A Practical Guide to Smart Packing for Long-Term Life Overseas

When planning my move overseas, I was overwhelmed trying to figure out which of my belongings were coming with me and which things I was either donating or leaving behind. What was I going to do without my Dyson vaccum or electric kettle?

We didn’t have an apartment in our destination country yet, and I had no clue how much space I would have when I arrived, but I knew that moving to Europe meant smaller spaces and less storage. My husband and I committed to only bringing one carryon and one checked bag each, which was challenging, but completely doable. Having lived in Spain for 9 months now, I’m happy we took this approach since it was easy to move into our apartment and get organized.

Having said that, packing for a long-term move is a very different experience than short-term travel packing, and I learned a lot and made some mistakes along the way.

Here’s what I learned after my first 9 months of life abroad.

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What I Packed That Was 100% Worth It

Clothing

Since I moved in October, I prioritized my seasonal must-haves, comfortable walking shoes, and versatile layers. While I felt attached to my fashionable winter jackets and accessories, I limited myself to one versatile coat and one pair of boots for the winter. After all, we were moving to Spain, not Iceland.

I also packed special items of mine that would be hard to replace abroad, such as my favorite pair of jeans.

80% of what I packed was just clothing. Be intentional about what you pack, but know that this will be the majority of your luggage.

Tech Essentials

I bought a new iPhone 16 before moving so I wouldn’t have to worry about upgrading once I arrived in Spain, and made sure to get an eSIM that would allow me to get a Spanish SIM card when I moved.

I brought my work laptop, chargers, Kindle, iPad, and the necessary adapters and converters. Make sure to check your destination country to see how the voltage and outlet plugs differ, but if you plan on doing lots of international travel, grab a universal adapter just to be safe!

Personal Care Items

I’m the kind of person that had a 10-step skincare routine in the U.S., and I decided that needed to change along with my move abroad. I scaled back to the essentials and just packed my favorite products that I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find in Spain.

Low and behold… Europe has come a long way since I last visited in 2022, and I was able to find many of my favorite American brands in makeup and drugstores in Spain. Don’t overpack in this area!

Important Documents

My husband and I kept a carefully organized file folder in our carryon with all of our required documents including our physical visa application, passport scans, positive resolution of our visa application, marriage certificates, pet paperwork, and more. We also made sure we had a digital copy stored on our phones for easy access in case our luggage were to get stolen.

Pet Supplies

While our pets flew separately (more on that in my guide to moving abroad with pets), we packed extra food for when we arrived, comfort items like their favorite toys, and essentials like their leash and grooming supplies for the first few weeks.

When we arrived, we ordered a new harness, food, and water bowls (along with extra treats) so we didn’t have to pack those items.

Keepsakes and Home Items

While it wasn’t necessarily “essential”, I packed a few photo albums and keepsakes to create a true home in our new destination. We recently got married in March 2024, and packed our wedding photo album and guest book that we could reminisce on when we started to feel lonely in our new home. Having these small reminders of friends, family, and life back in the U.S. has been very special for us as we get settled in Spain.

What I Didn’t Pack — and Why I’m Glad I Left It Behind

Too Many Clothes

You don’t need 5 pairs of the same jeans or 10 different types of heels “just in case”. Trust me, you won’t wear them, and you won’t have a place to store them in your European-size accomodations.

Shopping abroad can be really fun, practical, and more affordable than buying clothes in the U.S. I’d recommend donating or selling any clothes you don’t plan to bring abroad, and using that money to fund a shopping spree when you arrive in your new home!

Home Goods

Things like kitchenware, decor, sheets, and towels are bulky and very easy to buy locally. I recommend renting a furnished apartment when you first arrive in your new country to help you get settled, and give you plenty of time to slowly start accumulating those items again.

We sold a lot of our home goods on Facebook Marketplace before our move, but we do have a storage unit in the U.S. where we’re keeping more valuable items that we weren’t ready to get rid of.

