Moving from the UK to France
Moving from the UK to France costs £1,200–£2,600 for a studio or 1-bed on a shared load, and £3,000–£5,500 for a 3-bed. A dedicated vehicle costs more but arrives sooner: £2,000–£3,800 for a 1-bed, £4,200–£7,500 for a 3-bed.
France is the closest EU destination for a UK household move and, for most of the country, the cheapest. A move to Calais, Lille or Normandy can be done in a single day; Provence or the south-west is a longer run but still straightforward by road. That proximity is why France consistently prices below Spain, Italy or Portugal for the same volume.
This guide covers realistic 2026 costs, transit times by region, the customs paperwork required since Brexit, and the residency steps to plan around.
How Much Does It Cost to Move from the UK to France?
| Home size | Shared load | Dedicated vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed | £1,200 – £2,600 | £2,000 – £3,800 |
| 2-bed | £1,800 – £3,400 | £2,800 – £4,800 |
| 3-bed | £3,000 – £5,500 | £4,200 – £7,500 |
| 4+ bed | £4,200 – £7,500 | £6,000 – £10,000 |
Northern France sits at the bottom of these ranges and the Côte d'Azur or Pyrenees at the top. Calculate the cost of moving to France from your property size or your own cubic-metre figure.
What Drives the Price
- Volume. European moves are priced per cubic metre. A typical 3-bed household is 35–55 m³.
- How far past the crossing you are going. Pas-de-Calais is a few hours from Dover. Nice is another 700 miles.
- Crossing choice. Eurotunnel is faster; ferry is often cheaper for a full lorry. Your remover will normally pick based on vehicle size and timing.
- Shared or dedicated transport. Groupage can halve the cost if your dates are flexible.
- Access. French village streets and older apartment buildings frequently need a smaller shuttle vehicle or a hoist, which adds cost.
Transit Times
| Destination | Dedicated | Shared load |
|---|---|---|
| Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Normandy | 1–2 days | 5–10 days |
| Paris and Île-de-France | 1–3 days | 7–12 days |
| Brittany, Loire, Centre | 2–3 days | 7–14 days |
| Dordogne, Bordeaux, south-west | 2–4 days | 10–16 days |
| Provence, Côte d'Azur | 3–5 days | 10–18 days |
France's advantage is that even a dedicated vehicle to the north is affordable, because the driver can complete the round trip quickly.
Customs and Paperwork After Brexit
A UK to France move is now an import into the EU and must be declared. Your remover normally files the declaration; you supply the documents.
You will typically need:
- A detailed, valued inventory, usually in French, listing contents and estimated values.
- Proof of transfer of residence — a rental contract, property deed or attestation.
- Passport and visa where applicable.
- Proof you have owned the goods for at least six months.
- A certificate of non-cession (certificat de non-cession), an undertaking not to sell the imported goods for 12 months.
Used personal effects are normally exempt from duty and TVA under transfer-of-residence relief, provided the goods have been owned and used for at least six months and you are genuinely establishing residence in France. New items still in packaging can attract tax.
Residency, Visas and Registration
UK citizens are third-country nationals in France now. The common routes are the visitor visa (visa de long séjour visiteur) for those not working in France, a work visa requiring an employer, the talent passport for qualifying professionals, and family routes. Apply from the UK before moving.
After arrival you will normally need to validate your long-stay visa online within three months, register with the French health system to obtain a carte vitale, and open a French bank account, which usually requires a proof of address.
Second Homes and Part Moves
France attracts a lot of part-load moves: furnishing a holiday home rather than relocating a whole household. This is worth flagging to your remover explicitly, because two things change.
First, groupage is almost always the right call for small volumes. Second — and this catches people out — transfer-of-residence customs relief does not apply if you are not transferring residence. Furnishing a second home while remaining UK-resident can mean duty and TVA on the goods. Get advice before shipping anything valuable.
Pets, Vehicles and Restrictions
Pets need a microchip, valid rabies vaccination and an animal health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. UK-issued EU Pet Passports are no longer valid.
Vehicles must be re-registered in France, obtaining a carte grise, generally within a month of establishing residence. Older vehicles may need modification to pass the contrôle technique.
You cannot ship plants in soil, opened food, aerosols, solvents, fuels or firearms without specific permissions.
A Realistic Timeline
- 4–6 months before — begin the visa application if you need one, start collecting removal quotes.
- 3 months before — book your remover, confirm your French address, start decluttering.
- 6–8 weeks before — finalise the inventory, arrange pet documentation.
- 2–4 weeks before — packing, cancel UK utilities, arrange mail redirection.
- Moving week — collection, crossing and customs clearance.
- After arrival — validate your visa, register for healthcare, re-register vehicles.
Cutting the Cost
- Declutter first. You are paying per cubic metre.
- Use groupage if dates allow. The saving is the largest single lever.
- Avoid July and August. Peak season costs more and books out.
- Compare quotes on the same inventory, or the numbers are not comparable.
- Consider northern French ports if you are flexible on your destination region; the closer to the crossing, the cheaper.
Next Steps
Get a figure with the European moving cost calculator, then read the European removals guide for how groupage, customs and transit fit together across the continent.