HOW TO MOVE TO EUROPE FROM THE UK IN 2026: THE COMPLETE GUIDE

Updated for 2026: Reflects current post-Brexit visa requirements, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), and Transfer of Residence (ToR) customs paperwork as they apply in 2026. Country-specific income thresholds, tax rules and visa categories have all been refreshed.

Despite Brexit, more British nationals are moving to Europe in 2026 than at any point in the past five years. Whether it's the Mediterranean lifestyle drawing retirees south, professionals chasing better work-life balance in Germany or the Netherlands, or families looking to escape UK property prices for an affordable life in Portugal or Italy — the appetite for a European move is stronger than ever.

The process has changed since 2021, but it's far from impossible. With the right paperwork, a clear understanding of the customs rules, and a removals partner who handles the cross-border logistics, moving from the UK to mainland Europe is genuinely manageable — and our customers do it every week.

This guide walks you through the whole process, country by country.

Explore by Destination

Skip ahead to a specific country, or read on for the full guide to moving from the UK to Europe.

Post-Brexit: What's Actually Changed

Before the 2021 Brexit transition, moving to an EU country meant little more than booking a removal van and packing a suitcase. UK citizens enjoyed full freedom of movement, automatic right to work, and seamless healthcare access through the EHIC card. Today the position is different — but it's also far more navigable than the post-Brexit headlines suggested it would be.

For UK citizens, the four big changes that affect any European move are:

• You now need a long-stay visa for any move beyond 90 days. The 90-day Schengen rule applies across Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland and the rest of the Schengen Area.
• Your household belongings need customs clearance. Most people qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, which exempts personal effects owned for over six months from import duty and VAT — but the paperwork must still be filed.
• UK driving licences need exchanging in most countries within 6–12 months of becoming resident. Some countries swap directly; others require a written or practical test.
• Healthcare access changes. The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) covers emergencies for short stays only. Long-term residents need to register with the local healthcare system, often via the S1 form for retirees.

None of this is a deal-breaker. It's just paperwork — and once it's done, you're a legal European resident with the same protections, rights and access to public services as any local.

The 5 Things You Must Sort Before You Move

1. Your Long-Stay Visa

The right visa depends entirely on your destination and your reason for moving. Most countries offer at least four routes: a visitor / retiree visa (proof of income, no work permitted), a work visa (job offer required, salary thresholds apply), a student visa (course enrolment), and a family reunification visa (joining a resident relative). Application typically takes 8–12 weeks. Apply 30–90 days before your intended travel date — earlier than that and consulates won't process the application.

2. Your Customs Paperwork (Transfer of Residence Relief)

Moving your household goods across the new UK–EU border requires a customs declaration. Most personal effects qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, which exempts them from import duty and VAT. To qualify, you need to: have lived in the UK for at least 12 months, be moving to genuinely change residence, have owned and used the items for at least 6 months, and apply for ToR before the goods arrive at the EU border. Gentlevan Removals files the ToR application on your behalf and handles all customs documentation — it's included in our European removals service.

3. Your Healthcare Cover

The GHIC card only covers emergencies on short stays — it's not a substitute for long-term residence cover. For a permanent move, you'll need to either register with the local public healthcare system once resident, or hold private health insurance. UK State Pensioners may qualify for healthcare paid for by the UK via the S1 form in many EU countries. Switzerland and EEA countries have their own bilateral arrangements.

4. Your Banking and Tax Position

Set up a bank account in your destination country before you move where possible — most retailers, landlords and utility providers will require a local IBAN. Notify HMRC of your move date for UK tax purposes. Once you spend more than 183 days in your new country, you'll typically become a tax resident there. The UK has double-taxation treaties with all major European destinations, so you won't pay twice on the same income.

5. Your Driving Licence

You can drive on your UK licence for up to 12 months after becoming resident in most EU countries (6 months in some), then it must be exchanged. Many countries (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal) accept direct exchange. Others (Germany, parts of Switzerland) may require a written test or, occasionally, a full practical test. Check the rules for your specific destination as soon as you have a move date.

How Your Belongings Get to Europe

For most UK-to-Europe moves, there are two practical options:

Transit times vary too: France and Belgium typically arrive within 2–4 days of collection. Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal are usually 5–10 days. Italy, Switzerland, Monaco and Gibraltar can take 7–14 days depending on customs clearance and route.

For the full breakdown of how shared-load and dedicated services work, see our European removals overview.

Country-by-Country Guide

The next section covers the 9 most popular destinations for UK movers in 2026. Each entry includes the visa basics, transit time from the UK, and a link to our dedicated service page for that country.

