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Ireland is an island, which makes removals from Spain structurally different from moves to other European countries. The lorry cannot drive all the way. At some point the goods need to cross the Irish Sea by ferry. There are three main routing options and the removal company picks the right one based on your Spanish collection point and Irish delivery address.
The most direct option for some moves is the Brittany Ferries service from Santander or Bilbao in northern Spain directly to Cork, which avoids France and the UK entirely. For collections from Barcelona, Madrid or southern Spain, the route typically goes north through France to either a Roscoff to Rosslare ferry crossing (avoiding the UK) or via northern France to the UK and then an Irish Sea ferry from Holyhead or Pembroke to Dublin or Rosslare.
Spain and Ireland are both EU members so there are no customs declarations and no import duty on personal goods. If the route goes via the UK, the lorry operator carries transit documentation so the goods are not subject to UK customs, but this is handled by the removal company, not by you.
Your Spanish collection address, Irish delivery address, moving date and rough volume. Free to submit. Your details go to one company only.
One FIDI FAIM certified removal company experienced on the Spain to Ireland route contacts you with a confirmed quote including road freight, the ferry crossing and Irish delivery.
The removal company handles the full route: road freight from Spain through France, the ferry crossing to Ireland and delivery to your Irish address.
Brittany Ferries operates direct sailings from Santander and Bilbao in northern Spain to Cork in Ireland. The Santander to Cork crossing takes approximately 26 hours. This avoids France and the UK entirely.
Best for collections from northern Spain or for deliveries to Cork, Limerick, Waterford and the south and west of Ireland. The lorry drives to Santander or Bilbao, loads onto the ferry, and drives to your Irish address on arrival in Cork. Brittany Ferries runs this service weekly.
The lorry crosses the Pyrenees into France, heads northwest through Brittany to Roscoff in northwestern France, then takes a Brittany Ferries crossing to Rosslare in County Wexford. The sea crossing takes approximately 17 hours.
This avoids the UK entirely. From Rosslare the lorry can reach Dublin in about 2 hours and Limerick in about 3 hours. A good option for collections from Barcelona or central Spain heading to Dublin or eastern Ireland.
The lorry crosses France to the Channel, crosses to the UK, drives to Holyhead or Pembroke in Wales, then takes a Stena Line or Irish Ferries crossing to Dublin or Rosslare. Dublin Port has regular daily sailings from Holyhead.
This route transits through the UK. The lorry carries UK customs transit documentation so the goods are not subject to UK import duties. The removal company handles this documentation as standard practice.
The matched removal company selects the routing based on your Spanish collection point, Irish delivery address and the sailing schedules available at the time of your move.
All times are indicative. Add packing time in Spain and delivery in Ireland. The matched removal company confirms the schedule.
Spain and Ireland are both EU member states. Personal household goods moving between two EU countries do not need customs declarations and no duty is payable on personal belongings. This applies regardless of which ferry route is used.
If the route goes via the UK, there is one thing worth understanding. The UK is no longer in the EU. The lorry carries UK customs transit documentation (a T1 transit declaration) which allows it to pass through the UK without the goods being subject to UK import duties. This is standard practice and is handled by the removal company as part of the service. You do not need to do anything extra. The direct Roscoff to Rosslare or Santander to Cork routes avoid the UK entirely.
The removal company handles the physical move including the ferry crossing. Registration in Ireland is your responsibility once you arrive.
The PPS number is Ireland's personal identifier for accessing public services, employment and taxation. You need it to start work, access HSE healthcare, claim benefits if applicable, deal with the Revenue Commissioners for tax and many other official purposes.
Apply at your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare office. Bring your passport and proof of Irish address. As an EU citizen you have the right to live and work in Ireland without a work permit or visa under EU free movement rules.
The PPS number is not the same as a bank account. Open an Irish bank account separately once you have a PPS number and proof of address. AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB are the main retail banks. N26 and Revolut can be set up before you arrive if needed as a bridge.
