Your First Month Abroad: The Complete Checklist

You landed. Now what? This first month abroad checklist walks through it week by week — registrations, bank accounts, the small daily life stuff. Works for Berlin, London, Barcelona, and most of Europe.

Before the first task, know what you can afford. Our cost of living calculator shows you net pay and which neighbourhoods fit the number.

Week 1: the essentials

Week one is getting the basics in place. Several items are time-sensitive — some countries require registration within days of arrival.

Residence registration

This is the first job, before everything else. Without it, you can't open a bank account, sign a lease, or access most services.

• Germany (Anmeldung) - Register at your local Burgeramt within 14 days. Bring passport, rental contract, and landlord confirmation form (Wohnungsgeberbestatigung)
• Spain (Empadronamiento) - Register at your local Ayuntamiento. Needed for NIE, healthcare, and more
• France (Declaration de domicile) - Register at your local Mairie or Prefecture
• Netherlands (BSN) - Register with your local gemeente to receive your BSN (citizen service number)
• Sweden (Personnummer) - Apply at Skatteverket for your personal identity number
• UK - No general registration required, but register with HMRC once employed

Local SIM or phone plan

A local number is how the country talks to you — apartment viewings, job applications, bank setup.

• Research providers before arrival (Vodafone, O2, Orange, etc. operate across Europe)
• Prepaid SIMs are easiest—available at airports, supermarkets, and phone shops
• Bring your passport—ID is required for SIM purchase in most EU countries
• Consider eSIM options if your phone supports them (Airalo, Holafly)

Open a bank account

You need a local account for salary, rent, and direct debits.

• Digital banks - N26, Revolut, Wise often allow opening before registration
• Traditional banks - Usually require residence registration and proof of address
• Bring passport, residence registration, employment contract (if available)
• Ask about fees for international transfers—you'll likely need them

Emergency contacts

• Register with your home country's embassy or consulate
• Save emergency contacts in your phone (local + home country)
• Share your new address with family back home
• Save your company's HR contact for emergencies

Emergency numbers

Put these in your phone today:

• EU Emergency Number: 112 (works in all EU countries)
• UK Emergency: 999 (or 112)
• Non-emergency police (Germany): 110
• Non-emergency police (UK): 101
• Poison control - Look up your country's specific number

Week 2: housing and utilities

With registration done, turn to long-term housing and setting up the flat.

Long-term housing

• Use local rental platforms (Immobilienscout24 in Germany, Idealista in Spain, Rightmove in UK)
• Prepare documentation: payslips, employment contract, ID, previous landlord references
• Understand typical lease terms (notice periods, deposits, renewal conditions)
• Take photos of everything at move-in for deposit protection
• Read the lease carefully—consider having it translated if needed

Pro tip: Our calculator shows neighborhoods by rent range so you know which areas fit your budget before you start searching.

Utilities

• Electricity - Register with a provider or transfer from previous tenant
• Internet - Compare providers, expect 2-4 week installation wait in some countries
• Gas/Heating - Often included with electricity provider
• Water - Usually arranged through landlord or building management
• TV license - Required in Germany (Rundfunkbeitrag), UK (TV License), etc.

Liability insurance

In some countries liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung in Germany) is practically mandatory.

• Research local insurance requirements and common coverage
• Get quotes from multiple providers
• Consider contents insurance if you have valuable items
• Keep policy documents accessible (digital + physical copy)

Public transport

• Download the local transport app (BVG for Berlin, TfL for London, TMB for Barcelona)
• Get a monthly pass if you'll use transit regularly
• Learn the main routes to work, grocery stores, and downtown
• Understand fare zones—many cities have zone-based pricing
• Find out where to buy tickets and how to validate them (important!)

Week 3: daily life

With the essentials sorted, start building the daily routine.

Food shopping

• Locate the nearest supermarkets (discount and premium options)
• Find local farmers' markets for fresh produce
• Identify specialty stores (Asian groceries, health food, etc.)
• Learn store hours—many European countries have restricted Sunday shopping
• Bring your own bags—many countries charge for plastic bags

Register with a doctor

Healthcare registration looks different in every country.

