Relocating to the UK: Practical Tips for Moving Abroad

1. Work out your budget

Start by assessing your finances and make a detailed list of your expected outgoings.

This will include obvious things like hiring a removal company, solicitor fees (if you’re buying a new property) or a monetary deposit (if you’re renting accommodation).

But you should also consider other potential expenses, including:

• Passport fees – Do all family members have valid passports? Budget for passport fees to ensure that everyone has the necessary travel documents for your move to the UK.
• Visa fees – Consider the costs of obtaining the required visas for your relocation. You may have to instruct a lawyer, depending on your
• Furniture - If you are planning to rent a property in the UK, check your tenancy agreement to find out whether your accommodation is furnished or not.
• Council tax – Council tax is a compulsory tax set by local authorities in the UK. It funds local services. The amount you will pay depends on the particular area you’re moving to.
• TV licence – You will need to buy an annual TV licence if you plan on watching British-licensed TV like the BBC. Check these regulations ahead of time and plan accordingly.
• Mobile phone contracts – Does your mobile phone have international roaming? You may need to consider buying a new SIM card or set up a UK mobile phone contract to communicate once you arrive.
• Travel expenses – Budget for travel expenses as part of your moving expenses. This might include flights, train tickets or car hire.

2. Choosing the right removals company

Once you’ve established your available budget, start researching reputable moving companies. Look for experienced removals professionals who specialise in international moves and have positive customer reviews.

Check they can operate from your country of origin, and request quotes from multiple companies to ensure you get the best value for your budget. Jorvik Removals offer international removal services across all European countries, including Scandinavia.

We recommend booking your movers well in advance, especially if you want to move during peak seasons.

Other things to ask about while looking for an international removals company include:

• Insurance: Check whether the removal company provides insurance coverage for your items during transit. Do they track their removal vans during transit? What guarantees can they provide?
• Van size: The removals company will determine the size of the moving van required based on your belongings. Do you need to move furniture or just boxes? How many boxes? This information will affect your quote, as well as the van size needed – so make sure you provide an accurate assessment.
• People: How many people will your movers provide to help you relocate? Jorvik Removals offer a direct door-to-door service for overseas removals, so the same team who load your goods will also meet you at your new address in the UK.
• Packing: Does the removal company offer packing services? Or can you rent cardboard boxes and other packing materials from them? We can take the stress out of your move by handling every part of the process, including packing up your belongings.

READ OUR BLOG: Preparing to Move House: Packing Advice

3. Check customs

Before you start packing, it’s a good idea to find out whether you will need to pay tax and customs duty to bring your belongings to the UK from abroad.

If you’re permanently relocating, you may be eligible for Transfer of Residence relief. However, it’s important to check this ahead of time because if you are eligible, you will need to complete a ToR1 form and submit a claim before the move.

Once your claim is approved, you will receive a code that our experienced movers will use to transport your belongings into the UK.

You should also read through the list of banned or restricted items to see if there are any issues with belongings you want to bring to the UK. This might include house plants, wooden musical instruments, and more.

Move to the UK with Jorvik Removals

Jorvik Removals offer international removal services across the UK and Europe.

With more than 80 years of experience, our trained removal team will ensure your belongings are safely transferred to your new home. We can also provide additional packing services to make your international move as stress-free as possible.

So if you’re planning a move abroad, speak to us today to see how we can help.