Ireland's public health system is run by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Access to public healthcare in Ireland is not entirely free for all residents. GP visits are charged to most adults unless you qualify for a medical card or GP visit card based on income. Hospital care in public hospitals has some charges too.
Register with a local GP practice as soon as you have a PPS number and Irish address. Check whether you qualify for a medical card through the HSE at hse.ie, which would reduce or eliminate GP visit charges.
Many people moving to Ireland for work also take out private health insurance (VHI, Laya Healthcare, Irish Life Health are the main providers) to access private hospitals and shorter waiting times for specialist care.
Once you have a PPS number and employment in Ireland, register with Revenue online at myaccount.revenue.ie to manage your tax affairs. Ireland operates a PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system for employees. Your employer deducts income tax, USC (Universal Social Charge) and PRSI (social insurance) from your salary.
You also need to deregister as a tax resident in Spain before leaving. Contact the AEAT (Agencia Estatal de Administracion Tributaria) and update your Spanish tax affairs. If you have ongoing Spanish income or property, a tax adviser who understands both systems is worth consulting.
Submit a baja at your Ayuntamiento before leaving Spain permanently. Staying on the Padron after you have moved can create Spanish tax complications. Your Empadronamiento certificate showing your Spanish residence dates may be useful for Irish administrative processes that ask for proof of prior foreign residence.
Your Spanish NIE stays valid after you leave. Keep it if you have ongoing Spanish financial, property or pension dealings to manage from Ireland.
Ireland costs more than mainland European destinations from Spain because of the compulsory ferry crossing. The ferry is a significant cost component and is included in the removal company's quote. Northern Spain collections using the direct Santander to Cork ferry tend to be competitive. Barcelona and Madrid collections going via France are longer by road and ferry. These figures are starting points only.
French motorway tolls and the ferry crossing are included in the full quote the matched removal company provides. The matching service is free.
Ofrecemos intermediación gratuita para mudanzas internacionales desde España a Irlanda. Nuestros socios certificados por FIDI FAIM gestionan traslados desde cualquier ciudad española hasta Dublín, Cork, Limerick, Galway y cualquier dirección irlandesa, combinando transporte por carretera con el cruce en ferry, incluida la opción de ferry directo desde Santander o Bilbao hasta Cork. Sin trámites aduaneros entre países de la UE. Una solicitud, un socio certificado. Gratuito.
International Removals Companies was founded by Darren Benjamin in 2010 and is operated by DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company number 07425576, registered at Norman House, Saint Saviours Estate, Abbey Street, London, SE1 3DH. The platform matches each Spain to Ireland enquiry with one suitable FIDI-certified removal company. The ferry routing and scheduling for this route requires specific experience. Your details go to one company only, not a comparison site.
It depends on where in Spain you are and where in Ireland you are going. If your collection is in northern Spain (Bilbao, Santander, San Sebastian or anywhere in the Basque Country or Cantabria), the direct Brittany Ferries sailing from Santander or Bilbao to Cork is often the most efficient. If your collection is in Barcelona, Madrid or southern Spain, the route via France to Roscoff and then to Rosslare, or via France and the UK to Holyhead, is usually quicker for Dublin and eastern Ireland. The matched removal company selects the routing based on your actual addresses.
The PPS number (Personal Public Service number) is Ireland's national identifier for accessing public services, employment and tax. You need it for work, healthcare, banking and most official dealings. Apply at your local Intreo Centre (Department of Social Protection) once you have an Irish address. Take your passport and proof of address. As an EU citizen you are entitled to apply on the basis of living and working in Ireland. Full information is at gov.ie.
Related routes and Spain cluster pages:
Submit your Spanish collection address, Irish delivery address and moving date. One FIDI-certified removal company is matched to your route and contacts you directly with a confirmed quote including the ferry crossing. Free.
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