Removals &
Moving to Spain
Shipping your belongings to Spain involves more planning than most expats expect. From getting a realistic price estimate to navigating Spanish customs and knowing exactly what to expect on packing and delivery day, this guide covers everything you need to move your household goods without surprises.
How much will your move cost?
Get an instant, indicative price estimate for a door-to-door international move, based on your origin, destination and shipment volume.
Prices are shown in EUR and include origin services (collection and packing), international transport and destination services (delivery and unpacking) for a standard door-to-door move. This is an indicative estimate only: your final quote may vary depending on your actual inventory, property access, insurance cover and any additional services. Some routes may be temporarily unavailable. Destinations are currently limited to Spain — this tool is for moves to Spain specifically.
Removal options — what's right for you?
The right removal method depends on how much you're shipping, your budget and your timeline. Here's a quick overview of the main options:
| Option | Best for | Cost range | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full container (FCL) | Large household — 3+ bedroom house | €3,000–8,000 | 2–6 weeks (sea) |
| Shared container (LCL) | Medium household — 1–2 bedroom flat | €1,200–3,500 | 3–8 weeks (sea) |
| Dedicated truck (road) | European moves — UK, Germany, France | €1,500–4,000 | 3–10 days |
| Groupage (part load) | Smaller European moves | €600–2,000 | 1–3 weeks |
| Air freight | Urgent, small shipments only | €8–15/kg | 3–7 days |
| Self-drive van (EU only) | Very small moves, DIY | €200–600 (van hire) | 1–3 days |
| Courier / parcel | A few boxes, books, clothes | €30–150/parcel | 2–5 days |
From UK: Dedicated truck or groupage — faster and cheaper than sea for the volume most people move. From USA/Canada: Shared container (LCL) unless you have a full house to move. From Australia/NZ: Full or shared container — sea freight is the only realistic option. From Germany/France/Netherlands: Road groupage or dedicated truck.
Your responsibilities before packing
Before the crew arrives at your home to begin packing, you should have set aside the following items:
Dedicate one area of your home exclusively to these items and label it clearly. This avoids confusion on packing day and speeds up the crew's work.
Please also bear in mind…
Beyond setting aside valuables and documentation, there are a number of practical points that will make the packing process smoother. Click on each item for details.
Lawnmowers and garden care equipment must be clean and ready for transport. Lawnmowers and any other machinery must have an empty fuel tank. BBQ gas bottles can only be transported if they are completely empty.
Any attic or loft that doesn't have boarded flooring must have all belongings removed before the crew arrives. This is to protect you from any legal liability.
All CDs, video tapes and DVDs should be taken out of playback devices to prevent damage in transit.
You cannot include bleach, paint, solvents or any other flammable or hazardous item in your shipment. These must be disposed of before the crew arrives.
Computers should be ready for transport. Remove ink cartridges from printers — these can only travel by sea freight. We recommend only shipping new, unused cartridges, since used ones can leak and damage other items. We also recommend backing up all your files to an external drive that you carry with you separately.
You should remove any item fixed to a wall or ceiling, such as chandeliers, wardrobes or light fittings. We can offer this as an additional service, but it must be requested in advance from your coordinator or during your home survey, so the extra cost is reflected in your quote.
You should carry all valuables with you when you travel — do not include any valuables in the shipment. This includes: jewellery (except costume jewellery), cash, shares and bonds, important documents, mobile phones, iPods, iPads, MP3 players, and stamp or coin collections.
Freezers, fridges, washing machines and dishwashers must be defrosted, dry and ready to be moved. All electrical appliances must be disconnected before the crew arrives, unless your quote specifically includes this as a service. We recommend checking the instruction manuals for how to prepare these items for transport.
It is your responsibility to provide the necessary customs documentation, including the transit insurance form if you require transit cover for your move. Contact your coordinator if you have any questions.
Batteries and air freight
Due to a recent change in air security regulations, batteries or items containing batteries cannot be included in your air freight shipment. All air freight shipments go through an X-ray screening before being loaded onto the aircraft, and batteries will be detected during this screening.
If a battery is found among your belongings, the air shipment will be rejected and returned to the warehouse so it can be removed. This can cause delays and additional handling costs, which will be passed on to you. This rule applies to all batteries, including items you might not expect to contain one.
Please do not include items containing batteries in your air shipment. If you need to transport an item containing batteries, pack it in your suitcase to carry on the flight, or include it in your sea freight shipment instead.
What to expect on packing day
Our professional crews are highly experienced and will take the utmost care when packing your belongings. Here's what you can expect during the day:
We're aware that minor damage can occasionally occur during packing. Our crew leader will point out any pre-existing damage to your property during the initial walk-through. If you notice any damage once packing is finished, let the crew leader know and also inform your coordinator.
Don't be surprised if garments are creased on delivery. Just as clothes crease in a suitcase on a short trip, they can also crease after being packed for a longer period. The type of packing used doesn't make a difference here.
Preparing for delivery day
To make sure everything runs smoothly on delivery day, here's what to expect and what your responsibilities are:
Our professional crews are highly experienced and take the utmost care when delivering your belongings. It's common for several people to work in different rooms at once; the number depends on the time available and the size of your shipment.
