Moving Abroad With Children

Practical Tips for a Smooth Family Relocation

Moving abroad is an exciting opportunity, but it can also feel overwhelming when children are involved. Leaving behind familiar routines, friends, and surroundings can be challenging for kids of any age. However, with thoughtful planning and the right support, the transition can be positive and even enjoyable for your whole family.

This guide walks you through everything parents need to know about moving abroad with children, from planning timelines and choosing schools to managing healthcare, supporting emotional well-being, and navigating daily life in a new country.

 

Understand How Your Child’s Age Affects the Move

The first thing to acknowledge when planning a move with children is that their age significantly impacts how they respond to leaving home and their experience of the transition.

Understanding these differences helps you prepare your child for an overseas move more effectively.

Babies and Toddlers (0–4 Years)

Moving with very young children can be challenging, as they may struggle with changes in routine and unfamiliar surroundings.

Therefore, keeping routines consistent and having familiar items on hand helps them feel secure. With comfort and predictability, babies and toddlers often adapt quickly and may hardly even notice the change.

Young School-Aged Children (5–10 Years)

Young school-aged children will likely have questions about the move, but they are generally adaptable to new schools and making friends. They can also pick up a new language quickly when moving to a country with a different native tongue.

To ease this adjustment, encourage their curiosity, provide reassurance, and help them explore their new environment. Establishing routines both at school and home helps them adapt and feel secure.

Preteens (11–12 Years)

Preteens may start to feel more aware of what they are leaving behind, including friends, activities, and familiar routines. This can cause anxiety or resistance to the move.

To support them, emphasize the positives of the move and help them maintain connections with friends back home. Provide reassurance and involve them in small decisions, such as choosing extracurricular activities or personalizing their bedroom in the new home, to help them feel engaged.

Teenagers (13–17 Years)

Teenagers often face greater challenges, as friendships are more established and academic or social pressures can make leaving home harder. Language barriers or adapting to a new school system may also increase stress.

To support teens, provide clear timelines for school transitions and academic expectations, and encourage their input in decisions to give them a sense of control. For teens nearing graduation who strongly resist moving, consider delaying the move or arranging temporary support from a trusted family member.

Adolescents (18+ Years)

Older adolescents may face challenges related to independence, higher education, or career planning. Moving abroad can bring uncertainty about university applications, part-time jobs, or social networks.

To support them, provide clear timelines for academic or professional milestones and encourage them to take an active role in planning their move. Involving them in decisions, such as choosing housing or organizing their study space, helps maintain a sense of control and eases the transition.

Regardless of age, children can adapt successfully to a new environment. In fact, a FinGlobal survey shows that 56 % of expat parents reported they would not have done anything differently, and 94 % stated that their children regard their new country as home.

These findings demonstrate that, with proper planning and support, relocating abroad can be a highly rewarding experience.

Still Deciding Where to Move? If you haven’t chosen a destination yet, explore our article on The Best Countries to Raise a Family for insights on safety, schools, healthcare, and family-friendly living options.

Steps for Planning a Smooth Move Abroad

Planning an international move with children can be an exciting adventure, but it can also feel overwhelming.

Breaking the process into clear, actionable steps helps your family stay organized and ensures your children feel supported, confident, and ready to settle into their new home.

Plan a Realistic Timeline

Family relocations involve arranging schools, visas, housing, and other essential tasks, which can take time to complete. Begin planning six to 12 months in advance, especially if you’re relocating to a city with competitive international schools.

Consider building a month-by-month moving abroad checklist so that each major decision, such as school choice, housing, visas, and packing, has a clear deadline.

Create a Family Budget

Creating a budget for your move abroad, including school fees, childcare, health insurance, housing, flights, international moving and relocation costs, and initial settling-in expenses.

Many families find it helpful to create a “relocation fund” to cover early costs during the first three to six months abroad.

Don’t forget to factor in hidden costs, such as school uniforms, extracurricular fees, tutoring, or language classes your child may need during the transition.

