The short answer: the best first month abroad tips come down to three things. Get the admin that unlocks everything else moving early (address registration, bank, phone, health cover), build a simple daily routine so the chaos has a frame, and start one or two regular social activities before loneliness has time to settle in. Expect the month to feel exciting, then flat, then slowly more normal. That’s the usual pattern, not a sign you made a mistake.
I’ve moved countries twice, and both first months taught me things no relocation checklist mentioned: that a Sunday can feel endless when everything is closed, that I’d need my passport for things I never imagined, and that the friends I made came from places I went back to every week. Here are 30 tips, grouped so you can skim, plus a week-by-week checklist. If you’re in your very first days, our 14-day plan for when you first move abroad covers the admin order in more detail.
First month abroad tips for admin and paperwork
- Find out the order of operations. In many countries you need a registered address before you can get a tax or ID number, and that number before a bank account or phone contract. Check the sequence before you queue for anything.
- Book appointments on day one. Registration slots in big cities can be weeks away. Book first, then gather documents.
- Carry a document folder. Passport, rental contract, job or university letter, passport photos, and copies of everything. You’ll be asked for the same papers again and again.
- Keep digital copies. Scan everything to a secure cloud folder you can open from your phone.
- Register with a doctor early. Do it while you’re well, not when you need one at 11pm.
- Save emergency numbers. 112 works across the EU. Also save your embassy’s details.
Money
- Budget a buffer. Deposits, rent in advance, a few basics for the flat and eating out while you settle add up fast.
- Use a digital bank to bridge the gap. It helps while you wait for a local account.
- Watch card fees. Check what your home bank charges for foreign transactions and cash withdrawals.
- Learn local payment habits. Some countries are almost cashless; others still prefer cash in small shops and markets.
- Don’t furnish everything in week one. Second-hand groups and markets are cheaper, and you’ll know what you actually need after a few weeks.
Getting around and settling in
- Get a transport pass early. Monthly passes usually pay off quickly and make exploring free once you have one.
- Walk your neighbourhood. Find the supermarket, pharmacy, a good café, a park and the late-night shop in the first few days.
- Check opening hours. In much of Europe, shops close earlier than you might be used to, and Sundays can be quiet.
- Make the flat feel like home. A plant, a lamp, photos on the wall. Small things change how evenings feel.
- Pick a “third place”. A café, library or park bench that becomes yours, somewhere that isn’t home or work.
Language and culture
- Learn survival phrases first. Greetings, numbers, “excuse me”, “can I have”, and “do you speak English?” in the local language.
- Use the language for errands. Coffee, bakery, supermarket. Low stakes, daily practice.
- Watch before you copy. Greetings, queuing, tipping and how loudly people talk in public all vary. Observe for a week.
- Don’t take directness (or reserve) personally. What feels blunt or cold is often just a different style.
Wellbeing
- Protect your sleep. Everything feels harder when you’re exhausted, and the first weeks are exhausting.
- Keep one routine from home. A morning run, a Sunday call, a favourite breakfast.
- Move every day. A walk counts. It’s the cheapest mood booster there is.
- Schedule calls home. Regular calls help; scrolling home news at midnight doesn’t.
- Know the signs. Feeling low sometimes is normal. If it lasts or gets worse, talk to a doctor. Our honest guide to feeling homesick after moving abroad covers what helps.
Social life
- Choose one weekly activity. A language exchange, running club, class or volunteering shift. Repetition beats variety.
- Stay for the chat afterwards. That’s where conversations happen.
- Say yes to small things. A coffee, a short walk, a 30-minute drink. You can leave early.
- Send the invite yourself. If you’re stuck on wording, our list of messages to invite someone to hang out has copy-paste texts.
- Mix expat and local. Expat groups are a great start; add one local activity too. Here’s how to get out of the expat bubble without losing your expat friends.
When meeting people you don’t know well yet, keep it simple: a public place, a friend who knows where you are, your own way home, and leave if anything feels off.
