Emigrating as a family, especially with children, can be an exciting and enriching experience, but it also brings with it some challenges. Careful preparation and choosing the right country are crucial to meeting the needs of the family.
According to the “Best Countries Ranking 2024” by the news magazine U.S. News, Denmark, Sweden and Norway are among the most child-friendly countries in the world. These countries offer generous parental leave, free preschool education and well-developed education systems. Canada and the Netherlands follow in fourth and fifth place. Other top 10 countries include Finland, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia and Austria.
Germany is ranked 13th and the USA 18th, mainly due to low safety ratings. Factors such as culture, language, security and the labor market should also be considered when deciding to emigrate.
Some important aspects are discussed below, such as the mental and emotional preparation of the family, financial provision, schooling abroad and integration support.
Key Points
- A move with children requires a lot of planning and organization, including finding childcare and schools in the destination country.
- Younger children adapt more easily to new environments, while older children need more support.
- It is important to involve children in the moving process and give them time to get used to the new environment.
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Best countries for moving with children
Moving abroad can be a great adventure for families. However, not all countries are equally child-friendly and many challenges await parents and their children. An important question for families planning to emigrate is therefore in which countries children feel most comfortable, where the schools are good and where kindergarten places are easy to find and affordable. A helpful source of information is the annual Expat Insider Report by the “InterNations” network, in which expats from around the world are surveyed on various aspects of expat life.
In the Expat Insider of 2024, 12,500 expats from 175 nations in 174 countries were surveyed. Participants had to answer questions on topics such as personal finances, working abroad, quality of life, and settling in and arriving. 53 countries made it into the ranking in 2024. You can find more information in our article “Where to move: The best countries for expats”
According to Statista, the three countries of Denmark, Sweden and Norway perform best in the “Best Countries Ranking 2024” survey and are therefore particularly suitable for emigrating with a family. These Scandinavian countries offer a high quality of life, good social services and a strong education system. Germany ranks 13th, the USA 18th.
Denmark
In Denmark, families enjoy excellent healthcare and a high-quality, free education system. The infrastructure is well developed and the crime rate is comparatively low. The capital, Copenhagen, is considered one of the most livable cities in the world and offers a wide range of leisure activities for families.
Sweden, Norway and Finland
Sweden, Norway and Finland also offer families a high quality of life and a strong education system. Sweden is characterized by excellent health care and good parental leave arrangements. Norway offers impressive nature and a high quality of life, but is also one of the most expensive countries in the world.
Canada, Switzerland and the Netherlands
InCanada, Switzerland and the Netherlands, families will also find good conditions for living abroad. Canada offers a high quality of life, a good health system and a high level of security. In addition, Canada has a multicultural society and offers families many recreational opportunities. Switzerland is known for its high quality of life and well-educated population.
Security and the availability of high-quality childcare and education are also very high in Switzerland. The Netherlands, on the other hand, is known for its open and tolerant society, which offers an attractive environment for families. The Netherlands also has a good healthcare system, a strong economy and a good infrastructure.
New Zealand and Australia
New Zealand and Australia also rank highly in the survey, in 8th and 9th place respectively. New Zealand offers a high quality of life, good working conditions and a low crime rate. It also has an excellent education system and good health services, making it an ideal country for families to live in. Australia has a mild climate, good living conditions and a high quality of life. The country offers a high level of safety, a good health system and a wide range of educational opportunities.
The results are provided by the global survey, in which around 17,000 people from 36 countries in America, Asia, Europe and Africa were interviewed and the perception of 85 selected nations was evaluated on the basis of 73 modern characteristics. The respondents represent different strata, including informed elites, business decision-makers and average citizens. One subcategory relates to child-rearing and is composed of eight characteristics, including respect for human rights, family friendliness, gender equality, happiness, safety, access to education, healthcare system and income equality.
When to move with children?
There is no ideal time to emigrate with children, but in general it is easier when the children are younger. It is easiest for babies and toddlers, as they quickly get used to a new environment and, if they attend kindergarten in the destination country, they also learn the language quickly.
For primary school children, it is a bit more difficult because they have already made friends and become accustomed to a particular school system. It is difficult for them to leave their friends behind and attend a new school. They have to adapt to the new circumstances, but they usually manage to do so relatively quickly.
For older children who are already in secondary school, relocation is even more difficult. Not only do they have to learn a new language, but they may also have to catch up on the subject matter in certain subjects. Older children may find it more difficult to find their way in a new environment and will miss their friends in their home country. Nevertheless, emigration can also be successful for older children if they are well prepared.
