Moving Back to the UK from Portugal? We'll Get You Home.

A team based in the Algarve, dedicated to getting you and your belongings safely back home to the UK. We manage everything: packing, customs clearance, ToR1 documentation, and delivery to your UK address, so you can focus on the move, not the logistics.

Returning to the UK From Portugal Takes More Than a Van and a Ferry

Moving back to the UK from Portugal is rarely straightforward. Between packing up your home, navigating post-Brexit customs requirements, applying for ToR1 relief to avoid import duty, and coordinating timing around property sales or family commitments, there’s a lot to get right.

Most removal companies offering this route operate from the UK and treat Portugal as a starting point. AIM is different. We’re based in Lagos, Algarve, collecting from your door directly, with no local agents or third-party handoffs on the Portuguese side.

Whether you’re moving from the Algarve to the UK or relocating from Lisbon or Porto, our team manages the full journey from collection to delivery.

Everything We Handle for Your Return to the UK

Full Home Removals to the UK

We collect from your home anywhere in Portugal, from the Algarve to Lisbon, Porto, and beyond, and deliver door to door to your UK address. Everything is managed by our own teams at both ends, with no third-party handoffs.

Professional Packing and Export Wrapping

Our team will professionally pack and export wrap all your belongings, creating a full inventory of every item before it leaves Portugal. If you'd prefer to pack yourself, we'll work around that too.

ToR1 Customs Clearance Handling

Returning UK residents can import household goods duty-free under HMRC's ToR1 relief scheme, but the application must be submitted before your goods arrive in the UK. We handle the full process on your behalf, so you don't risk delays or unexpected import bills.

Part-Load Service

Not moving everything at once? Our part-load service means you only pay for the space your belongings occupy in the vehicle. A cost-effective option for smaller moves, single rooms, or sending ahead just what you need for day one in the UK.

Storage in Portugal and the UK

Need time between leaving your Portuguese home and accessing your UK address? We offer secure storage at our Lagos depot in the Algarve, and through our sister company Self Storage Centre, access to storage across three sites in the North West of England. Your belongings stay safe at whichever end suits your timeline.

Vehicle Transport

If you're bringing a car back from Portugal, we can arrange transport as part of your move. Cars registered in Portugal are left-hand drive, worth considering before committing to the cost of shipping. We'll help you weigh up the options and make the right call for your situation.

The Only Removal Company With Boots on the Ground at Both Ends

What makes AIM genuinely different isn’t just being based in Portugal; it’s that we have a trusted, connected operation at the UK end too. Our sister company Roy Trevor Ltd is a well-established removal and storage provider in Warrington, Cheshire, handling deliveries across the UK under the same family ownership and the same standards. One move, two expert teams, one point of contact throughout.

Through Self Storage Centre, we also offer access to secure storage across three sites in the North West of England, useful if there’s a gap between leaving your Algarve home and getting the keys to your UK address.

In over 30 years moving families from Lagos, the Algarve, and across Portugal back to the UK, we’ve supported hundreds of British expats returning home, for family reasons, health needs, and everything in between. Our UK operations are conducted in line with BAR standards, the British Association of Removers, the UK’s leading trade body for professional removal companies.

Straightforward pricing, no hidden costs, and a team that genuinely understands what this move involves.

We Collect Anywhere in Portugal and Deliver Across the UK

From our depot in Lagos, Algarve, we collect from anywhere in Portugal including:

We deliver to any UK address, with storage available across the North West.

Not sure if we cover your route? Get in touch, and we’ll confirm.

From Your Door in Portugal to Your Door in the UK

Call us or fill in the form for a free, no-commitment quote for your move back to UK.

Step One

Get a Quote

Call us or fill in the form for a free, no-commitment quote for your move back to UK.

Step Two

Packing & Processing

Once you’re happy with the quote we’ll organise to pack and process your belongings and prepare them for transport

Step Three

Transport and Delivery

We take care of all the customs for you and transport your effects safely to your new home in the UK.

We recommend getting in touch at least 8–12 weeks before your planned move date to allow time for the ToR1 process and survey.

What Our Clients Say About Moving Back to the UK With AIM

Listen to what our happy clients have to say about our removal services.

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to the team who handled my move in December 2025. They were all extremely cheerful, supportive, and professional during what was a very stressful time for me, and they made the entire end-to-end process so much easier. The service I received was genuinely excellent, and I would not hesitate to recommend your company to friends both in Portugal and the UK. Thanks again for all your help.