• Germany - Choose and register with a Krankenkasse (public health insurance)
• UK - Register with a local GP practice (NHS)
• Spain - Get your Tarjeta Sanitaria after registering with social security
• France - Register with Assurance Maladie and choose a medecin traitant
• Find English-speaking doctors if language is a concern (Doctolib, Jameda)
• Locate the nearest pharmacy and understand prescription processes

Walk your neighbourhood

• Walk around and discover cafes, restaurants, and local shops
• Find the nearest pharmacy, post office, and ATM
• Locate nearby parks and green spaces
• Identify gyms and fitness options in your area
• Note emergency services locations (hospital, police station)

Coworking, if you need it

• Research coworking options (WeWork, local alternatives)
• Many offer free trial days—test before committing
• Consider cafes with good WiFi as alternatives
• Check if your employer offers coworking stipends

Find people

This part matters more than people think. Loneliness is the thing that sends expats home.

• Join Facebook groups for expats in your city
• Download Meetup and find groups matching your interests
• Look for language exchange events (Tandem, conversation groups)
• Find sports clubs, hobby groups, or volunteer opportunities
• Check InterNations for professional networking events

Week 4: settling in

By week four things should feel less chaotic. Now's the time to look past the immediate and build something longer-term.

Start learning the language

You can get by with English in most European cities. You'll have a much better life if you learn the local language anyway.

• Research language schools (often subsidized for residents)
• Download language apps (Duolingo, Babbel, Anki)
• Find language exchange partners (Tandem app, local meetups)
• Start with practical phrases: grocery shopping, directions, basic conversations
• Consider intensive courses if offered by your employer

Build a local network

• Attend work social events and team activities
• Say yes to invitations, even if you're tired
• Make an effort to meet neighbors
• Join a regular activity (gym class, book club, sports team)
• Connect with colleagues from your home country—they understand what you're going through

Build a routine

• Establish work-life boundaries (especially important for remote workers)
• Find your favorite local spots (coffee shop, lunch place, evening walk route)
• Schedule regular calls with friends and family back home
• Create a budget based on actual local costs (our calculator can help)
• Set up automatic bill payments where possible

Admin follow-ups

• Check if all registrations went through successfully
• Follow up on any pending ID cards or documents
• Verify tax registration with your employer
• Update address with any remaining services (bank, insurance)
• Set calendar reminders for visa renewals if applicable

Mistakes to skip

Other people's mistakes are cheaper than your own. The classics:

Administrative mistakes

• ❌ Missing registration deadlines - Can result in fines and complications with other services
• ❌ Not bringing enough documentation - Apostilled documents, translations often required
• ❌ Underestimating bureaucracy time - Appointments often book weeks in advance
• ❌ Forgetting to notify home country tax authority - Tax residency rules matter

Financial mistakes

• ❌ Not having enough emergency funds - Aim for 3 months of expenses accessible
• ❌ Using expensive international transfer methods - Use Wise or Revolut instead of banks
• ❌ Not understanding the cost of living before arrival - Calculate it first
• ❌ Signing a lease without understanding terms - Notice periods can be 3+ months

Social mistakes

• ❌ Isolating yourself - Loneliness is the #1 expat challenge
• ❌ Only socializing with other expats - Make local friends too
• ❌ Not learning any local language - Even basics show respect and help integration
• ❌ Comparing everything to home - Embrace differences rather than fighting them

Practical mistakes

• ❌ Not downloading offline maps - Internet isn't always available
• ❌ Bringing too much stuff - Shipping is expensive; buy locally
• ❌ Not researching visa rules thoroughly - Understand work rights and renewal processes
• ❌ Ignoring time zone differences - Schedule calls home thoughtfully

The whole checklist, condensed

The whole thing, in one place:

Country-specific guides

Each country works a bit differently. Our country-specific guides:

• Moving to Germany - Anmeldung, Krankenkasse, and German bureaucracy
• Moving to the UK - NHS registration, council tax, and more
• Moving to Spain - NIE, empadronamiento, and healthcare
• Moving to France - Carte Vitale, CAF, and French administration
• Moving to the Netherlands - BSN, DigiD, and the 30% ruling
• Moving to Sweden - Personnummer and Swedish bureaucracy

One last thing

The first month sets the tone for everything after it. Essentials in week one. Housing in week two. Daily life in week three. Integration in week four.

Don't try to do everything at once. Bureaucracy takes time, and that's fine. The expats who settle well tend to be patient with the process and deliberate about building community.

Still in the planning phase? Our pre-departure checklist covers what to do before you leave, and our salary calculator tells you what your salary actually covers in your new city.