INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS · LONDON TO SPAIN 🇪🇸

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

We pack, dismantle, load, transport and unpack everything at your new home in Spain. Exclusive vehicle, no shared loads. Fixed price includes packing materials, ferry, fuel, insurance, road tolls and customs. Mainland delivery in 3 to 5 days: faster to Barcelona and Catalonia, longer to Andalusia and the Costa del Sol.

Get Free Quote0208 521 8000

140+
Moves completed to Spain
Fixed Price
The price we quote is the price you pay
3 to 5 days
Door-to-door delivery time

A Complete Move to Spain. Not Just a Van.

Most international removals companies rent you a van and leave you to figure out the rest. You pack, you load, you deal with customs, and if something goes wrong at the border, that is your problem.

Octagon is different. We arrive at your London home, pack every room, wrap every item, dismantle all furniture, load everything into our exclusive vehicle, handle the UK export declaration, cross the Channel, drive through France, clear your goods through Spanish customs (Agencia Tributaria) via our licensed customs agent, deliver to your new home, reassemble everything, and unpack every box.

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 Spain

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
  • ✓ Channel crossing (Dover-Calais ferry or Eurotunnel)
  • ✓ Transit the length of France into Spain via Irun or La Jonquera
  • ✓ Spanish customs clearance via licensed agent
  • ✓ Delivery to your new Spanish address
  • ✓ Furniture reassembly
  • ✓ Full unpack at your new home
  • ✓ Removal of all packing materials

You Handle

  • ✓ Apply for your NIE at the Spanish consulate in London (we guide you through this)
  • ✓ Notify HMRC you are leaving the UK (P85 form - takes 10 minutes online)
  • ✓ Register on the padrón municipal at your local Ayuntamiento
  • ✓ Open a Spanish bank account (Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank accept pre-arrival applications)
  • ✓ Arrange Spanish health insurance or register with the social security system
  • ✓ Be present at both ends of the move (or nominate a trusted representative)

CUSTOMS & DOCUMENTS

Customs & Documents, What You Need to Know

Spain is an EU member state. Since Brexit, moving household goods from the UK to Spain crosses an international customs border. Your belongings must be declared on departure from the UK and on arrival in Spain through the Agencia Tributaria (Spanish tax and customs authority).

Transfer of Residence (Cambio de Residencia) Relief

Transfer of Residence relief allows you to import your used household goods into Spain without paying import duty or VAT (21%), provided you qualify: you must be genuinely relocating your main residence to Spain, 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 obtain an empadronamiento (registration on the municipal register) at your local Ayuntamiento. The items cannot be sold, lent or given away for 12 months after import.

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

Required Documents

  • ✓ Valid passport
  • ✓ Proof of UK residence for the past 12 months (P60, council tax bills, or bank statements)
  • ✓ Proof of Spanish address (rental contract, property deed, or utility bill in your name)
  • ✓ Empadronamiento certificate from your local Ayuntamiento (town hall)
  • ✓ Signed self-certification confirming goods are personal, owned for 6+ months, and will not be sold or given away for 12 months after import
  • ✓ Detailed, valued and signed packing inventory listing every item
  • ✓ NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) - foreigner identification number
  • ✓ Signed authorisation for our customs agent to act as your direct representative

What happens if documentation is incomplete

If documentation is incomplete or the 12-month non-EU residency requirement cannot be demonstrated, Spanish customs will assess your household goods for import duty and IVA (VAT) at 21%. This can amount to a significant sum on a full household.

Spanish customs are particularly strict about the NIE requirement. Without a valid NIE, goods cannot be processed under Transfer of Residence relief. Apply for your NIE at the Spanish consulate in London before departure - it takes 2–4 weeks.

Our Customs Agent

We work with licensed customs agents registered with Spain's Agencia Tributaria. Clearance is processed through the Delegación de Aduanas nearest your destination. Your goods do not cross the Pyrenean border at Irun or La Jonquera without a qualified agent managing the declaration on your behalf.

Your Route

London → Dover → Calais → Paris → Bordeaux → Madrid

WHAT YOU CANNOT TAKE

Items Restricted or Prohibited for Spain

Firearms and ammunition

Requires a Spanish firearms licence from the Guardia Civil. Cannot travel with household goods.

Narcotics and controlled substances

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

Fresh food, meat, and dairy

EU phytosanitary regulations prohibit import from non-EU countries.

Plants and soil

Require phytosanitary certificate. Potted plants with soil are typically refused.

Counterfeit goods

Seized by the Agencia Tributaria.

Fireworks and explosives

Dangerous goods - prohibited in household removals shipments.

Items purchased less than 6 months ago

Do not qualify for Transfer of Residence relief - duty and 21% IVA may apply.

E-cigarettes containing nicotine liquid above 20mg/ml

Spanish regulations restrict high-strength nicotine products.

WHERE WE DELIVER

Popular Destinations in Spain

Madrid

Community of Madrid

Spain's capital and largest city. A vibrant cultural scene, excellent transport links, and a growing expat community. Popular with professionals working in finance, tech, and international organisations.

Barcelona

Catalonia

The most popular destination for British expats in Spain. Mediterranean climate, world-class architecture, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Strong tech and startup scene.

Valencia

Valencian Community

Spain's third-largest city. Combines beach lifestyle with affordable living. Increasingly popular with remote workers and families. The City of Arts and Sciences is a landmark.

Malaga

Andalusia

Gateway to the Costa del Sol. Year-round sunshine, a growing tech hub, and easy access to the rest of Andalusia. Direct flights to London.

Alicante

Valencian Community

Popular with retirees and families. Affordable living, excellent climate, and a well-established British community along the Costa Blanca.

Seville

Andalusia

Spain's cultural heart. Rich history, flamenco, and a lower cost of living than Madrid or Barcelona. Increasingly popular with remote workers.

Marbella

Andalusia

A luxury destination on the Costa del Sol. Popular with high-net-worth individuals and families seeking premium Mediterranean living.

Palma de Mallorca

Balearic Islands

The capital of Mallorca. A sophisticated island city with excellent international schools, restaurants, and a thriving expat community.

LIFE IN SPAIN

Cost of Living in Spain

Spain is significantly cheaper than London. Outside Madrid and Barcelona, costs drop further. The cost of eating out, groceries, and transport is particularly favourable.

€900–1,300/mo
1-bed flat in Madrid
vs £2,000+ in London
€600–900/mo
1-bed flat outside Madrid
Valencia, Malaga, Alicante
€1,400–2,000
Monthly living costs
single person, comfortable
~30–45%
Cheaper than London
overall cost of living

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a removal to Spain take?

Door-to-door delivery from London to Spain typically takes 3–5 days. This includes packing, loading, ferry crossing, transit, customs clearance, delivery and unpacking.

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

You will need a valid passport, proof of UK residence for 12 months, proof of your new address in Spain, 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 Spain?

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 Spain 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.

Do you deliver to the Balearic or Canary Islands?

Yes. Deliveries to Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza in the Balearic Islands travel overland to Barcelona or Valencia and then by ferry, typically adding a day or two to the mainland transit time. The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and the rest) sit much further out in the Atlantic and go by sea freight, which typically takes several weeks door to door rather than days; air freight is available for smaller, more urgent shipments. Your consultant confirms the exact routing, timeline and price for island deliveries at survey stage.

Do I need an NIE and a TIE to move to Spain?

They are two different things. The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is a tax and identification number needed for almost everything in Spain, including your customs declaration. The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical residence card that UK nationals moving to Spain long-term need to apply for within 90 days of arrival. We guide you through both.

Get a Free Quote for Your Move to Spain

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

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