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Since Brexit, every household move from the UK to Spain is treated as a formal customs import – there’s no getting around the paperwork. The genuinely good news is that Transfer of Residence relief still means most UK movers pay no duty or VAT on their own belongings. The catch is a firm deadline: your goods need to arrive within three months of you establishing residence in Spain, not whenever suits your schedule.
Your dedicated move manager builds your shipment timeline around that window from the first conversation, so it works in your favour rather than catching you out.
Since the UK is now a non-EU country as far as Spanish customs is concerned, the paperwork that unlocks duty-free treatment – your residency certificate, ownership proof, and detailed inventory – needs to be right before your shipment leaves the UK. Your move manager prepares this with you from the outset and remains your one continuous point of contact, working with an in-country partner in Spain who manages clearance on the ground.
Most UK movers qualify for Transfer of Residence relief, meaning no customs duty or VAT on household goods and personal effects, provided:
New purchases, commercial stock, and vehicles all fall outside this relief and are treated separately. Your move manager will confirm what’s covered before quoting – get in touch for a personalised assessment of your specific shipment.
The detail that catches people out most often: your goods must arrive in Spain no later than 3 months after your date of arrival to qualify for Transfer of Residence relief. This is a tighter window than several other EU destinations, so shipment timing needs to be planned early, not left until after you’ve settled in.
Missed qualifying conditions, late paperwork, or non-qualifying items mixed into the same shipment are the most common reasons this relief gets refused – your move manager checks all three before anything is packed.
Generally permitted, under Transfer of Residence relief: used household goods, furniture, clothing, and personal electronics that you’ve owned for 6+ months, listed on a detailed inventory.
Outside the relief – treated separately, potentially with duty: new purchases made specifically for the move, anything intended for resale, and vehicles (which have their own separate import process).
Documentation required: an inventory of goods, identification documents, proof of Spanish address, and your certificate of change of residence from the Spanish Embassy/Consulate.
Gerson Moving Services holds British Association of Removers (BAR) membership with the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee, International Association of Movers (IAM) accreditation, Planet Mark sustainability certification, and is part of the AGM Group of companies. Disputes are handled through the Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO).
When moving with us, you have a comprehensive choice of services that ensure removals to Spain are secure, safe and efficient.
Experts in packing and wrapping, we use only premium materials to ensure all of your belongings stay in great condition throughout the journey. Everything you want to take will have extra care and attention from us, so you won’t need to worry about any mishaps during the long trip to Spain.
If you have bulky furniture to take with you, leave it to us to ensure it arrives safely. We can handle everything from large tables to wardrobes, beds and sofas, ready for use when you move in. If required, we can also disassemble furniture where this is possible for easier transit.
Have valuable or fragile items that need extra protection? Take advantage of our specialist packing services for these items that go above and beyond to protect them during their onward journey. Everything from antiques to your priceless sentimental possessions will be securely wrapped.
Get from A to B with minimal effort with door-to-door delivery during international removals to Spain. Wherever in the country you’re moving to, we can provide onward transit after shipping to ensure you’ve got all your items ready to unpack in your new home.
Make the complicated aspect of customs and immigration as simple as possible with our help. We’ve assisted many individuals and families filling in confusing or time-consuming documentation for Spain, so we’ll ensure nothing important is missed.
We offer temporary storage if you need this both in the UK and once you’ve arrived in Spain. Both short and long-term options are available if you need them, so that you won’t have to rush if you need more time before the move or after arrival.
We offer a simple 4 step process for all international removals to Spain that makes it simple for you:
Get A Move
Quote
Packing &
Collection
Sea, Air or Road
Transport
Delivery and
Unpacking
Get in touch for a personalised quote. Your move manager will confirm your Transfer of Residence eligibility and timeline first, since the 3-month window is what determines how your move needs to be planned.
Real feedback from people who chose our international moving company.
“We shipped a four-bedroom house from Surrey to Valencia and honestly expected chaos. Gerson took care of everything, kept us informed, and delivered exactly when they said.”
“My grandmother’s piano made it to Seville in perfect condition. The packing was meticulous and the crew treated our things as though they were their own.”
“Downsizing and moving abroad at seventy-two was terrifying. Gerson sorted the Spanish paperwork, arranged storage for a month, and settled us into Málaga without a single hiccup.”
Most UK movers qualify for Transfer of Residence relief, meaning no duty or VAT on household goods owned for 6+ months, provided you have a certificate of change of residence showing at least 365 days of prior UK residency.
Three months from your date of arrival – a tighter deadline than several other EU destinations, so shipment timing needs planning well in advance.
No, not under Transfer of Residence relief. New purchases made specifically for the move fall outside the relief and are treated separately.
An inventory of goods, identification, proof of your Spanish address, and a certificate of change of residence from the Spanish Embassy/Consulate confirming your prior UK residency.
Yes. Your dedicated move manager is your primary contact from the initial survey through to delivery in Spain, working alongside a local partner for customs clearance and final delivery.
