Britannia Robbins provides professional European removals from South Wales to destinations across Europe. If you are planning to move to Europe from Swansea, Cardiff, Newport or anywhere else in South Wales, we are the local experts.
Request a quotation nowEuropean countries that we serve
Britannia Robbins specialise in removals to France, Spain and Portugal, with regular vehicle departures, part-loads, and back-loads available to and from these countries. However, our crews and vehicles can move you almost anywhere across Europe, including:
- Ireland
- Italy
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Malta
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Greece
We can cover other destinations too and help with everything from full house moves to just a few boxes.
As part of the Britannia Movers network – a removals group with 40 depots in the UK and a local office in Spain – we have the expertise and contacts to tackle even the most complex European removals.
Why choose Britannia Robbins for European Removals?
Established in 1907, we are a fourth-generation family business specialising in international and European removals. We are members of both Britannia Movers International and the British Association of Removers’ Overseas Group.
These memberships demand consistently high levels of training, quality control, and customer service, giving our customers full peace of mind. We carry out thousands of successful moves each year, and our reviews on Google and Which? Trusted Traders are testament to this.
Useful resources for moving to Europe
If you’re still in the early planning stages of your relocation, you may find these websites helpful:
• EU Immigration Portal – this is the official source of information on moving to the EU for work, study, or other reasons.
• Expertsforexpats.com also has some great advice, especially around tax, finance, property and relocation.
• The GOV.UK ‘Living In’ guides are invaluable, and the ‘Moving or Retiring Abroad’ section helps with UK-side admin.
• Language learning apps such as Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise are always handy if you don’t yet speak the local language.
• Our Removals FAQs page will help you understand more about the moving process
Click the images above to download our European Removals brochure and our overseas moving checklist.
Request a quotation nowCommon questions about European removals
• How long will my move to Europe take?
The time it takes to move your goods to Europe largely depends on where you’re moving to. Also, the choice of either a dedicated service (i.e. a vehicle which is only carrying your goods) or a part-load option (a large vehicle carrying multiple consignments and making several drops across Europe) will impact the timeframe. Our surveyors can explain all the options and create a moving plan that’s tailor-made to your requirements.
• How much does a European removal cost?
The price of a move to Europe will depend on destination, volume of goods being moved, and method of transport. Our quick quote generator can give you a very rough idea of prices, but we would need to carry out a survey before giving an accurate quote. Typically a part-load is the most cost-effective choice for a European move.
• What paperwork is needed for a European removal?
For most of our customers, a copy of your passport with visa (if appropriate) and proof of residency are required for a move to Europe. In addition, you will need a full inventory (including values and approximate weights), a waybill, and for some shipments, a T1 transit document. We’ll provide help and advice with all your moving documentation.
• Will I need to pay duty when moving to Europe?
If you are moving your permanent main residence abroad, EU duty/tax relief on personal effects is usually granted under each country’s ‘transfer of residence’ scheme. Each country has its own application and evidence requirements, and our staff can provide detailed guidance. If your circumstances don’t allow for duty/tax relief, our expert team will advise on any payments you need to make.
• Are there any restrictions on what I can take when I move to Europe?
Yes, there are restrictions on what you can take when you move abroad. Each country in Europe has its own rules, but most of them restrict or prohibit the import of:
– Alcohol and cigarettes
– Firearms, ammunition and explosives
– Illegal substances
– Fresh food, especially animal-origin products
– Plants, soil and seeds
The rules are different for each country, so it’s best to visit our country-specific pages or contact us for more detailed information.
• Can you help if I’m moving from Europe to the UK?
Absolutely – Britannia Robbins can carry out moves from almost any European country to the UK. With vehicles in Europe every week, we can offer competitive rates for people moving into the UK, especially if your dates are flexible. Simply get in touch for more information.
• How does it work if I’m moving to an island?
For some islands, we can transport goods by road and ferry, but for others, it’s more economical to ship your goods in a sea container. In the latter case, we would work with a trusted local company at your destination to collect your goods, clear customs, and deliver to your new home. The Balearics, the Canary Islands, the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, the Greek Islands – these are all destinations that we regularly move people to.
• What if the truck can’t get to my new property due to narrow roads?
Difficult access is a common problem for people moving abroad, so we’re used to navigating winding roads, mountain passes and narrow gateways. Where the route really is impossible for a large truck, we can arrange a tranship. This involves using a smaller vehicle to shuttle goods between our truck and your property. When access is limited, clear communication is important – right from the early planning stages – to ensure a stress-free move.
Things to consider when preparing for a European removal
Packing
Your goods will be travelling for a long distance, so we strongly recommend letting us do the packing. It’s surprisingly fast, and your goods will be well protected for the journey. In addition, the cost for packing is very reasonable, and will save you days of work and disruption.
Insurance for a move to Europe
It’s unlikely that your home insurance policy will cover you for a European removal, so we recommend marine insurance. Don’t be fooled by the name – this is the correct type of policy whether you are moving goods by road, sea, or airfreight. Whilst we work hard to protect your goods, the longer the journey, the more things can go wrong. We can organise marine insurance for you so it’s one less thing to worry about. If you prefer to arrange your own, you’ll just need to show us the documents prior to your move.
Moving to Europe with your pets
If your pets are moving with you to your new home in Europe, they will need to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and have animal health certificates. Some countries have additional requirements, so you’ll need to research the rules of your destination. The GOV.UK website is a great starting point to understand the requirements for moving your pets to the EU.
You may wish to organise the paperwork, travel, and relevant checks yourself. However, if you would like some support, we can recommend our pet relocation partner, PetAir UK. They are run by vets and have decades of experience, so they’ll always have your pet’s best interests at heart.
Currency exchange
Most people who need a European removal also need some help moving money from one country to another. Whilst high street banks are one solution, it is possible to get better rates and save on fees by using specialist foreign exchange companies. We recommend IFX Payments. We have been working with them for over a decade now, and they have helped hundreds of our customers save money, time and stress.
Storage for a European move
Many of our customers who are moving to Europe are renovating properties. When the old home is sold but the new one isn’t ready, we can assist with storage. Britannia Robbins have both warehouse and self storage facilities in South Wales. Furthermore, as part of the Britannia Movers network we have access to 40 Britannia storage facilities across the UK and Spain. We also have dozens of trusted storage partners across Europe.
European Car shipping
If you plan to take your vehicle with you to your new home in Europe but don’t want to drive it there, we can help. We load cars directly into our trucks using ramps, or ship them to your destination country in a container. During the initial survey, our European removals expert can advise you on the possible options, timescales and costs.
Whether you are moving to Europe from Swansea, Cardiff, Newport, or anywhere else in South Wales, we can help. Call us today to arrange a free European Removals survey on 01792 584 229