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Portugal has become one of the UK's fastest-growing relocation destinations. Lisbon and Porto attract young professionals and digital workers; the Algarve and Silver Coast draw retirees and second-home buyers; and the Alentejo, Douro Valley and interior regions are seeing steady growth from buyers seeking rural properties at lower prices than France or Italy. The combination of the NHR and IFICI tax frameworks, relatively low living costs and strong British expat communities makes Portugal one of the most active UK outbound removal routes. These are the top 10 removal companies Portugal recognised for international routes, covering UK to Portugal, European corridors and intercontinental moves. Each has been reviewed against FIDI FAIM and BAR Overseas accreditation standards.
International Removals Companies is a free route matching platform operated by Darren Benjamin since 2010 (DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company number 07425576). We match each enquiry with one suitable FIDI-certified removal company based on your origin, Portuguese destination, timeline and volume. Your details are not passed to all 10 companies. One contact. One quote.
Prices vary by service type, origin and Portuguese destination. These are indicative guides only. The matched FIDI-certified removal company gives the confirmed price before you book. The matching service is free.
Road via France and Spain; no direct ferry
Part Load: from approx. £1,100 to £1,800
Dedicated Vehicle: from approx. £2,500 to £4,200
Container-based sea or air freight
Sea Freight: from approx. £3,000 to £5,500
Air Freight: from approx. £4,800 to £8,500
Container-based sea or air freight
Sea Freight: from approx. £3,800 to £6,500
Air Freight: from approx. £6,500 to £11,000
Typically included: Professional packing, origin collection, road transport through France and Spain, Portuguese customs clearance, delivery to your Portuguese address and goods-in-transit insurance. Island deliveries to Madeira and the Azores include the sea crossing leg from the mainland. Confirm exact inclusions with your matched removal company before booking.
All prices are indicative planning guides only. The matched FIDI-certified removal company confirms the actual price after surveying your goods, origin and Portuguese delivery address.
These 10 removal companies Portugal hold BAR Overseas and FIDI FAIM certification, operate regular Portugal routes and specialise in Portuguese customs compliance including the isenção aduaneira de transferência de residência. FIDI FAIM requires more than 200 independent quality checks and an Ernst and Young audit every three years.
PSS International Removals is a UK-based family company with over 40 years of experience and Portugal among its most active European routes. FIDI FAIM certified, BAR Overseas accredited and a member of both Euromovers and the International Association of Movers, PSS holds FIDI Top Performer Status. The company provides door-to-door Portugal removals for families, expats and retirees moving to Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, the Silver Coast and rural Portugal, with a dedicated Portugal move manager and full NIF and customs documentation support.
Suited to: UK families, retirees and expats moving to any Portuguese destination who want a specialist British-based company with a proven Portugal track record and dedicated account management from survey to delivery.
Founded in 1884, John Mason International is one of the UK's most established FIDI FAIM and BAR Overseas accredited removal companies with a long history of Portugal route operations. The company provides regular part-load and dedicated services to Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, the Alentejo and all Portuguese regions. Its dedicated Move Managers handle Portuguese customs documentation including NIF registration guidance and isenção applications as part of the standard service.
Suited to: UK customers moving to any Portuguese destination who value long-established route experience, regular part-load services and a Move Manager who handles customs paperwork as standard.
Britannia Movers International is a FIDI FAIM certified, BAR Overseas accredited UK removal company with a national network of UK branches and established Portugal route coverage. The company operates direct Portugal services from its UK branch network, coordinating with Portuguese partner agents at Lisbon, Porto and Faro for onward delivery. Its UK-to-Portugal experience covers the route via France and Spain, including appropriate documentation for the Spanish border crossing transit.
Suited to: UK households moving to Portugal who want a company with national UK branch access and direct Portugal delivery coordination, including Algarve and Alentejo destinations.
