Moving to Portugal from the UK
Moving to Portugal from the UK is increasingly popular with British families, retirees, and remote workers, and Alltranz LTD is ready to help you get there. Whether you are heading to the Algarve, Lisbon, Porto, or the Silver Coast, we provide a full door-to-door removal service. That covers the pre-move survey, full export packing, customs documentation support, tracked road transit, and delivery to your new Portuguese address.
We are based at our Broad March depot in Daventry, Northamptonshire, with more than 20 years on home and European removals. Portugal is one of our longest European routes by road. Transit times for dedicated loads typically run three to six days. We confirm your exact delivery window at quote stage so you can plan completion, handovers, and flights with confidence. To get started, call 01327 876007 or use the contact form on this page.
Moving to Portugal: The Alltranz Service
We run dedicated road moves to Portugal from our Daventry depot. The route runs via the Channel, south through France and northern Spain, then into Portugal. Alltranz handles every step of the way, from UK collection to the full European leg, customs at the border, and final delivery, under one job number with one point of contact in our office.
Here is what is included:
Pre-move survey at your UK address (in person or video) so the quote reflects the real volume.
Full export packing for long-distance road transit, using recyclable and sustainable packaging materials.
The full route handled by Alltranz across the Channel, France, Spain, and Portugal, with no third-party handover.
Customs documentation support, including the inventory, non-cession certificate, and mandate for your customs agent.
Tracked transit throughout. Our fleet runs SATNAV, trackers, and dash cams.
Door-to-door delivery and unpack at your new Portuguese address, with placement of major items.
Storage bridging back at our Daventry depot if your Portuguese property is not ready when you leave the UK.
Portugal is one of the longer European road routes, so accurate timing matters more than on a France or Belgium move. We set realistic expectations at quote stage rather than promising windows we cannot hold.
Popular Destinations
We deliver across mainland Portugal. The areas we hear about most from UK clients:
The Algarve
The most popular region for British expats. We deliver into Faro, Lagos, Tavira, Albufeira, and Vilamoura, plus the smaller villages inland.
Lisbon and Surroundings
Popular with working professionals and families. Cascais and Estoril, on the coast west of the city, attract a steady share of UK movers and retirees.
Porto and the North
Growing fast with remote workers. We deliver into Porto city centre, Matosinhos on the coast, and the Douro valley to the east.
Silver Coast (Costa de Prata)
Between Lisbon and Porto. Caldas da Rainha, Obidos, and Peniche offer good value compared to the Algarve, and they are within easy reach of Lisbon airport.
Setubal Peninsula and Comporta
Quieter areas south of Lisbon, including the beaches around Comporta. Useful for buyers who want sea access without Algarve prices.
Customs and Documentation
Transfer of Residence relief applies in Portugal on the same principles as Spain and France. If you qualify, your household goods are imported duty-free.
Portugal also requires a T1 transit document for the journey through France and Spain. Alltranz raises and clears it on your behalf, so you do not need to engage a separate agent for the road leg.
Documents you will need to provide:
Passport copy.
Proof of UK address for the previous 12 months (typically utility bills or council tax).
Proof of your new Portuguese address (rental contract or escritura).
Full valued and signed inventory. We draft this from the survey, you check and sign.
Non-cession certificate.
Mandate for the Portuguese customs clearance agent.
If Transfer of Residence applies to your move, household items can be imported without customs duty. Without it, Portuguese customs charges apply on the declared value. We flag your eligibility before the truck rolls so there are no surprises at the border.
Storage Bridging
Portugal property completions, particularly in the Algarve and around Lisbon, can take longer than expected. Notary delays, fiscal number registration, and bank transfer windows all stretch a timeline.
If your Portuguese property is not ready, we store your belongings at our Daventry depot, short or medium term, in containerised, secure storage. When you have a confirmed move-in date, we load the truck and run the trip. Pricing covers handling in, weekly or monthly storage, and handling out. See our Storage Solutions page for full detail.
Full Load or Part Load?
Portugal's longer transit makes this choice more significant than on shorter European runs.
Full Load
Best for families and full households. A dedicated truck means a tighter delivery window, typically four to six days, and your goods are not consolidated with anyone else's.
Part Load
Works for smaller volumes, downsizers, and second-home moves. The trade-off is a wider delivery window. A part load to the Algarve can mean a 14-day window while we wait to fill the rest of the trailer.
We will recommend the right option once we have seen the volume at survey stage. Cost, timing, and how flexible you can be on the delivery date all play in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to move from the UK to Portugal?
A full load takes three to five days to Lisbon or Porto, and four to six days to the Algarve. Part loads run seven to 14 days because the trailer is being filled along the way. The route runs via the Channel, through France and northern Spain, then into Portugal.
Q: Do I pay customs duties when moving to Portugal?
Under Transfer of Residence relief, household items can be imported duty-free if you qualify. The framework matches Spain and France. Alltranz prepares the paperwork and confirms your eligibility before we leave the UK.
Q: What are the most popular places British movers go in Portugal?
The Algarve, Lisbon, Porto, and the Silver Coast cover the bulk of UK movers. Alltranz delivers across mainland Portugal, including smaller inland villages. Call 01327 876007 to discuss your destination.
Q: What documents do I need for a removal to Portugal?
Passport copy, proof of UK address for 12 months, proof of your new Portuguese address, a valued and signed inventory, a non-cession certificate, and a mandate for the customs agent. We draft the inventory and the customs paperwork from the survey.
Q: Can you store our belongings if our Portuguese property is delayed?
Yes. We hold goods at our Daventry depot in containerised storage, short or medium term, and dispatch the truck once you confirm your move-in date.
Moving to Portugal? Talk to Alltranz.
We like to make things as easy as possible for all our customers. Not every move is the same, and we want to make sure that we understand your needs.Call us on 01327 876007 or email us on mick@alltranzltd.co.uk for more information. Your journey starts here.