Moving to a new country can feel like a dream come true, and with 14.1% of the EU population being expats, the draw of life away from home continues to rise.

But, sometimes the reality is not quite as simple. Along with the new exciting beginnings, expats often face real emotional challenges; from admin overwhelm (60%) and considering a new set of living costs (27%) to fear of isolation (21%)  and healthcare worries (11%), new research from digital insurance companion Feather found.

The research has revealed the impact of relocation on expats, with nearly a third (31%) saying they were unaware of the emotional and practical pain points before making the move. It also showed that 33% fell victim to the “relocation honeymoon phase”, where they ignored life admin during the excitement of the first few weeks, only to face mounting stress later on.

The Relocation Reality Check offers an insight into expats’ biggest emotional and practical pressure points during their first year abroad. Drawing on first-hand experiences across multiple European countries, the report taps into when stress peaks, what triggers it and ultimately, what helps expats feel settled. From the “honeymoon phase” to the moments of doubt that follow.

Top 5 stress inducers for new expats moving abroad include:

Navigating a new job and income (39%) - Adjusting to new expectations, communication styles, or job security.
Finding a place to live (31%) - Short deadlines, unfamiliar rental markets, and language barriers.
Language barriers (27%) - Struggling with daily tasks, appointments, or official documents.
Cost of living surprises (27%) - Everyday expenses turning out to be higher than expected.
Navigating local bureaucracy (21%) - Registering addresses, utilities, or public services.
The findings suggest the emotional toll of relocation often catches people off guard as over half (54%) of expats say the emotional stress of moving abroad was greater than expected.

Chartered Psychologist and wellness expert Kate Oliver has partnered with Feather to share her top tips to help new expats make the transition, she says:

“We often treat relocation as a purely logistical challenge - a checklist of visas, shipping containers, and bank accounts - while completely overlooking the discomfort and stress that occurs when we leave our familiar surroundings and support networks behind. True wellness during a move abroad isn’t about immediate integration; it’s about practising self-care and compassion and building small, predictable routines and anchors in an unpredictable environment to help the nervous system feel safe again and start to build confidence in your new life.”
But while the early months can be difficult, the research also shows the joy of the expat experience. 70% say the move ultimately improved their quality of life, with almost a third (32%) saying the move increased confidence and gave them a fresh perspective (36%).

Many expats say that once key admin was sorted, their stress levels dropped significantly, especially for those who had arranged insurance before moving. In fact, 75% say having clear insurance gave them peace of mind with 71% saying they wish they’d had an expert to guide them through the process, and believe it would have made the move less stressful.

Rob Schumacher, CEO and co-founder of Feather, says:
“At Feather, we see every day that moving abroad is about much more than paperwork. It’s an emotional journey as well as a practical one. Our goal is to make that transition easier by removing the stress around things like insurance and giving expats the confidence to focus on building their new life.

That’s why we enable our customers to discover, compare, and sign up to policies in minutes, online, and in a language they understand. Through the Relocation Reality Check, Feather hopes to shine a light on the emotional reality of relocating, helping expats feel seen, understood, and better supported throughout the journey. Because moving abroad isn’t just about paperwork and packing boxes, it’s about building a new life.”

To explore the full Relocation Reality Check report and discover practical tips for navigating a move abroad visit feather-insurance.com/en-de/blog/relocation-reality-check.