首頁 / 搬家知識庫

Moving in Taiwan as an Expat: Address, Mail and Utilities Checklist

發布日期：｜更新日期：｜作者：和睦搬家內容團隊｜服務地區：台北、新北、桃園

An English checklist for expats moving in Taiwan, covering ARC address updates, postal forwarding, utility responsibility and moving-day coordination in Taipei, New Taipei and Taoyuan.

Moving apartments in Taiwan involves more than transporting boxes. If you are an expat living in Taipei, New Taipei or Taoyuan, you may need to update your residence information, redirect mail, clarify which utilities remain in the landlord’s name and coordinate the physical move with a building or landlord handover. The safest approach is to separate the move into three tracks: legal address records, delivery and accounts, and physical logistics.

Key Takeaways
- Foreign nationals must report a change of residential address within 30 days of the change, according to Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency guidance.
- Prepare your passport, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and proof of the new address, such as a rental contract, before applying at the service station in the new area.
- Chunghwa Post can forward mail to a new address for up to two months. Use that period to update banks, employers, insurers, subscriptions and government records.
- If you are a foreign professional using the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform, Talent Taiwan says address updates are free and should be completed within 30 days.
- Water, electricity, gas, internet and building management are not always transferred in the same way. Confirm the account holder and meter-reading responsibility with the landlord before moving day.

What should an expat update first after moving in Taiwan?

Update the legally important residence record first, then protect mail delivery, then reconcile utility and private accounts. A moving company can transport furniture, but it cannot replace a residence-address filing or change every account on your behalf. Keep a digital folder with your new lease, ARC, passport identification page, landlord or agent contact, utility account numbers and the moving date.

｜ Priority ｜ Record or service ｜ Why it comes first ｜ Evidence to keep ｜

｜ --- ｜ --- ｜ --- ｜ --- ｜

｜ 1 ｜ ARC / residence address ｜ A legal reporting deadline may apply ｜ Application receipt or updated record ｜

｜ 2 ｜ Employer, school or HR ｜ Payroll, tax, insurance and emergency contact records may depend on it ｜ Confirmation email or portal screenshot ｜

｜ 3 ｜ Postal forwarding ｜ Protects letters while private accounts are being changed ｜ Forwarding application ｜

｜ 4 ｜ Bank, insurer and subscriptions ｜ Prevents statements and replacement cards going to the old address ｜ Updated profile confirmation ｜

｜ 5 ｜ Utilities and building management ｜ Clarifies final bills, access and move reservations ｜ Meter photos and written handover notes ｜

Use the exact Chinese address format from the lease or landlord. Taiwanese addresses can include a district, road section, lane, alley, number, floor and room. A translation that omits the floor or room may be difficult for a delivery driver or government office to match.

Do foreign residents have to report a new address?

Yes. Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency states that foreign nationals must report a change of residence within 30 days from the date the change occurred. The official FAQ says applicants should bring their passport, ARC and relevant documents, such as a household registry or rental contract, to the service station in the new area of residence. It also warns that failure to report can result in a fine between NT$2,000 and NT$10,000.

The 30-day period is a compliance deadline, not a recommended moving-planning window. Do not wait until the lease is about to expire or the ARC is close to renewal. If your new residence is in another city, identify the correct service station before moving week and check whether an appointment, form or additional proof is required.

The National Immigration Agency’s English residence FAQ also explains that an address change may be handled together with certain ARC procedures when the supporting proof is available. Rules and service arrangements can change, so verify current requirements directly with the NIA or the service station serving the new address.

Documents to prepare for the address update

Prepare originals and copies where appropriate, and keep a scanned set:

  1. Passport.
  2. Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), if applicable.
  3. Rental contract or other acceptable proof of residence.
  4. New address written in the local Chinese format.
  5. Employer, school or sponsor information if the residence status requires it.
  6. A phone number and email address that you actively monitor.

A mover may need the Chinese address for navigation, parking and building coordination, but the address filed with the government must be based on your legal residence documents, not a simplified English label.

What if you hold an Employment Gold Card or use Talent Taiwan?

Foreign professionals should check the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform as well as the general residence rules. Talent Taiwan’s English living guide says foreign professionals should log in to the platform and update their details within 30 days of moving. It states that the address change is free and that failing to update within 30 days may result in a fine.

The platform update and an NIA residence-address process are related but should not be assumed to be identical for every residence status. Keep the confirmation from the platform, and ask the responsible authority whether an additional ARC or local registration update is required for your case.

The Talent Taiwan living essentials guide is especially useful for foreign professionals who are moving because of a new job, a lease change or a relocation between Taipei, New Taipei and Taoyuan. It also links to broader housing and settlement information.

How does mail forwarding work after a Taiwan move?

Chunghwa Post provides a mail-forwarding service for people who move to a new address, but the official English FAQ limits the forwarding period to two months. The applicant should provide the recipient or substitute recipient’s name, old address, new address and signature or signature/stamp, then apply at a post office or use the available form.

Two months is a safety net, not a replacement for changing every address. During the forwarding period, update the accounts most likely to send time-sensitive or identity-sensitive mail:

｜ Account ｜ Update action ｜ Common risk if ignored ｜

｜ --- ｜ --- ｜ --- ｜

｜ Bank and credit card ｜ Change mailing and billing address ｜ Replacement card or statement goes to the old home ｜

｜ Employer or school ｜ Update emergency and payroll records ｜ Official notices use an outdated contact ｜

｜ Insurance ｜ Update correspondence and policy records ｜ Renewal or claim documents are delayed ｜

｜ Mobile, internet and subscriptions ｜ Change delivery and billing profile ｜ Equipment or invoices arrive at the old address ｜

｜ Government or immigration correspondence ｜ Use the authority’s current procedure ｜ A missed notice may affect a deadline ｜

｜ Online shopping platforms ｜ Change default delivery address ｜ Parcels continue going to the old building ｜

The Chunghwa Post official mail-delivery FAQ says that after the two-month period, mail is delivered to the old address. It also advises customers to inform relatives and friends and change address registration as soon as possible. Record the forwarding application date so you know when the safety window ends.

