Whether you are going abroad on vacation, on a business trip, studying or settling in, you may have to deal with unforeseen situations. It is not always easy to know how to react when you do not know the country codes, the legislation and in many cases the language. However, it is possible to limit the risks of incidents and the adverse consequences that accompany them by taking out repatriation insurance, by providing an adequate budget or by learning about the laws, habits and customs of the country in order to always adopt the right behaviour. To support you, the France Diplomatie website offers the download of a "Travelling Abroad" guide, which helps you to acquire the right reflexes and to know how the consulate can help you in case of difficulties. You can also subscribe to Pegasus, the Facebook page dedicated to French people living abroad and those wishing to move abroad.
Adopt the right reflexes before leaving
Finally, a trip begins well before the official day of departure and the few weeks or months preceding it are crucial for the smooth running of the trip. It is essential to anticipate your trip by consulting the travel advice pages, first make sure you have the right documents to enter the country: a valid identity card or passport (some countries require a valid passport several months after the return date) and whether or not you need a visa. Remember to record in your mobile phone the numbers that may be of great use to you, such as local emergency numbers, your insurance and the consulate. Also check with your operator on how you can use your phone abroad. If necessary, it is always a valuable ally and special packages can be offered so as not to be overtaxed. It is also important to give information to your family before leaving. This can be the name of the hosting where you are located. This will make it easier for family or close friends to get in touch with you and react quickly if necessary. A registration on Ariane can also be very helpful. With a few clicks, you can be sure to receive alerts (emails, text messages, etc.) if the situation in the country justifies it and the person you have designated as your contact will also be notified if necessary
Provide a sufficient budget
Of course, the first thing to do when planning a trip is to budget it. Determine a budget not to be exceeded and once you subtract the costs of transportation and accommodation, keep enough room to live on a daily basis. Find out about the prices of meals in restaurants, food in shops, activities and also everything related to local transport. Once you have determined your overall budget, make sure you have some money left in your bank account, a margin that could be useful to you if you need it. Also consider contacting your bank to notify them of your presence abroad and possibly request an increase in your withdrawal limit. It is well known that on holidays, you use your credit card a lot, so it is better to be proactive
Protecting yourself in terms of health
Even if you are in great shape, you are never safe from getting sick when you go abroad, especially if you are going away for a long time. Depending on the destination, remember to find out what vaccinations to carry out before you leave and do it well in advance. If you are going to Europe, obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which will enable you to prove your rights and receive medical care, in accordance with the legislation and formalities in force in the host country. In the event of a stay in a country outside the European Union or Switzerland, it should be noted that only urgent and unforeseen medical care can be covered by health insurance. In this case, it is strongly recommended to take out an insurance or assistance contract that will allow you to be reimbursed for medical expenses incurred, or even to repatriate you to your country in the event of illness or serious accident. It should be borne in mind that in some countries, hospitals are not always well equipped and the quality of care is sometimes questionable. Not to mention that some cities do not even have a hospital. Finally, we can never say it enough, but bringing a small kit before you go on a trip is very useful. During activities, injuries are common so an antiseptic, bandage, bandage, scissors, compresses and paracetamol for pain are always welcome in your travel bag
Adopt the right behaviour and have the right reflexes on the spot
Just because we live in a certain way in France does not mean that all our behaviours and habits will be well perceived abroad. Whether you are going on holiday or on expatriation, you should check the laws and customs in force in the country where you are going. Because certain behaviours that are totally tolerated in France can be the subject of a fine or even a prison sentence in some countries. It is therefore essential to respect the law and local customs, in order to avoid any problems. As for the reflexes to have, they are numerous and concern several areas. If you lose or are the victim of a theft of your documents on the spot, report the loss or theft to the local police station and stop it on your means of payment. In case of accident or illness, call local emergency services, go to the doctor or hospital and notify your health insurance or assistance company. In case of assault, file a complaint with the local police, consult a doctor and ask for a lawyer if necessary, accompanied by a translator. Do the same if you are arrested by local police. And then, if a disaster occurs (attack, natural disaster...), take cover and always follow the instructions given by the local authorities. They are responsible for the safety of all persons on their territory
Finally, and this is very important, never forget that the consulate can help you, for example if you have a health problem or if you lose your identity documents during a short or long trip abroad. He can issue you a pass to return to France urgently, provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors and lawyers, give you consular protection and inform you in the event of a major crisis or disaster in the country and also inform your relatives in France, if you are unable to do so
