Moving and relocation services for the UK

International removals, immigration advice, storage, document translation and parcel shipping — reviewed for people arriving in the UK from abroad. Every provider here is checked before it is listed, and using the directory is always free.

Browse sub-categories ↓
8
Sub-categories
Free
Always free to use
2026
Last reviewed
Moving

Plan every part of your move

From shipping your belongings to securing the right visa, each area below has its own checked list of providers and practical guidance on how it works in the UK.

Expat Groups & Clubs

Community groups, nationality networks and social clubs that help new arrivals build a circle and find their feet in a new city.

Community Networks Nationality Groups Social Clubs
Browse providers
Immigration Lawyers & Services

Regulated immigration advisers and solicitors who handle visa applications, appeals and sponsorship for individuals and families relocating to the UK.

Visa Applications Appeals Regulated Advice
Browse providers
Moving Companies

International and domestic removal firms that handle packing, shipping and customs — from full container loads to a few boxes sent ahead.

International Removals Packing Door-to-Door
Browse providers
Pet Relocation

Specialist services that manage the paperwork, vaccinations and transport needed to bring a cat or dog into the UK under current import rules.

DEFRA Rules Pet Transport Import Paperwork
Browse providers
Relocation Services

End-to-end relocation specialists who coordinate home searches, school places and settling-in support, often for employers moving staff to the UK.

Home Search School Search Settling-In
Browse providers
Storage

Self-storage and container options for the gap between leaving one home and settling into the next — flexible terms and secure, accessible units.

Self-Storage Flexible Terms Secure Units
Browse providers
Translations

Certified translation services for the official documents UK applications often require — birth and marriage certificates, qualifications and legal papers.

Certified Translation Legal Documents Official Use
Browse providers
Travel & Experiences

Booking services and experience providers for getting around once you arrive — from early trips home to exploring Britain on your days off.

Trips Home UK Travel Days Out
Browse providers
No providers match your search. Clear search
Free newsletter

The expat guide to settling in the UK

Practical guides on schools, visas, healthcare and housing — written for people actually making the move.

275,000+ subscribers 24% open rate Free, always

No spam. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy policy.

Questions & answers

Common questions about moving to the UK

Practical answers on removals, immigration advice, storage, translations and getting set up after you arrive.

The cost depends on how much you are bringing and where you are coming from. A few boxes sent by international courier might run to a few hundred pounds, while a full household shipped by container can reach several thousand. Sea freight is usually cheaper than air but slower. The most reliable way to budget is to get itemised quotes from two or three removal firms and compare what each includes, since packing, insurance and customs handling are not always part of the headline price.
Many people apply for UK visas themselves using the official Home Office guidance, and straightforward applications often do not need a lawyer. Professional advice becomes valuable when a case is complex — previous refusals, sponsorship, settlement, or applications involving dependants. A regulated immigration adviser must be registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) or be a qualified solicitor, so it is worth confirming their status before instructing anyone.
Aim to book four to eight weeks ahead of your move date, and request quotes earlier than that. Sea freight in particular needs lead time, and prices and availability tighten over the summer and around the end of the calendar year. Booking early also gives you time to arrange the right insurance and to declutter, which directly affects the volume you pay to ship.
Cats and dogs entering the UK must meet government requirements that typically include microchipping, a rabies vaccination and the correct documentation, with specific rules depending on the country you are travelling from. The detail changes and is enforced strictly, so check the current guidance on GOV.UK well before you travel. Specialist pet relocation services can manage the vaccinations, paperwork and transport on your behalf if you would rather not coordinate it yourself.
Any document not in English or Welsh generally needs a full certified translation to support a UK visa or official application. A certified translation includes a statement from the translator confirming it is accurate, along with the date and their contact details. Birth and marriage certificates, qualifications and legal papers are the documents most often required, so it is worth checking the exact list for your application type before you begin.
Storage is most useful when there is a gap between leaving your old home and moving into a permanent one, or when your first UK address is smaller than what you are shipping. Many providers offer flexible, month-to-month terms, so you are not locked into a long contract. Compare unit sizes and access hours rather than price alone, since a slightly larger unit with good access can save repeated trips.
Most UK banks ask for proof of identity and proof of a UK address, which can be the first hurdle for new arrivals. Some banks and app-based providers accept alternative documents or let you start the process before you have a fixed address, which can help in the early weeks. Having your immigration documents, a tenancy agreement or a letter from an employer to hand will make the process smoother.
A removals company physically moves your belongings — packing, transport and delivery. A relocation service is broader: it coordinates the move around you, often including home searches, school places, and settling-in support, and is frequently used by employers relocating staff. If you only need your things shipped, a removals firm is enough; if you want the whole transition managed, a relocation service does more.
Generally no — you need the correct visa or immigration permission in place before travelling to live in the UK, and arriving without it can cause serious problems. Visitors can enter under separate rules but cannot work or settle on that basis. Because timelines vary by visa type and country, plan your move date around the decision, not the other way round, and take regulated advice if you are unsure.
Three to six months gives most people enough time to secure the right visa, arrange shipping, sort schools or housing and tie up affairs at home. Visa processing is often the longest single step, so start there and build the rest of the timeline around it. A written checklist that sequences the visa, the move and the first weeks after arrival keeps the parts from colliding.

Are you a provider?

We're actively reviewing new applications in this category.

Apply for a listing →

This page was last updated on 2 June 2026.