Packing List for Moving Abroad: What to Pack When Moving Abroad Without Overthinking It

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you purchase or book through my link, at no extra cost to you.

An international move can be expensive. Even if you get rid of most of your stuff and start fresh in a new country, you’ll probably still have books, souvenirs, or other items that hold sentimental value.

I know how hard it is to decide what to pack when moving abroad, especially when you have very limited space in your luggage. When I moved abroad a few years ago, I had a difficult time choosing which items to take with me and which ones to leave behind.

I’m writing this post based on my experience of moving abroad, as well as moving house multiple times within the UK.

Hopefully, this packing list for moving abroad will help make the whole process feel a bit simpler — and lower the risk of forgetting something important.

Table of Contents

What to pack when moving abroad

Unfortunately, a packing list for moving abroad will vary from person to person. There’s no one-size-fits-all list, because everyone’s lifestyle and situation are different.

Some categories are fairly universal though, and that’s what I’m focusing on in this post. I’ve broken this list into the following sections:

Important documents
Medicines & first aid kit
Electronics
Clothes and footwear
Toiletries and make-up
Sentimental items
Miscellaneous items

Let’s dive in.

Things to pack when moving abroad

Here’s a practical list of things to pack when moving abroad, so you’re less likely to forget the essentials.

Important documents

Don’t forget to make copies of all your important documents and keep them separately from the originals. I like to scan mine and upload them to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, so I can access them on my phone if needed.

Remember to always double-check what documents you need in order to enter your destination country legally and smoothly.

Documents you may need:

visa
passport
flight tickets and itinerary
travel insurance
wallet (cash in local currency, bank card)
birth certificate
marriage certificate
doctor-certified prescriptions
diploma and other qualifications, with translated copies if needed
copy of your rental agreement and recent bills from your previous address

Keep anything you might need at the airport or in your first few days easy to reach, rather than packed deep in your checked suitcase.

Medicines & first aid kit

If you’re moving to a new country — especially one on a different continent — it can take time to adjust to the food, water, and routine. Because of that, stocking up on a few basics can be helpful.

If you take prescription medication, make sure you pack enough for at least the first month if possible. Some countries have limits on how much medicine you can bring in, so always check the rules in advance.

A travel-sized first aid kit is also worth having. Hopefully you won’t need it, but it’s one of those things that’s easy to dismiss until you do.

There’s nothing worse than needing a pharmacy in an unfamiliar place — sometimes before you even know the area or the language.

Here’s a short list of items you might want to consider:

charcoal
probiotics
ibuprofen / paracetamol
your regular prescription medication
travel-sized first aid kit

Electronics

Electronics have become some of the most useful things to pack. You can use them to read, stay in touch with loved ones, work, navigate a new area, or simply feel more settled in an unfamiliar place.

Don’t forget to check what plug adapters you’ll need in your destination country, and whether you’ll need a voltage converter too — for example, if you’re moving to or from the US.

Here’s a list of electronic items I’d consider most useful:

flashlight (something small is fine)
phone (with local SIM card if possible)
lightweight laptop
broadband dongle (I’ve used mine for years and genuinely love it)
external hard drive (for backups when cloud storage isn’t practical)
camera (unless your phone camera is good enough)
eReader like Kindle, PocketBook, or Kobo
good-quality headphones
travel adapters

Remember to pack cables and chargers for all your devices too.

Clothes and footwear

The aim here is to pack clothes and shoes that are either expensive to replace, specialised, or especially important to you. Basics like leggings, tops, or flip-flops are usually easy to buy anywhere.

It’s also worth decluttering your wardrobe before you start packing, because it makes the whole process much easier.

Think carefully about the climate in your destination country. If you’re moving somewhere cold, don’t forget to take at least a few warm layers with you. These are usually bulkier and heavier, so you may need to sacrifice some suitcase space — or wear the heaviest items at the airport.

The same applies if you’re moving somewhere warmer, although packing tends to be easier when most of your clothes are lightweight.

Here’s a list of clothing basics worth considering:

bras and underwear
t-shirts
shorts
pyjamas
jeans / leggings
sweater
good-quality socks
comfortable walking shoes
travel towel

Depending on your destination, climate, and lifestyle, you might also want to pack:

hat
sunglasses
swimsuit
flip-flops
quick-drying t-shirts
scarf, beanie, and gloves
thermal tops and leggings
waterproof and windproof jacket
summer or winter coat
hiking shoes
formal / work outfit and shoes
sports bra
sports clothes

Toiletries and make-up

Before you continue with packing for moving abroad, go through your toiletries and make-up and get rid of anything almost finished or out of date.

If you’re putting liquids into your carry-on, make sure each bottle is under 100ml. As with everything else, focus on what you’ll actually need at the start. Most things can be bought later.

