Becoming an Expat in Spain: Volume 10

Choosing a removal/transport company

The first thing you will need to do is get lots of quotes from international removal companies as the cost will vary significantly between each company and definitely look for reviews from folk that have used them previously as this is without doubt the best way to establish reputability.

Ensure that the company you choose has a ECMT International Removals Permit (European Conference of Ministers of Transport).

You will need to supply a full inventory of the items that you are transporting and their value and approximate date of purchase which will need to be translated into Spanish.

To be tax exempt you must have owned the goods you are transporting for at least 6 months prior to travel.

You will need to prove that you are becoming resident in Spain to benefit from tax exemptions and your removal company should be able to deal with this for you.

You must have lived outside of Spain for at least 12 months and be able to prove this fact.

Be brutal when choosing what to take and what to leave behind/sell – maybe get someone to help you make these decisions as this will definitely help remove your personal bias towards what you can and cannot live without.

Plan this a good 6 months to a year in advance of moving – definitely do not leave making these choices to the last minute as it will cause you immense amounts of stress.