Anglo Pacific International is a UK-based BAR Overseas accredited international removal company with a specific capability for shipping vehicles alongside household goods on the Portugal route. The company handles full household removals and specialises in combining the vehicle shipping and household removal into a single coordinated service, which is particularly useful for British customers taking a car or motorbike to Portugal. Anglo Pacific covers all Portuguese destinations including Madeira.
Suited to: UK customers moving household goods and a vehicle to Portugal simultaneously, and those needing coordinated car and classic vehicle shipping on the UK to Portugal route.
Crown Relocations is a global full-service international removal company with offices in over 50 countries. For Portugal, Crown provides professional export packing, containerised storage at both ends, Portuguese customs clearance including isenção applications, and an agent network covering Lisbon and Porto. Its size provides flexible scheduling and access to regular container services for customers whose Portuguese property purchase or renovation is delayed.
Suited to: families and corporate transferees needing full-service international removals to Portugal with storage flexibility and a single global company managing the entire process.
White and Company is a FIDI FAIM and BAR Overseas accredited UK removal company and founding member of the BAR. Portugal is a regular route for the company, with established partner agents in Lisbon and the Algarve. It handles complete packing, Portuguese customs clearance and post-Brexit Transfer of Residence documentation, and has experience of rural Portugal delivery including properties on unmade roads in the Alentejo and Algarve interior that require smaller vehicles for the final access leg.
Suited to: UK customers moving to rural Portuguese properties, the Alentejo, and inland Algarve destinations where local access knowledge and flexible delivery planning are important.
Santa Fe Relocation is a FIDI FAIM certified company with strong corporate relocation capabilities across Europe. For Portugal, the company provides complete move management including Portuguese NIF registration guidance, autorização de residência process support and settling-in services for corporate transferees and their families relocating to Lisbon and Porto. Its destination teams assist with school-search, Portuguese healthcare registration (SNS) and initial administrative setup.
Suited to: companies relocating employees to Portugal and corporate transferees who need destination support including Portuguese administrative guidance alongside the physical removal.
Gosselin Group is a Belgium-based FIDI FAIM certified international removal company with a strong Iberian Peninsula corridor network. Its Portugal operations cover UK, Belgian, Dutch, French and German origins with regular consolidated runs and dedicated services to Lisbon and Porto. Gosselin manages intercontinental sea freight arrivals at Leixões port near Porto and Setúbal for container moves from North America, Asia and Australia, coordinating Portuguese customs clearance and delivery across all Portuguese regions.
Suited to: European-origin corporate and family moves to Portugal and intercontinental container arrivals at Portuguese ports needing established Iberian Peninsula logistics.
Global International Relocation is a FIDI-accredited and IAM member removal and relocation company founded in 2008, based in Lisbon and Oporto with a worldwide network of agents covering 186 countries. The company handles inbound and outbound Portugal removals including specialist packing using reinforced crating and wardrobe boxes, Portuguese customs clearance and additional services such as furniture hire, house cleaning and pet transportation coordination. Its dual-city base gives it direct operational coverage of both the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas.
Suited to: customers who want the Portuguese delivery side managed by a Lisbon and Porto-based company with direct local operations and no reliance on sub-agents in major cities.
Invictus Relocation Services is a FIDI-accredited and IAM member removal and relocation company based in Lisbon, founded in 2013. Alongside the physical removal, the company provides comprehensive destination relocation services including home-search, school-search, visa and immigration assistance, Portuguese healthcare registration and local orientation. This makes Invictus a genuine full-relocation provider: it handles both the goods and the Portuguese administrative setup that follows the move.
Suited to: families and individuals moving to Lisbon and central Portugal who want structured settling-in support covering the full Portuguese relocation process beyond the delivery of their goods.
Stage 1: Collection from your UK address (Day 1)
Stage 2: Channel Tunnel to France, motorway south through France to the Spanish border (Days 1 to 2)
Stage 3: Spain transit via the A-62 and A-1 motorways to the Portuguese border at Vilar Formoso or Badajoz
Stage 4: Portuguese customs clearance (1 to 2 days). Delivery to your Portuguese address.
