For expats
FIDI - helping expats move homes, anywhere in the world.
When you decide to move your home to another country - whether next door or to the other side of the world, alone or with your family, as part of a career assignment or just for a change of scenery - you are embarking on a life-time adventure.
Make sure you take all the necessary precautions to make this a memorable experience, by preparing well in advance and by choosing your moving and relocation partners carefully.
Who is FIDI and what do we do?
FIDI Global Alliance is a federation of national trade associations representing removal and relocation companies worldwide. Membership is built on quality: FIDI-affiliated companies must hold the FAIM or FIDI DSP Certification, independently audited by EY against over 200 requirements covering operations, staff training, data protection and risk management, with audits repeated regularly to ensure standards are maintained.
FIDI's role lies in setting and maintaining these standards across the network, rather than in regulating or resolving disputes between individual companies and their customers. Full guidance on raising a complaint is available in our FAQs below.
FAQs
Do you have a question about moving and how a FIDI-certified company can help you? Read on to find our most frequently asked questions.
- Why shouldn't I just choose the cheapest moving company?
Price is easy to compare; the standard of service behind it isn't, especially across borders where local regulations, customs procedures and subcontractor networks vary widely. A low quote from an unvetted company carries real risk on an international move — delayed shipments, hidden costs, damaged or lost goods, or a provider with no accountability once you've paid. Choosing on price alone shifts that risk onto you. - What does FIDI certification actually guarantee?
It guarantees consistency and professionalism. Every FIDI-certified company, wherever in the world it's based, is independently audited against the same rigorous quality standards, covering operational procedures, staff training, data protection and risk management. That means you can trust a FIDI company in Singapore to the same degree as one in Brussels, giving you a network of vetted partners rather than a single unverified quote. - Why does it matter that FIDI companies work with each other?
Most international moves involve a handover — from the company packing your goods at origin to a partner handling the delivery at destination. FIDI-affiliated companies typically work with other FIDI-affiliated companies for this, so the same audited standards apply at both ends of the move, not just the end you happen to deal with directly. That's what the network delivers: trust that doesn't stop at the border. - How are FIDI-certified companies audited?
By independent auditors from EY, checking compliance against over 200 requirements. These audits are repeated regularly, not a one-off badge, so certification reflects a company's current standards rather than a historical snapshot. A company that fails its audit is terminated from FIDI. - What is the difference between FIDI-FAIM and FIDI-DSP Certification?
FIDI-FAIM certifies a company's full international moving operations. FIDI-DSP (Destination Service Provider) certification covers destination services such as home finding, settling-in and immigration support. A company can hold either or both, depending on the services it offers. - Does FIDI certification guarantee a problem-free move?
No certification can eliminate every risk of moving your life across a border. What it does is stack the odds firmly in your favour, by screening out companies that don't meet the standard and holding the rest to consistent, independently verified quality across the entire network. - Can FIDI intervene if I have a complaint about a FIDI-affiliated company?
No. FIDI Global Alliance is a federation of national associations, not a regulator, ombudsman or dispute resolution body, so it cannot investigate, adjudicate or intervene directly in a complaint against an individual company. Concerns should be raised with the company first, in writing. - What should I do if my complaint isn't resolved by the company?
Contact the relevant national FIDI association, as some — though not all — offer an Alternative Dispute Resolution service. Where no ADR route is available, an independent consumer protection body in the company's country can help, or, for moves within the EU, your local European Consumer Centre. - How do I find a FIDI-certified moving company?
FIDI-certified companies can be searched by name, location or certification type through FIDI's affiliate directory, so you can shortlist movers that meet the same international standard wherever your move is headed.