🇪🇸 Spain

Spain remains the most popular European destination for UK movers, with around 300,000 British nationals officially resident — and unofficial estimates suggesting closer to a million. The combination of climate, cost of living, expat-friendliness and frequent UK flight connections makes it the default choice for many.

• Main visa routes: Non-Lucrative Visa (passive income, ~£2,000+/month), Digital Nomad Visa, Work Visa, Golden Visa (€500k+ property investment)
• Most popular regions: Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Mallorca, Barcelona area, Valencia, Madrid
• Transit time from UK: 5–10 days (shared load), 3–5 days (dedicated)
• Customs: ToR relief available; Spanish customs is relatively straightforward with proper paperwork

→ Full details: UK to Spain removals · Best cities to live in Spain · Getting your NIE number

🇫🇷 France

France attracts around 150,000 British residents, with strong communities in the Dordogne, Brittany, Normandy, and the south. Closest to the UK by ferry, French infrastructure makes it the easiest large EU move logistically — and Brittany or Normandy can often be reached within 24 hours of collection.

• Main visa routes: VLS-TS Visiteur (retirees, passive income), Long-Stay Work Visa (~€53,000 threshold for skilled workers), Student Visa, Family Visa
• Most popular regions: Dordogne, Brittany, Normandy, Provence, Languedoc, Côte d'Azur
• Transit time from UK: 2–4 days (dedicated), 5–7 days (shared load)
• Customs: ToR relief available; French customs straightforward via Calais/Dunkirk crossings

→ Full details: UK to France removals · Retiring to France · How long can you live in France?

🇩🇪 Germany

Germany is the destination of choice for UK professionals — Europe's strongest economy, excellent public services, and English widely spoken in the major cities. The cost of living is around 8–10% lower than the UK, and the German jobs market actively recruits from the UK in tech, engineering, finance and healthcare.

• Main visa routes: EU Blue Card (skilled workers, ~€45,000+ salary), Job Seeker Visa, Self-Employment Visa, Family Reunion Visa
• Most popular cities: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne
• Transit time from UK: 4–6 days (dedicated), 7–10 days (shared load)
• Customs: ToR relief available; expect detailed inventory checks at the border

→ Full details: UK to Germany removals · Best cities to live in Germany

🇮🇹 Italy

Italy hosts around 30,000 British residents, with strong communities in Tuscany, Lazio, Lombardy, and increasingly the south. Italy's "1-euro houses" scheme has drawn renewed UK interest, and the country offers some of Europe's most affordable rural property.

• Main visa routes: Elective Residence Visa (passive income €31,000+/year), Work Visa, Self-Employment Visa, Investor Visa
• Most popular regions: Tuscany, Umbria, Lake Como, Puglia, Sicily, Rome
• Transit time from UK: 7–10 days (dedicated), 10–14 days (shared load)
• Customs: ToR relief available; Italian customs can be slower than France/Spain — allow extra time

→ Full details: UK to Italy removals

🇵🇹 Portugal

Portugal has surged as a UK destination thanks to its D7 retiree visa, the Golden Visa programme, lower cost of living than Spain, and English widely spoken in the Algarve and Lisbon. The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime made Portugal especially attractive to retirees, though recent reforms have tightened the rules.

• Main visa routes: D7 Visa (passive income, ~€870/month), D8 Digital Nomad, Golden Visa, Work Visa
• Most popular regions: Algarve, Lisbon, Cascais, Porto, Madeira
• Transit time from UK: 6–9 days (dedicated), 9–12 days (shared load)
• Customs: ToR relief available; Portuguese customs straightforward but require Portuguese tax number (NIF)

→ Full details: UK to Portugal removals

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Switzerland sits outside the EU but offers some of the highest salaries in Europe — particularly for professionals in finance, pharmaceuticals, and tech. The bilateral UK–Switzerland agreement preserves some movement rights, but residence permits are required for stays beyond 90 days. Cost of living is high but offset by salaries that frequently exceed UK equivalents by 30–50%.

• Main visa routes: Permit B (residence with work contract), Permit L (short-term, under 1 year), Self-Employment Permit
• Most popular cantons: Zurich, Geneva, Vaud, Zug, Basel
• Transit time from UK: 5–8 days (dedicated), 8–12 days (shared load)
• Customs: Switzerland is non-EU — full customs declaration required, but ToR equivalent exemption applies for genuine relocations

→ Full details: UK to Switzerland removals · Living in Switzerland as an English speaker · Paid to move to Switzerland?

