Downloads
Appendix: Worksheets
Chapter 1 · One-page worksheet
Reality Check and Moving-Away/Moving-Towards
| Checkpoint | My note | Risk / cost | Next decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example: Trial stay | Three weeks in Cebu as an everyday-life test, not a hotel holiday. | Assess traffic, heat, and internet away from the beach. | Plan a second stay during the rainy season. |
| Trial stays and different seasons | |||
| Everyday life rather than holiday: housing, shopping, travel, authorities | |||
| Climate, noise, heat, patience, and health | |||
| Language, communication, and my willingness to learn | |||
| Real monthly costs and available reserve | |||
| Strongest moving-away frustration | |||
| Sustainable moving-towards goal | |||
| Region, city, neighbourhood, and infrastructure | |||
| My contribution and respectful place in the destination country | |||
| Plan B triggers and limit for costly lessons | |||
| People who will challenge my decision honestly | |||
| Decision: keep testing, postpone, or stop |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 2 · One-page worksheet
Financial Structure and Saving Phase
| Area | My figure / decision | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Escape fund | EUR 5,000 kept separate from everyday money. | Test card and transfer-service access from abroad. |
| Income model until retirement | ||
| Realistic monthly budget | ||
| Start-up budget for the first six months | ||
| Emergency reserve | ||
| Escape fund | ||
| Return reserve | ||
| Two independent payment routes | ||
| Exchange-rate test at 10 to 15 per cent | ||
| Investments, crypto, and tax review | ||
| Savings target and target date | ||
| Subscriptions, contracts, and insurance | ||
| Sales list and income levers |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 3 · One-page worksheet
Deregistration, Contracts, and Tax/Pension File
| Topic | Status / detail | Evidence / next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Deregistration certificate | Appointment two weeks before moving out. | Keep the original and a scan in the deregistration file. |
| Residence deregistration and certificate | ||
| Health and long-term care insurance | ||
| Contract list from 24 months of account statements | ||
| Notice periods and confirmations | ||
| Tax status, residence, and habitual abode | ||
| Income: pension, rent, investments, and company | ||
| Double taxation and departure advice | ||
| Pension payment and bank details | ||
| Life certificate and annual deadlines | ||
| ELEFAND, embassy, and honorary consulate | ||
| Voting documents and postal transit times | ||
| Responsible person, originals, and digital copies |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 4 · One-page worksheet
Document, Powers of Attorney, and Access List
| Item | Where is it? | Checked / alternative route |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Passport | Original in hand luggage, encrypted scan. | Validity to 2030 and replacement route checked. |
| Passport and validity | ||
| Birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates | ||
| Apostille, legalisation, and translation | ||
| Visa, employment, or school evidence | ||
| Originals, scans, and copies with a trusted person | ||
| Postal, banking, and healthcare powers of attorney | ||
| Postal service or reliable delivery address | ||
| Password manager | ||
| Two-factor authentication and backup codes | ||
| Home-country SIM and replacement device | ||
| Digital legacy | ||
| Emergency test without the main phone |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 5 · One-page worksheet
Insurance and Health Plan
| Area | My detail | Confirmed in writing / next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Direct billing | Hospital confirmed with the insurer in advance. | Print the emergency number and test the payment route. |
| Insurance type and geographic cover | ||
| Inpatient and outpatient benefits | ||
| Pre-existing conditions and exclusions | ||
| Direct billing or reimbursement | ||
| Excess and maximum benefit | ||
| Repatriation | ||
| Home-country insurance, preserved entitlement, and long-term care planning | ||
| Mental health: weekly routine, network, warning signs, and support | ||
| Medicines and active ingredients | ||
| English medical reports and prescriptions | ||
| Local hospital, doctor, pharmacy, and transport | ||
| Emergency cash and independent payment route |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 6 · One-page worksheet
Take, Sell, or Buy Locally
| Item / area | Decision | Reason / next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Original documents | Hand luggage, not a shipping box. | Keep a separate encrypted scan as well. |
| Documents in hand luggage | ||
| Keepsakes | ||
| Genuinely necessary specialist items | ||
| Buy locally | ||
| Sell | ||
| Give away or dispose of | ||
| Box, luggage shipment, or freight company | ||
| Do not ship: medicines, cards, and data media | ||
| Electronics: voltage, plugs, and climate | ||
| Warranty, service centre, and local repair | ||
| Data backup before departure | ||
| Arrival needs for the first 14 days |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 7 · One-page worksheet
Arrival Plan and Temporary Accommodation
| Item | My detail | Final check |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Onward-travel evidence | Ticket to Singapore saved offline. | Check again 72 hours before departure. |
| Passport validity and entry status | ||
| Onward or return ticket | ||
| Digital entry forms | ||
| Insurance evidence | ||
| Address and contact for first accommodation | ||
| Terminal, connection, and airport transfer | ||
| eSIM for landing | ||
| Local SIM and registration | ||
| Home-country number for two-factor access | ||
| VPN and app-store strategy | ||
| Flexible accommodation and location comparison: transport, internet, water, noise, safety, shopping, hospital access, service costs | ||
| 14-day and 72-hour pre-departure checks |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 8 · One-page worksheet
Settle In for 90 Days Without the Wrong Commitment
| Period / topic | Observation / result | Decision / next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Day 1 | Only a small peso amount and a safe transfer to the accommodation. | Sleep and sign no contracts yet. |
