European moving guide

Name the exact destination

Give the town or area as well as the country. Explain whether the property is on an island, in a town centre or reached by a narrow road. An apartment's floor, lift and unloading arrangements can matter as much as the distance between countries. Include what you know and ask the property contact to check the rest.

Keep your travel and belongings paperwork distinct

Your right to live in a country and the requirements for bringing belongings into it are separate questions. Use the authorities for the actual route and your circumstances. Ask which documents are needed, who prepares them and when they must be ready. A European destination does not make one set of rules apply everywhere.

Plan around access and handover

Write down when you leave the collection property and when someone can receive the shipment. Give key handover dates and building delivery hours. Discuss the proposed transport and timing with the moving adviser; do not assume a daily service or fixed delivery period from the distance alone.

Use the country preparation pages

The Spain, France and Belgium pages explain different practical starting points, from island destinations and village access to receiving arrangements. Read the page for your destination alongside the inventory and access guides. For another country, describe the route in your enquiry so its preparation can be assessed.

• Inventory and estimated boxes, with delicate items identified.
• Property access, collection constraints and receiving contact.
• Agreed document responsibilities and price inclusions.

Choose your country preparation page

Moving to Spain, moving to France and moving to Belgium each cover practical details for that destination and link to relevant official guidance. Use them alongside the checklist for your particular route.