Books

My husband and I are huge book nerds so this one was tough… but, honestly, I don’t regret our decision to leave the books behind. Instead of packing them, we opted to donate our books to our local library or sell them on Facebook Marketplace to give them a second life in a new home.

In preparation for the move, we invested in Kindles so we could read on-the-go and ditch the bulk. While not 100% ideal for us, this was the most practical route and it has made our move abroad much easier!

Large Appliances or American Electronics

I tried to find a way to bring my Shark hair dryer, but it just wasn’t possible. Even with a voltage converter, things like hair dryers, blenders, or high-power appliances won’t work. As sad as it is to part ways, these things are often more hassle than they’re worth.

Instead, opt for a dual-voltage hair tool that works in both countries.

What I Wish I Had Brought

The first thing that comes to mind is the Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic sauce… we should have packed a whole suitcase worth!

But honestly, the small comforting items you can only get at home are irreplaceable. Having your favorite hot sauce or snacks on hand in your new home will go a long way of making you feel more at ease as you transition into life abroad.

Because I went minimal on the clothing I brought, I wish I would have brought one or two “fancier” outfits for unexpected occasions. Europeans dress much nicer than Americans, and in those first few weeks I wish I had something nicer to wear out to dinner or a rooftop bar.

Lastly, there are practical things like a waterproof pair of shoes and raincoat that I wish I had been prepared with when moving. We had an unexpectedly rainy season in Madrid that I wasn’t ready for, so if you have those items already, it doesn’t hurt to throw them in.

Packing Tips

• Suitcase vs. carryon strategy is huge. I decided to treat my carryon like I was packing for a 2 week vacation, and use my heavy duty suitcase for items I didn’t need immediately upon arrival. This way when we stayed in an Airbnb for the first few weeks in Madrid, I could live out of my carryon and stow my big suitcase away until it was time to fully unpack. I would highly recommend taking a similar approach as it worked out great for me. While it’s a bit of a splurge, I also recommend investing in an Away carryon bag because it lasts forever and allows you to maximize space.
• Use vacuum seal bags to maximize space in your checked bag. This does add weight so you need to be careful, but I found it super helpful for compressing bulky winter clothes and leaving space for additional items.
• Packing cubes are a game changer for your carryon luggage! I used my packing cubes to help myself stay organized and maximize space between my clothes and essentials for the first two weeks in Spain. Get the ones I use, here!
• Shipping vs. extra baggage fees. In our case, shipping our bags to Spain was priced at almost $400, so we opted to incur extra fees for our bag being overweight when we moved abroad. The $100 fee vs. paying $400 for shipping was a no-brainer for us. If you’re being sponsored by a company or being asked to relocate, always check if your company is willing to pay for extra moving costs!

Tips for Your Own Move Abroad

• Make a list, then cut it in half. I guarantee you can survive on much less than you think.
• Think long-term — what can be replaced vs. what can’t?
• Pack like you’re moving, not vacationing. Think practically about what you’ll be wearing and using in your new life abroad, not like you’re leaving on a Euro summer.
• Don’t stress! You can buy almost anything you need once you’re settled. As long as you have your passport, prescriptions, and the clothes on your back, you’ll be good to go.

Final Thoughts

Moving abroad is about simplifying your life and embarking on a new chapter, not bringing everything from your previous life with you.

It’s okay to make a few packing mistakes — it will happen, and you’ll figure it out as you go. Nothing is life or death, so as long as you have the essentials, try not to worry about the rest. Easier said than done, I know.

If we can pack our lives into one checked bag and one carryon each, I encourage you to try the same. It’s extremely freeing to live with less, and to challenge yourself not to build the clutter back up once you get settled abroad.

If you’re still in the planning stages of your move abroad and not sure where to start, check out my complete guide to moving abroad for a detailed description of documentation needs, how much you should budget, how to move your pets (if applicable), and a full timeline of what you need to do and when.

So tell me, what essentials would you bring for your move abroad? Leave your questions, comments, or your own packing wins/fails in the comments!

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