If you?re heading for a new start in Europe, here are top tips to get you on your way.

Moving abroad for work or a change in lifestyle is a big step – being prepared in every way is essential, especially in terms of your financial planning. Guardian Wealth Management is here to help you on your way; operating from strategic locations around Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, we provide expert financial advice to expats working abroad. As well as these office locations, Guardian Wealth Management offer their services if you live in Austria, Denmark, Cyprus, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. David Howell, GWM’s Group Chief Executive, has collated his industry experience and the experiences of his clients to draw up this helpful list of tips and advice – designed to help you prepare for your new life in a new country. 12 Top Tips to help you organise your new life and finances in Europe 1. Changes in your circumstances can mean that your insurances are invalid. Make sure that you check your life insurance and health insurance and find out what the implications are if you’ve moved from the UK to live in Europe; if you don’t check, you might be at risk – make sure you’re covered! 2. As tip number 1, check the insurance on your car if you’re taking it with you – you might not be insured for driving in Europe. You might also be liable to pay tax when you re-register your car in your new country, so check that too. 3. Learn some of the language to help with communication when you get there, you could even take a college course or buy an audio CD. Speaking the language will help you integrate – but also try and make friends with a few English speaking locals, as they will be able to help you with documentation and other translation. 4. If you’re moving to Germany, The Netherlands or anywhere else in Europe, you may think that the laws will be pretty much the same as the UK, but every country has its own laws and cultural differences; show your respect by learning and observing them. 5. You should open a bank account in your new country of residence as soon as possible; or you could face paying high charges for simple things like withdrawals; bear in mind that you may have to pay tax though! 6. You need to plan for your family’s future; make sure you have a will made in both your home country and your new one. 7. Wherever in Europe you’re choosing as your new home, make sure you seek professional guidance from an Independent Financial Adviser for a full financial assessment; your life is about to change in a big way and this will have an effect on your finances. 8. Don’t lose out on your friends – keep in touch and make sure you exchange contact details with all your friends and family. You could even try using a social networking website to post photos of your new life in Europe and stay in touch with your personal network. 9. Different countries have different rules for pension schemes; check your pension plan and if necessary, have it assessed by a financial planner. 10. If you intend to continue to hold UK bank accounts, rent out UK property or receive any other UK based income, you must make sure you send in a self-assessment form to HMRC – it could save you problems further down the line. 11. Whether you’re in Frankfurt, Geneva, Brussels, Amsterdam or elsewhere in Europe, friends from your home country can be found; look for expat social events and ask them for their own tips on living in your new country! 12. If there’s just one word to remember when you’re moving abroad, it’s PLAN! Make sure you have enough time to get everything in place, so that you make the big move as easy for yourself as possible. So if you’re moving away to Europe and you need some help, follow the advice we’ve given here and remember that Guardian Wealth Management have professional financial advisers in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany

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