Moving to another country is a different job altogether from moving across London. Suddenly there's customs paperwork to think about, a longer timeline, and a van that has to cross a border with everything you own inside it. Here's how to plan a move to Europe from London without the delays, the stress or the surprise fees.
Customs paperwork comes first
Start with the paperwork, not the boxes. Since Brexit, every move from the UK to the EU crosses a customs border, and your belongings need declaring just like commercial freight.
The good news? Most countries run a transfer of residence scheme, which means you won't pay import duty or VAT on used household goods when you're genuinely moving home. You'll usually need to show you've lived in the UK for the past 12 months, that you've owned and used your items for at least six months, and that you're registering as a resident at the other end. Each country runs its own version, and some want the application approved before your van reaches the border.
Get the inventory wrong and your move can sit in a customs shed for days. Start a numbered list of everything you're taking while you declutter. It'll save you hours later.
How much does moving to Europe from London cost?
Price depends on volume more than anything else. A few boxes and a bed travelling as part of a shared load (movers call this groupage) cost a fraction of a dedicated vehicle, because you only pay for the space you use. A full three-bed house heading to France or Spain usually needs its own Luton van or 7.5-tonne lorry and a two- or three-person crew.
On top of volume, your quote reflects distance, ferry or tunnel crossings, road tolls, customs clearance and access at both addresses. A fourth-floor flat with no lift in Lisbon takes longer to deliver into than a driveway in Kent. The fairest way to price all of that is a video survey, which is exactly how we quote European and international removals: you show us what's moving, we give you a fixed price, and that's the price you pay.
Give yourself a longer run-up
Six to eight weeks is a sensible minimum. Local moves can come together in days, but a European move has more moving parts: residence paperwork, customs forms and crossings that need booking. Some countries take several weeks to process transfer of residence applications, so the earlier you start, the smoother the border crossing.
You won't be the only one planning a move like this either. The ONS reports that around 246,000 British nationals left the UK in the year to December 2025, so summer dates with experienced European crews get booked up fast.
Aim to confirm your removal date the moment your new address is certain, then work backwards: paperwork first, decluttering next, packing last. Booking early also gives you a better choice of part-load dates if you're sharing a vehicle.
Pack for distance, not just for the van
A trip to Madrid is not a trip to Merton. Your boxes may be loaded, unloaded and driven over a thousand miles, so they need export-grade protection: double-walled cartons, proper paper wrapping for china, and furniture covered in blankets and shrink wrap rather than a loose throw. Number every box and match it to your customs inventory, because border officers can and do ask to see specific items.
Leave out anything that can leak, burst or rot in transit. Aerosols, opened food and house plants are all best rehomed before the van leaves. If packing a whole house feels like too much on top of visa admin, our packing and unpacking service can wrap and box everything for you, with materials included.
Pets, vehicles and the things that can't travel
Some passengers need their own paperwork. Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the EU from Great Britain need a microchip, a rabies jab and an animal health certificate issued by a vet within ten days of travel, as set out in the government's pet travel guidance. Book the vet appointment early, because the certificate is date-sensitive.
Food is stricter than most people expect: you can't carry meat or dairy into the EU at all, so empty the fridge before the crew arrives. Cars and motorbikes follow a separate import and registration process at your destination, so mention them when you book. And anything high-value, from a piano to artwork and antiques, deserves specialist handling and proper crating before it goes anywhere near a ferry.
When your dates don't line up
Gaps between homes are normal on international moves. Tenancies end before visas start, completion dates slip, and part-loads sometimes wait for a vehicle to fill. Rather than rushing, put everything into secure storage in London and call it forward when your new address is ready. Your belongings stay wrapped, inventoried and insured until the day they travel.
Storage also splits a big move into two calmer halves. Clear your London home on your schedule, then deliver to Europe on your new country's schedule. Plenty of our customers find that one decision removes most of the stress.
Frequently asked questions
Will I pay import duty on my furniture?
Usually not. Most EU countries offer transfer of residence relief, so used household goods you've owned for six months or more travel free of duty and VAT when you're moving home. You'll need to apply, supply an inventory and prove your change of address, and some countries want approval before your goods arrive.
How long does a removal from London to Europe take?
A dedicated vehicle typically delivers to France, Belgium or the Netherlands within one to two days, and to Spain, Italy or Germany within two to five. Shared part-loads take longer, often one to three weeks, because the vehicle delivers for several customers along one route.
Can my removals company sort the customs forms for me?
We'll guide you through every form and prepare the inventory with you, but customs authorities require declarations in your name as the owner of the goods. You supply identity documents and proof of your new address, and we make sure everything is complete and lodged in good time.
Is it cheaper to ship everything or buy new abroad?
For most families, shipping wins. Replacing the contents of even a one-bed flat costs far more than sending a part-load to Europe. The maths changes for short stints abroad or bulky low-value furniture, so list what you own and compare replacement costs against your removal quote.
A European move rewards early planning more than any other kind of move. Sort the paperwork, book the right vehicle and give your belongings export-grade protection, and the border becomes a formality rather than a worry. For a fixed-price quote on your move to Europe, call us on 020 3983 5199 or request a free quote today, and we'll take it from here.