Some Practicalities…

For all the countries we discuss in depth in this course, American and Canadian citizens can enter the country on an automatically granted tourist visa that’s valid for 90 days. To stay beyond that time, you’ll typically need to apply for a longer stay visa before leaving home.

Most EU countries grant permanent residency status by proving that you’ll be able to pay the bills and not burden society—financially or criminally. We’ll cover the specific visa options that each country offers, because some do make residency easier than others.

As a tax-paying permanent resident or citizen of the country you move to, you’ll be able to avail yourself of the country’s health care system… but it can take time to gain that status and during that time you’ll be responsible for carrying a private medical plan.

Can Fido and Fluffy come? What about Scales, your son’s snake? The rules are generally the same for pet importation throughout Europe (with the exception of Ireland). Dogs, cats, and ferrets are easy to import, and the process is standard for Europe—you just need for all vaccinations to be up to date, to fill out a health form, and for the animal to be microchipped.

However, most countries have regulations for “restricted dog breeds” that require extra obligations. For most countries, the list includes Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Argentine Dogo, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Brazilian Row, Tosa Inu, and Akita Inu. You’ll still be allowed to bring them with you, but you might need to purchase special insurance or file extra paperwork.

Thinking about shipping your car to across the pond? You may want to reconsider. Depending on the make, model, and age, importing a vehicle can cost upwards of US$20,000 in some countries. Not only that, but it can take over a year, due to differing emission and operational standards. Many large American vehicles (especially SUVs and trucks) are not suitable for Europe, where roads and streets are often much narrower than in North America. And you might not even want a car once you get settled—you certainly won’t need one living in a big city.

Most expats in Europe have the same advice about importing household goods as they do about cars—don’t bother bringing your stuff. Several countries allow for the duty-free import of household goods within the first year of moving to the country, but most people who have done this say they regret it. Furniture from back home just doesn’t work in the new location for one reason or another, and appliances won’t work here without adapters.

What about getting mail and packages in your new home? All of Europe has well-developed postal services, so getting paper mail won’t be an issue. What will be difficult is getting anything imported… Customs duties in Europe can be staggering, so tell your family back home not to send gifts, as you’ll be on the hook to pay taxes for them when they arrive. There’s typically a value ceiling for a gift sent by mail (usually under US$50), so if the package is marked as a gift with that value, no taxes will be due… but if the items inside are worth more and get lost or damaged, you won’t be able to claim the full value.

One good workaround for this issue is to have your family send you gifts through your new home country’s local Amazon site. The selection won’t be the same as U.S. Amazon, but it’s a nice option for grandparents to send gifts from time to time.

Considering moving with children? The thought may be daunting, but the reality is doable. Young children adapt well to new environments when they’re properly prepared. Start talking to your child about the move months ahead of time… watch documentaries on the country and TV or movies set in it… start reading them books about or that take place in the country. If you familiarize your little ones with the things they’ll encounter on the other side of the ocean, the transition will go a lot smoother.

One thing parents should note is that education can be very different in other countries. French schools, for example, are significantly stricter than the average North American school. Teachers are allowed to wield more discipline, and students are expected to treat their teachers with a reverence some may consider old-fashioned.

In Italy, schools still practice an old-fashioned schedule. A typical Italian school day begins at 8.30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Kids walk home from school to meet the rest of the family and everyone eats a leisurely lunch together. After eating, mom and dad go back to work, and the grandparents watch the kids until the end of the day. It’s all very traditional. You can find more modern schools with days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch included, but these aren’t the norm.

It’s something to research before you commit to the local style of schooling. If you decide the local style isn’t for you, international and bilingual schools, or schools that follow a certain country’s educational program (an American school, a Canadian school, etc.), can usually be found, especially in big cities.