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Key Factors to Remember When Moving Abroad
Moving abroad can be a daunting experience, even if it is only for a short or fixed period of time. You will have to make up your mind about what you are going to take and what you will be leaving behind.
Hamiltons Removals, based in East Anglia, are highly experienced in international removals and can organise your whole move abroad. We offer a full range of services to fit your needs, including packing and unpacking your possessions. We also guide you through all the paperwork and formalities involved, whether you are undertaking removals to the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or countries in Europe including France, Sweden, Italy and Switzerland.
Hamiltons also offer secure self storage at our Norfolk sites, near the Suffolk border, for any possessions you won’t be taking with you. Here is our checklist of some key areas you might not think of at first – but which need to be sorted out well in advance of any move abroad.
What About Your Pet?
Your pet is part of the family and it may prove difficult to leave them behind with a different owner. But you should check in advance whether or not your pet will actually be allowed into your new country. Dogs and cats are acceptable in most countries but others may have bans on certain creatures. Australia, for instance, does not allow any rodents into the country.
You will also have to consider the practicalities of how your pet is going to be transported into your new country; it will usually be classified as live animal cargo so won’t be allowed to sit in your lap. In aircraft this means there will be a special pressurised compartment in the hold. Even then they may need to serve a period in quarantine, depending on which country you are moving to, to eliminate the threat of rabies. All of this means it can be a very stressful time for your pet so you could make sure they travel with a favourite item such as a blanket.
Will You be Driving Abroad?
European countries still recognise the UK’s driving licence. If you are moving outside Europe, then you will need an international driving permit, which can be obtained from the Post Office. This, together with your existing UK licence, will allow you to drive a car in your new country. The advice is to make sure you apply for one at least three months ahead of your departure date.
And once you are there, you will need to get used to a whole new set of rules and regulations, such as driving on the right-hand side of the road. More unusual laws mean it is illegal to use your car horn in Spain, except in an emergency, while in the USA cars are permitted to overtake you from either the left-hand or the right-hand lane.
Looking After Your Health
If you are moving to a European country then you should apply for a European Health Insurance Card. This will entitle you to either free or reduced-price healthcare. However, it is not a long-term solution and you will need to consider either taking out some form of private healthcare or making payments to your new country’s social security system. The NHS Choices website is a useful source of further information.
Exercising Your Right to Vote
You can still vote in UK general elections provided you have not been resident in another country for 15 years or more. Registration is completed on the government’s online website. You will need both your previous address and your National Insurance number to complete the form.
Storing Your Items
Keeping some of your treasured possessions in a storage facility can make any move much easier. If you don’t want to take loads of bulky items like furniture with you, then you can keep them at Hamiltons Removals’ Safe N Stored premises. This will make the journey abroad much easier physically and, if you have any particularly valuable items, you will have the peace of mind of keeping them in our secure self storage sites at Harleston and Aldeby in Norfolk. Both sites are covered by CCTV cameras and the alarms at our Harleston premises have a link to Norfolk Police.
Our Harleston site offers individual storage rooms from sizes ranging from 25 square feet to 200 square feet, while at our Aldeby premises you can choose from a range of differently-sized storage containers. Your possessions will be kept clean and dry at both locations, which are particularly convenient for people living in the Diss, Bungay and Stradbroke areas.
If you are planning overseas removals, click here for details of our international removals services. Click here for more about our range of self-storage services at both of our Safe N Stored sites.
Six Unusual Festivals in Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the leading European countries to move to. Many people go there for work-related reasons, but others are attracted by the clean, healthy lifestyle and high standard of living.
After moving to Switzerland, you will find many interesting events to enjoy. The Geneva Motor Show and the Montreux Jazz Festival are famous the world over, not just in Europe. Hamiltons Removals have been organising international removals to Switzerland for many years. Here is our guide to six of the more unusual Swiss festivals.
The World Snow Festival
This is held every January in Grindelwald, near Interlaken. Artists who specialise in ice sculptures create all manner of weird and wonderful pieces which decorate all the town’s street corners. None of the creations are for sale; the festival comes to a natural conclusion when the ice melts.
The International Balloon Festival
More than 20 countries bring their hot air balloons to this unusual festival held in the Alpine village of Chateau d’Oex, which lies midway between Gstaad and Gruyeres. It runs for over a week in January, and provides a magnificent spectacle, particularly at night when the balloons’ burners are lit up against the stunning mountain backdrop.
Festichoc
This is not for those who are on a diet. As the name suggests, Festichoc is a festival dedicated to chocolate. It is held in the town of Versoix, near Geneva, which is home to chocolatiers Cartier and Favarger. The event, usually held just before Easter, has demonstrations, a sculpture competition, and plenty of activities aimed at children. You will, of course, be able to buy plenty of chocolate too.
Gauklerfest
This off-beat street festival is held in Interlaken each year. Theatrical performers from all over the world, including comics, contortionists and clowns, take over the town, offering a range of entertainment. The event is usually held over three days in late July.
International Alphorn Festival
The alphorn is one of Switzerland’s traditional musical instruments and its heritage is celebrated in this annual festival in the town of Nendaz. The event, which is usually held in late July, includes a competition, plus dancing and flag waving.
Jodelfest (Yodelling Festival)
Yodelling developed as a choral singing style in the 19th century and the tradition is celebrated in the Eidgenössisches Jodelfest, an annual festival held every three years. The venue moves around the country and involves thousands of yodellers. Other, regional competitions are also staged; an annual event is held in the west Switzerland village of Saas-Fee.
Hamiltons Removals offers a range of different services for international removals to Switzerland. You can have a dedicated service, where you have sole use of a vehicle; a part load service, where you share a vehicle with other people making the same move; or our special service where you can set the collection and delivery dates. We arrange moves to cities including Zurich, Lausanne, Lucerne, Bern and Basel.
We will be happy to talk to you to make sure you get the service which is most suitable for your needs, and we can provide a packing service. We also arrange removals to a host of other destinations in Europe, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria, as well as other parts of the world. Follow the link above to get a detailed quote for your move to Europe.