📊 Quick Answer: UK to France international removals take 1-4 days by road freight (fastest European route). Eurotunnel (35 minutes crossing) is quicker than ferry. Post-Brexit requires T1 transit documents and French customs clearance. A full van load (30-35 cubic metres) costs £1,800-£3,500. You need French residency proof (carte de séjour or titre de séjour) for duty-free Transfer of Residence. Distance from UK: Paris 450km, Provence 1,200km, Brittany 600km.
Planning a move from the UK to France? We connect you with one FIDI-certified international removal company specialising in UK to France relocations - Paris, Provence, Brittany, Normandy, Côte d'Azur, and throughout metropolitan France.
France is the closest continental European country to the UK, with the shortest crossing time (35 minutes via Eurotunnel) making it the most straightforward international removal destination. Over 150,000 British citizens live in France, concentrated in Île-de-France (Paris region), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Dordogne, Charente), Occitanie (Languedoc), and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
This comprehensive guide covers post-Brexit customs procedures, French residency requirements (carte de séjour), T1 transit documentation, Eurotunnel vs ferry logistics, regional delivery considerations, and the complete process from your UK home to your French property.
Unique advantage: UK to France is the fastest international removal route in Europe due to the short Channel crossing. Your choice between Eurotunnel and ferry services affects timeline, cost, and convenience.
Crossing time: 35 minutes (Folkestone to Calais)
Frequency: Up to 4 departures per hour (peak times)
Best for: Speed, weather reliability, flexible scheduling
Advantages for France international removals:
Route details:
Crossing time: 90 minutes to 7 hours (route dependent)
Frequency: Multiple daily sailings
Best for: Regional destinations, cost savings, southern France routes
Main ferry routes to France:
When ferry makes sense:
Critical change since 1 January 2021: Moving from the UK to France now requires customs procedures that didn't exist when both countries were in the EU. Your France international removals need T1 transit documentation and French customs clearance at destination.
What it is: Electronic customs document allowing your household goods to enter and transit through EU (France) without immediate VAT/duty payment until final customs clearance.
Why mandatory for UK to France:
FIDI removal company responsibilities:
Transfer of Residence (Transfert de Résidence) - Duty-free import eligibility:
Requirements:
Required documents:
MISTAKE: Shipping household goods to France BEFORE obtaining carte de séjour or titre de séjour (French residence permit).
CONSEQUENCE: Won't qualify for Transfer of Residence exemption. French customs (Douanes françaises) will charge:
CORRECT APPROACH: Establish legal French residency status FIRST (obtain carte de séjour), THEN ship goods within 12-month window. Use UK storage if necessary while finalizing French paperwork.
France is geographically large (643,801 km² - largest EU country). Your final destination significantly affects delivery timeline and sometimes costs. Here are the most popular regions for UK expats:
Areas: Paris, Versailles, Fontainebleau, suburbs (banlieues)
Distance from Calais: 300km
Total UK to Paris timeline: 1-2 days
Route: Calais → A26/A1 autoroute → Paris
Delivery challenges:
Areas: Nice, Cannes, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Var region
Distance from Calais: 1,100km
Total UK to Provence timeline: 2-3 days
Route: Calais → A26 → A6 (Autoroute du Soleil) → A7 south
Regional considerations:
Areas: Finistère, Côtes-d'Armor, Morbihan, Rennes, Quimper
Distance from St Malo port: 50-150km
Total UK to Brittany timeline: 1-2 days (using Portsmouth-St Malo ferry)
Alternative: Via Calais adds 500km driving
Ferry advantage:
Areas: Périgueux, Bergerac, Bordeaux, Cognac, La Rochelle
Distance from Calais: 800-900km
Timeline: 2-3 days
Largest British expat concentration in rural France
Areas: Rouen, Caen, Bayeux, Honfleur, Deauville
Distance from Calais: 200-350km
Timeline: 1-2 days
Ferry options advantage:
Pricing advantage: UK to France removals are typically cheaper than other European destinations due to short crossing and frequent services creating competition.
Part Load (Shared Van Service):
Full Load (Dedicated Van):
Additional Services:
Distance affects pricing:
Crossing costs (included in quote but varies):
French autoroute tolls (péage):
Post-Brexit requirement: British citizens need residence permits to live in France long-term (90+ days). These same documents prove eligibility for Transfer of Residence customs exemption.
What it is: Official French residence permit for non-EU citizens (includes British post-Brexit)
Types for UK citizens:
Application process:
Standard requirements (all categories):
Additional for Visiteur (most common for retirees):
Timeline strategy for France international removals:
For Transfer of Residence customs clearance, you'll need to provide an attestation sur l'honneur - a legally binding sworn statement declaring:
Your FIDI removal company will provide template in French. Sign in presence of removal company representative or préfecture official if required.
Quality standard: FIDI-FAIM certification ensures your France international removals company meets independently audited quality standards for T1 documentation, French customs procedures, and professional delivery.
Ernst & Young (EY) independent audits verify:
France-specific benefits:
British Association of Removers - UK consumer safeguard:
Financial protection:
ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution):
Verification:
Moving to France involves adapting to a different bureaucratic system, language, and cultural norms. Understanding these helps reduce frustration during the adjustment period.
Reality check - be prepared for:
Essential registrations after arrival:
Language:
Cultural norms:
Support networks:
We connect you with ONE FIDI-FAIM certified international removal company experienced in UK to France relocations. Not 5-7 competing companies - just the right expert for your Paris, Provence, Brittany, or anywhere in France move.
✅ France Expertise:
✅ Quality Assured:
✅ Transparent Service:
Or explore our international removals hub for other European and worldwide destinations.