Moving abroad means dozens of deadlines running in parallel: visas, notice periods, customs paperwork, school places and utilities. This international moving checklist puts them in order — a timeline from three months out to your first weeks abroad, the documents you need, extra steps for moves from the UK to the EU after Brexit, and country-specific tasks for France, Germany and Spain.
Key Takeaways
- Start planning three to six months ahead — visas and residence permits are usually the slowest part.
- Keep one master inventory of everything you ship: you need it for customs and for insurance.
- Moves from the UK to the EU need a customs declaration since Brexit; used household goods are normally duty-free under transfer-of-residence relief.
- Most EU countries require you to register your address within days or weeks of arrival.
- Decluttering before you book lowers the price — removals are priced by volume.
Moving Abroad Timeline: What to Do and When
3+ months before moving
- Start your visa or residence permit application (check the official immigration website of your destination country).
- Research housing, schools and healthcare in the area you are moving to.
- Get quotes from removal companies and compare what is included — customs paperwork, insurance and delivery to the door.
- Begin decluttering: sell, donate or recycle what you will not take.
- Check your tenancy or mortgage notice period.
2 months before
- Book your removal date — earlier in summer, when demand peaks.
- Arrange temporary accommodation if your new home will not be ready on arrival.
- Book a pet passport check or animal health certificate appointment with your vet.
- Request school records, medical records and prescriptions.
1 month before
- Book flights or ferry crossings for the family.
- Notify HMRC, your bank, your pension provider, the DVLA and your GP of your move.
- Arrange final meter readings and cancel UK utilities, broadband and council tax from your moving date.
- Set up Royal Mail redirection.
- Start packing rooms you use least, and number every box on your inventory.
1 week before
- Double-check your customs paperwork and inventory with your removal company.
- Confirm collection and delivery addresses, access and parking.
- Pack an essentials bag (see below) that travels with you, not on the truck.
- Defrost the fridge, empty fuel from garden tools and dispose of anything flammable — it cannot be transported.
Moving day
- Walk through every room with the crew and check the inventory before signing.
- Photograph fragile or high-value items before they are loaded.
- Take meter readings and photos of the empty property for your deposit.
First weeks abroad
- Register your address with the local authority (deadlines are often 8–14 days).
- Open a local bank account and set up utilities, internet and a local phone number.
- Register with the local healthcare system or your health insurer, and find a doctor and pharmacy.
- Check the deadline for exchanging your UK driving licence — often 6–12 months after becoming resident.
- Look for language classes and local expat groups — they shorten the settling-in period considerably.
Documents to Prepare
- Passports valid for at least six months beyond your moving date
- Visa, work or residence permit
- Birth and marriage certificates (some countries require certified translations or an apostille)
- Employment contract or proof of income
- Tenancy agreement or property deeds for your new home
- Medical records, vaccination records and prescriptions
- School records and admission letters
- Pet documents: microchip, rabies vaccination and animal health certificate
- A detailed inventory of the goods you are shipping
UK to EU: Extra Steps After Brexit
- Customs declaration: every removal from the UK to the EU now crosses a customs border. Your removal company prepares the export and import declarations from your inventory.
- Transfer-of-residence relief: used personal belongings that you have owned for some time (usually at least six months) are normally imported duty- and VAT-free when you move your main home. New goods, alcohol, tobacco and commercial quantities can be charged.
- Proof of residence: customs usually asks for proof of your new address, such as a tenancy agreement or registration certificate.
- Healthcare: a UK GHIC covers temporary stays only. Once you are resident, register with the local system or take out the private insurance your visa requires.
- Pets: UK-issued EU pet passports are no longer valid for travel into the EU — you need an animal health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.
- Delays: allow a little extra time for customs checks, especially in summer.
For prices by destination and what affects them, see our UK to Europe removal cost guide, and for the paperwork in detail, our UK to EU customs clearance guide.
Country-Specific Tasks
Moving to France
- Validate your long-stay visa (VLS-TS) online within three months of arrival.
- Register with the French health system (Assurance Maladie) once you are resident.
- Open a French bank account — you will need one for rent and utilities.
More in our guide to moving from London to France.
Moving to Germany
- Register your address (Anmeldung) within two weeks of moving in.
- Take out German health insurance — it is compulsory.
- Get your tax ID, which arrives by post after you register.
More in our guide to moving from London to Germany.
Moving to Spain
- Get your foreigner identity number (NIE).
- Register at the town hall (empadronamiento).
- Apply for your residence card (TIE) and have official documents translated into Spanish.
More in our guide to moving from London to Spain.
Packing for an International Move
- Create one master inventory and number every box — customs and insurance both rely on it.
- Use double-wall boxes for heavy or fragile items and keep each box under about 25 kg.
- Put heavy items at the bottom and fill gaps so contents cannot shift.
- Label boxes by room and by priority, so you know what to unpack first.
- Check voltage and plug types before shipping electrical appliances.
Your essentials bag
- Passports, visas and copies of all key documents
- Medication and prescriptions
- Laptop, phone, chargers and plug adapters
- Jewellery and other valuables
- Clothes and toiletries for the first days
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I start planning an international move?
Ideally three to six months. Visas and residence permits take longest; the removal itself is usually booked four to eight weeks ahead, earlier in summer.
What documents do I need to move to Europe after Brexit?
A valid passport, the visa or residence permit for your destination, proof of your new address and an inventory of the goods you are shipping. Your removal company uses the inventory to prepare the customs declaration.
Do I need to register in my new country after moving?
Yes. Most European countries require new residents to register their address with the local authority, often within 8–14 days of arrival.
Will I pay customs duty on my belongings?
Usually not. Used personal belongings moved as part of a change of main residence normally qualify for transfer-of-residence relief. New goods, alcohol and tobacco may be charged.