MET Removals has handled European relocations from London since 2022. Michael, Ethan, and Troy – the three brothers behind the business – carry 5.0 stars from 161 Google reviews and have moved customers from Hackney to Hamburg, Chingford to Copenhagen, and Ilford to Amsterdam. European moves start from £1,400 depending on destination and volume, and our fixed-price quotes include ULEZ, fuel, and customs documentation support with nothing added on the day. This guide covers what moving from London to Europe actually costs, how long it takes, what customs paperwork you need, and how packing and storage work on an international move.
What does moving from London to Europe cost?
European removals from London start from £1,400 for smaller loads to closer destinations. The final figure depends on three things: the volume of your belongings (measured in cubic metres), the destination country, and whether you need packing, storage, or both.
A rough cost framework to use when planning:
| Move size | Typical volume | London to Europe price range |
|---|---|---|
| One-bed flat | 15-25 cbm | £1,400 – £2,200 |
| Two-bed home | 25-40 cbm | £2,200 – £3,500 |
| Three-bed home | 40-60 cbm | £3,500 – £5,500 |
| Four-bed home | 60+ cbm | £5,500+ |
These ranges are a planning guide – your actual quote will depend on the specific destination, access at both addresses, stair carries, customs handling requirements, and whether you add packing or storage. Request a fixed-price quote and we will come back with a clear number before you commit.
Post-Brexit, moves from the UK to EU countries are treated as exports and imports. That means customs declarations are required – something that was not the case before 2021. The paperwork is manageable but it needs to be right, so working with a removals company that handles European moves regularly matters.
What customs paperwork do you need?
Since Brexit, moving personal belongings from the UK to an EU country requires a customs declaration at the UK border and an import declaration in the destination country. The key documents you will typically need:
- Detailed inventory list – a room-by-room list of everything you are moving, with approximate values. This is required for both UK export and EU import customs.
- Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief – if you have lived in the UK for at least 12 months and are relocating your primary residence to an EU country, you can claim ToR relief, which exempts your personal belongings from import duties and VAT. You apply for this in the destination country, not the UK.
- Proof of residence change – typically a new rental agreement, property purchase contract, or employer letter confirming your relocation.
- Passport copies – required for customs declarations in most EU countries.
- Valuation for high-value items – antiques, art, and jewellery above certain thresholds may need separate documentation.
The specific requirements vary by destination country. Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Belgium each have slightly different processes. Your removals company should provide a customs guide specific to your destination when you book – if they do not, ask before signing anything.
What happens if paperwork is incomplete?
Customs delays are the most common cause of late deliveries on European moves. If your documentation is incomplete or incorrect, your goods can be held at the border – sometimes for days, sometimes longer. The practical fix is to start the paperwork early (at least four to six weeks before your move date) and have your removals company check it before submission.
How long does moving from London to Europe take?
Delivery timelines for European removals from London depend on the destination and the method:
- Groupage (shared load) – your belongings share a vehicle with other customers’ goods heading to the same region. This is the most cost-effective method for smaller moves. Transit time is typically 5-14 days once the vehicle is loaded, as the driver picks up and drops off at multiple stops.
- Dedicated vehicle – the entire vehicle is reserved for your move. Faster (typically 2-5 days to most European destinations) and more predictable on timing, but costs more.
- Part-load – sits between groupage and dedicated in both cost and speed.
For planning purposes, add two to four weeks to the transit time to account for survey, quote acceptance, customs preparation, and loading day scheduling. A London to Berlin move booked six weeks out is realistic. A move booked two weeks out is tight – possible but leaves less margin for customs paperwork.
How does packing work for a European move?
Packing for an international move is more involved than a domestic move. The reason is transit time: your belongings may be on a vehicle or in transit storage for one to two weeks. Packing needs to protect against vibration, temperature variation, and the handling that happens at customs inspection points.
MET Removals offers Pack and Move for European removals. Our packing team arrives one or two days before your move date and works through the property room by room. What is included:
- Double-walled boxes for heavier items
- Bubble wrap for fragile items and glassware
- Packing paper and foam for electronics and crockery
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Furniture blankets for sofas, beds, and large items
- A labelled, room-by-room inventory (which also feeds directly into your customs documentation)
Packing professionally is particularly worth considering for European moves because the inventory produced during packing is the same document you need for customs. It saves duplication and reduces the risk of inventory errors that slow down border clearance.