🇧🇪 Belgium

Belgium is heavily favoured by UK professionals working in EU institutions, NATO, and international organisations based in Brussels. Closest large EU country to the UK by ferry or Eurostar, with excellent French/Dutch/English fluency in the major cities.

• Main visa routes: Single Permit (work + residence combined), Highly Skilled Worker Permit, Student Visa, Family Reunion Visa
• Most popular cities: Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven
• Transit time from UK: 2–3 days (dedicated), 5–7 days (shared load)
• Customs: ToR relief available; one of the simplest customs experiences in Europe

→ Full details: UK to Belgium removals

🇲🇨 Monaco

Monaco is the choice for high-net-worth UK movers, with no income tax for residents (with some exceptions for French nationals). Securing residency requires substantial proof of financial means — typically a deposit of €500,000 with a Monégasque bank — but for those who qualify, the lifestyle and tax position are unmatched in Europe.

• Main visa routes: Carte de Séjour (proof of accommodation + financial means + clean record)
• Realistic for: High-net-worth individuals, business owners, professional sports/arts
• Transit time from UK: 4–6 days (dedicated), 7–10 days (shared load)
• Customs: Customs handled via French border (Monaco is in French customs union); ToR equivalent applies

→ Full details: UK to Monaco removals

🇬🇮 Gibraltar

Gibraltar offers a unique proposition for UK movers: English-speaking, British legal system, sterling currency, but with a Mediterranean climate and proximity to Spain. The territory remains a British Overseas Territory, so the move is not strictly an "international" relocation in the same sense as the others — but the customs and logistics involve crossing the EU/non-EU border.

• Main visa routes: Category 2 Individual (HNW, capped tax), Work Permit (employment-based), Self-Sufficient Person status
• Realistic for: Finance and gaming professionals, retirees, entrepreneurs
• Transit time from UK: 7–9 days (dedicated), 10–14 days (shared load)
• Customs: Gibraltar is outside EU customs — declarations required at the Spanish border, but the process is well-established

→ Full details: UK to Gibraltar removals · How to move to Gibraltar

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still move to Europe from the UK after Brexit?

Yes. Tens of thousands of UK citizens move to mainland Europe every year. The process now requires a long-stay visa for stays over 90 days and customs paperwork for your belongings, but the routes remain open for retirees, workers, students, families, and the self-employed.

How long does it take to move from the UK to Europe?

The visa application typically takes 8–12 weeks. Allow 6–9 months from initial decision to actually arriving at your new home, longer for moves involving school transitions, property purchases, or remote regions.

What is Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief?

ToR is the EU customs scheme that lets you import your household belongings duty- and VAT-free when you genuinely change residence from the UK. To qualify you must have lived in the UK for at least 12 months, own and have used the items for at least 6 months, and apply for ToR before the goods cross the border. Your removals company should file the application on your behalf.

Do I need a different removal company for each European country?

No. A specialist UK-to-Europe removals company runs services across multiple destinations. Gentlevan Removals operates regular shared-load and dedicated services to all 9 destinations covered in this guide, with the same crews handling collection in the UK and delivery in Europe.

How much does it cost to move from the UK to Europe?

Costs range from £1,200 for a small part-load to over £8,000 for a full house move to a remote destination. France and Belgium are typically the cheapest at the lower end, while Italy, Switzerland and Monaco are higher due to distance and customs handling. Get a video survey for a specific quote.

Can I take my car when moving to Europe?

Yes, but each country has different registration requirements. Most countries require you to re-register your vehicle within 6 months of becoming resident, which involves a roadworthiness check (the equivalent of an MOT) and possibly customs duty on imports. We can ship your vehicle alongside your household goods on dedicated services to most European destinations.

What about my pets?

Pets need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel, plus an up-to-date rabies vaccination and microchip. Some countries (Norway, Finland, Malta, Ireland) have additional tapeworm treatment requirements. We can advise on pet-friendly transport arrangements as part of your move.

Ready to Plan Your European Move?

Every European move is different. The visa, the route, the budget, the customs paperwork — they all depend on your specific destination and circumstances. The single most useful first step is a quick conversation with a specialist who handles UK-to-Europe moves every week.

Related reading:

• European removals overview
• Customs allowance from France to the UK
• Working in Europe as a UK citizen
• UK storage during your visa wait
• Professional packing service

Family-run UK to Europe removals since 2011. Whether you're moving to the Costa del Sol, the Dordogne, or anywhere in between — we'll plan your move with the same care we'd give our own family.