| Airport, cash, and transport | ||
| First night and recovery | ||
| Neighbourhood during the day | ||
| Neighbourhood at night and in rain | ||
| Lease and ancillary costs | ||
| Water, power, generator, and management | ||
| Fixed internet in the building | ||
| Mobile data in the building | ||
| Local account or payment app | ||
| ATM, card, and transfer test | ||
| First-month spending record | ||
| Decision after 30, 60, and 90 days |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 9 · One-page worksheet
Residence Status and Deadline Calendar
| Question / deadline | My detail | Evidence / reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Permitted stay until | 29 July 2026 | Reminders 21, 14, and 7 days beforehand. |
| Entry date | ||
| Permitted stay until | ||
| Latest extension date | ||
| Responsible immigration office or checked agent | ||
| Required documents | ||
| Fee reserve | ||
| Stamps, receipts, and scans | ||
| Foreign-national card and exit clearance | ||
| Long-term option: SRRV, 13A, or another route | ||
| Employment or business permission | ||
| Marriage and civil-status documents | ||
| Overstay-prevention plan |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 10 · One-page worksheet
Income and Failure Test
| Area | Reality check | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Bad scenario | No new clients for three months. | Check reserve and acquisition plan. |
| Destination-country job file | ||
| Work permit and visa | ||
| Recognition of qualifications | ||
| Real vacancies and salary level | ||
| Remote model with real clients | ||
| Invoices, bookkeeping, and tax | ||
| Payment routes and currency | ||
| Time zones and working rhythm | ||
| Backup internet and power | ||
| Local business: market, ownership, and control | ||
| Normal, bad, and catastrophic month | ||
| Plan B for income failure |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 11 · One-page worksheet
Boundaries, Relationships, and Conflict Rules
| Topic | My boundary / rule | Warning sign / next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Family support | Maximum EUR 200 per month. | No immediate transfer under pressure. |
| Monthly support limit | ||
| Payments only after time to think | ||
| No loans or property under pressure | ||
| Shared relationship budget | ||
| Legal review of ownership, land, and leases | ||
| Dating: no money before a real meeting | ||
| Check civil status, debts, and environment | ||
| Children and responsibility in a partner's environment | ||
| Resolve conflict privately and calmly | ||
| Preserve face | ||
| No public posts during conflict | ||
| Red line for permanent emergencies |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 12 · One-page worksheet
Special-Case and Family File
| Area | What must be clarified? | Evidence / next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Child and school | Check international school and return route. | Collect reports, costs, and qualification route. |
| Passport, certificates, and custody for each child | ||
| School options in the destination country | ||
| Recognition and qualification route | ||
| Language, friends, and integration | ||
| Pet: microchip and vaccinations | ||
| Pet: import permit, airline, return route to the EU, and emergency care | ||
| Driving licence and local rules | ||
| Vehicle, insurance, and workshop | ||
| Care needs, disability, or chronic illness | ||
| Daily support and emergency help | ||
| Pregnancy, birth, and child documents | ||
| Extra reserve and emergency contact |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 13 · One-page worksheet
Emergency, Supplies, and Outage Plan
| Area | My detail / supply | Checked / next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Drinking water | Seven-day reserve for everyone. | Check containers and refill source. |
| Suitable hospital and emergency department | ||
| Night transport, risky areas, times, travel routes, and local rules | ||
| Insurance and emergency number | ||
| Emergency contacts locally and in the home country | ||
| Medicines, allergies, and diagnoses | ||
| Water for 72 hours, 7 days, and 14 days | ||
| Long-life food | ||
| Light, power banks, and backup power | ||
| Digital emergency test without the main phone: email, banking, 2FA, cloud, and documents | ||
| Cash and document copies | ||
| Housing risks, safe escape routes, and local meeting points | ||
| Alternative location and meeting point |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 14 · One-page worksheet
Annual Maintenance, Pension, and Advance Planning
| Area | Checked on / status | Result / next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Life certificate | Completed in July 2026. | Keep a scan in the pension folder. |
| Passport and documents | ||
| Visa and residence status | ||
| Health and long-term care insurance | ||
| Banking, cards, and two-factor access | ||
| Tax status and pension | ||
| Medicines and doctors | ||
| Savings, emergency reserve, and current return plan | ||
| Location, network, and everyday life | ||
| Life certificate and pension correspondence | ||
| Power of attorney and advance healthcare directive | ||
| Will and digital legacy | ||
| Honest conclusion: Does this country still fit? |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________
Chapter 15 · One-page worksheet
Plan B Return File
| Area | My detail / status | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Example: Return traffic light | Amber, reserve will last another five months. | Contact health insurer and landing address this week. |
| Return traffic light: adapt locally, change location, or return to Germany | ||
| Warning signs: money, health, relationship, residence, and homesickness | ||
| 12-, 6-, and 3-month timeline | ||
| Return flight, luggage, exit, and overstay costs | ||
| 90-day reserve, deposit, basic equipment, and start-up costs | ||
| Accommodation, landing address, and landlord confirmation | ||
| Health insurer, statutory/private cover, and overseas insurance | ||
| Work, employment agency, job centre, and CV | ||
| Tax file and return tax review | ||
| Banking, German SIM, two-factor access, and postal address | ||
| Contact list for overseas help, return advice, and destination | ||
| First 7, 30, and 90 days after arrival |
My core decision:
Checked on: ____________________Next review: ____________________