How to prepare your expatriation?
There are many reasons that may lead to the desire to move abroad: professional opportunity, end-of-study internship, family reasons, change of life, retirement, etc. However, expatriation cannot be improvised :it is necessary to prepare your expatriation well. Since a whole new life awaits you, you must take the time to organize your installation, whether it is to comply with administrative formalities, to familiarize yourself with the country of expatriation or to organize the international move. Focus on everything you need to know to prepare your expatriation !
Get as much information as possible about the destination country
Since the realities of each country are different, when the decision phase is closed, in other words when you are definitively resolved to expatriate to a particular country, the time has come to find out about the living conditions of the host country. This question will be more mature if you plan to go with your family.
In practice, you will have to ask yourself all the possible questions related to the daily life you will have to live in the expatriation country.
- What are the administrative formalities required?
- How does the housing system work?
- How does the education system work?
- What is the culture of the host country?
- Do I have to learn their national language? etc.
Based on all the information youhave gathered, you can then begin to prepare your expatriation in a concrete manner.
Make sure you do as much as possible before you travel
There are many formalities to undertake before your departure, especially in terms of administration. Your company’s International Mobility department can guide you. Or perhaps you will be supervised by a relocation company that will take care of your expatriation ? She can also assist you in moving (choosing an international company that can take care of customs formalities), finding a residence, schooling your children, etc. In any case, you must make sure that you are up to date with all the necessary formalities (embassy, tax office, pension fund, family allowance fund, etc.).
The specificities of the employment contract must be taken into account
It is important to consider the type of contract you will be subject to. Depending on whether it is an expatriate contract, a secondment contract, a local contract, etc., not all are equal. Indeed, the type of contract has a direct impact on the level of social coverage, the tax framework as well as the legal framework to which you will be subjected. It is therefore essential to carefully negotiate the type and terms of your contract with your employer.
Anticipate your return home
When you expatriate, you must also anticipate your return because it is often in this sense that the “culture shock” is most heavily felt .
You must keep in touch with the French administration, your professional network as well as with yourmanagers at work. It is an anchor that can help you reintegrate after your stay abroad. Housing, children’s schooling, your spouse’s career, etc. are other issues that you will need to seriously consider in order to return to France in a serene manner.
