Moving to the UK from France
Moving from France to the UK costs roughly £1,200–£3,800 for a 1-bed and £3,000–£7,500 for a 3-bed, and it is the shortest international corridor there is: a move from Normandy or the Pas-de-Calais can be done in a day. The customs step is the same as for any inbound move, and the thing to get right is HMRC's Transfer of Residence relief, approved before the goods cross.
For the general UK-side picture see Moving to the UK from abroad.
What It Costs
| 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 |
Bands reflect the UK–France corridor as priced on this site; inbound quotes normally fall in the same range. Northern France sits at the bottom and the Côte d'Azur or Pyrenees at the top. Because the round trip is short, a dedicated vehicle from the north is more affordable than on any other European route.
Get quotes for your move to the UK from removers who run this corridor.
Transit Times
| From | 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 |
Customs: ToR1 Before the Goods Ship
A France to UK move is an import into the UK. The declaration is filed by your remover; the relief is claimed by you.
Transfer of Residence relief removes import VAT and duty on personal belongings when you have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months, have had the goods for at least six months before moving, are making the UK your normal home, and keep the goods for 12 months after moving. Apply online with the ToR1 form before shipping; HMRC issue a unique reference number for the import declaration (customs procedure code 40 00 C01). HMRC do not publish a processing time, so start as soon as the move is firm.
Full detail, including the item list format and a printable checklist, is in the ToR1 guide.
French documents to keep
HMRC want proof of your French address within the last 6 months and your UK address within the last 3 months. Keep a recent French bank statement, an EDF or water bill, and your bail or acte de vente. Your passport photo page is the identity document; a titre de séjour is not required for the application but is useful to show the residence history.
Pets and Vehicles
Pets need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport issued in France or an animal health certificate; dogs also need tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before arrival.
Cars can be imported under ToR relief if listed on the ToR1. Notify HMRC through NOVA within 14 days of arrival and register with the DVLA; a French left-hand-drive car needs headlight adjustment and may need approval testing. For an ordinary car, selling in France and buying in the UK is often simpler.
Arriving in the UK
French and other EU/EEA licences can be exchanged for a UK licence. Apply for a National Insurance number if you will work, register with a GP, and set up council tax and utilities. Returning Britons who were non-resident should check when UK tax residence restarts under the Statutory Residence Test.
Next Steps
Get quotes for your move to the UK from international removers who run the France–UK corridor, read the ToR1 guide before you book, and see Moving to the UK from abroad for the UK-side checklist. Moving the other way? See Moving from the UK to France.