The Cost of Moving to France from the UK – and How to Cut It
Starting a new life in France can be rewarding. When compared to the U.K., the country across the channel scores higher on several metrics — boasting lower rents, better public transportation and some of the best cuisine in the world. As of 2023, it was estimated that over 165,000 Britons lived in neighbouring France.
Despite their proximity, however, moving to France doesn’t come without its costs. In between securing post-Brexit visas, applying for the right insurance and shipping across your valuables — you could end up spending anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand quid. In this guide, we break down what to expect.
Average Cost of Moving from the UK to France
First, let’s consider the average costs of moving to France from the UK. In most cases, the cost of moving houses alone can be anywhere between £1,000 and £5,000. Of course, this is a broad estimate and one that could vary greatly depending on your needs.
The cost of removals alone, for instance, depends on factors like the volume of goods, the type of transportation service, packing materials, storage, reassembly and more. Moreover, there are several additional costs to take into account, as we’ll explore below.
Factors Impacting Removal Costs
If you’re moving to France without any stuff, there’s a lot less to consider. However, most expats must factor in the following removal costs when moving countries.
Size of Home
While the size of your home doesn’t directly determine the cost of your move, it does serve as a useful starting point for estimating the price before a survey is carried out. For example, moving from a one- or two-bedroom apartment might cost upwards of £1,000, whereas relocating from a five-bedroom house could understandably cost three to five times more.
Volume of Goods
One of the most important factors affecting the cost of your move is the volume of your goods. This determines the size of the vehicle required to transport them. It’s a simple formula — the more you move, the more it will cost.
The tricky part is accurately estimating the volume of your belongings. A professional removal company like Gentlevan Removals can help you calculate this and recommend the most suitable mode of transport for your move. For a quick estimate, you can also use our free online volume calculator.
Exact Distance Covered
Another factor that impacts your removal costs is the exact distance you need to cover. Moving from the Westernmost point of the UK to a French town near the border of Italy will, logically, be more expensive. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Mode of Transport
When planning a move, you can choose to ship your goods over land, sea, or air. Each of these modes of transport comes with its own considerations.
Shipping goods by ferry may seem like a reasonable solution, but it takes a few days longer. Sending goods by air may be faster but significantly adds to costs.
Shipping goods on a dedicated road vehicle is the Goldilocks solution in this regard — offering a fast, direct route while ensuring costs stay as low as possible.
Packing, Storage and Reassembly
Some hidden factors that may impact the cost of your move include packaging, storage and reassembly. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to safely manage these aspects while already planning a big move — so these are tasks best left to the experts.
Types of Removal Service
Gentlevan Removals offers two types of services for those planning to move from the UK to France. Each of these options has a major bearing on your overall cost, so it’s important to consider both carefully — and assess which is right for you.
Dedicated Load Service
Many studies suggest that the average UK home is smaller than the average French home, going by square footage alone. So it’s likely that the home you’re moving into will be roughly the same size or larger.
In this case, you’ll probably need to move all your valuable items and goods at once — a task that’ll require a dedicated load service.
With this option, you will have a vehicle solely dedicated to moving your belongings, without any stops along the way. This ensures faster and safer movement of goods — even if it has a slight bearing on your overall costs.
Wondering how much this type of removal will end up costing? Request a quote from Gentlevan Removals by following this link and answering all relevant questions.
Part-Load Service
Depending on the volume of goods you need to transport, Gentlevan Removals’ bespoke part-load service may be a more cost-effective solution. With this service, customers can move smaller loads in shared vans moving in the same direction. Apart from lowering your costs, this solution is also better for the planet, as it burns less fuel.
Your goods will still receive the same level of care and attention to detail — however, the delivery may take a few days more, depending on how many stops are required between the two locations. Gentlevan Removals will coordinate logistical considerations to optimise the delivery schedule and give you the best possible quote.
How to Get the Best Price on Removals
Moving homes is a major milestone — and the associated costs can be equally significant. However, there are some ways to lower costs and ensure you’re getting the best possible deal. Here are our top tips:
- Select the right mode of transport: Moving goods across land is the most cost-effective and efficient way to move your goods from England to France.
- Be flexible with dates: Removal companies offer rates depending on the season or time of the month. Rates during the peak season — summer — or during the beginning or end of the month could end up costing significantly more.
- Declutter and organise: While the removal service will help with packaging, storage and assembly, being organised helps you cut costs in different ways. It could, for example, bring down the total volume of goods you need to be transported.
- Opt for part-load services: Choosing the part-load option may result in a delay of a couple of days — but can bring down the overall costs.
- Do it yourself: Many homeowners decide to make the move on their own, which granted, is the most cost-effective solution. However, in between packing, arranging transport and reassembly, it could end up being a mammoth task.
Additional Costs to Consider
With all this said, removals are only part of the process. There are several other factors that impact the cost of moving across countries, some of which are highlighted below:
- Visa Fees: Following Brexit, UK citizens require a visa to move to any country within the E.U., including France. Don’t forget to account for various embassy fees while planning your move.
- Insurance: Both countries also have different insurance requirements. Applying for a Global Health Insurance Card may be free, but it doesn’t cover all private treatments. Travel insurance, meanwhile, is separate and mandatory.
- Language Course: The French are famously proud of their language. Although a large chunk of its population is fluent in English, Britons who make an effort to speak French do a lot better. So don’t forget to account for any relevant courses.
- Rent and Utilities: With the exception of the major cities, the cost of rent and utilities in France is, on average, lower than in the UK. However, this is far from guaranteed, so make sure you account for any differences at an early stage.
Similarly, accounting for the differences in the prices of groceries or the fees for acquiring a valid driving license could all have a bearing on the absolute cost.
Keep Costs Low with Gentlevan Removals
All things considered, the costs of moving from the UK to France slowly add up — and explain why the average figures have such a high variance. To ensure that your costs stay as low as possible, get in touch with Gentlevan Removals for an appropriate plan.
Our fleet of modern vehicles sees to it that all your goods arrive safely, on time and with the lowest impact on your wallet. Moreover, our rates account for various hidden costs — including storage, packaging, insurance, permits and more — to ensure no bills take you by surprise. Ready to make the move? Get in touch for a free quote today.