Here’s an example list of essentials to think about:

toothbrush (and charger, if applicable)
toothpaste
floss
glasses or contact lenses with solution
sunscreen
face wash, moisturiser, shampoo, and conditioner in small bottles
nail kit (tweezers and nail clippers)
lip balm
period products

Sentimental items

Even if you don’t usually admit it out loud, most of us have items that carry comfort or meaning. Photos, souvenirs, books, ornaments — these things can matter more than they look on paper.

And when you move abroad, a familiar object can make a new place feel less unfamiliar.

Some people like to bring a few Christmas decorations to remind them of home, family traditions, or happy memories. Holidays can feel especially emotional when you’re far away from people you love.

Being in a completely new place with no close friends nearby can be hard.

Items you might want to bring:

photos
souvenirs
books (keeping in mind that they’re heavy)
favourite Christmas decorations
heirlooms

Remember, not everything has to be practical. A few familiar items can make the first weeks feel less stark.

Miscellaneous items: what else you can bring when moving abroad

Here’s a short list of other useful things you might want to pack when relocating abroad. Some of them might also be worth shipping if replacing them later would be expensive.

small appliances (for example, a Dyson vacuum)
notebook and pen
small shoulder bag
earplugs and sleep mask
sewing kit
reusable water bottle

What to pack your things in when moving abroad

Shell suitcase

Packing a suitcase for an international move doesn’t differ that much from packing for a regular trip — as long as you’ve spent time deciding what’s actually worth taking.

Don’t buy a cheap suitcase just to save money.

Instead, invest in a large, good-quality hard-shell suitcase to reduce the risk of it breaking during the move. It will also protect your belongings better.

Carry-on bag

Don’t forget about your carry-on either. This is where you’ll likely keep your most important electronics, documents, and fragile items, so it needs to be practical and protective.

Choose one that’s lightweight, easy to carry, and roomy enough for the essentials you’ll want close by.

Plastic storage bins

Plastic storage bins can be useful if you plan to ship some of your belongings. Some airlines even allow sturdy storage bins as checked luggage, as long as they meet the airline’s size and weight requirements.

However, there are downsides. Unless the bins are very secure, they can break open or get damaged during handling. That can put your belongings at risk.

Because of that, I’m not fully convinced by this method and would personally rather use a known courier company. I’ve sent a few boxes that way before and had a good experience.

How to pack a suitcase for moving overseas

Always check twice

Moving abroad is stressful, and there’s a good chance you’ll forget something even if you’ve made a detailed list. That’s why it helps to check everything twice.

Roll. Roll. Roll.

Roll everything you can.

I used to think rolling clothes sounded a bit silly — until I tried it properly. It saves space, keeps things neater, and usually means fewer wrinkles too.

Don’t make my mistake. Roll your clothes.

Keep your important items handy — but hidden

There’s nothing worse than having important items stolen, especially things like your passport, visa, boarding pass, or money.

These are the things you’ll need most before and after your flight, so keep them easy to reach — but not overly visible.

It’s much easier when you can grab what you need quickly, but security matters too.

Pack climate-wise

As I mentioned earlier, check the climate in the country you’re moving to, what season it is there, and what sort of weather you can expect when you arrive.

Don’t pack a winter coat if you’re moving to hot and sunny California. And equally, don’t rely on flip-flops and summer dresses if you’re moving to Norway in winter.

Weigh your bags before going to the airport

Make sure your luggage meets the size and weight limits set by your airline. Always weigh your bags at home first.

If they’re over the limit, you can decide whether it makes more sense to pay extra or ship some items instead.

Shipping may be cheaper — but it can also take longer. There isn’t one right answer here. It depends on your budget, timeline, and stress levels.

Consider shipping some bags

Sometimes it’s easier to ship part of your belongings than to carry everything with you through the airport, onto transport, through security, and into your new place.

Shipping can remove a lot of physical and mental strain from the process.

That said, some people feel better keeping everything with them, especially if the items are important, fragile, or sentimental. Either option is valid.

Use packing cubes and vacuum bags

Packing cubes and vacuum bags can be incredibly helpful. They save space and make it easier to organise your things inside your suitcase.

I genuinely wish I’d known about them when I moved abroad. They would have made the whole process easier.

They’re useful not only for international moves, but also for domestic moves — or even just for storing off-season clothes and spare bedding at home.

What to pack when relocating abroad — final thoughts

Moving abroad is a big, stressful life change, and packing for it can feel much heavier than packing for a normal trip.

I hope this list helps you feel a little more prepared and a little less like you have to hold the whole move in your head at once.

You don’t need to get it perfect. You just need a solid starting point.

What are your best tips for packing when moving abroad? I’d love to know what you’d add.