Moving abroad: what to arrange first when you arrive at your new destination?

First things upon arrival

• Register as a new resident with the municipality in your new place of residence. In many countries, a registration number ("citizen service number") is essential for many subsequent administrative matters (e.g. utilities).
• Once you arrive, pay a visit to the town hall; still, especially in smaller towns, the mayor is a powerful person with whom you like to have a good relationship.
• Open a local bank account and provide your new account number to various organizations.

Transport

• If you have your own transportation (car), arrange for a navigation system or app with maps for your local area; you probably won't be able to find your way around without it at first.
• Is your car taken away? Have the license plate converted before you drive it. Rules vary, but usually this should be done within 3 months of settling in. Also arrange a new car insurance immediately. Don't forget to notify your own car insurance company, as soon as your car gets a foreign license plate. In some countries you must actively register for road tax yourself; you will not receive automatic notification.

Networking & relatives

• Make sure that you can be reached (again): for those left behind in your home country, for authorities in your new country of residence, for the nursery, etc.
  • at least familiarize yourself with the telephone line, internet and mobile telephony; which techniques are most used locally?
  • consider a pre-paid mobile subscription for the first period: this gives you time to study the better or most advantageous mobile subscriptions in your new country of residence. Preferably sign up for a one-year subscription in your first year; this will cost a little more, but you will have the option of switching to another, more advantageous subscription after one year. During the first period, gather tips from local or expat friends and acquaintances: they obviously already have experience in what to arrange through whom.
  • Consider more data usage than you were used to in your home country: calling-via-internet, watching TV online, etc.
  • Do you or your partner work for a local employer or an international (expat) employer? Find out if you can arrange subscriptions through that employer: costs may be fully or partially reimbursed, or there may be special favorable agreements.
• Depending on your familiarity with your new location—and of course based on your needs—quickly explore whether there are any (expat) groups, networks, or foreigner clubs after your arrival; they often offer a buddy system. If you sign up, you can request (or be offered) to be paired with an expatriate who has lived in the area longer and can help you get oriented in the first few weeks, assisting you with initial arrangements.
• Do you live in a smaller community and need practical help, for example around your house (handymen, electricians, etc.)? Or do you need to make larger purchases, such as for a welcome gathering? Preferably hire local services and shop with smaller suppliers. This promotes integration and generates goodwill, unlike when you only visit the large regional supermarket or hire people from outside “the village.”
• If you were used to it (or if it’s more common in your new destination): preferably through your new local network, arrange for a housekeeper.
• Get to know your immediate neighbors or consider a quick meet-and-greet with several neighbors at once. Examples of conversation topics (besides general introductions):
  • Good places for small and large grocery shopping (supermarkets, department stores, specialty shops).
  • Addresses for better hardware stores and/or specialized shops for specific topics, plumbers, electricians, etc.
  • Contact information for arranging utilities: gas, water, electricity.
  • Contact information for arranging telecom services.
  • How public transportation works in the immediate area; where the nearest stops are, frequency.
  • Getting familiar with the immediate neighborhood: what is available and where.
  • Are there notable aspects regarding the daily routine: quiet hours, opening times, meal times, etc.
  • What days is the garbage collected, waste separation, requesting containers.
  • Good addresses for sports or hobbies.
  • Who to contact in case of practical, medical, or safety issues; emergency numbers.
  • Better addresses nearby for affordable gas.
  • If your neighbors have lived there for a long time: what is the history of your houses and the immediate surroundings.
  • Also explain why you chose to emigrate and why you specifically chose this location; there’s a good chance people will understand your choices better and find it nice that you chose "their" area.
• Besides practically organizing various matters, also take the time—whether with your family or not—to reflect on your departure period. Evaluate how everything went and what everyone thought about it: closing off the departure period gives you insights into first lessons learned, creates space for initial thoughts about the future, and helps you experience what’s to come more consciously.

Children

• Have you moved with your children? Establish regular routines shortly after arrival. There are already enough things to adjust to; try to maintain the familiar rhythm of your home country as much as possible in the first few weeks after your arrival. Think of certain eating habits during the week, a fun activity on the weekend, (re-watching) a specific TV show that you enjoyed as a family. Gradually transition to the rhythms and habits of your new country.