Documents Needed When Moving from the UK Abroad: Complete Checklist

One of the most stressful parts of moving abroad is gathering the right documents — and the consequences of missing something can range from a minor delay to your shipment being held at the border or your visa application being rejected.

This guide gives you a complete, practical document checklist for moving from the UK abroad: covering customs, visas, healthcare, banking and day-to-day settlement. Country-specific notes for Poland, Germany, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands are included at the end.

---

Why Documents Matter More After Brexit

Before January 2021, UK nationals moving within the EU needed minimal documentation — free movement meant your belongings crossed borders without customs formalities and you could register as a resident with basic ID.

Post-Brexit, UK nationals are treated as non-EU citizens when moving to EU countries. This means:

• Your household goods require customs documentation (UK export declaration + EU import customs clearance)
• You need a visa or residence permit for stays longer than 90 days in any EU country
• You must actively register with local authorities and healthcare systems

Getting your documents right is no longer optional — it is essential.

---

Section 1: Removal and Customs Documents

These documents are required for your household goods to leave the UK and enter your destination country.

For Your Removal Company (UK Export)

• ✅ Passport or photo ID (copy)
• ✅ UK proof of residence — utility bills, council tax statements or bank statements covering the last 3–12 months (depending on the destination country’s requirements)
• ✅ Detailed inventory list — a complete list of all items being shipped, with approximate second-hand values
• ✅ Destination address — confirmed address in your new country (tenancy agreement or property deed)

For Customs Clearance (EU/Switzerland Import)

• ✅ Customs declaration form — prepared by your removal company based on your inventory
• ✅ Transfer of Residence (ToR) application — exempts your household goods from import duty; filed in the destination country (your removal company handles this)
• ✅ Proof of departure from the UK — this may include your one-way ticket, visa confirmation or tenancy termination notice
• ✅ Proof of new residency abroad — tenancy agreement, property purchase deed or official registration confirmation

Important: Easy Move prepares and submits all customs documentation as part of our standard service for removals to Poland, removals to Germany, removals to Switzerland and all other routes. You provide the supporting documents; we handle the rest.

---

Section 2: Visa and Residency Documents

Required if you are staying longer than 90 days in any EU country or Switzerland.

Before You Leave the UK

• ✅ Valid UK passport — check your expiry date; most countries require at least 6 months validity beyond your planned stay
• ✅ Long-stay visa — obtained from the destination country’s consulate in the UK before departure (for EU countries and Switzerland)
• ✅ Visa supporting documents — these vary by visa type but typically include:
• Employment contract (for work visas)
• Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements covering 3–6 months)
• Proof of health insurance
• Accommodation confirmation
• Employer’s registration documents (for work permit applications)
• University acceptance letter (for student visas)

After Arrival

• ✅ Residence registration form — most EU countries require you to register your address with the local authority within 14 days of arrival
• ✅ Residence permit application documents — a set of documents required to apply for your formal permit; typically includes passport, visa, proof of address, employment contract or proof of funds, and health insurance certificate

---

Section 3: Financial Documents

• ✅ UK bank statements (last 3–6 months) — required for visa applications and often for opening a foreign bank account
• ✅ P60 or tax return — proof of income, required for some visa categories and tenancy applications
• ✅ Credit reference — some foreign landlords request a UK credit reference or employer reference letter
• ✅ Evidence of pension or investment income — if retiring abroad

---

Section 4: Healthcare Documents

• ✅ Summary of medical records — request from your UK GP before leaving; includes your medical history, ongoing conditions and current prescriptions
• ✅ Prescription medication documentation — if you take regular prescription medication, bring a letter from your GP confirming your treatment and a supply sufficient for several months
• ✅ Vaccination records — particularly if moving with children
• ✅ EHIC / GHIC — the UK Global Health Insurance Card provides emergency healthcare cover in EU countries; useful for the transition period before you register with the local health system
• ✅ Private health insurance certificate — mandatory in Switzerland and Germany before you can obtain a residence permit

---

Section 5: Documents for Families

If moving with children:

• ✅ Children’s birth certificates — originals or certified copies; required for school enrollment and residency registration
• ✅ Children’s passports (valid)
• ✅ School records and transfer letters — request from your UK school; helps with placement in the new school system
• ✅ Vaccination records (children)
• ✅ Single-parent letter — if one parent is not present at the move, the travelling parent may need a signed letter from the absent parent confirming consent to the move

---

Section 6: Property and Tenancy Documents

• ✅ UK tenancy termination notice — confirmation that your UK tenancy has ended
• ✅ New tenancy agreement or property deed — your confirmed address abroad
• ✅ Inventory for your new property — record the condition of a rental property on arrival to protect your deposit
• ✅ Proof of contents insurance — arrange this before arrival if possible

---

Country-Specific Document Notes

Moving to Poland 🇵🇱

• Polish customs may require an inventory in Polish — Easy Move prepares this
• Your PESEL number (Polish national identification number) will be assigned when you register at the local Urząd Gminy
• EU citizens registering permanent residence in Poland need a Zaświadczenie o zarejestrowaniu — as a UK national, you now apply for a residence permit instead

For door-to-door removal with customs included: removals to Poland

Moving to Germany 🇩🇪

• German customs (Zoll) requires proof that goods have been owned and used for at least 6 months
• You need a confirmed German address for your Anmeldung (address registration) at the local Bürgeramt
• Health insurance is mandatory — you must have cover before your residence permit can be issued

For door-to-door removal with customs included: removals to Germany

Moving to Switzerland 🇨🇭

• Switzerland has its own customs system (not EU); customs declaration is a Swiss Zollanmeldung
• Health insurance (Krankenversicherung) must be arranged within 3 months of arrival — compulsory
• The AHV number (Swiss social security number) is assigned when you register with the local Einwohnerkontrolle

For door-to-door removal with Swiss customs handling: removals to Switzerland

---

Document Checklist: Quick Reference

Document	Purpose	Who prepares
Passport	All	You
UK proof of residence (utility bills)	Customs + visa	You
Inventory list	Customs	You + removal company
Customs declaration	Customs clearance	Removal company
Transfer of Residence (ToR)	Duty exemption	Removal company
Long-stay visa	Residency	You (via consulate)
Tenancy agreement abroad	Customs + residency	Landlord/agent
Medical records	Healthcare registration	UK GP
Health insurance certificate	Residency permit	Insurance provider
Children’s birth certificates	School + residency	You

---

How Easy Move Helps With Your Documents

When you book with Easy Move, our team:

1. Sends you a document checklist specific to your destination country 2. Provides an inventory template that meets customs requirements 3. Prepares and files all UK export and EU/Swiss import customs declarations 4. Notifies you of any additional document requirements for your specific shipment 5. Handles any customs queries at the border on your behalf

For more on the post-Brexit customs process, read our full customs clearance UK to EU guide.

👉 Get a free quote and let Easy Move handle the paperwork

---

---