Welcome to Travelturtle, the travel health advice site that provides you with country specific medical and vaccination reports usually only available to registered UK healthcare professionals.
Utilise the information below for a range of tips on moving abroad, and as an essential guide for all overseas movers.
- Tips include an assessment of environment, cultural reasoning, and risk-analysis, and other essential tips to consider when moving abroad.
- Overseas movers will find advice concerning pre-existing health issues such as dental, medical, and psychological.
- Further advice on medical issues focus on the health needs of the adopted country, and assessment of the home environment upon arrival.
- Find advice on preparatory reading including advice on aspects of health education prior to travel.
- Further tips for moving overseas covers social differences of the host country, and attitudes to cultural variants such as sex and alcohol.
- Key information concerning country specific vaccine requirement for anyone moving abroad.
Other useful links for overseas movers:
- Country Specific Information and Advice
- Read about Travel immunisation advice before moving abroad
Moving Abroad
Moving abroad requires a great deal of preparation as it involves the transition from one way of life to another that might be totally alien.
Before deciding, the traveller should make sure it is the right country for them and their family. It is worth making short-term visits to allow time to:
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assess whether the country is acceptable socially, culturally or politically
- explore the environment they will be living and working in
- familiarise themselves with schools, and social and medical facilities
- make themselves aware of any particular risks
Health risks
Before moving overseas the traveller should thoroughly assess their own and their family’s health needs before departing
-
medical
- dental
- obstetric
- psychological
They should undergo a thorough check by an occupation or travel health physician and seek health education on:
- food and water safety
- malaria advice, including the importance of insect repellants and mosquito nets
- dangers of bites and rabies, and how to manage family pets
- personal risks, such as accidents and street crime
Sex, drugs and alcohol
Expatriate communities may be high users of drugs and alcohol. There may also be differing attitudes to and increased opportunities for casual sexual relationships. Travellers need to be aware of these risks and to employ safe sexual practices, given the risk of hepatitis B and HIV.
Home environment
In areas where there is a risk of mosquito-borne disease, window and door screens, mosquito nets and repellents are essential. This should be supplemented by good advice on medication for malaria prevention and treatment. Often expatriate families will have servants or a cook and their personal hygiene will impact on that of the family. This will need to be addressed.
Health needs
Travellers should locate the nearest medical facilities, which should preferably be of a European standard and with access to English-speaking doctors. They should clarify who should pay for these services. Adequate health insurance for the whole family is essential.
Vaccines
Some vaccines that may be needed in the event of long-term stay include:
- BCG for tuberculosis in high-risk areas
- Japanese B encephalitis for those in rural areas of East Asia
- Meningitis ACWY
- Yellow fever