Schools and daycare abroad
The school and childcare systems in other countries may differ from those in Germany. It is important to find out about them in advance. In some countries, for example, there may be school fees or compulsory school uniforms. School hours may also differ from those in Germany. There are countries with compulsory kindergarten and countries without.
If you are only moving to another country for a short time, you may want to consider sending your children to a German or international school. If you are staying in the destination country for a longer period of time, it is probably advisable to choose a local school to better integrate your children.
Childcare and Kitas abroad
When a family with children emigrates, finding suitable childcare abroad can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are many options for looking after children up to around six years of age. Almost everywhere in the world, children are covered by their parents’ insurance, and in some countries there is even financial support and state daycare.
Local kindergarten facilities give children a sense of security and enable them to quickly find peers in the new country and learn the language “onthe-fly”. However, there are waiting lists for the coveted places and certain rules that must be observed. It is therefore advisable to look for suitable childcare abroad as early as possible.
School abroad
Whether kindergarten or school abroad – there is a lot to consider. A particular challenge is finding the right time for the move. Changing schools during the school year or shortly before graduation is usually not advisable. The age of the child also plays a role in deciding whether and when to move.
Open communication with teachers and educators, as well as targeted language courses, can help to ease the transition. In addition, parents should find out about the school system in the destination country and also consider the option of German schools abroad. Good planning and sufficient time for familiarization are crucial. It is best to schedule the move for the summer vacation in both countries to give everyone involved time to settle in.
German Schools Abroad
German schools abroad are a good alternative for families who live abroad for a long time and want their children to receive a German education. You can choose from around 1,200 of these institutions worldwide, which are often run by private organizations. The Central Agency for German Schools Abroad (abbreviated ZfA) supports the education of children from Germany with the help of money and personnel. If you are looking for more information about German schools abroad, you will find comprehensive information on the website of the ZfA.
Getting German child benefit abroad?
If you are a German citizen living abroad, you may be entitled to child benefit under certain conditions. One requirement is that you are subject to unlimited tax liability in Germany or are treated as such. This means that you have to pay tax in Germany on all your income. Another possibility is that you are only subject to limited tax liability in Germany, but are employed and subject to social security contributions.
Child benefit can also be paid to EU, EEA or Swiss nationals who have moved to Germany. However, certain conditions apply. If you have moved to Germany since August 2019, you must earn domestic income in the first three months after entering the country.
From the fourth month onwards, the conditions of the Freedom of Movement Act apply. This means that you must either be self-employed or employed, you can be unemployed or looking for work, you must have derived the right of freedom of movement from a family member or have sufficient means of subsistence and health insurance or have acquired a permanent right of residence.
Tip: If you want to learn more about this topic we recommend this Blogpost: Child benefit: How to cancel Kindergeld in Germany
If you are a citizen or national of another country, you must meet one of the following conditions to receive child benefits in Germany:
- You are a citizen of Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, or Turkey.
- You are employed in Germany and subject to social security contributions or receive unemployment or sickness benefit.
- You have a valid settlement or residence permit that allows you to work in Germany.
- You are a recognized refugee or recognized asylum-seeker.
You can find more information about applying for child benefits in cross-border cases on the website of the Federal Employment Agency.
Preparing children mentally and emotionally for the move
When moving abroad with children, it is important to prepare them mentally and emotionally for the move. Moving can be a stressful and emotional experience, especially for children, who have to leave their friends and familiar surroundings. Talk to your children about their concerns and fears and help them adjust to the changes ahead.
Explain the reasons for the move and point out the advantages that the new country and culture can offer. Take time to watch documentaries or videos about the new country with your children so that they can better prepare themselves.
Helping children integrate: language classes, recreational activities, and socializing
It takes time to find your way in a new environment. Being aware of this is important in order to cope better with the ups and downs of the initial period.
After the first few months, it is also possible to slowly establish social contacts in the new work environment, at school or in kindergarten, but also in everyday life. It can be helpful to join clubs or find expat groups of your own or other nationalities that meet regularly. Cultural centers, clubs and church parishes also often offer a place for exchange.
Social networks like Facebook help you find people with similar interests in your new location. Even when you have settled into your new daily routine, you can stay in touch with your “old” life, for example, by calling grandma and grandpa or planning visits during the holidays. Parents can help ensure that old contacts are not forgotten and that new contacts find their place. Off to a new adventure!
My experience: Moving with kids and pets
A story by Franka Sand:
Moving house is a significant event in anyone’s life, but it can be even more challenging when you have children and pets to consider. I know this from personal experience. When I last moved, I had just given birth to my second child, and my husband had taken a new job in Frankfurt. We lived up in Schwerin back then, over 500 km away.