What NOT to pack
Certain items cannot cross EU borders in personal effects shipments or require specific documentation:
- Plants and soil – subject to phytosanitary controls; most EU countries restrict or prohibit soil and some plant species from non-EU countries
- Alcohol above personal allowances – quantities above personal allowance thresholds may attract duty
- Medications – carry a doctor’s letter for prescription medications; some substances controlled in the UK have different legal status in the destination country
- Firearms and ammunition – require separate export and import licences
- Food items – most animal products (meat, dairy, eggs) cannot be imported into the EU from the UK
When in doubt, declare it rather than risk a customs hold on the entire shipment.
Do you need storage for a European move?
Storage is useful in two situations on a European move: when your London property completes before your new home is ready, or when your arrival date in the destination country does not align with your UK moving date.
MET Removals offers short and long-term storage from £25 per week for a standard 35 sq ft unit. For European moves, storage at the London end is often the practical solution – it gives you a confirmed date to vacate the UK property without having to rush the overseas arrival. Your belongings stay secure in the UK until you confirm the destination address is ready, then we arrange the onward international leg.
If you need storage at the destination end, your European removals company will typically offer bonded warehouse storage at the destination port – this can be useful if you are waiting for customs clearance on a dedicated vehicle shipment.
Common mistakes people make when moving from London to Europe
- Starting the paperwork too late. ToR relief applications and customs declarations take time. Start four to six weeks before your move date, not the week before.
- Booking groupage without understanding the timeline. Groupage is economical but the vehicle does not leave until it is full. Ask your removals company for a realistic loading date, not just a transit time.
- Underestimating volume. Most people underestimate how much they own by 20-30%. Get a video survey before accepting any quote so the volume is agreed before loading day.
- Not checking destination country rules. Each EU country has different rules on ToR relief eligibility, prohibited items, and import documentation. Germany’s process is different from Spain’s.
- Forgetting ULEZ and congestion charges. Moves out of London still attract ULEZ charges on the collection leg. Make sure these are included in your quote upfront – MET Removals quotes include them as standard.
- Using a domestic removals company for an international move. International moves require customs experience, international carrier liability insurance, and knowledge of destination country import rules. Not every removals firm has this.
FAQs
How far in advance should I book a European removal from London?
For a European move, six to eight weeks notice gives you enough time to complete a video survey, agree the quote, gather customs documentation, and confirm a loading date. Moves booked with less than four weeks notice are possible but put pressure on the paperwork timeline. If your move date is fixed (property completion, school start, employer deadline), book as soon as you know the date.
Does MET Removals handle customs paperwork for European moves?
Yes. We provide an inventory document and customs guidance as part of the European removals process. You will need to apply for ToR relief yourself in the destination country (as this is a personal application tied to your residency), but we walk you through what is needed and when. Our team has handled moves to destinations across Europe from our East London base.
What is the difference between groupage and a dedicated vehicle for a European move?
Groupage means your belongings share a vehicle with other customers’ goods heading to the same region. It costs less (typically 30-40% reduction compared to a dedicated vehicle) but the timeline is less predictable – the truck leaves when it is full, not when you want it to. A dedicated vehicle is reserved solely for your move, giving you a confirmed loading date and a faster, more predictable transit. For larger moves (three-bed homes and above) or tight destination timelines, dedicated is usually the better fit.
Are there items I cannot move from London to Europe?
Yes. Plants and soil, most animal products (meat, dairy), quantities of alcohol above personal allowances, and certain medications require either separate documentation or cannot be included in personal effects shipments. If you have high-value items (antiques, art, jewellery), these may need separate valuation documentation for customs. We flag these during the survey so nothing gets held at the border.
Ready to plan your move from London to Europe?
Request a fixed-price quote for your European removal or call 07919 037695. Michael, Ethan, and Troy’s team covers European moves from East London and Essex – fixed-price quotes, packing available, and storage from £25 per week.
