Removals Portugal to UK: A Practical Guide for Moving Back to The UK
Moving back to the UK from Portugal is a big decision, often driven by health, family, or a change in personal circumstances. For many British expats, returning home means reuniting with support networks or accessing the NHS. Whatever your reason, the process of packing up and relocating can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about arranging removals from Portugal to the UK, from planning and paperwork to choosing a trusted removal company.
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Planning Your Move Home
Moving back to the UK from Portugal involves more than packing boxes. Whether you’ve been preparing for a while or need to move quickly due to health or family reasons, there are several practical steps to take early on that can help avoid problems later.
Decide what needs to move and when
Start by working out which items are essential for day one in the UK. That might include important documents, medical supplies, clothing and basic furniture. Other items can follow later, or be kept in storage until you are ready to deal with them. If you’re short on time, your removal company can collect everything and help you separate what goes where.
Be clear on timing, but stay flexible
Many people are working around property sales, hospital dates or family commitments. You’ll need to think about:
- • When your home in Portugal will no longer be available
- • When you can access your new UK address
- • Whether you’ll need temporary storage or delivery to more than one UK location
We can work with you to match your timeline, even if it changes.
Sort the paperwork early
You may need to close utility accounts, cancel internet or TV services, and update your residency status in Portugal. In the UK, you’ll need to re-register with a GP, sort council tax and prove you are back in the country permanently.
If you rely on regular medication, speak to your local GP or pharmacy in Portugal and arrange enough prescriptions to cover the period between your move and registering with a UK doctor. It’s better to plan this early, especially if your access to care is likely to be delayed during the move.
Get help if you’re supporting someone else
If you’re managing the move for a parent or relative, it can feel like a lot. Working with a team that understands what you’re dealing with can reduce stress. You don’t have to do everything alone.
Creating a checklist helps keep things manageable, especially when dealing with two countries’ systems at once.
AIM Removals & Storage and our parent company Roy Trevor Ltd specialises in removals from Portugal to the UK, with experience supporting British expats and returnees. If you’re shopping around, ask these key questions:
- Carry out a pre-move survey in your home
- Fully export wrap your effects
- Make out a detailed inventory list of all items for transport
- Provide a customised crating service if necessary
- Take care of all customs clearance when leaving Portugal
- Take care of all the necessary paperwork and documentation for you to move back to the UK
Choosing the Right Removal Company
Choosing a removal company isn’t just about price. It’s about finding a team you trust to handle your belongings properly, keep you informed, and work around your situation, especially if your move involves health needs, tight timing, or multiple delivery addresses.
If you’re not moving everything at once, part-load removals can be a cost-effective way to send only what you need immediately. For those bringing back a full household, a direct removal service provides faster delivery with less handling.
We offer flexibility if plans change, and be able to guide you through the process step by step.
What Documents Will You Need?
When moving from Portugal to the UK, there are a few essential documents you’ll need to provide, both for customs purposes and to make sure your move runs smoothly.
We will guide you through the process, but you’ll usually need:
- • A copy of your passport or national ID card
- • A full inventory of the items being moved
- • Proof of your UK address (this can be a tenancy agreement, utility bill or family member’s address, depending on your situation)
- • Proof of your previous residence in Portugal, such as a rental contract or property deed
- • Signed customs declaration forms (your removal company should supply and submit these)
It’s important to provide this information in good time, ideally at least a week before your collection date to avoid delays at customs.
If you’re unsure what counts as proof for anything listed above, we will explain it clearly and help you get the right paperwork in order.
Packing and Preparing Your Belongings
Getting your belongings safely from Portugal to the UK isn’t just about putting things in boxes. The right approach to packing makes your move smoother, reduces damage, and speeds up customs checks.
If you’re doing it yourself, be prepared to:
- • Wrap furniture to avoid damage in transit
- • Label all boxes clearly, including contents and room destination
- • Create a detailed inventory—this is needed for customs and will also help with insurance claims, if needed
- • Avoid packing prohibited or restricted items (your removal company should provide a list)
If you’re short on time or unable to pack everything yourself, we offer a professional packing service. This includes:
- • Export-standard wrapping for furniture
- • Custom-built crates for delicate or valuable items
- • Full inventory management
- • Secure loading and unloading by trained teams
Flexible Storage When You Need It - in Lagos and the UK
Not every move goes to plan. Sometimes it happens quickly, and there’s no time to go through every item or make firm decisions about what to take, store, or leave behind.
That’s where short-term storage can help. You may want to:
- • Store everything in Portugal until you’re ready to arrange transport
- • Send only essential items to the UK and store the rest locally
- • Move items to the UK, but delay delivery while you sort out your new home
Storage is especially useful if you’re returning to the UK for health reasons, helping a relative relocate, or facing tight timelines. It gives you more control over what arrives when, and allows you to manage the process in stages rather than all at once.
Once your situation has settled, you can arrange to move stored items to your UK address or dispose of or donate what you no longer need.
Experience You Can Trust – From Portugal to the UK
AIM is a Portugal-based removals company, run by the same family behind Roy Trevor Ltd, a well-established UK removal and storage provider based in Warrington, Cheshire. Together, they’ve supported individuals and families moving between the UK and Portugal for decades.
Through their sister company, Self Storage Centre, AIM also offers access to secure storage across three sites in the North West of England. This joined-up network means you can:
- • Store items in Portugal or the UK, depending on what suits your move
- • Arrange delivery to one or multiple UK addresses
- • Work with a team that understands the full process, from collection to customs to final delivery
This close connection between companies means your move is managed carefully on both sides, with one point of contact and a team that’s used to handling complex situations with care.
Healthcare and Settling Back In
If you’re moving back to the UK from Portugal, especially for health reasons, it’s important to make sure you can access care as soon as possible.
Once you’re back, you’ll need to:
- Register with a GP at your new UK address
- Provide proof of address and ID
- Re-establish your NHS eligibility (usually automatic for UK nationals returning to live permanently)
- Reapply for any benefits or care support you were receiving before you moved abroad
If you’re returning quickly, it’s a good idea to bring enough medication to cover the first few weeks, until you’re settled and registered with a new GP. Arrange prescriptions through your Portuguese doctor before you leave.
You may also need to:
- Register for council tax at your UK address
- Set up utilities, banking, and mobile services
- Notify HMRC and update your National Insurance record
These steps can take time. If you’re helping someone else move back, try to prepare what you can in advance, especially paperwork and health-related details.
Bringing a Car Back from Portugal
If you’re considering bringing your car back to the UK, there are a few practical points to think about.
Cars registered in Portugal are left-hand drive, which may not be ideal for long-term use in the UK. In many cases, it makes more sense to sell the vehicle locally before moving. However, if you choose to bring it back, we can help with transport arrangements as part of your move.
Duty and VAT are also a consideration. I would advise having a chat with us so we can help you make the right decision that fits your situation.
Need time to decide? Speak to us about secure vehicle storage options in Portugal or the UK. This gives you the flexibility to make a decision once you’re settled, without having to rush.
Moving with Pets
If you’re bringing a dog, cat or other pet back to the UK, it’s important to plan ahead.
We don’t transport pets ourselves, but we can work alongside your chosen pet relocation service to help coordinate timings and collection. This can make the move less stressful for both you and your animal.
Before returning, you’ll need to make sure your pet:
- •Has a microchip and up-to-date identification
- • Is fully vaccinated (including rabies)
- • Has the right health certificate or pet passport depending on when you last entered the EU
It’s also worth checking travel restrictions and airline policies if your pet is flying. We recommend speaking with a DEFRA-approved pet relocation provider for full guidance.
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