Work out what the move will really cost before you negotiate, ask what the standard package includes, then negotiate the items that matter most to you in writing. Treat base salary and relocation as separate conversations, and ask about repayment clauses before you sign.
What people tell me
I have an offer from a company abroad and they have mentioned relocation support, but the details are vague. I do not know what is normal to ask for, whether asking will make them withdraw the offer, or how much the move will actually cost me with visa fees, flights, deposits and the first few weeks before my first salary. I also have a family to think about.
A composite of the messages behind this question, with personal details left out.
Key takeaways
- Build a real cost estimate first: visa, flights, shipping, temporary housing, deposit and the gap before your first salary.
- Ask what the standard package includes before you ask for more; many companies have a fixed policy.
- Negotiate salary and relocation separately; a one-time payment is easier for a company to raise than base pay.
- Read the repayment clause: many packages must be paid back if you leave within a set period.
- Get every item in writing before you resign from your current job.
Asking is normal
People worry that asking about relocation will make a company withdraw the offer. In my experience that almost never happens when you ask politely and with numbers. Companies that hire internationally expect the question. Many have a written relocation policy and some flexibility on top of it. The mistake is not asking, then discovering in your first month abroad that you are paying for everything yourself.
Step 1: estimate the real cost
Before any negotiation, build a simple spreadsheet. Move costs are higher than people expect, and the biggest ones arrive before your first salary does.
| Cost | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa and document fees | Include translations, attestations, medical checks, courier fees |
| Flights | For you and any family members moving with you |
| Shipping or extra baggage | Most engineers ship very little; check what you actually need |
| Temporary housing | Often two to eight weeks while you search for a flat |
| Rental deposit and first rent | In many cities this is two or three months of rent up front |
| Setup | Furniture, winter clothing, phone, transport pass |
| Salary gap | The weeks between arrival and first payday, plus any delay in opening a bank account |
Use official sources for visa fees and a few real rental listings for housing. Round up. That total is your anchor.
Step 2: ask what the package includes
Ask the recruiter a neutral question: "Could you share what your relocation support usually covers, so I can plan the move?" Common components are:
- A lump sum paid with the first salary or before the move
- Paid flights and visa fees
- Temporary housing for a fixed number of weeks
- Help from a relocation agency with registration, bank account and flat search
- Language classes or tax advice
- Support for a spouse or children (flights, visas, sometimes school search)
Once you know the policy, you know which parts are fixed and which might move.
Step 3: negotiate the gap, with numbers
Compare your estimate with their package. Then ask for the difference, framed around the move rather than around wanting more money:
"Thank you for the package. Based on flights for my family, temporary housing and the rental deposit in the city, my estimate is about X. Is there flexibility to increase the lump sum or extend temporary housing to cover that?"
A few things help:
- Keep salary and relocation separate. Base salary affects every future raise, so negotiate it first. Relocation is a one-time cost, and companies often find it easier to raise.
- Offer options. If they cannot raise the lump sum, ask for longer temporary housing, a later start date, or a signing bonus.
- Be specific about family. Dependants are a legitimate reason for a higher package.
Step 4: read the conditions
This is where people get hurt. Before signing, check:
- Repayment clauses. Many packages must be repaid, fully or partly, if you leave within a set period. Know the period and the amounts.
- Tax treatment. In some countries relocation payments are taxed as income, which reduces what you receive. Ask whether the amount is gross or net.
- Reimbursement versus advance. If it is reimbursed, you pay first and claim later, so you need savings to bridge it.
- What happens if the visa is refused or delayed. Who covers costs already spent?
Get every item in the written offer or a relocation letter before you resign from your current job.
If the answer is no
Some companies, especially smaller ones, have no relocation budget. That does not automatically make the offer bad. Compare the full picture: salary after tax and rent, visa security, the learning you will get, and how long your savings last. Sometimes a smaller package with a better role is the right choice. Sometimes it is a sign the company is not ready to hire internationally.
If you are still stuck
For the salary side of the same offer, read How do I negotiate my salary when switching to a new developer job? and the Ten Rules for Negotiating a Job Offer. If you want someone to look at your offer with you, join Sefism and, as a member, book a 1:1 session.
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