All 10 removal companies Portugal cover every Portuguese city and region: Lisbon, Porto, Cascais, Sintra, Setúbal, Coimbra, Évora, Faro, Albufeira, Lagos, Portimão, Vilamoura, the Algarve, the Alentejo, the Douro Valley, the Silver Coast and Trás-os-Montes.
Portugal's island territories require additional sea freight after the mainland road leg:
Portugal is one of Europe's most pet-friendly countries and a popular destination for British owners moving with dogs and cats. Since the UK left the EU, the documentation process changed: EU pet passports issued to UK-resident pets are no longer valid for travel from the UK to Portugal. Each trip requires a new Animal Health Certificate.
Quarantine: Portugal does not require quarantine for dogs and cats from the UK provided all documentation is in order and the AHC is valid on arrival.
SIAC registration: All dogs and cats in Portugal must be registered on the SIAC (Sistema de Identificação de Animais de Companhia), the national pet registry. This is handled by a Portuguese vet after arrival. Your vet updates the registry using your pet's existing microchip number. There is a small registration fee.
Breed restrictions: Portugal has dangerous dog legislation under Lei n.º 92/1995. Dogs classified as potentially dangerous (including certain large breeds) require a licence from the Junta de Freguesia, liability insurance and neutering in some cases. Check with your specific município before travel.
The AHC is valid for 10 days from issue. The UK to Portugal road journey takes 2 to 3 days by car. If travelling by car with your pet, plan the AHC appointment no earlier than 10 days before your departure. Pets can travel through the Channel Tunnel and across France and Spain in your vehicle. Ensure your pet has access to water and comfort stops on the long Iberian Peninsula leg. Portuguese entry is straightforward at the border provided documents are valid.
Portugal uses the Euro (EUR). Your removal is quoted in GBP. Any property purchase, rental deposit, savings transfer or ongoing Portuguese living costs are in EUR. Managing the exchange rate between signing and completion is one of the most financially significant aspects of a Portugal move.
At typical exchange levels, a 5% movement in the GBP/EUR rate on a €300,000 Portuguese property changes the sterling cost by approximately £13,000 to £15,000. Portuguese conveyancing runs from the CPCV (Contrato de Promessa de Compra e Venda) (preliminary contract, typically 10% deposit) to the escritura pública (final deed signed before a notário). The gap between these two stages is typically 1 to 3 months, during which the full balance must be transferred. A rate movement during this period directly affects your total sterling outlay.
A currency specialist can lock in today's GBP/EUR rate for the transfer needed at the escritura stage, protecting you against the rate moving between the CPCV signing and final completion. This is especially valuable for buyers purchasing in the Algarve, Lisbon or Porto where property prices have risen significantly and the sterling exposure on a rate movement is substantial.
Currency specialists typically offer materially better exchange rates and lower transfer fees than high street banks for GBP to EUR transfers of property-purchase size. For a €300,000 transfer, the saving compared to using a high street bank can run to over a thousand pounds.
To receive EUR in Portugal and transact with the Portuguese notário, you need a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) and a Portuguese bank account (conta bancária). The NIF is obtained from any AT office (Autoridade Tributária) at portaldasfinancas.gov.pt or via the Portuguese Consulate in the UK. Allow two to four weeks. You cannot open a Portuguese bank account, complete a property purchase or apply for the customs isenção without a valid NIF.
Regular Portuguese costs (renda/rent, utilities, IMI municipal property tax, condominio fees for apartments) are all in EUR. A standing EUR payment facility with a currency specialist costs less than repeated international bank transfers and smooths the currency conversion over time.
British retirees receiving a UK state pension and moving to Portugal should be aware that the tax treatment of pension income in Portugal has changed in recent years. The original NHR regime closed to new applicants; the replacement IFICI framework (Incentivo Fiscal ao Crescimento e ao Investimento Cultural) applies different rules. Seek independent financial and tax advice specific to your pension type before moving.
