INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS · LONDON TO PORTUGAL 🇵🇹

Removals from London to Portugal. Full Service, Door to Door.

We pack, dismantle, load, transport and unpack everything at your new home in Portugal. Exclusive vehicle, no shared loads. Fixed price includes packing materials, ferry, fuel, insurance, road tolls and customs. Delivery in 4 to 5 days.

Get Free Quote0208 521 8000

75+
Moves completed to Portugal
Fixed Price
The price we quote is the price you pay
4 to 5 days
Door-to-door delivery time

A Complete Move to Portugal. Not Just a Van.

Most international removals companies rent you a van and leave you to figure out the rest.

Octagon is different. We handle everything from your London home to your new address in Portugal - packing, dismantling, customs clearance through the Portuguese customs authority (AT), delivery, reassembly, and unpacking.

One fixed price. One person you can call at any point. No surprises on moving day or at the border.

EVERYTHING INCLUDED

What's Included in Your Move to Portugal

Full Packing Service

We pack every room, wrap every item, label every box. You do not touch a thing unless you want to.

Furniture Dismantling & Reassembly

Taken apart at your London home, rebuilt exactly as it was at your new home.

Itemised Inventory

Every item catalogued and photographed before loading. Full list provided to you and used for customs documentation.

Exclusive Vehicle

Your belongings travel in our vehicle only. No shared loads, no waiting for a container to fill.

Customs Assistance

We handle the paperwork and work with our licensed customs agents to clear your goods correctly.

Dedicated Consultant

One person manages your move from first call to final delivery. Available throughout the journey.

Fixed Price: Everything Included

Packing materials, ferry, fuel, insurance, road tolls and customs agent fees. Nothing added later.

Secure Storage

If there is a gap between collection and delivery, your belongings are held in our CCTV-monitored storage facility in London.

CLARITY FROM DAY ONE

What We Handle vs. What You Handle

We Handle

  • ✓ Full packing of every room
  • ✓ All packing materials (boxes, wrap, tape, wardrobe boxes)
  • ✓ Furniture dismantling at your London home
  • ✓ Itemised inventory and photographic evidence
  • ✓ Loading into our exclusive vehicle
  • ✓ UK export customs declaration
  • ✓ Ferry booking and Channel crossing
  • ✓ Transit through France and Spain into Portugal
  • ✓ Portugal customs clearance via licensed agent
  • ✓ Delivery to your new address in Portugal
  • ✓ Furniture reassembly
  • ✓ Full unpack at your new home
  • ✓ Removal of all packing materials

You Handle

  • ✓ Register at the local Câmara Municipal (town hall) or Finanças office within 3 months of arrival (we guide you)
  • ✓ Notify HMRC you are leaving the UK (P85 form - takes 10 minutes online)
  • ✓ Open a Portuguese bank account (Millennium BCP, CGD, or Novo Banco) - you will need your NIF
  • ✓ Register with the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) at your local Centro de Saúde after obtaining your NIF and registering residency
  • ✓ Be present at both ends of the move (or nominate a trusted representative)

CUSTOMS & DOCUMENTS

Customs & Documents, What You Need to Know

Portugal is an EU member state. Since Brexit, moving household goods from the UK to Portugal crosses an international customs border. Your belongings must be declared through the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT - Tax and Customs Authority).

Transfer of Residence (Isenção de direitos - Transferência de Residência) Relief

Transfer of Residence relief allows you to import your used household goods into Portugal without paying import duty or VAT (23%), provided you qualify: you must be genuinely relocating your main residence to Portugal, you must have been resident outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months before the move, and the goods must have been owned and used by you for at least 6 months. You must register at the local Câmara Municipal (town hall) or Finanças office to obtain your NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) and residency registration.

Clearance time: 2 to 5 working days with correct documentation in place

Required Documents

  • ✓ Valid passport
  • ✓ NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) and residency registration from your local local Câmara Municipal (town hall) or Finanças office in Portugal
  • ✓ Proof of UK residence for the past 12 months (P60, council tax bills, or bank statements)
  • ✓ Employment contract or proof of reason for relocation to Portugal
  • ✓ Detailed, valued and signed packing inventory listing every item
  • ✓ Self-certificate (non-cession declaration) confirming goods are personal and owned for 6+ months
  • ✓ Signed authorisation for our customs agent to act as your representative
  • ✓ NIF (Portuguese tax number) - apply at the Finanças office or Portuguese consulate
  • ✓ Attestation of arrival in Portugal or utility bill in your name

What happens if documentation is incomplete

If documentation is incomplete or the 12-month non-EU residency requirement cannot be demonstrated, Portugal customs will assess your household goods for import duty and VAT at 23%. This can amount to a significant sum on a full household.

