Before Brexit, moving from Manchester to Málaga was, for customs purposes, no different from moving from Manchester to Bristol. Today it is an international import. The good news: for most people relocating their main home, it still costs nothing in duty. The difference is that it now has to be prepared.
What changed with Brexit
Three things changed for household moves from Great Britain to the EU:
- Two customs declarations. Your belongings leave the UK under an export declaration and enter the EU under an import declaration. Without them, your truck can be held at Dover, Calais or the Channel Tunnel.
- Duty-free entry is no longer automatic. It depends on transfer of residence relief, with conditions and documents.
- Your immigration status matters. As a UK national, you need the right residence permit or visa for long stays in an EU country — and that document is usually needed for customs clearance.
Duty-free entry: the conditions
Your used household goods enter the EU free of import duty and VAT if:
- you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months;
- you have owned and used your belongings for at least 6 months before the move;
- you are moving your main residence — not furnishing a holiday home;
- you import your goods within 12 months of settling.
Goods imported under the relief cannot be sold, lent or hired out for 12 months. Alcohol and tobacco are always taxed.
Country-specific points
| Destination | Key document or rule |
|---|---|
| Spain | Residence document (TIE or NIE certificate); the Canary Islands have their own regime |
| Portugal | NIF tax number and residence certificate; ship within a few months of arriving |
| France | Valued inventory in two copies; Cerfa 10070 for vehicles and valuables |
| Italy | Residence registration under way and an EORI number |
| Germany | Anmeldung (address registration) and customs form 0350 |
| Netherlands | Municipal registration and a customs exemption application |
Each destination guide explains the full list of documents.
Planning your timeline
Three months before. Start your residence or visa application — it is usually needed for customs clearance. Get a quote and an accurate volume.
Two months before. Gather proof of your UK residence for the past 12 months: tenancy, council tax, utility bills. Start your detailed inventory.
One month before. Confirm your delivery address abroad. Tell HMRC you are leaving (form P85) if it applies to you. Arrange mail redirection.
Moving week. Packing and collection. We file the UK export and EU import declarations, then your truck travels to your new home.
Shared load or dedicated truck?
From the UK to Spain, a dedicated truck delivers in up to 7 days, plus clearance. A shared load costs less and takes two to four weeks. For a shared load, customs formalities are handled for each client's goods within the consolidated shipment.
Your car
You can take your UK car with you. You tell the DVLA it is being permanently exported using your V5C log book, then register it in your new country. Customs relief may cover the import if you have owned the car for 6 months, but registration taxes and technical inspections still apply and vary a lot between countries.
Moving back the other way
Many people move in the opposite direction — back to the UK after years in Spain, France or Portugal. In that case, the export is filed in the EU country and you apply to HMRC for Transfer of Residence relief (ToR01) before your goods arrive.
Frequently asked questions
More guides
- How to choose the best international moving companyWhat separates the best international movers from the rest: quotes, customs, insurance, red flags and the questions to ask before you book.
- Cross-border moving in Europe: how a European move worksHow cross-border moves work in Europe: transport options, transit times, when customs applies and how to choose a European moving company.
- Transfer of Residence relief explained: moving your belongings duty-free to Europe and the UKHow to bring your household goods into the EU, the UK, Switzerland or Norway without paying import duty or VAT: conditions, forms and country-by-country rules.