Moving and relocation services for everyone coming to the UK

Moving to the UK involves dozens of specialist tasks — shipping your belongings, navigating visa applications, relocating your pets and finding a community when you arrive. This directory covers the services that make the physical and bureaucratic process of moving to the UK as smooth as possible.

Browse sub-categories ↓
8
Sub-categories
25+
Vetted providers
Free
Always free to use
Moving

Find moving and relocation services in the UK

Every sub-category has its own curated list of vetted providers, plus practical guidance on how the UK moving process works for new arrivals.

Expat Groups & Clubs

Community groups, social clubs and networking organisations helping newly arrived internationals build connections and feel at home in the UK.

Community Groups Social Clubs Networking
Browse providers
Immigration Lawyers & Services

Regulated immigration solicitors and OISC-registered advisers for UK visa applications, extensions, ILR and citizenship — from skilled worker routes to family visas.

Visa Applications ILR Citizenship
Browse providers
Moving Companies

International removal companies handling door-to-door shipping, containerised sea freight and air freight for household goods moving to the UK.

International Removals Sea Freight Man & Van
Browse providers
Pet Relocation

Specialist pet relocation agents managing all aspects of bringing animals to the UK — microchipping, vaccinations, APHA paperwork and airline coordination.

APHA Paperwork Veterinary Compliance Airline Coordination
Browse providers
Relocation Services

Full-service relocation consultants managing the entire moving process — from area orientation and school search to settling-in support and cultural training.

Full-Service Area Orientation Settling-In Support
Browse providers
Storage

Self-storage facilities across the UK for short or long-term needs — ideal for keeping belongings secure between moves, during renovations or while searching for a permanent home.

Self-Storage Flexible Terms UK-Wide
Browse providers
Translations

Certified translation services for documents required by UK authorities — birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic qualifications and legal documents.

Certified Translations Legal Documents Qualifications
Browse providers
Travel & Experiences

Guided tours, hotel comparison, self-catering cottages and bookable experiences across the UK and beyond — for expats exploring their new home from day one.

Guided Tours Hotels & Cottages Experiences
Browse providers
Featured providers

Trusted moving and relocation services

Our editorially selected partners — vetted for reliability and recommended for people relocating to the UK.

AnyVan

The UK's largest delivery and removal marketplace. Compare quotes from thousands of vetted removal companies for moves of any size — local, national or international.

Compare Quotes Man & Van International
Get a quote
MNS Removals London

London-based removals specialist offering house moves, office relocations and packing services across London and the UK. Trusted by thousands of families moving into the capital.

London Specialist Packing Services Office Moves
Visit MNS Removals
Eurosender

European logistics platform for sending luggage, boxes and pallets to the UK. Perfect for shipping personal belongings ahead of your move at competitive rates.

Luggage Shipping Parcel & Box Europe to UK
Compare rates
ParcelABC

Instant parcel and pallet shipping comparison across major carriers. Send boxes, suitcases and freight to the UK from anywhere in the world at the best available price.

Price Comparison International Pallets & Freight
Compare carriers
Interparcel UK

Leading UK courier comparison service for parcels, boxes and documents. Compare DHL, UPS, DPD and more to ship your belongings to the UK at discounted rates.

Courier Comparison Documents UK Delivery
Compare couriers
Safestore

One of the UK's largest self-storage networks with 138 locations. Flexible month-by-month storage for household goods, furniture and personal items while you settle in.

138 UK Locations Flexible Terms Climate Controlled
Find a store

Some links in this section are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Provider information is provided for general guidance only. Always verify details, pricing and suitability directly with the provider before making any booking or purchase. Our editorial recommendations are made independently.

More services for life in the UK

View all categories →
Education Finance Healthcare Housing Lifestyle Living Moving Working
Questions & answers

Frequently asked questions

Common questions from expats and new arrivals navigating the practicalities of moving to the UK.