Your first month abroad, week by week
| Week | Practical | Social and wellbeing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SIM, groceries, book registration, learn your main route | Join two local groups online; keep sleep and meals regular |
| 2 | Registration, tax or ID number, transport pass, find a doctor | Try one low-pressure event; call home |
| 3 | Bank account, sort the flat, check opening hours and local holidays | Choose a weekly activity and go twice |
| 4 | Review your budget, fix anything still missing | Invite one person for a coffee; plan something for month two |
Three first months, worked through
Tips are easier to use when you can see them in a real week. Here’s how the first month might look in three common situations.
Moving to Germany for a job
Week one: book the address registration (the Anmeldung) at the citizens’ office, which is generally due within two weeks of moving in, and ask HR what else they need from you. Week two: open a bank account once you’re registered and buy a monthly transport ticket. Week three: join a sports club or a choir; club life is a big part of how Germans socialise. Week four: suggest a lunch with the colleague you chat to most, and stock up on Saturdays because most shops are closed on Sundays.
Studying in Portugal
Week one: get your tax number (NIF), because you’ll need it for almost everything from a phone contract to a flat. Week two: go to your university’s international student welcome events, even the cheesy ones. Week three: pick one weekly thing outside your course, such as a language exchange where locals practise English. Week four: invite two classmates for dinner at your place; cooking together is cheap and much easier than conversation in a loud bar.
Working remotely in Spain
Week one: sort your foreigner identity number (NIE) and register on the local padrón at the town hall. Week two: try a coworking space for a week rather than working from your flat. Week three: go to a coworking lunch or a nomad meet-up, and adjust to later meal times. Week four: book a weekend trip with someone you’ve met; shared travel turns acquaintances into friends fast.
What the first month actually feels like
The first week is often a blur of excitement and errands. Around week two or three, the novelty can wear off just as the paperwork piles up, and a quiet weekend can suddenly feel very long. By week four, small things start to click: you know which tram to take, the café knows your order, and someone from your weekly activity says hello by name.
None of this is linear. You might have a great Tuesday and a miserable Wednesday. Our guide to the adjustment period after moving abroad explains the ups and downs of the first three months and what helps at each stage.
Country norms box
- Germany and Austria: Sundays are quiet and most shops are closed, so stock up on Saturday.
- Spain, Portugal and Italy: meals are later, and many smaller shops close for a long lunch break.
- Netherlands and Nordic countries: social plans are often booked well ahead, and card payments are the norm.
- France: greet shop staff when you walk in; it’s considered basic politeness.
- Everywhere: a few words of the local language go a long way.
Want to turn this into an actual plan? MeetNow is a free app for meeting people in person: a host posts a plan at a public place, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins. It is live on the web now, starting in Malta: open MeetNow in your browser and see the plans posted in Malta. (MeetNow is our own app.)
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What should I prioritise in my first month abroad?
Three things: the admin that unlocks everything else (registration, bank, phone, health cover), a basic routine (sleep, food, exercise), and one or two regular social activities. Everything else can wait.
Is it normal to feel lonely in the first month abroad?
Yes, very. Many people feel excited for the first week or two and then hit a dip as the novelty fades. Keeping a routine and booking small social plans helps. If low mood lasts or worsens, talk to a doctor.
How much money should I budget for the first month abroad?
More than you expect. Deposits, a month’s rent in advance, furnishing, transport passes and eating out while you settle all add up. Build a buffer on top of your normal monthly budget.
How can I make friends in my first month abroad?
Choose one or two weekly activities, such as a language exchange, a sports club or a class, and keep going back. Stay for the chat afterwards and invite one person for a coffee by the end of the month.
Should I learn the language in my first month?
Start, even if you only learn the basics. Greetings, numbers and phrases for shops and transport make daily life easier and show locals you’re trying.
When will I feel settled after moving abroad?
It varies, but most people need several months rather than weeks. Expect ups and downs; feeling unsettled after a month doesn’t mean the move was a mistake.
