The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, commonly referred to as Brexit, marked a significant shift in Europe’s political and economic landscape. Finalised on January 31, 2020, with the transition period ending on December 31, 2020, Brexit has had profound implications for customs policies, affecting individuals and institutions alike. For the staff and students of Imperial College London, a leading global university with a diverse international community, the changes in moving...

Cantons of Switzerland The word canton means district or a section or part of a country; in total there are 26 cantons in Switzerland. Not all cantons speak the same language, some cantons are French speaking, German speaking and Italian speaking, while in other cantons like Graubünden: German, and Romansh are spoken. Switzerland has become the international hotspot of choice for wealthy Britons looking to relocate abroad. There are many established British...

Moving to Spain Real Life Guide to Living and Working in Spain Moving to Spain is an exciting prospect for many but it can also be a huge culture shock. However if you are prepared to embrace the culture, lifestyle, people and customs, and immerse yourself in it then you can reap so many rewards. Here’s what I found… First Experiences – Culture Shocks Shopping – Some of the best seasonal produce in the world is grown, caught, or sourced here, but if you are looking...

Public Transport Timisoara Romania The Public Transport Timisoara consists of extensive network of trams, trolleybuses, buses, designated cycling paths, taxis and very efficient network of Uber drivers. Most Romanians from Timisoara, especially those in their 20’s and 30’s speak good English and are very helpful. The good thing about Romania is that you don’t feel intimidated or somehow...

Moving to Italy with a Family Visit the lovely hill town of Marostica, about 1½ hours from Venice, to see a re-enactment of a live chess duel. In 1454 Lord Tadio Parisio held a living game of chess to decide between two noblemen who wanted the hand of his beautiful daughter, Leonora. The loser had to make do with his younger daughter, Oldrada. He held a grand parade with fireworks, flag-throwing and a great feast. Every...

Moving to Germany Checklist Angela Merkel Upstages Them All. She is tall, blonde and curvaceous with cornflower blue eyes – and yes – she’s a Barbie doll, modelled on the current German Chancellor. Mattel celebrated the  50th anniversary of Barbie with version modelled on German chancellor and she was the highlight of the German...

Moving to France with a dog Would you miss your bacon? Most people who relocate to another country have some regrets at some time. Among the regrets for the British in France was the loss of English food! Bacon sarnies and crumpets? France was a founder member of the EU in 1952, and is a member of the Schengen area. The capital is Paris and the currency is the...

Retirement in France for UK citizens Many Brits have retired in France. The country is extremely popular with the Brits because of its close proximity to England. France is separated from England by the English Channel. Paris is the most populous city in France and also the capital. There is a large community of British expats in Paris. As a result, the Cote d’Azur is an Anglophone or English speaking area, as well as...

Property renting process in Austria Having just arrived from London to escape the rainy cold winters of the UK to spend the winter skiing in the Austrian Alps, I was lucky enough to move straight into an apartment found by a friend. Therefore, being blissfully unaware of the puzzling property renting process in...

How to get Red White Red Card in Austria Since 2011 Austria has introduced the Red White Red Card which allows workers who meet certain criteria from non-EU countries, to live and work in Austria with the intention of permanently...

Otzi the iceman Undisturbed for 5000 years, his relatives live on. Otzi – entombed in ice, on the borders of Austria and Italy, lay undisturbed for over 5,000 years, yet his relatives, as proved by DNA testing, are alive today. From Otzi to Mozart, Austria is a country with a rich heritage, and a beautiful,...

Education in Austria Austria, otherwise known as Österreich in the German language simply means the ‘Eastern Kingdom/Empire‘. German is the official language in Austria and also the predominant language, other languages spoken in Austria include: Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, Montenegrin, Turkish, Polish and Hungarian. The seat of government is located in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna which makes...

Facts about Austria Austria is a federal republic, the country is also referred to as ‘Lander’ in German. The main official language spoken in Austria is German. However, one of the less known facts about Austria is that there is a plethora of other languages spoken in Austria such as: Alemannic and Austro-Bavarian Turkish, Czech, Hungarian, Slovene, Turkish, Slovak, Romani among many others. This means that...

Moving to Belgium with a dog In 2010 over 4,000 people living in 100 different countries were surveyed about their family life by HSBC International, and Belgium came out top of the poll for a great lifestyle, better education for the children, a feeling of greater safety and a more active, outdoor life. Community spirit is high, the social life is good and there are plenty of opportunities. Belgium was a founder...

Moving to Czech Republic First experience in the Czech Republic. Culture shock, how easy it is to find things. Are the locals helpful? Do they speak English? One of the first things you’ll notice about the Czech Republic is the beauty of the old buildings and the rich history. As a country, there is a lot of diversity; Prague is a relatively modern city and finding services and help...

If you are moving from the UK to Europe and only need to move a small proportion of your belongings, then part load removals could be more suited to your needs. With the part load removals we offer, you get an affordable service thanks to load-sharing. We fill our vans with partial loads from several customers at once, and transport goods safely to their destination, so you don’t need to worry about hiring the full van. Part load removals are ideal for people who are moving for work or to study, especially in the short term. You...