An international move involves far more costs than just the removal van. Visa fees, deposits, currency exchange losses, duplicate bills while between properties, furniture replacements, administrative fees and the cost of setting up life in a new country can add thousands of pounds to the final bill — and most people underestimate them significantly.
This guide gives you a complete, category-by-category breakdown of every cost to factor into your international moving budget, with realistic estimates for each.
Category 1: Removal Costs
The removal itself is the most obvious cost — but even here, there are more components than many people expect.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Part-load removal (studio/1-bed to Europe) | £400 – £1,100 |
| Full-load removal (2-bed to Europe) | £1,200 – £2,800 |
| Full-load removal (3-bed house to Europe) | £2,000 – £4,000 |
| Professional packing service | £200 – £700 |
| Specialist items (piano, artwork, antiques) | £150 – £500+ per item |
| Short-term storage (per month) | £80 – £300 |
| Packing materials (if self-packing) | £50 – £150 |
For a detailed breakdown by route, see our international removal costs guide.
Budget tip: Always get a fixed price, not an estimate. Part-load where your volume allows.
Category 2: Visa and Immigration Costs
Post-Brexit, most moves from the UK to EU countries require a visa or residence permit.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| French long-stay visa (Type D) | €99 (~£85) |
| German national visa | €75 (~£64) |
| Dutch residence permit (MVV) | €192 (~£164) |
| Spanish long-stay visa | €80 (~£68) |
| Portuguese D7 or D8 visa | €90 (~£77) |
| Swiss B permit (employer-facilitated) | CHF 65–130 (~£55–110) |
| Immigration lawyer / consultant (optional) | £300 – £1,500 |
| Certified document translations | £50 – £200 per document |
Budget tip: Visa fees themselves are modest; the real cost is often the time involved and any professional help required to navigate complex applications.
Category 3: Pre-Move Housing Costs
The transition between your UK tenancy and your new home abroad creates a period of overlapping costs.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Early tenancy termination penalty (if applicable) | 1–2 months’ rent |
| Overlap period (paying rent in both countries) | 1–4 weeks’ rent |
| Short-term furnished accommodation abroad (per month) | £800 – £3,000 |
| Estate agent fees (if buying property abroad) | 1–5% of purchase price |
| Notary fees (France, buying) | ~7–8% of purchase price |
Budget tip: Negotiate your UK tenancy end date carefully to minimise the overlap period. A short-term furnished rental abroad for 4–8 weeks is usually cheaper than extending your UK tenancy while flat-hunting remotely.
Category 4: Housing Setup Costs
Once you have your new home, there are significant one-off setup costs.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Rental deposit (typically 1–3 months’ rent) | €1,000 – €5,000 |
| Agency/letting fees (where applicable) | €500 – €2,000 |
| Utility connection/activation fees | €100 – €300 |
| Broadband setup | €0 – €100 |
| Initial grocery/household shop | €200 – €500 |
| Furniture and appliances (partial) | £500 – £3,000 |
| Curtains, bedding, kitchen supplies | £200 – £600 |
Budget tip: Budget for 3 months’ rent as a minimum liquid reserve before your first pay cheque in the new country — deposits, agency fees and setup costs arrive simultaneously.
Category 5: Administrative and Registration Costs
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of documents | £20 – £100 |
| Apostille stamps (for UK documents used abroad) | £15 per document |
| Driving licence exchange (some countries) | €50 – €150 |
| Vehicle import and re-registration (if bringing a car) | €200 – €1,000+ |
| Accountant / tax adviser (year of move) | £300 – £1,000 |
| UK mail redirection (Royal Mail, per year) | £77 – £100 |
Category 6: Healthcare Setup
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Private health insurance (Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland) | €130 – €550/month |
| GP registration (where fees apply) | €0 – €60 |
| Dental check-up (new country) | €60 – €200 |
| Prescription medication supply (3-month bridge) | Varies |
| Vaccination records / medical records request | £10 – £30 |
Budget tip: Health insurance in Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland is compulsory and a significant monthly cost — factor this into your ongoing budget from day one, not as a one-off.
Category 7: Travel and Transition
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Flights or Eurostar for your move | £50 – £400 |
| Temporary accommodation (moving week) | £80 – £200/night |
| Return trips to UK to close out affairs | £50 – £300 per trip |
| Emergency fund (unexpected costs, delays) | £1,000 – £3,000 |
Budget tip: Always maintain a 3-month emergency fund in addition to your planned moving budget. Border delays, housing complications, employment gaps and administrative surprises are common in international moves.
Sample Total Budget by Property Size
| Move type | Removal | Visa/admin | Housing setup | Healthcare bridge | Travel/misc | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio (part-load) to Germany | £600 | £300 | £2,500 | £500 | £500 | ~£4,400 |
| 1-bed (part-load) to Poland | £700 | £200 | £2,000 | £200 | £400 | ~£3,500 |
| 2-bed (full-load) to France | £1,800 | £400 | £4,000 | £300 | £600 | ~£7,100 |
| 3-bed (full-load) to Netherlands | £2,500 | £500 | £5,000 | £800 | £800 | ~£9,600 |
These are indicative totals. Actual costs depend heavily on your destination, lifestyle and circumstances.
Getting Accurate Removal Costs
The removal is the largest single controllable cost in your budget. Get a fixed-price quote early:
- Removals to Poland — from £400 part-load
- Removals to Germany — from £500 part-load
For tips on reducing your removal cost: how to save money on an international removal.
👉 Get a free, no-obligation removal quote from Easy Move
Frequently Asked Questions: Moving Budget Planning
How much should I budget for an international move from the UK?
A realistic total budget for a one-bedroom flat move to Europe is £3,500–£6,000, including removal, visa fees, housing deposit and setup costs. For a full family household (3-bed house), budget £8,000–£15,000+. The removal itself is typically 15–30% of the total moving budget.
What is the most commonly underestimated cost when moving abroad?
Housing setup costs — particularly the rental deposit (often 2–3 months’ rent), agency fees and the cost of a short-term furnished rental while flat-hunting. These typically run to £2,000–£5,000 and arrive in the first 2–4 weeks, before your first local pay cheque.
Should I convert currency before I move?
Converting in advance using a currency specialist (Wise, OFX, Currencies Direct) rather than your high-street bank can save 1–3% on large transfers — which on a £10,000 transfer represents £100–£300. Avoid converting everything at once if the rate is unfavourable; spread your transfers over several months where possible.
How much emergency fund should I have before moving abroad?
A minimum of 3 months’ living expenses in the destination country, in addition to your planned moving budget. International moves involve unexpected costs — delays, administrative complications, employment gaps — and having an emergency fund prevents short-term problems from becoming serious financial stress.
Is it worth using a relocation company instead of managing myself?
A full-service relocation company handles everything: housing search, school registration, administrative processes, orientation tours. This can cost £3,000–£15,000+ but saves enormous time and stress. For corporate relocations where your employer pays, it is usually worthwhile. For self-funded moves, the DIY approach combined with good planning (and this guide) is a realistic alternative.
Ready to move? Our team handles the full process: packing, customs and delivery.