Your first 7 days working abroad: what to arrange and what to expect
From arrival and housing to registration and the first shift — a practical checklist so week one in DE / AT / CZ does not catch you off guard.
Starting a job abroad is more than “showing up at work”. It is logistics, paperwork and first impressions on the shift. A checklist makes week one calmer — and the company sees you as reliable from day one.
This is the plan we use with WorkPower candidates before departure and in the first days after start.
Before you leave: 48-hour check
- valid ID / passport, copies on phone and paper,
- housing address and contact for the landlord / colleague,
- time and place of first check-in,
- agreed transport,
- cash / card for the first days,
- WorkPower + client contacts in one place.
Day 1–2: housing and orientation
- keys, house rules, Wi-Fi,
- how you get to the shift,
- shop, pharmacy, stop — save an offline map,
- registration requirements for your country and stay length.
If something differs from what was agreed, call us immediately.
Day 1–3: first shift
- Arrive early.
- Bring documents the company needs for onboarding.
- Ask about safety, breaks, where to report issues.
- Write down names: supervisor, HR, line mentor.
Within 7 days: admin and rhythm
- contract / start papers — read before signing,
- pay: when is the first wage and what is needed,
- health insurance / card depending on employment model,
- shift rhythm — sleep, food, transport.
Red flags — call WorkPower
- different housing or shifts than agreed,
- pressure to sign something you do not understand,
- unclear deductions without explanation,
- safety issues that are brushed aside.
In short: prepare documents and logistics before you leave, verify housing and the route to work on day one, close admin within a week. We stay on the phone until you settle in.
Starting soon and want to walk through the checklist together? Write to us.