The most cost-effective method for large volumes is a shared or full container by sea freight, which takes 3–6 weeks from most countries. For smaller volumes — a few boxes or suitcases — courier comparison platforms like Eurosender, ParcelABC or Interparcel offer competitive rates. Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive and is usually only worthwhile for urgent or high-value items. An international removal company can manage the full process end to end, including packing, customs documentation and delivery to your UK address.
You are not legally required to use one, but for complex applications — skilled worker visas, family visas, ILR or citizenship — a regulated immigration solicitor or OISC-registered adviser can substantially improve your chances of success and help you avoid costly mistakes. Only those regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) are permitted to provide paid immigration advice in the UK. For straightforward applications, many people apply independently using official GOV.UK guidance.
The UK has strict pet import rules managed by APHA (the Animal and Plant Health Agency). Dogs, cats and ferrets must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. Animals travelling from outside the EU and certain listed countries may also need a blood titre test confirming adequate antibody levels — this test must be carried out at least 30 days after vaccination. You will also need a valid animal health certificate issued no more than 10 days before travel. Requirements vary by country of origin, so confirming the current rules with APHA or a specialist pet relocation agent well in advance of your move date is advisable.
Most people use self-storage for one to three months while they search for permanent accommodation or wait for a shipping container to arrive. It is especially common for those arriving in rented furnished properties who do not yet have space for their furniture. Most UK storage facilities, including Safestore and Access Self Storage, offer flexible monthly rolling contracts with no long-term commitment and no deposit required, so you can vacate when your permanent property is ready with as little as seven days' notice.
UK authorities and employers commonly require certified translations of birth certificates, marriage certificates, educational qualifications, criminal record checks and foreign driving licences. Visa applications may also require translated supporting documents. A certified translation must be produced by a qualified translator who certifies its accuracy — the Home Office does not accept machine translations for immigration purposes. For academic qualifications, check whether the relevant UK institution requires a translation or an official recognition statement from UK ENIC.
A relocation service manages the practical and administrative tasks involved in settling into a new country, beyond just moving your belongings. This can include area orientation, school search and registration, property search or rental support, help opening bank accounts, obtaining a National Insurance number, registering with a GP, and cultural training. Corporate relocation packages often cover these services for employees on assignment. Individual expats can also engage relocation consultants independently for specific elements of the process they find most complex.
Most major UK cities have active expat communities, both nationality-specific and multi-national. Meetup.com lists regular social events in cities including London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham. InterNations operates in most UK cities and organises professional and social networking events for internationals. Many embassies and cultural institutes also run community programmes for their nationals living in the UK. Facebook Groups and LinkedIn communities are useful for finding both local and industry-specific networks after arriving.
Most relocation specialists recommend beginning the planning process at least three to six months before your intended arrival date. Visa applications — particularly skilled worker and family routes — can take several weeks to process. Pet import requirements, including rabies vaccinations and titre tests, have fixed waiting periods that must be completed before travel. Sea freight shipping takes four to twelve weeks depending on origin. Starting early allows time for certified translations, school research and property searches to run in parallel rather than sequentially.
A removal company handles the physical logistics of your move — packing, shipping, customs clearance and delivery of your belongings. A relocation service handles the life administration around the move — finding a home, registering children in school, opening bank accounts, cultural orientation and settling-in support. The two services are complementary and both are often used on the same move, particularly for corporate relocations. Some full-service firms offer both under one roof; others specialise exclusively in one or the other.
Yes. While the directory is primarily designed for people planning or in the early stages of a move to the UK, many of the services listed — immigration lawyers, translation services, expat groups, storage facilities and relocation consultants — are equally relevant to people who have already arrived and are navigating the settling-in process. The Travel & Experiences section is specifically designed for expats already in the UK who want to explore their new home.
For service providers

List your moving service in our directory

We connect thousands of people relocating to the UK with specialist moving services every month. Removal firms, immigration lawyers, relocation consultants and pet agents all welcome.

Apply for a listing →