The Right Is There – But There Is Still a To-Do List
As an EU citizen, moving to another EU country is your right – no visa, no work permit, no prior approval needed. But that does not mean you just pack a bag and everything sorts itself out. There is a practical checklist of things to arrange before you go and after you arrive: tax registration, healthcare coverage, banking, your driving licence, and more. Here is what to work through.
Before You Leave: What to Sort in Your Home Country
Notify Your Tax Authority
If you are moving your primary residence abroad, you need to deregister as a tax resident in your home country – otherwise you may end up being taxed in two places. The rules on when you stop being a tax resident vary by country, but it is usually tied to where you spend more than 183 days per year and where your main personal and economic ties are.
Sort Out Your Pension Contributions
EU rules protect your pension rights when moving between member states. Contributions you have made in one country do not disappear – they are preserved and can be combined with contributions made in your new country when you retire. But it is worth getting a statement of your current entitlements before you leave, so you have a clear record.
Healthcare Coverage During the Move
Make sure your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid before you travel. It covers necessary medical treatment in other EU countries during temporary stays. Once you are resident in your new country, you will need to register with their national health system – the EHIC is not a substitute for that.
Notify Your Bank
Let your bank know you are moving. Under EU rules, you have the right to keep a basic bank account in any EU country, and many banks now operate across borders. But access to certain products (mortgages, insurance) may change once you are no longer a resident in your home country.
After You Arrive: The First 3 Months
Register Your Address
Most EU countries require you to register your address with local authorities – a town hall, municipal office, or equivalent. This is usually one of the first things to do, as your registration address is needed for almost everything else: opening a bank account, getting a local SIM, enrolling children in school, and registering with a doctor.
Get a Tax Identification Number
You will need a local tax number (called different things in different countries – NIF in Spain, codice fiscale in Italy, BSN in the Netherlands) to work legally, open a bank account, and file taxes. Apply for it early – it can take a few weeks in some countries.
Register as an EU Citizen (Where Required)
Some countries require EU citizens to register with local immigration or civil authorities after 3 months of residence. This is an administrative formality, not a permission process – but failing to register can cause problems later. Check the specific requirements of the country you are moving to on the Your Europe portal.
Work, Healthcare and Driving After You Settle
Working in Your New Country
As an EU citizen you have the right to work on the same terms as nationals – no work permit needed. If you are self-employed or planning to set up a business, check the local registration requirements. And if you are thinking about the broader picture of where to register your company, it is worth reading about EU company tax rules before you decide.
Healthcare Registration
Once you are a resident, register with the national health system as soon as possible. In most EU countries, residents have access to public healthcare – either free or heavily subsidised. The process varies: in some countries you register with a GP, in others you go directly to a regional health authority.
Your Driving Licence
EU driving licences are mutually recognised across all member states – you do not need to re-sit your test. However, if you become a permanent resident in a new country, you may need to exchange your licence for a local one after a certain period. Rules vary by country.
Children and Schools
Children of EU citizens moving to another member state have the right to access the national education system on the same terms as local children. Language can be a practical barrier, but many countries offer integration support or language classes. Contact the local school authority (not just individual schools) to understand the enrolment process.
Quick Answers
Do I need to speak the local language to move?
No legal requirement – but practically, registering with authorities, finding housing, and navigating daily life will be significantly easier with at least basic language skills. Many countries offer free or subsidised language courses for new residents.
Can I be asked to leave if I become unemployed?
Not automatically. If you have been working for more than 6 months and then become involuntarily unemployed, you retain your worker status for at least 6 more months while you look for a new job. After 5 years of legal residence you have permanent residence rights regardless.
What happens to my home country benefits when I move?
Entitlements to benefits in your home country generally stop when you become resident elsewhere. Your new country of residence becomes responsible for most social security matters. Pension rights accumulated before you moved are preserved.
How long does the whole admin process take?
Budget at least 1-3 months to get everything fully sorted – tax number, healthcare registration, address registration, bank account, and any professional registration. Some things can be done in parallel; others depend on getting previous steps done first.