I just wanted to say thank you to Mike and the amazing team who moved us (from Alvor to Alvor!) on Saturday 21st December. It was such a slick job, and the team worked so well together and really looked out for each other. Super fast and super professional, fabulous! Thank you again.

Our dearest friend Michael and your team of magicians, you were right and not for the first time I was wrong !! We have found absolutely everything with not a single cuff link or hair pin going astray!! This (we trust) will be the last time Trish and I undertake a house move and your management of this one cannot possibly be topped! There will be no comparisons. Nothing damaged, the Grandfather clock worked without complaint and even my “doubting Thomas” approach, necessitated me putting on “sackcloth and to be honest I’m more than happy with that ! Michael you and your team will never be surpassed! God speed and love 🧡 to you all!

I had a wonderful experience from AIM Removals. From the quotation walk-through to the end delivery, the service has been very professional. Response time from the office was quick which gave enormous peace of mind. The delivery team arrived on time both for the delivery and drop-off and listened to our requests and moved our household items with care.
I would definately recommend AIM to anyone needing this service

Thanks for all your help, it's been a great experience working with AIM.

We recently relocated from a second floor flat in Albufeira to a town house in Burgau employing AIM’s Removals to do the removals on the 28th June 2024. The help from your self before the removal and the team of Gareth and Janine on the day was second to none. I cannot praise your whole operation highly enough regards attention to detail from start to finish. I hopefully will not be moving again but if I do I know who I will be using. A BIG THANK YOU AGAIN.

In mid-June, I'm planning to relocate certain household items from Aljezur to the Lagos area. These items will need storage until September 23rd before being moved to Salema. I want to express my gratitude for the seamless and effective service provided. It was truly appreciated.

Thank you for the prompt removal. They did a brilliant job.

Just to let you know. You're guys were absolutely superb today, took all my moving stress away. Thank you all for a great service, I shall recommend AIM to everyone!

Thank you and all of you for your help, patience, and humour. You were all fantastic!

Thanks for yesterday it all went smoothly. The only pity is I didn’t find out about you earlierd humour. You were all fantastic!

A HUGE thanks for a job well done! I have been most impressed by all of AIM's staff and will highly recommend you to my friends.

Hello from up north, and a big thank you to all of the team from AIM. It was simply said the right desition to move with AIM. You have a nice sympathic team which works togetter. When it was looking Impossible you found a solution. It was a nice experience i'll kip o mind. If i should ever need a spedition again, i ask you first. Nice to have Mad you. Best wished

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief and do I need it?

Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief is HMRC's scheme allowing people who are moving their main residence to the UK to import their household goods without paying customs duty or 20% import VAT. If you've lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months and your belongings have been owned and used for at least 6 months, you're likely eligible. The application must be submitted before your goods arrive in the UK; approval typically takes between 24 hours and five weeks. AIM handles the full ToR1 application on your behalf.

How long does a removal from Portugal to the UK take?

Most door-to-door removals from Portugal to the UK take between 3–5 days by road. You'll also need to factor in the ToR1 application timeline, which can take up to five weeks if HMRC requires additional information. We recommend starting the process at least 8–12 weeks before your planned move date to allow enough time for everything.

How much does it cost to move back to the UK from Portugal?

Cost depends on the volume of your belongings, your collection address in Portugal, your UK delivery address, and the services required, such as packing, specialist crating, or storage. We offer free, no-obligation quotes following a pre-move survey so you'll get an accurate figure, not a rough estimate. Get in touch to arrange yours.

Do I need to do anything about customs when moving back to the UK?

Yes, but we handle it for you. Moves from Portugal to the UK are subject to UK customs requirements since Brexit. Most returning UK residents qualify for ToR1 relief, which allows you to import household goods duty-free. We manage the full customs process including the ToR1 application, customs declarations, and any documentation required, so nothing gets held up at the border.

Can you collect from anywhere in Portugal, not just the Algarve?

Yes. While our depot is based in Lagos, Algarve, we collect from anywhere in mainland Portugal, including Lisbon, Porto, the Alentejo, and the Silver Coast. Get in touch with your collection address, and we'll confirm availability and timings.

Let's Get You Home. Start With a Free Quote.

Get in touch with our Algarve team today for a free, no-obligation quote on your move back to the UK. Just a team that’s been moving families from Lagos and the Algarve to the UK for over 30 years.