My husband had already left to start work, living in short-term rental apartments. In Germany, most landlords want to meet potential new tenants beforehand during viewings. My husband took care of finding a suitable apartment for our family while leaving me to pack up our belongings, organize the move, and relocate some pets.
At the time, we lived on a farm and had ducks that couldn’t come with us to our new apartment. We also had a cat that had given birth to three kittens, and they needed to find new homes. With all this going on, I had to frequently go into town to an internet café for Wi-Fi to post furniture online that we wanted to give away because we had already canceled our phone/internet contract.
Keeping in touch with the outside world was quite a challenge, as I only had reception on my handy(cellphone) in our attic. Whenever the phone rang, I had to run up there to take the call. As you can imagine, organizing the move was a mammoth task, and it was not made any easier by the fact that I had a newborn to take care of. But I managed to find new homes for the kittens, and our neighbors were happy to take in our ducks.
I also eliminated any items we no longer needed, making packing easier. Thankfully, my mother took such things to the dump for me. On the day of the move, my husband came back to pick up our pets, and after the movers had taken everything, I was left with my children and an air mattress for one last night. The next day, our landlord was coming over for the official handover, and I had to clean the house before leaving.
But leaving one home is just the first step. When we arrived at our new apartment, we had to find all the beds and set up the TV for our older child. Hooking up the washing machine as soon as possible was also crucial. In Germany, people often move with their kitchens, which means you need to call an electrician to hook up your oven and stove. So, it’s a good idea to schedule this ahead of your move, especially because electricians often only have a few appointments available.
And remember to visit the citizen’s office to register your new address. Your old German address automatically gets updated this way.
Moving house with children and pets can be challenging and stressful. In my case, I let go of many things, and we had to find new homes for some of our pets.
We started going on walks right away at our new home to scout out our surroundings. Walks are common and normal in Germany, and our dog enjoyed it too. Thanks to Google, we located various places to buy groceries.
I often read about how important it is to speak with your children or make the move fun, but honestly? Moving is super stressful.
It’s important to keep your children well-fed, not just junk-food. They need time to move around, so try to always go on walks. Otherwise, kids can act up. And believe me, you don’t need tantrums while moving house.
My older child definitely watched more TV than we usually allow, but it kept us all sane. And kids need time to talk and be heard. I always made special time in the evenings for stories and listening to my older child.
In conclusion, moving house with children and pets requires a lot of planning and organization. Taking your time, sorting out your belongings, and involving your children in the process is crucial.
And then it simply takes time to acclimate to your new surroundings. It takes a while to figure out where to get the best bargains and where to find the eggs. Find a kindergarten as soon as you can; you’ll meet other moms and dads there, and you can start networking. Maybe find a new hobby or two, so you meet new people. I also started saying hello to all of our new neighbors until they got used to me.
Don’t be too hard on yourself when things seem messy. You’re establishing a new rhythm, and you’ll get there.
Conclusion and checklist: How do I prepare my family to emigrate?
If you move to another country with your family, it can be a big adjustment for your children. They have to get used to a new language, a new school system and a new way of life. To prepare them for this, you can prepare for the language as a family in advance and watch documentaries about the new country. It is also important to talk to the children about their concerns and hopes and to allay any fears they may have. You should continue this exchange even after the move.
Some families organize regular family meetings to discuss topics that have moved them during the week. It is important that each family member is valued equally and given the opportunity to share their thoughts and feel safe. Respect plays a major role here.
Below is a checklist of the most important points:
- Consider whether it is a good time for your children to be removed from their familiar environment.
- Take the needs of your children seriously when choosing the destination country.
- Look for good schools and a child-friendly society and environment.
- Find out about schools and kindergartens in the destination country, whether and how much money you have to pay for education, and whether German-speaking institutions are available in the area or whether the children will have to learn a new language.
- Plan enough time for the move, including a sufficient lead time and enough time for the actual move.
- Network with Expats who have already emigrated to the chosen country for tips and advice, or plan a vacation in the area in advance to prepare for the move.
- Find out about the health system in the destination country, especially if one of your children has illnesses or allergies.
- Arrange leisure activities for your children as early as possible to make their arrival and settling in easier, such as clubs, groups or other leisure activities.
- Consider whether you are really sure that you want to emigrate and whether your source of income, i.e. your job, is safe in the new country.
- Consider how you can deal with possible resistance, homesickness and difficulties in integrating your children so that you are not overwhelmed and can act appropriately.
- Choose a suitable period of time for your children to live in another country.