Tips, Tricks and Tech for moving or long stays abroad
As someone who has spent a substantial amount of time both traveling and living abroad in Europe, I have accumulated enough tips, tricks and tech that have made my life a lot easier. I find myself sharing these a lot, as recently as yesterday, so thought I would write down a few things I use frequently - especially in my two recent years living in London, and last year spending extended time in Spain, Italy and France.
Shop some of my travel essentials / my LTK / my children’s travel book
First though, here are some previous posts I have written for Americans and Canadians on options for working remotely abroad, from visas to stories from those who has done it:
Podcast interview with Martha in Spain (American retired in Madrid)
Podcast interview with Noel in Italy (American with citizenship through Ancestry)
When I first moved to London for work, I turned to an unlikely source - Facebook - as it was still a main source for groups, especially for expats living abroad. I generally avoid that platform, but I found the information enormously useful, and it set me up well for the UK, and for my extended time working remotely around Europe after. Most of this advice is mainly geared towards my fellow Americans and Canadians heading to Europe specifically, but may be helpful for other nations too, depending on which of these are accessible, and you may very well have better options too - I would certainly love to learn about more! Keep in mind, a lot of these are so you can “hit the ground running”, when you are not yet able to access local networks, bank account set ups, etc.
Quick Initial Tips
Before you go, photocopy all of your cards and passports just in case and leave a copy somewhere. Also print out a copy (and make a list in your phone notes app) on the address you are staying at, emergency info and local phone numbers to keep handy
Start following some local city news and event social media accounts, sign up for a newsletter to get in the loop (ie. There is a “Time Out _____” and “Secret____” instagram for nearly every major city). I always get inspired with some movies, podcasts or youtube videos on the location too.
When you arrive, walk your neighborhood first to get the lay of the land, grocery stores, etc. Walk everywhere when you explore if possible, it’s the quickest way to get comfortable - and if you want an initial overview, don’t be afraid of the touristy hop-on / hop-off buses to see all the areas in one go first.
Want to more detail or to meet people? Check out classes or tours on Airbnb experiences or Trip Advisor
FYI for Europe: Almost all countries in the EU apply the Schengen Zone rule is the 90/180-day rule, which allows non-EU nationals to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa for tourism or business (Ireland does not apply it, and the United Kingdom is not part of it). If you are interested in year-long stay digital nomads, visit here
Also know that the EU starts a new border control system in 2025 called the Entry/Exit System (EES). The new automated system replaces manual passport stamps with biometric registration, where travelers will register their name, travel document information, fingerprints, and facial image at automated kiosks or with border officers. Also make sure your passport has more than 6 months before expiry on it or you may likely be rejected.
BANKING + MONEY:
Most things in Europe are digitized / use a card tap system instead of cash. I don’t normally use my regular cards (you can, I just don’t), I have ones for time in the EU/UK - but I always keep a little extra cash for initial arrival (though banks/ATMs are everywhere).
Transferwise: I love this app to move around money to my accounts in different countries. It is fast, efficient, and low fee. Set it up before you leave, It’s an app, but they will send you a card too if you want to use it like a debit card with cash moved on to it, in different currencies. while abroad.
Monzo: It is an online bank based in the UK. Before I could set up a more traditional account in London, I set this up before I left (apparently it is coming to the US now too). You can transfer money into it and move money around or use it as your primary tap card around the UK and EU. It saved me a lot of headache.
Apple Pay: This works in most places, a good thing to set up before you go as a back up.
Taxes: Americans abroad will have to continue filing taxes in the US forever, no matter what. Luckily, there are loads of expat tax specialists and I have had good experiences working with Greenback Tax Services
*For Americans moving abroad, be aware that most managed investment accounts can not actually “manage” when you live elsewhere, but you can move it to a robo investment, at places like Betterment.
PHONE CALLS + DATA + Correspondence:
Make sure you have Whatsapp, which is the most globally used apps, for free texts/calls/video to use on wifi. Apple users can do the same with Facetime, but I prefer WA
There are several apps you can put on your phone for an international number and Google Voice is very handy too. You can forward your US cell for messages, and set an auto reply with your new EU number
Buy an inexpensive “unlocked” cell phone and buy a SIM card at any airport or pre-oder one to make call or surf the web while you are in a country for a long period. I do this, and have actually kept a very cheap UK number via GiffGaff just in case, and switch out my SIM if needed elsewhere. The European system for cell phones is so much better and cheaper that the U.S.
Consider buying a VPN, from a company like Nord, if you want to stream US content or surf the web back stateside like you are still there, or any country, you wish that many normally be blocked.
One of the best things I did while living aborad, was set up a PO mailbox with PostScan, to have an address in the US, no matter where I went. The app shows you everything that arrives, and you can chose to have it scanned to read, recycled, or forwarded to you.
LANGUAGE:
Google Translate app on your phone is key. Get comfortable with it. Also, the camera feature is clutch for reading packaging, etc.
Europeans are much better at speaking multiple language, and English is widely spoken. But one should always make an effort in a foreign country, so you can practice some key words on the popular DuoLingo app, or work with a tutor online at Preply (website)
TRANSPORTATION:
Citymapper is a must have app in your phone, download before. It saved me many times, and had updated public transport information and more - I find it to be better than Google maps
TrainLine: I use this app to books train everywhere in the UK
Uber works everywhere, have it set up on your phone before you go too (*If you are in places like Spain, it will connect to taxis)
Turo. I have used this to “airbnb” rent people’s cars in the US, and has extended to the UK and France, but I believe will soon expand around Europe too
As a solo female traveler, unless I am traveling light or there is an easy train from the airport (like London Heathrow), I like to pre-book cars or taxi’s that guarantee I will at least get to my home base without issue. I really liked using Welcome Pickups
Always research and screen grab local transportation first, it will be imperative in big cities and you will be less stressed about it. Know what the local card/pass options are so you can go purchase it like a pro, and top up as needed. I love using public transport in London, Paris, Rome and Berlin
Booking hotels + flights. There are the usual apps for stays (Hotels.com, Airbnb, OnFineStay, HotelTonight) and flights in the US (Expedia, Hopper App), but in Europe a lot of people also use Skyscanner and GoogleFlights. There are so many airline options.
LUGGAGE + STORAGE:
Less is more, but if you are gone for a long time, there is not much you can do about this. If I am gone for a longer stretch, I generally have a backpack (for tech, computers, personal papers/passports/smaller purse), a carry on, and a larger check-in. You could scrap the carryon, but it’s better than attempting to drag around two big bags.
If you need more clothes, thrift and second hand in Europe is great - so many options
Grab a couple of cheap adapters and chargers before you travel (though you can find these anywhere)
There are definitely more, so I will update as I remember them. Stay tuned!
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