Moving to Italy – Removal Checklist

We will now look at each stage of the process of relocating to Italy in detail. This assumes you have sold your own house and have rented or completed the purchase of your Italian house.

Four – Six Weeks to Go

• Organise quotes from companies dealing in international removals, select and book the company. Decide who will pack, you or them. If you, then order packing materials.
• Go through your possessions ruthlessly and throw out/give away/sell items. Remember furniture that looks good in a UK home may look out of place in an Italian house. It’s also cheaper to move with less stuff!
• Begin making an inventory – this is useful for insurance, the removal company and yourself.
• Contact relevant companies - bank, credit card, insurance, council tax, premium bonds and so on and either close the accounts or provide them with your new address. Remember to include online companies.
• If receiving a pension, check how you will receive it when abroad. (It is usually possible to have it paid in Euros into your Italian account.) If nearing retirement, get a pension forecast.
• Organise redirection of mail at Post Office.
• Look into selling your car if you are not taking it with you.
• Inform your children’s schools and local education authority of the leaving date.
• Get pet(s) vaccinated for rabies, micro chipped and pet passport organised. Organise transport for pets if doing it separately.
• If renting out your property find a reliable letting agent and let bank/mortgage company/accountant know.
• Book flights, ferry, hotels for the journey.
• Check each family member has a European Health Insurance Card.

Two Weeks to Go

• Deregister with dentist, doctor, optician etc. If you have a health issue look into getting a note from your GP to the new Italian doctor (have this translated) and the option of taking a supply or medication with you (e.g. 1-3 month’s tablets).
• Send friends and relatives change of address
• Organise/check insurance for the removal and for the trip over.
• Organise professional cleaning of property
• Start packing, make sure boxes are clearly labelled, in detail.
• Where appropriate, contact social security office, Dept. for Work and Pensions, Inland Revenue with your new address.
• Put all important documents together in one safe place – passports, wedding and birth certificates, vaccination proof, tax documents etc

One week and counting…

• Return library books and other borrowed items
• Organise final meter readings for utilities.
• Pay milk and paper bills and close accounts.
• Double check removal company arrangements.
• Sort out clothes and supplies that you will need during journey and on arrival and keep separate.
• Shop for things you won’t be able to buy in Italy like Marmite and oatcakes. But don’t go too mad, they have shops there too, remember!
• Check funds have arrived in your Italian account.
• Draw cash out for journey.

The Big Day

• Leave new owners contact details.
• Check each family member has their own ‘essentials’ for trip.
• Double check medicines, documents, cash and credit cards and tickets.
• Go through house one last time check cupboards, garage etc.
• Start your journey to your new life in Italy!

Copyright © Business e via Italy