Portugal applies ISV (Imposto Sobre Veículos), a vehicle purchase tax, to imported vehicles. For customers qualifying for the Transfer of Residence customs exemption, ISV is waived on one vehicle imported alongside the household removal. Without the exemption, ISV is calculated on the vehicle's CO2 emissions and engine capacity and can run to several thousand euros for an average family car. This makes the Transfer of Residence exemption particularly valuable for vehicle shipping.
Right-hand drive UK vehicles are legal to drive in Portugal. Portugal is one of the more accommodating EU countries for right-hand drive vehicles, and there is no requirement for headlight beam modification as there is in France or Germany.
UK vehicles that do not hold EU type approval need a conformity check (controlo de conformidade) before Portuguese registration. After this, a IPO (Inspecção Periódica Obrigatória), the Portuguese equivalent of the MOT, is required. The IPO is conducted at an approved inspection centre. Most UK vehicles pass straightforwardly.
Registration is handled through IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes). You will need your passport, Portuguese NIF, residency permit, proof of insurance with a Portuguese insurer, and the UK V5C logbook. Portuguese number plates replace the UK plates. Annual road tax (IUC, Imposto Único de Circulação) applies from the first full year of Portuguese registration. SORN the vehicle with DVLA before export from the UK.
Most UK cars move to Portugal by road transporter via France and Spain alongside or separately from household goods. Transit from the UK to Portugal takes 3 to 5 days. Always tell us at the enquiry stage if you have a vehicle to ship so the matched company can confirm whether they handle vehicles directly or coordinate with a specialist vehicle shipping agent.
UK storage is commonly needed when the Portuguese escritura is delayed, when renovation work is underway on a Portuguese property, or when the UK property sale completes before the Portuguese purchase. Options include:
Indicative UK container storage cost: from approximately £80 to £150 per container equivalent per month. Confirm with your matched removal company.
Portuguese storage (armazém de móveis or guarda-móveis) is needed when the Portuguese property is not yet habitable, when customs clearance is delayed, or when moving into temporary rental accommodation first. Options include:
Indicative Portuguese storage cost beyond free period: approximately €15 to €28 per cubic metre per month. Confirm with your matched removal company.
Storage charges are separate from the removal price. Confirm inclusions, free storage period and costs per additional week with your matched removal company before booking.
International removal companies typically offer two levels of goods-in-transit insurance:
1. Limited liability: Cover based on the weight of your goods (typically £40 to £60 per kilogram). For a 2-bedroom household at around 2,000 kg this gives approximately £80,000 to £120,000 of cover, typically below the replacement value of most households. This is the default level if you do not specify otherwise.
2. All-risks cover (full replacement value): Cover based on the declared replacement value of your goods. If a £1,500 item is damaged, it is replaced at £1,500. All-risks is the recommended level for moves to Portugal where goods travel a long road distance through France and Spain before crossing into Portugal, and pass through customs clearance at the Portuguese border.
You declare the replacement value of your goods at the outset. Under-declaring saves on premium but results in under-payment if a claim is made. A room-by-room inventory with replacement values for major items is required. International removal insurance typically costs 2% to 4% of the declared replacement value. Always confirm whether cover is all-risks or limited liability before signing.
Since Brexit, goods leaving the UK for Portugal are exports to the EU and require Portuguese customs clearance on arrival. The isenção aduaneira de transferência de residência (transfer of residence customs exemption) can remove IVA and import duty on household goods owned and used for at least 6 months, subject to qualifying conditions. IVA rates in Portugal are 23% on the mainland, 16% in Madeira and 18% in the Azores. Your FIDI-certified removal company Portugal confirms what applies for your specific route.
Conditions to qualify for the isenção:
Prohibited and restricted items:
International Removals Companies was founded by Darren Benjamin in 2010. Company number 07425576, registered in England and Wales. Only removal companies meeting all three criteria below are included. Accreditations are verified independently on a rolling basis.
British Association of Removers Overseas membership. Independent quality checks, Furniture Ombudsman dispute resolution and adherence to published industry service standards. Mandatory for all UK-origin international moves in the network.
