You may imagine that once you arrive in your new home you can sit back and enjoy yourself. Not a bit of it! In the first few weeks you will have to get organised, and this can mean time spent at local council offices or with the police dealing with residence permits, tax and so on. Let’s look at those matters which will need to occupy your attention during the first few weeks.

Banking

If you are taking up permanent residence you are almost certainly going to need to open a bank account. You may already have used a bank in the foreign country for the transfer of funds to pay for your new home, and you can, of course, open an account there provided it is convenient.

However, first of all it is sensible to ask other expatriates which banks they use: it clearly makes sense to use a bank which is used to handling the accounts of foreigners. Although many banks throughout the world offer cheque books, standing orders, cash cards and credit cards, not all of them do so and the service can vary considerably from one bank to another.

In order to open a bank account you may have to provide proof of residence and a declaration of your income. A reference from your bank in the UK can sometimes come in handy. Note that banking law differs from country to country, and in some places you are actually breaking the law if you run up an overdraft, and your account could be frozen.

British Consulate/Embassy

Sooner or later (and preferably sooner) it makes good sense to register with the local British consulate. If you have problems with the authorities the consul may be able to intervene, and he is a person you may need to contact in an emergency. If you are involved in an accident or civil disorder, or become entangled with the law, the consul should be called in. He can also register births, marriages and deaths.

Consulates can provide you with useful information (eg English-speaking doctors, lawyers, hospitals, churches), put you in touch with expatriate self-help organisations in the vicinity, and advise you on your voting rights in the UK.

Under the Representation of the People Act 1989 you may register as an overseas voter in the constituency where you usually vote, and for this you need to obtain an overseas elector’s form from the consulate. This must be completed, witnessed and returned before 10 October if you wish to be included on the electoral register which comes into effect on 16 February of the following year. You will be eligible to vote in all parliamentary and European elections, but not in local elections in the UK.

Car

If you have imported a car into the country you will normally need to register it and get local number plates. In most countries you will need to pay a car tax.

You should also check insurance arrangements. In some countries you have to insure your car with a local insurer – at least for basic third-party insurance. If you can continue to be insured by your UK insurer, you will need to inform him of your change of residence and change of registration number. Do not be surprised to receive an increase in premium, since accident rates are often higher elsewhere.

Note that the rules of the road may differ on the Continent and in North America. In Australia they differ from state to state! Also an increasing number of countries impose on-the-spot fines for traffic offences. Drivers are often required to carry a warning triangle, a spare set of lights and a first-aid kit in the car and you should always keep your driving licence and insurance certificate with you.