Who is responsible for water, electricity and gas after a move?

There is no universal “transfer everything” rule for Taiwan rentals. The landlord may keep utilities in the landlord’s name, or the tenant may pay and manage a specific account under the lease. Confirm the arrangement rather than changing an account that does not belong to you.

Ask the landlord or agent these questions before handover:

  • Is the water account in the landlord’s name or the tenant’s name?
  • Who records the final meter reading at the old property?
  • Are unpaid charges settled before the deposit inspection?
  • Which utilities are included in rent and which are billed separately?
  • Does the new property use Taiwan Water Corporation, a building management bill or another arrangement?
  • Is internet service transferred, cancelled or newly installed?

Taiwan Water Corporation’s English application notice for a name transfer lists the change-service application, a water bill receipt or customer number/address, identity documents for general users and additional proof where an agent applies on someone’s behalf. It says applications may be made by mail, fax or online when there is no overdue water fee.

The Taiwan Water Corporation official application notice is dated 12 November 2021, so treat it as a process reference and confirm current forms, fees and branch instructions before submitting. Take clear meter photographs at both properties and note the date and time. Photos do not replace the account holder’s formal responsibility, but they reduce disputes over the handover reading.

How should you coordinate the physical move with the address checklist?

Schedule the legal and account tasks around the physical move, not after it. A practical sequence for a Taipei, New Taipei or Taoyuan apartment is:

｜ Timing ｜ Administrative task ｜ Moving task ｜

｜ --- ｜ --- ｜ --- ｜

｜ 2–3 weeks before ｜ Confirm lease dates, new Chinese address and building contact ｜ Send item list, photos, floor and elevator details for a quote ｜

｜ 7–10 days before ｜ Prepare ARC, passport, proof of residence and account list ｜ Reserve the loading window, elevator protection and parking plan ｜

｜ 2–3 days before ｜ Submit postal forwarding and update high-priority private accounts ｜ Pack documents, medicines, electronics and valuables separately ｜

｜ Moving day ｜ Photograph meter readings and handover condition ｜ Keep legal documents and essential devices with you, not in an unlabelled carton ｜

｜ Within 30 days ｜ Complete the relevant residence-address update ｜ Confirm all boxes, keys, access cards and disposal items are accounted for ｜

｜ First two months ｜ Monitor forwarded mail and update remaining accounts ｜ Resolve damage, missing-item or building issues while records are fresh ｜

Tell the mover whether the old and new buildings have elevator booking rules, loading-hour restrictions, security desks or access cards. If the move crosses Taipei, New Taipei or Taoyuan, write both addresses in Chinese and English, but use the Chinese version for the local building and driver instructions.

For appliance preparation, see our appliance moving checklist. If you have furniture that will not move to the new apartment, use the move, store or dispose decision framework before the truck is loaded.

What should an expat keep in a moving-day document pouch?

Keep identity, lease and access documents outside the moving boxes. Put them in a waterproof pouch that stays with you throughout loading and unloading.

Include:

  • Passport and ARC.
  • New and old lease contact details.
  • Landlord, agent and building-management phone numbers.
  • Moving company quote, scope and contact number.
  • Elevator or loading-window reservation.
  • Utility account numbers and meter photographs.
  • Postal-forwarding confirmation.
  • Essential medication, chargers, keys and access cards.
  • Photos of valuable or fragile items taken before loading.

This pouch is also useful if a driver cannot find the entrance, a building security desk asks for proof of reservation, or a utility provider requests the customer number during handover.

Frequently asked questions

Can a moving company update my ARC address for me?

A mover can transport documents, furniture and household goods, but the legal address-reporting requirement remains the resident’s responsibility. Ask the NIA or relevant service station about the current application process and supporting documents for your residence status.

Is two-month postal forwarding enough?

No. It is a temporary safety period. Chunghwa Post’s official English FAQ says forwarding is limited to two months, after which mail goes to the old address. Update banks, employers, insurers, government records and subscriptions as soon as possible.

Do I need to transfer the water account when renting an apartment?

Not always. The lease may leave the account in the landlord’s name. Confirm the contractual arrangement, final meter reading and payment responsibility. If a name transfer is needed, check the current Taiwan Water Corporation requirements.

Does the 30-day address deadline start on moving day?

The NIA English FAQ describes the deadline as within 30 days from the date the change occurred. Because lease dates and actual occupancy can differ, confirm the relevant date with the authority handling your residence record.

Should the mover use the English or Chinese address?

Provide both, but use the official Chinese address for local navigation, building reservations, utility records and government forms. Include floor and room details exactly as shown on the lease whenever possible.

Conclusion: finish the address trail, not just the furniture move

A successful expat move in Taiwan ends when the address trail is complete. Report the residence change within the applicable deadline, use postal forwarding only as a temporary buffer, clarify utility ownership with the landlord, and keep proof of every update. The physical move is easier when the mover receives accurate Chinese addresses, building restrictions, item photos and a clear handover schedule.

For a moving quote in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan or nearby northern Taiwan, use the 和睦搬家 quote page and provide both addresses, floor and elevator information, moving date, item list and any furniture-disposal request.

Official sources