Although relocating is always hard, counsellor to Hungary has an unexpected advantage: many top quality relocation companies are actually headquartered in Budapest and have a long tradition of helping expats move and settle in their new country and home.
Relocation and destination services
The first thing you need to decide is how much help do you need. You can choose to hire an international moving company to simply help you with moving your furniture and belongings to your new home (see the following section on 'Removal Services'), or hire a relocation/destination company that can take charge of your expatriation in a more holistic way. The second type of companies also offer moving services of course, but they can also help you find accommodation; help with all your paperwork, from residence permit to registration certificate; set up the utilities (like the internet) at your new home and even offer orientation trainings so that you get acquainted with Hungarian culture. Some companies will even help you find a school for your children! Of course, these services are not very cheap, so you should get quotes from several companies before deciding which one is the right one for you.
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Removal services
If you opt for a simple removal option, It's still worth the time and the effort taking quotes from several moving consultants beforehand. They will need to send people to survey your home, assess the goods you plan on removing and give you a quote. Make sure the quote mentions these key points below:
- the start address
- the address in Hungary
- volume/weight
- any extra cost for an object that requires special care
- the type of transport
- the place of delivery (directly to your new home or to a point of storage)
- the carrier's benefits (like insurance coverage and premium)
- the type of packaging (some companies use recycled packaging)
- the price & terms of payment
- procedures (like documents for customs clearance)
- the expected transit time
You should make a comprehensive list of your belongings, to establish a value statement: a document which allows you to set compensation in case of property loss or damage. Accordingly, a damage insurance will be offered by the removal company, in the form of an insurance certificate. This insurance can cover any non- predictable transport damage ' and it will depend on the total value of your property. Insurance coverage can actually make a big difference in the final price, so when you're comparing prices, also check things like extras & exclusions, port charges, customs clearance and the Terminal Handling Charge (THC).
Finally, you will have to sign the consignment when loading and on delivery. This consignment includes the terms of the contract, mode of transport, volume transported, the customer's name and address and the shipping company, etc. Once you sign this letter, you will have given your approval to the removal company to proceed with the removal. Generally, you will pay the deposit during the loading and the balance upon delivery, but you can arrange payment terms.
Good to know: The U.S. Embassy in Hungary has a thorough list of relocation companies for you to begin your search. Find out more here.
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