Getting the paperwork right before departure is far simpler than resolving it after your goods have arrived at the border.

Our Customs Agent

We work with licensed customs agents registered with the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT - Tax and Customs Authority). Your goods are professionally cleared without you visiting any customs office.

Your Route

London → Dover → Calais → Lisbon

WHAT YOU CANNOT TAKE

Items Restricted or Prohibited for Portugal

Firearms and ammunition

Requires special import permit from national police authority. Cannot be included in household goods shipment.

Narcotics and controlled substances

Strictly prohibited. Prescription medication requires a doctor's letter and original packaging.

Fresh food, meat, and dairy products

EU phytosanitary and food safety regulations prohibit import of most fresh food from non-EU countries.

Plants and soil

Require phytosanitary certificate. Most potted plants with soil are rejected at the border.

Counterfeit goods

Items bearing counterfeit trademarks will be seized and destroyed by customs.

Fireworks and explosives

Classified as dangerous goods. Cannot be transported in household removals vehicles.

Items purchased less than 6 months ago

New items do not qualify for Transfer of Residence relief and may attract import duty and VAT.

WHERE WE DELIVER

Popular Destinations in Portugal

Lisbon

Lisbon District

Portugal's capital and largest city. A hilly, sun-drenched city with a thriving tech scene, excellent food, and a growing international community.

Porto

Porto District

Portugal's second city. Famous for port wine, stunning riverside architecture, and a creative, welcoming atmosphere. More affordable than Lisbon.

Algarve

Faro District

The most popular destination for British retirees. Year-round sunshine, golden beaches, and a well-established English-speaking community.

Cascais

Lisbon District

A chic coastal town 30 minutes from Lisbon. Popular with affluent families and professionals who want beach life with city access.

Madeira

Autonomous Region of Madeira

A subtropical island with stunning landscapes. Popular with remote workers and retirees. Year-round mild climate.

Braga

Braga District

A university city in northern Portugal. Young, affordable, and with excellent quality of life.

LIFE IN PORTUGAL

Cost of Living in Portugal

Portugal is one of the most affordable Western European countries. Lisbon has become more expensive in recent years but is still significantly cheaper than London.

€800–1,300/mo
1-bed flat in Lisbon
vs £2,000+ in London
€500–800/mo
1-bed flat in Porto or Algarve
excellent value
€1,200–1,800
Monthly living costs
single person, comfortable
~35–50%
Cheaper than London
overall cost of living

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a removal to Portugal take?

Door-to-door delivery from London to Portugal typically takes 4–5 days. This includes packing, loading, ferry crossing, transit, customs clearance, delivery and unpacking.

What documents do I need for customs when moving to Portugal?

You will need a valid passport, proof of UK residence for 12 months, proof of your new address in Portugal, a detailed packing inventory, and a non-cession declaration. We guide you through every document.

Do I have to pay import duty on my household goods?

If you qualify for Transfer of Residence relief, your used household goods can be imported duty-free. You must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and the goods must have been used for at least 6 months. We handle the application.

Is the price you quote the final price?

Yes. The price we quote after your survey is fixed. It includes packing materials, ferry, fuel, road tolls, insurance and customs agent fees. Nothing is added on moving day.

Do you share the vehicle with other clients?

No. Your belongings travel in our exclusive vehicle. We do not use shared loads or groupage. Your items are the only items on the truck.

Can you move a piano or antiques to Portugal?

Yes. We are specialist handlers of pianos, antiques, and high-value items. Each piece is wrapped, protected, and handled by experienced movers. We have moved grand pianos, art collections, and fragile antiques across Europe.

What happens at the border after Brexit?

Since Brexit, household goods crossing from the UK to EU countries like Portugal require customs declarations on both sides. Our licensed customs agent handles the entire process: you do not visit any customs office.

Do I need to be present for the move?

Ideally yes, at both ends. However, you can nominate a trusted representative to be present on your behalf at either the collection or delivery address.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking 6 to 8 weeks in advance, especially for summer moves. This allows time for customs documentation, ferry booking, and route planning. We can accommodate shorter timelines when needed.

Do you offer storage if there's a gap between moves?

Yes. If there is a gap between your collection and delivery dates, your belongings are stored in our CCTV-monitored, insured facility in London at no additional charge for reasonable periods.

Get a Free Quote for Your Move to Portugal

Call us on 0208 521 8000 for a free quote within 1 hour.

Get Free Quote