There are some limitations for those emigrating in their middle age, depending on your destination country, hence why research is vital. We’ve put together five key things you will need to consider before making the final decision to move abroad.

1. 5 things to consider before emigrating in your middle age
So apparently you’re ‘middle aged’, meaning you might be at a stage where your children
have left home, you’re bored of your day-to-day routine, or the dream of living abroad
simply becomes too strong and needs to become a reality. Life is there to be seized, but
deciding to move abroad isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly and especially so if
you’re in your 40s/50s. In fact, it is almost easier to retire abroad than it is to relocate
abroad. If you’re thinking about retiring rather than emigrating, then please read our post
for tips and advice about retiring abroad.
There are some limitations for those emigrating in their middle age, depending on your
destination country, hence why research is vital. We’ve put together five key things you will
need to consider before making the final decision to move abroad:
1. Will you be able to get a visa?
Some countries outside the UK implement strict visa application regulations making it
difficult for those of all ages to emigrate there.
Australia, Canada, New Zealand and America are four of the most popular destinations for
immigrants, yet the visa process for these countries is far from easy. If you have family living
in your destination country, then they may be able to sponsor you regardless of your age,
depending on various circumstances. Otherwise, you may need to apply for either a skilled
or business visa to obtain permanent residence. With that said, only applications under the
age of 50 (by the date of visa application) are eligible for an Australian skilled visa. New
Zealand is slightly more relaxed, allowing those up to 55 years of age to apply for their
skilled visa. America and Canada do not define any age limits for visa applications, but
applicants likely have to prove outstanding skills that the country are in need of.

2. However, if you’ve decided to stay more local, then the European Union’s Freedom of
Movement Law allows you to settle in any EU country, providing you can prove financial
stability. Having said this, things surrounding this may change if the UK votes to leave the
European Union in the pending EU Referendum.
2. Will you be investing in a property overseas?
If you’re planning to settle overseas and want to invest in a property, then research needs
to be carried out much the same way as you would in the UK, if not more. If you’re not too
familiar with the area, then staying in temporary accommodation (renting or staying with
family/friends) is highly recommended to gain a better understanding of the area’s property
market; meet local estate agents and lawyers; get to know the locals and ask for advice; and
get a feel for the area to ensure you would be settling there.
Buying a property abroad is a massive purchase and a decision that requires on-the-ground
research in order to save you money, time and stress.
Should you decide to buy property abroad, it’s widely recommended that you fully research
the developer and hire a real estate lawyer who represents no other parties in the
transaction. Additionally, consulting with a foreign exchange brokerage, such as FC
Exchange, well ahead of your property purchase, will allow you to target the most
favourable exchange rates – potentially saving you thousands of pounds and even giving you
a larger budget to work with for your property search.
3. How are you making your money transfers?
With an already long list of things you need to think about and organise ahead of your
emigration, changing and transferring your money is probably not one of your priorities.
How many times have you travelled abroad and done your currency exchange at the
airport? Failing to plan ahead – especially on transactions larger than £5,000 – could be
costing you hundreds of pounds; thousands when looking at the value of a property
purchase.
Foreign exchange is the largest financial market in the world. It operates 24 hours a day,
which enables the exchange rates to constantly fluctuate. Live currency charts allow you to
see these fluctuations for yourself.
Whether you’re transferring your UK pension abroad, paying for a property, or sending
regular payments back to family in the UK, then a foreign exchange brokerage, such as FC
Exchange, will help you get the best exchange rate within your time requirements. Currency
solutions such as forward contracts, market orders, and a regular payment facility allow FC
Exchange to offer flexible services so you get the money you need, when you need it, and
the best possible price. FC Exchange is also an FCA E-Money institution, which means you
can capitalise on exchange rates that suit you and hold your euros in your client holding
account, indefinitely, almost as a current account, later on transferring funds as and when
you require it.
4. Are you going to work abroad?

3. Depending on the country and the type of visa you are applying for, you may need to find
work before you move overseas and it may need to be part of the defined skilled jobs list.
Therefore, you may wish to contact recruitment companies or search through online job
portals (such as Monster, Eurojobs or Reed) to get the best chance of securing work.
Alternatively, if you are able to take some time to travel to your destination country, on a
temporary basis, then you could meet local recruitment companies face-to-face and attend
job interviews, securing a position well ahead of time.
There are numerous migration experts, depending on your destination country, that are
able to advise and help you with your job search. However, remaining financial secure
during your emigration is undoubtedly important to ensure that your new start is a smooth
as possible.
5. Is healthcare a top priority?
It can be easy to set your sights on moving to a particular country without considering all the
important factors... perhaps you’re limited because of choice of work, because of language barriers,
or simply because these they have not yet proven a requirement for you. However, considering the
quality of healthcare you’ll be receiving is something that should be high up on your list of priorities.
Not all countries offer the same level of healthcare and certainly not all of them have the equivalent
of the NHS system. If you’re moving with a family or your work isn’t offering private health insurance
then finding out the level of free healthcare you’ll receive, and how to apply for it, is essential.
The World Health Organisation regularly conducts surveys to assess the world’s health systems. For
example, France, Spain and Italy all rank in the top 10 in the world. Whereas countries such as
Russia, China and Kenya are much further down the quality ranking. You can view the full list here.
Needless to say, health is important, no matter where you are, but you may need to accept that your
quality of healthcare may go down when moving out of the NHS UK unless you can afford to pay for
additional healthcare.