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Getting there: shipping, pets & slow travel.
The visa is one part of the move. Here's how to plan the rest: your things, your pets, and the trip itself.
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Scout first
Spend at least a month in the place before you commit to a lease. On a US, UK or Australian passport you can usually stay in the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180 without a visa. That's enough for one long scouting trip, not for living there.
Georgia is the exception for a longer test: up to 365 days visa-free, with travel insurance required since 2026. A plan like SafetyWing Nomad Insurance covers that rule.
Rent a car for part of the trip. You can see three or four towns in a week instead of one, and you'll learn fast whether daily life works without one. Localrent books cars from local rental companies.
For a scouting trip, travel medical insurance is enough. Compare plans, or go straight to SafetyWing Nomad Insurance, which you can start after you've left home.
Shipping your things
Most people ship far less than they expect. Furniture often costs more to ship than to buy again, and many rentals in Europe come furnished.
- Suitcases plus extra checked bags: the cheapest option for most moves.
- Shared container (part load): you pay for the space you use. Slower, because the container waits to fill.
- Full container: for a whole house. Get at least 3 quotes from international movers, and ask whether customs and delivery at the destination are included.
Many countries let new residents bring used household goods in duty-free, if they ship within a set time after getting residence. Ask the destination consulate before you book.
Moving pets
For a dog or cat coming into the EU from the US or Australia, plan at least a month ahead:
- An ISO microchip, implanted before the rabies shot.
- A rabies vaccine, then a wait of at least 21 days before travel.
- An EU animal health certificate, signed by an accredited vet and endorsed by the government (USDA in the US).
The UK and Ireland also require tapeworm treatment for dogs. Airlines have their own rules on breeds, crates and seasons. Snub-nosed breeds are often refused in summer.
Moving pets into Australia, or back home to it, is far stricter and needs months of planning.
Slow travel from the UK
Brits can move to Spain, Portugal or France without flying and take far more with them:
- By car on a ferry: Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth and Plymouth to northern Spain (Santander and Bilbao). Pack the car to the roof.
- By train: Eurostar to Paris, then high-speed trains south to Spain. From there, onward trains toward Portugal.
From the US or Australia, flying is the practical route. Book one-way, check your airline's baggage allowance for extra bags, and use your consulate's rules on proof of onward travel.