Relocating to Sweden

You have decided to relocate to Sweden? Congratulations! Now you will need to move carefully ' quite literally. Taking enough time to choose your removal company and decide whether you just need moving services (i.e. moving your things to your new home) or more holistic relocation services (who can help you with things like healthcare, banking, even finding schools for your little ones) will go a long way towards a smooth start. Make sure to make a detailed list of your belongings, and get quotes from several companies before you decide.

Relocation and destination services

Much more than just moving services, relocation and destination companies offer a 360-degree assistance. They can offer practical advice about everyday life in Sweden as well as help you with:

• managing any formalities such as residence permits
• finding accommodation
• finding a school for your children
• setting up your healthcare
• opening a bank account
• learning the language

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.

Removal services

If you choose to just hire a company to help you with moving, it's still a good idea to take quotes from several moving companies before committing with one. Set up an appointment for an in-house estimate and make a, exhaustive list of all the objects that require special care (glass, mirror, a piece of art, special packaging etc). Specify to the mover what you will do yourself (dismantling furniture, packing dishes etc) and what you expect help with. Regarding the estimate, several key points are to be considered such as:

• origin address, where removers will pack and load your belongings
• the destination address in Scotland, where removers will unload your belongings
• volume or weight of your stuff
• any extra cost for an object that requires special care
• types of transportation (by air, train, truck, ship)
• nature of the services ' terms and conditions ' insurance damage
• carrier's benefits (like insurance coverage and premium)
• type of packaging
• prices and payment plans

Usually, removal companies unload your belongings directly to the destination address. However, some removal companies unload your belongings in warehouses and you have to pick them up yourself afterwards, implying additional costs. Check your moving contract carefully.

You should make an exhaustive inventory of your belongings so as to establish a value statement. The value statement is an important document that sets the compensation amount you could receive in case of loss or damage to your belongings. Complete the declaration of value yourself by stating the overall value of your property and the value of certain particular precious items. Read carefully the terms and conditions of your contract to find out more about transportation and handling of precious objects. This statement is particularly important because, without it, an estimate cannot be established, which will obviously affect your relocation.

Accordingly, a damage insurance will be proposed by the carrier. This insurance automatically covers non-predictable damage associated with the transportation of your belongings up to the value indicated in the declaration of value. The cost of the insurance depends on the overall value of your belongings. The removal company must issue a certificate of insurance in any case.

Finally, you must sign the waybill before loading and after delivery of your belongings. The waybill is a document that specifies the terms and conditions of the contract, the mode of transportation, the volume or weight carried by the removal company, the name and address of both the customer and the carrier. By signing the waybill, you definitely agree to these terms and conditions and give permission to the removal company to go ahead.

Good to know: In general, carriers handle custom paperwork for you (customs clearance etc.) For more security, opt for a carrier affiliated with the FIDI (International Federation of International Movers).

Useful links:

FEDEMAC ' Federation of European Movers www.fedemac.eu
FIDI ' International Federation of International Removers www.fidi.org
Relocate Sweden ' www.relocatetosweden.com/en/