children feel at home.
If you want to make your family move stress-free, we at Intermove are here to support you with our expertise. Request your no-obligation moving quote now and start your new adventure with peace of mind!
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85551 Munich / Kirchheim
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