The international quality standard for removal companies. More than 200 independent quality checks. Audited every three years by Ernst and Young for operational excellence, financial stability and customer service. Only a small percentage of global removal companies hold this standard.
Demonstrated Portugal route operations covering the road journey via France and Spain. Expertise in Portuguese customs procedures (isenção aduaneira, NIF requirements, alfândega clearance), island delivery logistics for Madeira and the Azores, and Portuguese-speaking agent support.
Valid UK passport, NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) from portaldasfinancas.gov.pt or any AT office, Portuguese residency permit or visa, proof of prior UK residence for 12 or more months, and a detailed numbered inventory. Your matched removal company Portugal confirms the full list for your specific route before you book.
There is no direct UK to Portugal ferry service. All road removals travel through France and Spain. UK to Porto: 3 to 4 days dedicated. UK to Lisbon: 3 to 5 days. UK to the Algarve: 4 to 6 days. Part load (groupage): 7 to 14 days. Madeira and the Azores require an additional sea freight crossing from the Portuguese mainland. North America: 21 to 35 days. Asia and Australia: 28 to 42 days.
Prohibited: firearms without permits, protected wildlife (CITES), counterfeit goods, plants or food without phytosanitary certificates. Restricted: alcohol over duty-free limits, prescription pharmaceuticals, cultural artefacts, and cash over €10,000. All FIDI-certified removal companies Portugal provide item-specific guidelines before your move.
Since Brexit, UK to Portugal moves require customs clearance. Used personal household goods can enter Portugal duty-free and IVA-free under the isenção aduaneira de transferência de residência if: goods were owned and used for 6 or more months, you permanently transfer your primary residence to Portugal, and you hold a valid NIF and Portuguese residency document before goods arrive. Without the isenção, mainland Portugal IVA is 23%. Your matched removal company confirms what applies.
Yes. The car must be owned for at least 6 months and for personal use. If qualifying for the Transfer of Residence exemption, ISV (Portuguese vehicle purchase tax) is waived. Without exemption, ISV can be substantial. Right-hand drive is legal in Portugal. The car needs a conformity check and IPO inspection, then registration with IMT. SORN the vehicle before export. Tell us at the enquiry stage if you have a vehicle to ship.
Yes. Dogs and cats need: ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination given after microchipping, and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an Official Veterinarian endorsed by APHA and valid for 10 days from issue. No quarantine required if documents are in order. All dogs and cats must be registered on the SIAC national pet database at a Portuguese vet after arrival. Check breed-specific rules for your município. Mention your pets in your removal enquiry.
Portugal uses EUR. Your removal is quoted in GBP. A 5% GBP/EUR rate movement on a €300,000 Portuguese property changes the sterling cost by approximately £13,000 to £15,000. Portuguese conveyancing runs 1 to 3 months from CPCV to escritura pública. A forward contract locks in today's rate for the notário transfer. You need a NIF and Portuguese bank account before EUR funds can be received. International Removals Companies does not provide currency exchange services. Seek advice from an FCA-authorised currency specialist.
All 10 removal companies Portugal cover every city and region: Lisbon, Porto, Cascais, Sintra, Setúbal, Coimbra, Évora, Faro, Albufeira, Lagos, Portimão, Vilamoura, the Algarve, the Alentejo, the Douro Valley and the Silver Coast. Island deliveries to Madeira (Funchal) and the Azores use sea freight from the Portuguese mainland. See the Portugal removals hub for individual city and region pages.
Comparison sites send your details to multiple companies simultaneously, generating several sales calls. International Removals Companies matches you with one suitable FIDI-certified removal company based on your route, volume and timeline. That one company contacts you, confirms the service scope and gives the confirmed quote. No spam. No multiple firms. The matching service is free.
Tell us your origin country and Portuguese destination. We match you with one certified removal company Portugal from our network. One contact. One confirmed quote. The matching service is free.
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International Removals Companies — DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company 07425576. Norman House, Abbey Street, London SE1 3DH.