Delivery services — what's included
The service you can expect from our crews on delivery day includes:
| Service included | Detail |
|---|---|
| Unpacking boxes | Items are placed on countertops, tables or the floor. The crew does not put contents away into cupboards, furniture or shelves — organising these is your responsibility. |
| Unwrapping furniture | Removal of packing material and placement of each piece of furniture in your home. |
| Reassembling disassembled furniture | Full reassembly of furniture that was disassembled during packing. |
| Removal of packing materials | Collected at the time of delivery. If you'd like to leave some boxes unpacked, a later collection can be arranged for a small additional cost. |
The following is not included in the standard service:
| Not included | Detail |
|---|---|
| Assembling new furniture | Assembly of furniture purchased after the move is not included. |
| Complex furniture assembly | European-style built-in wardrobes ("Schranks"), waterbeds, complex-assembly furniture, swing sets, satellite dishes, stereo equipment, computers, playground equipment, new items still in original packaging. Electrical, plumbing or kitchen installation must be carried out by a third party, at additional cost. |
| Hanging pictures, lamps or curtains | And general cleaning services. |
You cannot include household rubbish or unwanted items alongside packing materials for removal (for example: new-furniture packaging, old electrical appliances, unwanted furniture, broken items). This type of collection is not included in the standard service, but can usually be arranged for a small additional cost — your company will need to approve any extra costs in advance.
Spanish customs — what you need to know
Moving your household goods to Spain is different from importing commercial goods. EU citizens moving from within the EU have it the simplest — no customs formalities for personal belongings. Non-EU citizens (or those moving from outside the EU) face more paperwork.
EU citizens moving from within the EU
If you are an EU citizen moving from another EU country to Spain, your personal belongings and household goods move freely within the EU. No customs declaration, no duty, no import tax. Your removal company handles the transport — you don't need to do anything special.
Non-EU citizens or moving from outside the EU (UK, USA, etc.)
You can import your personal belongings and household goods duty-free when you move to Spain, provided you meet all of the following conditions:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Proof of residency abroad | You must have lived outside Spain for at least 12 months before moving |
| Transfer of residency to Spain | You must be moving your primary residence to Spain (not a holiday home) |
| Goods already owned | Items must have been owned and used by you for at least 6 months before the move |
| Import within 12 months | Goods must be imported within 12 months of establishing residency in Spain |
| No commercial use | Goods must be for personal/household use only — not for sale or commercial use |
Brand new items (in original packaging) may be subject to import duties even when moving your household. Keep receipts for any recently purchased items. High-value electronics (laptops, cameras, etc.) should be declared and may attract VAT if purchased recently abroad.
Documentation required for customs
| Document | What it is | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Packing list (inventario) | Complete list of all items being imported, with estimated value | You / your removal company |
| Passport copy | Valid passport (non-EU) or national ID (EU) | You |
| NIE / TIE | Spanish foreigner identity number — required to clear customs | Spanish authorities — get this before your goods arrive |
| Proof of previous residence | Utility bills, rental contract or official documents from your previous country | You |
| Empadronamiento | Spanish municipal registration certificate | Spanish town hall (ayuntamiento) |
| Cambio de residencia | Certificate proving transfer of residence — issued by Spanish consulate abroad | Spanish consulate in your origin country |
This is the most common mistake: goods arrive at the port of Valencia, Barcelona or Bilbao before the owner has their NIE. Without a NIE, you cannot clear customs, and storage fees accumulate quickly (€30–100/day). Apply for your NIE as soon as you arrive in Spain — ideally before your shipment departs.
Official Spanish customs regulations
For the official rules on the duty-free import of household goods when transferring your residence to Spain, consult the Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) — Spain's Tax Agency:
Costs & how to get accurate quotes
Removal costs depend on volume (cubic metres), origin, destination, service level and timing. Here are realistic price ranges for the most common routes to Spain:
| Route | Volume | Type | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK → Madrid | 20m³ (1-bed flat) | Dedicated truck | €1,800–2,800 |
| UK → Madrid | 40m³ (2-bed flat) | Dedicated truck | €2,800–4,200 |
| Germany → Barcelona | 30m³ | Road groupage | €1,200–2,200 |
| USA → Madrid | 15m³ | Shared container (LCL) | €2,500–4,500 |
| USA → Madrid | 35m³ | Full container (FCL) | €4,500–7,500 |
| Australia → Barcelona | 20m³ | Shared container | €3,500–6,000 |
| Canada → Madrid | 20m³ | Shared container | €2,800–5,000 |
1. Get at least 3 quotes — prices vary enormously. Use the price calculator above for a quick first estimate. 2. Get a home survey — reputable companies will do a virtual or in-person survey of your belongings before quoting. Quotes without a survey are often inaccurate. 3. Compare like-for-like — check what's included: packing, insurance, customs clearance, delivery to room. 4. Check insurance carefully — standard insurance often only covers a fraction of the real value. Ask about all-risks coverage. 5. Book early — peak season (June–September) is more expensive. 6–8 weeks advance notice is ideal.
Moving checklist — key steps
A rough timeline for planning your international move to Spain:
Certain items are restricted or prohibited from import: plants and soil (phytosanitary controls), certain foods (especially from outside the EU), weapons and ammunition (require special permits), prescription medication in large quantities (get a doctor's letter), certain animal products. When in doubt, check with your removal company or Spanish customs (Agencia Tributaria).
Detailed pre-packing checklist
Use this interactive checklist to make sure nothing important is missed before the crew arrives and during delivery.
Useful resources
Official directories and resources to help you find and vet a removal company for your international move to Spain. We recommend always getting quotes from companies affiliated with a recognised trade body such as FEDEM or FIDI.
Check the customs duty-free allowance requirements in advance: this typically requires having lived outside Spain for a minimum period, and submitting an inventory of goods along with documentation proving your change of residence.
Get in touch with a removal company
If you're interested in getting in touch with a removal company, please contact us through the form below and we'll help connect you with the right team for your move.