Choosing a school is one decision among many. This hub covers the practical infrastructure of a move abroad. multi-currency banking that survives international fee transfers, family health insurance that travels, housing within reach of your shortlisted schools, visas that allow your children to enrol, and the moving services that handle the rest.
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International school fees are typically denominated in USD, EUR, GBP, AED, SGD or CHF. and the FX losses on a £35,000 fee transferred via a high-street bank can easily exceed £1,000 per year. Multi-currency accounts solve this in two ways: hold balances in the school's invoicing currency, and convert at near-mid-market rates when you need to.
Hold balances in 40+ currencies, get local account details (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, SGD, NZD, CAD, HUF), and pay school fees by SWIFT or local transfer. FX is mid-market plus a small transparent fee. typically 0.4. 0.6%.
Open a Wise account →Strong as a daily-life card abroad with great FX on small transactions. Premium tiers add travel insurance and higher monthly free FX limits. Less suited to large one-off fee transfers than Wise.
Try Revolut →For families holding $100K+ in liquid assets, HSBC Premier provides a single relationship across markets. one banker, one app, one credit history that follows you. Higher fees, but the global continuity is genuinely useful.
Explore HSBC Expat →If you're a UK family relocating but keeping property or pension contributions in the UK, an offshore sterling account (Jersey or Isle of Man) keeps your UK financial life intact. Useful for British curriculum families paying GBP fees.
Compare offshore providers →Most international schools require evidence of comprehensive health insurance at enrolment. Local health insurance from the destination country may suffice, but for families who travel between markets, see specialists in a third country, or want continuity of care, an international policy is usually the right answer. Premiums vary hugely. from $3,000 to $15,000 per family per year. depending on age, geography and whether the US is included in your area of cover.
One of the most established international health insurers. Comprehensive cover with strong direct-billing networks in major expat hubs (Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Geneva). Strong for families needing ongoing specialist care.
Get a quote →Often more affordable than Cigna at comparable cover levels, with strong claims service and flexible add-ons (dental, optical, evacuation). Good fit for families on standard expat packages.
Compare plans →Simpler and cheaper than full international health insurance. best suited to younger, healthy families who travel often and don't need extensive specialist cover. Monthly subscription model rather than annual policy.
See pricing →Excellent claims-handling reputation and large hospital networks. Mid-to-premium pricing. Particularly strong for families relocating to mainland Europe or to medical-tourism destinations like Bangkok.
Get a quote →In most international school cities, school choice and housing choice are inseparable. Either pick the school first and live within a 30-minute commute, or pick the neighbourhood first and accept the school catchment. We don't broker housing directly. but these are the platforms expat families consistently rate highly across our top 50 cities.
Mid-term furnished rentals (1. 12 months) in Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Berlin, Rome, Paris and other European cities. Good for the first 3. 6 months while you confirm school placement and find a longer lease.
Browse rentals →Higher-end furnished apartments globally. Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Lisbon, London, NYC. Designed for executive relocation. Move-in ready with utilities, internet and housekeeping included.
View apartments →Country-specific real-estate portals are usually the best source of long-term unfurnished family rentals. Always faster and cheaper than international relocation agents. but in your destination's language.
Best portal by city →Local market leaders in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Jakarta. The expat-family inventory tends to live here rather than international portals. Use filters for "near international school" to refine.
Browse our city guides →Most countries have a "dependant visa" attached to the working parent. but the rules vary widely on whether dependants can attend public schools, attend international schools, or work. A growing number of countries also offer family-friendly self-sponsored visas (golden visas, digital nomad visas, retirement visas) which decouple your school choice from a corporate posting. We don't provide legal advice. but here are the most common visa pathways for school-age families and where to start.
1-year initial visa, renewable up to 5 years, with a clear path to residency. Spouses and children included. 24% income tax under the DNV regime for non-Spanish-source income up to €600K. Popular among Madrid and Barcelona families on US payroll.
Family guide →10-year Golden Visa for high-earners, investors and specialised professionals; 5-year Green Visa for skilled employees and freelancers. Both let spouses and children stay alongside. School enrolment is straightforward once Emirates ID is issued.
School pathway →D7 for retirees and passive-income earners; D8 for digital nomads earning ≥4× minimum wage. Both lead to residency in 5 years and citizenship in 5 (with language test). Lisbon and Cascais international schools are well-supplied.
Family guide →EP requires employer sponsorship and a S$5,600+ monthly salary; ONE Pass is for top earners (S$30,000+) and allows spouse to work freely. Children attend international schools without restriction once Dependant's Pass is issued.
Singapore city guide →10-year LTR for wealthy global citizens, retirees, work-from-Thailand professionals and skilled experts. 17% flat tax for skilled professionals. Bangkok international schools are deep and competitively priced.
Bangkok city guide →For non-US families seeking to school children in the US, the right visa depends entirely on your circumstances. investor (E-2/EB-5), intra-company transfer (L-1), extraordinary ability (O-1), or employer-sponsored H-1B/H-1B1. Take immigration counsel early.
NYC city guide →We are not immigration lawyers and the above is not legal advice. Visa rules change frequently. always confirm current requirements with the official consular website or a qualified immigration counsel before committing to a school placement or property contract.
Once school, banking, insurance and housing are sorted, the physical move is the last (and most stressful) part. International movers fall into three tiers: full-service door-to-door (premium), shipping-only (you pack), and shared-container consolidation (cheap but slow). For school-age families with deadlines, full-service is usually worth the cost.
Door-to-door packing, shipping, customs clearance and unpacking. The big three serve every major expat market and have direct relationships with corporate relocation programmes. Prices range from $4,000 (small EU move) to $25,000+ (transcontinental house).
Compare quotes →Quoting platforms that aggregate licensed movers across markets. Expect more variability in service quality but typically 20. 35% cheaper than the premium tier. Read reviews carefully. the local subcontractor matters more than the brand.
Get quotes →If you're moving without a corporate package and willing to do your own packing, LCL (less-than-container-load) or FCL (full-container) shipping can save 50%+ over full-service movers. Plan 8. 12 weeks transit and budget for customs duties.
DIY shipping guide →Moving pets internationally is its own logistics problem. vaccinations, microchips, blood titres, IATA-compliant crates and quarantine windows can stretch 6 months. Use a specialist (PetRelocation, Jet Pets, Animal Couriers) rather than a general mover.
Pet relocation guide →Every family's circumstances differ, but families who move smoothly tend to follow a similar rhythm. Here's the timeline that consistently works. adjust earlier or later depending on your destination's school admissions cycle.
Visa rule changes, banking offers, school openings, fee inflation. The Expat School Insider keeps you ahead of the moves you'll need to make next.
We don't sell relocation services. We do answer parents' questions for free. about schools, fees, visas, banking, neighbourhoods. Email us, we'll point you in the right direction.
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