Understand Visa and Residency Requirements

Visa regulations vary by country. Some require school enrollment before issuing dependent visas, while others need birth certificates, immunization records, or custody documents.

Begin the process early to gather all necessary paperwork and avoid last-minute stress. Check for additional requirements, such as notarized permissions, translations, residency cards, or apostilles, which ensure documents are legally recognized.

Note that many official documents, such as birth certificates, vaccination records, custody papers, and school records, may require certified translations into the local language.

Check these requirements early, so you have everything ready for visas, school enrollment, and healthcare registration.

Choose the Right School

Selecting the right school for your children is one of the most important steps when planning a move abroad.

When evaluating options, consider your child’s age, learning needs, and language abilities. Common choices include local schools, international schools, bilingual schools, or homeschooling.

For young children moving permanently, a local-language school can help them integrate more easily into their new community. In contrast, older children or those on temporary moves may benefit from an international school that aligns with their current curriculum.

Check the school’s reputation and community, and make sure it offers support for newcomers. Researching your options well in advance is especially important for international schools, as many, particularly in major cities, are highly competitive and fill up quickly.

Plan for Your Children’s Healthcare Abroad

Relocating abroad with children requires careful planning to ensure they stay healthy and have access to quality care.

The first step is to understand the healthcare system in your new home country and the differences between local and international coverage. Some families may rely primarily on local medical services, which can be cost-effective and help with integration.

However, many families prefer international health insurance, which offers benefits such as high-quality pediatric care, routine check-ups, emergency support, and access to private clinics with English-speaking staff. This is especially helpful when navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system or language barrier.

It’s essential to compare global health plans to find coverage that meets your family’s specific needs, including pediatric care, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and access to a network of hospitals.

Working with a licensed broker can simplify this process, guide you through plan options, and help you select a policy that ensures reliable care for every family member.

 

Find Doctors and Prepare Records

Once coverage is in place, identify a pediatrician and family doctor early. Ask local parents, expat groups, or your insurance provider for recommendations.

Many families secure a pediatrician before arrival, particularly if a child has ongoing medical needs. Some even schedule a “first-week appointment” before arrival to quickly establish care and update any prescriptions.

Keep your children’s medical records up to date and bring both printed and digital copies of:

• Immunization records
• Prescription information
• Allergy or chronic condition notes
• Past medical reports

These documents are often required for school enrollment and doctor visits, and having them organized will make the transition much smoother.

Plan for Emergencies. Familiarize yourself with nearby hospitals and urgent care clinics, and keep important phone numbers accessible. Creating a family medical folder with insurance details, doctor contacts, and essential health information ensures you’re prepared for any situation, giving your family peace of mind as you settle abroad.

Involve Your Children in the Planning

Engage your children in age-appropriate ways. Younger kids can read picture books about moving, while older ones can research schools, neighborhoods, and local activities.

Listen to their concerns and let them feel part of the process. This helps them arrive in their new home with confidence and a positive mindset.

Give each child one small decision to “own,” such as choosing their room décor or picking the first activity to try in the new country. This encourages independence and builds excitement for the move.

If you want to save money, check out tips on how to furnish your home on a budget, including advice on shipping furniture, shopping second-hand, finding online deals, and renting furnished apartments to create a stylish and comfortable space.

Help Your Children Say Goodbye

Whether your move is permanent or temporary, allow your children to bid proper farewells to friends and loved ones. This helps mark the transition and makes it easier for them to begin anew.

Consider planning a going-away party where your children can exchange keepsakes, such as photo albums or friendship bracelets, and encourage them to take photos or create memory books.

For anxious children, consider creating a “goodbye tour” where they visit their favorite playgrounds, cafés, or neighborhoods one last time to help build a sense of closure.

Supporting Your Children’s Emotional Well-Being

Moving abroad can be both exciting and overwhelming for children. It’s normal for kids to experience a mix of emotions, from excitement about new adventures to sadness at leaving friends and familiar routines behind.

Provide Emotional Support

Providing emotional support for children moving abroad is essential to help them adapt and thrive.

