You should have researched this area before moving abroad. Of course it is better to visit once if you can.
But if your curiosity gets the better of you, I think you should move now.
Strike while the iron is hot.
However, it is also true that if you go there without doing any research, the local atmosphere may be different from what you expected, and some people may have problems with taxation and so on.
I’ve actually moved to Portugal and compiled a list of things I’m glad I researched before moving abroad, and things I wish I’d known beforehand.
I decided to move to Portugal when I got my visa! I went to Portugal for the first time when I decided to move to Portugal and got my visa.
Personally, I feel that I came to the best place, but it was just by chance, so I strongly recommend that you visit the place before emigrating (of course…).
VISA
Find out in advance what type of visa (residence permit) you can stay on and what type of visa you can apply for.
Different visas have very different requirements and durations. For example, my Digital Nomad visa can be applied for by people whose main income is from outside the country and who are not allowed to work in the local country. However, there is a possibility to take an EU permanent residence visa if you keep renewing it. There are various types of work holiday visas, including one-year, one-time, but easy to obtain visas.
Long story short: do you intend to take up citizenship in the future? This is also a consideration.
Cost of living and prices
Find out how expensive it actually is.
It is possible that it is easy to move to a new country but the cost of living is high. Nowadays, you can ask YouTube or AI to give you an approximate figure, so use this as a guide.
It is a good idea to find out the approximate cost of rent, food, electricity and gas utilities, internet rates, etc.
Finding a home
Some visas may be required before you can travel.
Find out which are the major real estate websites.
Incidentally, this may be the hardest part of emigrating… There are many scams and the pattern of paying in advance is not particularly trustworthy.
Also, find out where the safest places are. In fact, it is recommended to go there once and experience it for yourself. After all, there are many things you can’t understand just from photos and videos.
Incidentally, I did a number of previews in the area, but I walked around the surrounding area beforehand before the previews.
In Portugal, you only need to take one step into a different street to completely change the atmosphere.
Lisbon has many hills, so I think it’s also important to know if there is a supermarket nearby… I think it’s important to have a supermarket nearby…
Living infrastructure (internet, water, gas, electricity, etc.)
Finding a place to live actually involves contracts for gas, electricity and water, but I was not able to find out this much.
So I ask the owner when I sign the contract and then go directly to the office.
It is surprisingly difficult… If you can find out by looking it up, that’s the best way.
Internet is an essential contract for work and smartphones.
You can find local internet companies by looking up internet providers + country name.
Bank
It is a good idea to find out what banks are available locally and what the major ones are.
It is also nice to know if you can open a bank. It depends on the country, but in Portugal I was able to make one with a passport, proof of address and NIF+ various things.
Also, if you become a non-resident, you can’t have a Japanese account, so you need to consider how to do that.
I would recommend SMBC Trust Bank Prestia because they can mote an account even if you are a non-resident.
In addition, you should also consider how to transfer money from a Japanese bank to an overseas bank – WISE and Revolut are well known.
I used WISE.
It is even better if you have also researched the prevalence of available credit cards and electronic payments.
Health systems and insurance
Find out about the local standard of medical care and which hospitals you should visit.
Access the country’s embassy, which will provide you with detailed information.
There are diseases to watch out for, for example.
There are often both social insurance schemes and private insurance provided by the state, so find out how to join and how much you will be covered and how much it will cost.
means of transportation
Find out what public transport is available and where it can be accessed.
In particular, it is a good idea to find out about traffic rules and how to buy tickets.
Portugal looks like this.
Security and safety measures
As mentioned in the house search, research safe and unsafe areas.
Tourist areas and crowded places are particularly prone to pick pocketing and other thefts.
It is also advisable to consider what crimes are taking place in the country and what you can do about them.
Find out where the police are and who to contact in an emergency in case you become a victim.
Language
Know the official language and the main languages spoken.
Europe is not English-speaking, so when you move there you will need to learn the language of the country. Knowing how much is spoken worldwide will motivate you to learn.
When I came to Portugal, I think that everyone speaks English, but they are very happy when I speak Portuguese! This means.
Tax
Find out in advance what criteria make you a migrant for tax purposes and how tax returns are filed.
The best way to get an accurate picture is to ask a local accountant, but the general framework can be found on the internet.
If you move to a country because it is cheap to move there, you may find yourself paying taxes you didn’t know you had to pay… You may also be surprised to find out that….
Summary
For people like me, who have had little or no connection to the world, there is a lot that is unknown about moving abroad.
But there is nothing you can’t do. The window is open for everyone.
You just have to do it.