Encouraging open conversations about their feelings helps them feel secure and supported. Providing comfort and stability, such as familiar objects and maintaining routines, can make the transition smoother.

Support strategies should be tailored to your child’s age and developmental stage. Younger children often need consistent reassurance, while older children may need help balancing old friendships with forming new ones.

Help Them Adjust to a New Culture

Children may also experience culture shock, as everything from language to daily routines feels different. Talking openly about these differences and exploring new surroundings together can help them adjust.

Setting manageable goals, such as joining a club, trying local activities, or learning a few phrases in the local language, also supports their adaptation.

Maintain Connections and Build Friendships

While connecting with other families and making new friends provides support and social opportunities, maintaining old friendships is just as crucial for your children’s emotional well-being.

Regular video or phone calls with family and friends back home provide emotional support. Meanwhile, participating in local clubs, sports, or school programs helps children form new friendships and feel a sense of belonging to their community.

Balance Traditions and New Experiences

Celebrating family traditions while embracing local customs helps children feel grounded in their heritage and fosters an appreciation for their new environment.

By incorporating familiar celebrations, such as Christmas or birthdays, alongside local holidays, festivals, or community events, children enjoy a balance of old and new experiences that makes the move a positive and enriching adventure.

Practical Tips for Day-to-Day Life

Small daily habits and routines can make a big difference in helping children adjust to life in a new country.

Creating a smooth daily routine overseas helps families settle more quickly. Choosing child-friendly housing in neighborhoods close to schools, parks, public transport, and healthcare facilities makes day-to-day life easier.

Familiarizing yourself and your children with local transportation, car seat regulations, and child-friendly destinations also helps reduce stress. Practicing routes to school or common locations before the first day can give children confidence and independence.

Supporting language learning at home accelerates adaptation. Reading bilingual storybooks, using language apps, or practicing simple phrases in daily life helps children feel more comfortable in a non-English-speaking country.

Additionally, family-friendly apps, such as local parenting forums, translation tools, and school communication platforms, can make day-to-day logistics much smoother.

Moving Abroad With Children: Checklist

Here’s a handy family relocation checklist to help you stay organized as you plan your move abroad with children:

• Documents & Legal: Passports, visas, birth certificates, custody papers, notarizations, translations, apostilles
• Housing & Finances: Secure child-friendly housing, create a relocation budget, plan for settling-in costs
• Schooling: Research schools, align curriculum with your child’s needs, and start enrollment early
• Healthcare: Arrange family health insurance, gather medical records, prescriptions, and immunization documents
• Packing & Comfort: Pack bags for each child, including first-week comfort items and familiar toys
• Community & Activities: Collect emergency contacts, explore childcare options, research extracurriculars, and local activities

Embrace the Adventure and Thrive Together Abroad

Moving abroad with children is a major step, but it’s also an incredible opportunity for growth, learning, and strengthening family bonds.

With careful planning, the proper support, and a little patience, your family can navigate challenges, embrace new experiences, and settle confidently in your new home.

Children are often more adaptable than we expect, and parents who prepare thoughtfully can turn the transition into a rewarding adventure.

From discovering new cultures and making lifelong friends to exploring new hobbies and activities together, moving abroad can open doors your family will treasure for years to come.

Starting your journey with thorough planning, emotional support, and reliable health coverage ensures that your children feel safe, happy, and ready to thrive in their new environment.

With the right mindset, an international relocation becomes less about leaving home and more about embracing a world of possibilities together.

Protect your family’s health from day one – explore international health insurance options to give your children access to quality care, wherever your journey takes you.

Contact us today for a free quote and make sure your family is fully protected while abroad.

 

Read More

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  • The Most Popular Countries for U.S. Families Moving Abroad in 2025
  • Maternity Insurance and Planning a Pregnancy Abroad

 

About the Author:

Sophie Pettit, Head of Content at International Citizens Insurance, brings a wealth of experience in content creation, strategy, and management within the expat and travel industries. Originally from the UK, she worked as a lifestyle journalist in Hong Kong and now resides in the Netherlands, supporting the team in creating compelling content for fellow global nomads.